Eat well, get fit, stop smoking — prevent cancer

If you wanted to start today to reduce your chances of getting cancer, what would you have to do? Lose excess weight, get more exercise, eat a healthy diet and quit smoking. Those basic behavior changes would have a tremendous impact on the incidence of the most prevalent types of cancer — lung, breast, prostate and colon cancer — says Graham Colditz, associate director of Prevention and Control at the Siteman Cancer Center.

Washington University celebrates Michael and Irene Karl

Irene and Michael KarlWashington University will celebrate the fantastic careers of Michael and Irene Karl at 4:30 p.m., Feb. 23, at the Farrell Learning and Teaching Center. Both scientists, through their work at the School of Medicine, made great contributions to the medical and scientific communities throughout their illustrious careers.

Newborns with respiratory distress potentially have rare genetic disease

Newborns with respiratory distress should be evaluated for primary ciliary dyskinesia, a rare genetic disease that has features similar to cystic fibrosis, says Thomas Ferkol from the School of Medicine. He reports finding that about 80 percent of patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) have a history of newborn respiratory distress.

Studies identify DNA regions linked to nicotine dependence

Americans are bombarded with antismoking messages, yet at least 65 million of us continue to light up. Genetic factors play an important role in this continuing addiction to cigarettes, suggest scientists at the School of Medicine. They show that certain genetic variations can influence smoking behaviors and contribute to a person’s risk for nicotine dependence.

John Hoal to speak on New Orleans March 5

David KilperJohn HoalJohn Hoal, Ph.D., associate professor of architecture in the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, will speak about his recent work in New Orleans at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 5, as part of the spring Architecture Lecture Series. Last fall Hoal’s firm, H3 Studio Inc., was one of five selected to lead the Unified New Orleans Plan, which will coordinate rebuilding in the city’s 13 planning districts.

Mars, Venus, or Planet Earth? Assembly Series speaker examines male/female relationships

Michael Kimmel, a leading expert in the study of American male identity and behavior, will give a talk on “Mars, Venus, or Planet Earth? Women and Men in a New Millennium,” as part of the Assembly Series. The talk, which is free and open to the public, will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 28 in Graham Chapel, on Washington University’s Danforth campus. Co-sponsored by the WUSTL student group, Reflections.

Campus Watch

Feb. 13 3:22 p.m. — A person reported unknown person(s) used her debit card online to make a purchase. The fraudulent purchase occurred Jan. 30. The victim had possession of her debit card when the fraudulent activity took place. Feb. 14 12:03 a.m. — The complainant reported that suspect(s) unknown entered their unsecured dorm rooms in Myers Residence Hall and took two cameras and an iPod. They believe that the incident occurred between Feb. 11 in the evening and today.