Excessive tantrums in preschoolers may indicate serious mental health problems

Certain types of tantrums in preschoolers may be a sign of serious emotional or behavioral problems, according to researchers at the School of Medicine. Although temper tantrums are common and normal in young children, the researchers found that long, frequent, violent and/or self-destructive tantrums may indicate the presence of psychiatric illness.

Immune compound blocks virus’ ability to hijack antibodies

Researchers at the School of Medicine have shown that a controversial phenomenon known as antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of infection is suppressed by C1q, a blood-borne, immune system compound. Better understanding of ADE should help public health experts and clinicians working to control some viral disease outbreaks and aid efforts to design safe and effective vaccines.

Deadly virus strips away immune system’s defensive measures

When the alert goes out that a virus has invaded the body, cells that have yet to be attacked prepare by “armoring” themselves for combat, attaching specific antiviral molecules to many of their own proteins to help resist the invader. Scientists believe adding these molecules to cellular proteins, like putting on armor, changes the proteins in ways that make the cells resistant to the coming viral attack.

Firms of a feather flock together – to benefit economic development

Coffee shop encounters could lead to new business ideas.Clustering similar firms in a relatively small geographic area is a common economic development tactic. Research from a business professor at Washington University in St. Louis shows the strategy is most effective when companies are within 500 meters of each other. After that, the benefits of proximity quickly lose its power.

Helping college students deal with stress during winter break

For college students, the winter break can be a welcome time off. Classes are over, finals are finished and it’s a time to spend with family and friends. But, says a practicing psychologist at Washington University in St. Louis, the break between semesters can also be a very stressful time for students.

Guidelines for Sports Still and Video Photography Approvals

Washington University encourages photographic coverage of sports events by news media. We welcome students, faculty, staff, and their families to attend and photograph athletic events in our varsity, intramural and club programs — with the understanding that the images are intended for personal use only and not for any commercial use or general distribution. Still […]

Washington University pediatrician to lead $11 million Gates Foundation grant

James Kemp will co-lead a campaign to prevent infant death due to unsafe sleep practices with funding from an $11 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Kemp is a professor of pediatrics at the School of Medicine and a pediatrician at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. The grant, awarded to Baltimore-based First Candle, a nonprofit organization promoting infant health, will support a national campaign called “Bedtime Basics for Babies.”

DynamO Théâtre brings me me me to Edison Theatre Jan. 12

Robert EtcheverryDynamo Theatre CompanyMontreal’s acclaimed DynamO Théâtre will launch Edison Theatre’s popular ovations! for young people series with me me me, a whirling mix of gymnastics, theater, juggling and mime that tackles perhaps the toughest of all political arenas: grade school.

Engineering prototypes address social issues

More than 75 students in Washington University’s Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Senior Capstone Design Course, a fast-paced studio experience in which student teams develop designs and construct working prototypes, will display their class projects, including a portable, collapsible disaster shelter and a high-capacity peanut-shelling system to speed the process of making peanut-butter medicine in Third World countries. The Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Design Fair features 26 student projects on display from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, in Lopata Hall’s atrium/gallery on Washington University’s Danforth Campus.