Newsroom Stories

L. Lewis Wall, MD, DPhil (right), has received a gold medal for his “meritorius contributions” to medical education at Mekelle University College of Medical and Health Sciences in Mekelle, Ethiopia. He is a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Washington University School of Medicine and of anthropology in Arts & Sciences.

An investigational treatment for Marfan syndrome is as effective as the standard therapy at slowing enlargement of the aorta, the large artery of the heart that delivers blood to the body, according to a new study co-authored by Alan C. Braverman, MD. Slowing aortic growth in Marfan syndrome is important in protecting against the tearing of the aorta.

The antibiotic azithromycin may reduce the risk of recurrent wheezing in infants hospitalized with a common respiratory infection, according to a small pilot study at the School of Medicine. Reduced wheezing may lower an infant’s risk of developing asthma over the next several years, according to the researchers, including first author Avraham Beigelman, MD.

Washington University in St. Louis undergraduates Kilian Suchocki (left) and Taylor Francis take a shift on the dance floor during the 15th Dance Marathon, a 12-hour fundraiser held Nov. 15-16 at the Danforth University Center. The annual student event raised more than $150,000 for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.

Rose Windmiller, assistant vice chancellor for government and community relations at Washington University in St. Louis, has been appointed a member of Missouri Governor Jay Nixon’s special Ferguson Commission. She is one of 16 members who were announced during a news conference held Nov. 18 at the Missouri History Museum.

The second season of “The Frontline for Hope,” a documentary series following patients, families and clinicians at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, will premiere Saturday, Nov. 22. The series highlights School of Medicine physicians and staff and St. Louis Children’s patients and their families.

What: Dance Marathon, a benefit for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals​ When: 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 to 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 16 Where: The Danforth University Center (The DUC), Washington University in St. Louis Hundreds of students will dress up in colorful costumes to enjoy themed dance hours, performances, games and visits from Miracle kids […]

Scientists have mostly ignored mRNA, the molecule that ferries information from DNA to the cellular machines that make proteins, because these DNA transcripts are ephemeral and soon destroyed. But mRNA can be just as important as DNA scientists at Washington University in St. Louis say. They found that oxidized messenger RNA jams the cellular machines that make protein. The failure to clear the jams and chew up bad messengers is associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Washington University students Katie Caul (left) and Christy Marx both benefitted from the Children’s Miracle Network as kids. Today, they help lead the annual Dance Marathon, a 12-hour party that features themed dance hours, performances, games, free food and visits from Miracle kids.​ This year’s event takes place beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, in the Danforth University Center.

St. Louis Symphony trombonist Jonathan Reycraft will join the Washington University Wind Ensemble Nov. 20 for a free concert in the E. Desmond Lee Concert Hall. Presented as part of the symphony’s Community Partnership program, the performance will feature music of Bert Appermont, Steven Bryant, Robert Jager and Darius Milhaud.