Page 101 – The Source | Washington University in St. Louis

Political deepfake videos no more deceptive than other fake news, research finds

video editing technology using artificial intelligence

New political science research by Christopher Lucas in Arts & Sciences finds deepfakes can convince the American public of scandals that never occurred at alarming rates — over 40% of a representative sample — but no more so than equivalent disinformation conveyed through textual headlines or audio recordings.

Campus & Facilities

Universitywide effort aims to bring WashU to the world

As a new academic year begins, Washington University in St. Louis is unveiling a new visual identity and an enhanced effort to communicate its important contributions in the areas of education, research and patient care to key internal and external audiences.

Medicine

Zebrafish use surprising strategy to regrow spinal cord

Researchers at WashU Medicine look to zebrafish — among the rare vertebrates that can repair a damaged spinal cord — to understand how it might be possible to treat nerve injuries in people.

Obituaries

Patty Jo Watson, professor emerita in anthropology, 92

Patty Jo Watson, a professor emerita in anthropology in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, died Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Arlington, Mass. Watson was one of the world’s leading experts on cave archaeology and agricultural origins.

Obituaries

Anjali Bhorade, associate professor of ophthalmology, 51

Anjali Bhorade, MD, an associate professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, died June 12 after battling metastatic breast cancer for nearly three years. She was 51.

Awards & Notables

Sachs appointed to Illinois governor’s advisory council

Rachel Sachs, a WashU professor of law, has been appointed to the Illinois Advisory Council on Financing and Access to Sickle Cell Disease Treatment and Other High-Cost Drugs and Treatments.

Sociology

How GOP has gained ground with unions, impact on 2024 election

During his four years in office, Joe Biden was hailed as the most pro-union president in recent history. But whether his record translates into votes for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris remains to be seen. Sociologist Jake Rosenfeld, in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, explains why Democrats have lost some union votes and how the parties are responding.

Public Health

Ugandan women’s autonomy key to safer sex

Ugandan women’s ability to negotiate the conditions and timing of sex is key to preventing several reproductive health outcomes, say experts from the university’s Brown School.

Arts & Culture

‘Design Agendas: Modern Architecture in St. Louis, 1930s–1970s’

The Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum at Washington University in St. Louis will present “Design Agendas: Modern Architecture in St. Louis, 1930s–1970s” beginning Sept. 13. With nearly 300 architectural drawings, models, photographs, films, digital maps and artworks, “Design Agendas” is the first major exhibition to examine how interlocking civic, cultural and racial histories, as well as conflicting ideological aims, reshaped the city.

St. Louis Region

Empowering women to thrive in politics

illustration of a woman at a podium in front of the American flag

EmpowHer, a program designed to equip women with the knowledge, resources and support system to run a successful campaign and represent their constituents effectively, is being offered Aug. 23-24 at Washington University in St. Louis.