Fish prone to melanoma get DNA decoded
Scientists have decoded the genome of the platyfish, a cousin of the guppy and a popular choice for home aquariums. Scientists are interested in the fish because they tend to develop melanomas along the tail and fin.
Awad named associate dean for medical student education
Michael M. Awad, MD, PhD, has been named associate dean for medical student education at the School of Medicine, effective June 1. Awad is an assistant professor of surgery, program director of the university’s general surgery residency and director of the university’s Institute for Surgical Education.
President signs bill to limit STOCK Act’s web-based publication of employees’ financial information
On Monday, April 15, President Obama signed
legislation rolling back the disclosure requirements of the STOCK (Stop
Trading on Congressional Knowledge) Act, which would have required
creation of a searchable, sortable database for the annual financial
interest forms of 28,000 executive branch employees as well as highly
paid Congressional staff. These forms contain detailed information
about employees’ assets, outside income and gifts. Former national security officials raised security concerns about this publication requirement.
Current employees filed a lawsuit, resulting in a federal court ruling
that publishing such information on the web would violate employees’
right to privacy. “Both the court and the National Academy of Public
Administration
recognized that federal employees have a legitimate right to privacy
regarding their personal financial information,” says Kathleen Clark,
JD, government ethics expert and professor of law at Washington
University in St. Louis.
Mutations identified in childhood brain cancer
Richard K. Wilson, PhD, and colleagues have identified mutations responsible for the most common type of childhood brain cancer and shown that the tumors are susceptible to drugs already in development.
Senate votes to limit STOCK Act’s web-based publication of employees’ financial information
On Thursday, April 11, the Senate voted to roll back
the STOCK (Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge) Act, limiting the
web-based publication of government employees’ personal financial
information. This action comes in response to a federal court ruling
that such publication violated employees’ right to privacy and a
critical report by the National Academy of Public Administration. “The court recognized that the federal employees have a
legitimate right to privacy regarding their personal financial
information and ruled that the federal government failed to identify a
compelling government interest that would justify posting that personal
information on the internet,” says Kathleen Clark, JD, government ethics
expert and professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis.
Matt Holliday and mom team with Siteman to promote colon cancer screening
St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday and his mom, Kathy, have teamed up with the Siteman Cancer Center to spread the word about the importance of colon cancer screening.
Moore installed as John and Penelope Biggs Distinguished Professor of Classics
Timothy J. Moore, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Classics in Arts & Sciences, was installed as the inaugural John and Penelope Biggs Distinguished Professor of Classics. The professorship was established in 2002 with generous gifts from distinguished WUSTL alumni John and Penelope Biggs.
Prestigious recognition from French government
Alumna Anna DiPalma Amelung, PhD, a facilitator in WUSTL’s Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI), was inducted as a Chevalier dans L’Ordre des Palmes Académiques (Knight in the Order of Academic Palms) for outstanding contributions to the development of French culture and language. Amelung received a medallion on behalf of the French government during a March 22 ceremony and reception at the West Campus Conference Center. Amelung earned a PhD in French from WUSTL in 1980.
Tiny wireless device shines light on mouse brain, generating reward
Using a miniature electronic device implanted in the brain, scientists have tapped into the internal reward system of mice, prodding neurons to release dopamine, a chemical associated with pleasure. This LED light can activate brain cells and may lead to the mapping of circuits involved in sleep, depression and addiction.
Media Advisory: St. Louis Walk of Fame induction ceremony for Gerald Early today
Washington University’s Gerald L. Early, PhD, a noted essayist and American culture critic, will get a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame. A eremony marking Early’s induction into the Walk of Fame in The Loop will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, April 11, in front of the Moonrise Hotel, 6177 Delmar Blvd.
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