Newsroom Stories

​When it comes to rewards and punishments, which is more effective — the carrot or the stick? Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have devised a simple experiment to test the effects of rewards and punishments on behavior and have found that punishments seem to be more effective at influencing behavior.

William F. Tate, PhD, dean of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, recognized outstanding performance by graduate teaching assistants during the annual Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence ceremony, held April 23 in the Women’s Building Formal Lounge.

U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Harrisonville, visited the School of Medicine on Wednesday to learn about research taking place on the Medical Campus and to hear campus leaders’ thoughts on the need for research funding. The congresswoman is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on the Budget.

​​A new agreement between Washington University in St. Louis and Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) will allow HSSU students to complete computer science course work at Washington University at no cost.

The devastating earthquake in Nepal has forced three Washington University in St. Louis researchers to alter their plans for research-related projects in the country — one who was working in Kathmandu when the quake hit and two who planned to fly there a few days later.

Kristina Kleutghen, PhD, has been selected as the inaugural David W. Mesker Career Development Professor of art history at Washington University in St. Louis. A specialist in early modern and modern Chinese art, Kleutghen’s research investigates Sino-foreign interaction, the imperial court, optical devices and connections to visual culture, science and mathematics.

Christopher “Kit” Wellman, PhD, chair and professor of philosophy in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, has been named dean of academic planning for Arts & Sciences, announced Barbara A. Schaal, PhD, dean of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences.The appointment, which is part-time, is effective July 1.

Sediment cores from two lakes in the Mississippi floodplain show that Cahokia, the largest prehistoric settlement in the Americas north of Mexico, emerged during a period when there were few severe floods on the river and that its decline and abandonment coincided with the return of large floods.

For 25 years, Mark Smith, JD, associate vice chancellor and director of the Career Center at Washington University in St. Louis, has been helping new graduates – and their parents – cope with the stress of finding that first job. Smith shares his seven top tips for graduates and their parents.

Researchers have uncovered a unique connection between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease, providing further evidence that a disease that robs people of their memories may be affected by elevated blood sugar, according to scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.