Newsroom Stories

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) tend to be preoccupied with screen-based media. A new study by Paul Shattuck, PhD, assistant professor at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, looks at how children with ASDs spend their screen time. “We found a very high rate of use of solitary screen-based media such as video games and television with a markedly lower rate of use of social interactive media, including email,” Shattuck says.

Sarah Gehlert, PhD, the E. Desmond Lee Professor of Racial and Ethnic Diversity at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, was recently appointed senior fellow of the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR). In her role, Gehlert will represent social work research to federal agencies and policy makers.

Second-year students at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis discuss the painting “The Last Supper” by Andrew Loza, an MD/PhD student. The painting is one of many pieces of art done by faculty, staff and students at the School of Medicine on display through Feb. 17 in the Farrell Learning and Teaching Center Atrium.

A Jan. 14 winter concert showcased the musical talents of Washington University School of Medicine faculty, staff, residents and students. The event, held in the lobby of the Center for Advanced Medicine, was sponsored by the Department of Pathology and Immunology and the Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital’s Arts + Healthcare Program.

The United States is slowly climbing out of one of the worst economic recessions in its history. As the economy slowly begins to turn a corner, Stephen M. Fazzari, PhD, professor of economics in Arts & Sciences, will examine how we got here and where we are headed in a series of three lectures beginning Jan. 30.

Washington University Libraries has joined HathiTrust, a partnership of major academic and research libraries to preserve and provide access to the published record in a digital form. WUSTL now is partnering with more than 60 other major academic and research libraries from across the United States and the world in an effort to preserve and share the record of human knowledge.

Research by asthma specialists nationwide, including Leonard B. Bacharier, MD, and Mario Castro, MD, at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, find that adding prescription acid controllers to standard inhaled steroid treatment does not improve asthma symptoms or control of the condition in children. The results are considered to be the most comprehensive evaluation to date of the effectiveness of prescription acid controllers to improve asthma symptoms and control among children.

Talent contests are abundant these days. Whether it’s singing, dancing or cooking, it seems someone is always on the lookout for the next “super star.” WalMart Stores, Inc., have even entered the fray, announcing a reality-show like plan to find the next “it” product, a move an innovation expert at Washington University in St. Louis applauds.

Three Republican primaries or caucuses have ended with three different winners. Upcoming state contests may make the Republican candidate picture clearer, but if division remains, the GOP could end up with a brokered convention. “If the process of voting based on delegates’ commitments does not produce a nominee, then something has to break the logjam,” says Gregory P. Magarian, JD, election law expert and professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis. Magarian discusses the potential for a surprise candidate and the impact of superdelegates.

As another presidential election year gets under way, defining and determining what makes a great leader is on the minds of many voters and politicians. A new and innovative course at Olin Business School, “Defining Moments: Lessons in Leadership and Character from the Top,” examines this question by allowing students to interact with top leaders in the corporate world who exemplify both integrity and excellence.