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Science & Technology

Is blood really thicker than water?

The outcome of a duel between mathematical models supports the reigning theory of the genetics of altruism. Called inclusive fitness, it says altruism is competitive if it benefits relatives carrying the same gene as the selfless individual. Attacked by a Nature article published in 2010, it is defended by Washington University evolutionary biologist David Queller.
Campus & Community

Canceled: Jeff Smith explores ‘Ferguson in Black and White’ March 23

Note: Jeff Smith’s talk has been canceled due to a weather-related travel delay. There are currently no plans to reschedule his presentation. Jeff Smith, an urban policy professor and former Missouri state senator, will discuss “Ferguson in Black and White” at 7 p.m. Monday, March 23, in Anheuser-Busch Hall’s Bryan Cave Moot Courtroom at Washington University in St. Louis.
Arts & Culture

A legend returns, in spirit

Giordano Dance
St. Louis native Gus Giordano, who died in 2008, is widely considered the father of jazz dance — at once founder, teacher, popularizer and finest exemplar. At 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 10 and 11, the company he founded, Giordano Dance Chicago, returns to its roots with two shows in Washington University’s Edison Theatre.

Toliver-Diallo named to Arts Council panel

Wilmetta Toliver-Diallo, PhD, assistant dean in Arts & Sciences, has been appointed by the Missouri Arts Council to serve on its advisory panel for festivals. Her term runs until June 30, 2016.
Campus & Community

Yang named Skinner Professor

​​Lan Yang, PhD, has been named the Edward H. and Florence G. Skinner Professor in the Department of Electrical & Systems Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis. She was installed March 16.
Campus & Community

Active Transportation Month promotes alternative commuting

​​Car Free Month has a new name, but the same goal – to motivate Washington University in St. Louis stu​dents, faculty and staff to try new ways to get around town. Now called Active Transportation Month, the annual event starts April 1 and features free bike tune-ups, a breakfast for bikers and a Metro Scavenger Hunt.
Campus & Community

Brimer brothers help StEP kick off speaker series

The Student Entrepreneurial Program (StEP) at Washington University in St. Louis kicks off its speaker program at 5 p.m. Monday, March 23, with entrepreneurial brothers Andrew and Matthew Brimer. Andrew Brimer (right), a 2013 graduate of Washington University, runs Sparo Labs. His brother, Matthew, operates a company called General Assembly in New York. The event takes place in Room 276 of the Danforth University Center and is free and open to the public.
Cancer Research

Kidney cancer detected early with urine test

Finding kidney cancer early has been among the disease’s greatest challenges. Now, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed a noninvasive method to screen for kidney cancer that involves measuring the presence of proteins in the urine.
Medicine & Health

Vitamin D prevents diabetes and clogged arteries in mice

A deficiency of vitamin D has been linked to Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, two illnesses that commonly occur together and are the most common cause of illness and death in Western countries. Now, new research in mice led by the School of Medicine’s Carlos Bernal-Mizrachi suggests vitamin D plays a major role in preventing the inflammation that leads to Type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis.