Newsroom Stories

Scientists once thought the fertilization effect of rising carbon dioxide concentrations would offset factors such as higher temperatures or drier soils that would reduce crops yields. This view is turning out to be overly optimistic. A new study shows that soybeans switch into unproductive metabolic activity at higher carbon dioxide concentrations. The invasive cheatgrass, on the other hand, has no switch, or control, and continues to efficiently transport water and assimilate carbon. Crop plants might need to be equipped with similar traits to survive future arid high-carbon dioxide environments.

Internationally acclaimed photographer Joe Deal, who served as dean of Washington University’s School of Art from 1989-99, died in hospice Friday, June 18, in Providence, RI, following a long struggle with cancer. He was 62.

When it comes to executing items on tomorrow’s to-do list, it’s best to think it over, then “sleep on it,” say psychologists at Washington University in St. Louis. The researchers have shown that sleep enhances our ability to remember to do something in the future, a skill known as prospective memory.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius spoke in the Ellen S. Clark Hope Plaza June 16 prior to the dedication of the BJC Institute of Health at Washington University School of Medicine.

In conjunction with National HIV Testing Day, free, confidential HIV testing is available June 28-July 1, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Infectious Diseases Clinic, 4570 Children’s Place. No appointment is necessary.

The Brookings Institution and Washington University’s Academic Venture Fund (AVF) is seeking proposals from fellows, faculty, staff, centers, institutes and programs.

Of note John Baugh, PhD, the Margaret Bush Wilson Professor in Arts & Sciences, has received an Open Door Award from the St. Louis Equal Housing Opportunity Council for his work to further fair housing in metropolitan St. Louis. … Douglas Char, MD, associate professor of emergency medicine and residency director of the Washington University […]

Students react while watching the June 11 opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup between host nation South Africa and Mexico in the Fun Room of the Danforth University Center. Every game of the World Cup, which ends July 11, is being shown at the DUC.

Celebrated jazz pianist, composer and arranger Linda Presgrave and her quintet will launch “Jazz in July,” a series of free summer concerts presented by Washington University’s Jazz at Holmes, from 8 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 8. Subsequent performances will feature guitarist Tom Byrne and his quartet (July 15), drummer Maurice Carnes and friends (July 22) and guitarist Chris Burchett and his quartet (July 29).

The first trial of a new model for testing Alzheimer’s treatments has reassured researchers that a promising class of drugs does not exacerbate the disease if treatment is interrupted.