Page 423 – The Source | Washington University in St. Louis

Connective issue: AI learns by doing more with less

Slices indicating time lapse of silicon neuronal communication

Research from the lab of Shantanu Chakrabartty reveals constraints can lead to learning in AI systems.

Vale named chair of undergraduate architecture

Constance Vale has been named chair of undergraduate architecture at the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis.

Business & Entrepreneurship

Pfizer, Moderna absent; Cara Therapeutics, Square in as 2020-21 R&D winners

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies topped the 2021 RQ Top 50 list of the most innovative U.S. companies. The annual ranking identifies the smartest R&D spenders – those companies that both spend big (at least $100 million in R&D) and provide the greatest returns to shareholders from that investment.

Marketing

How people prefer to receive life-changing news, good or bad

According to a study co-authored by a Washington University researcher, behavioral patterns can be predicted by understanding information-seeking and information-aversion behaviors.

Operations & Strategy

Despite challenges, starting a small business during pandemic has advantages

The pandemic spurred an entrepreneurship boom, but do these small businesses have what it takes to survive? Olin Business School’s Glenn MacDonald explains factors to consider in starting and succeeding with a new business.

Public Health

Olympics provide untapped chance to improve health for all

Given the increased interest in sports and exercise around the Olympics underway in Tokyo, events such as the Summer Games represent an unrealized opportunity to improve global health, finds a new paper from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis.

Biology

When stubborn bugs refuse to make drugs

Research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences by biologist Joshua Blodgett in Arts & Sciences highlights comparative metabologenomics as a powerful approach to expose the features that differentiate strong antibiotic producers from weaker ones.

Public Health

COVID-19 Exposure Notifications system launches for university community

Faculty, staff and students at Washington University will now be able to use a COVID-19 exposure notification system through their smartphones. The university is piloting the system, called MO/Notify, launched with approval from the state of Missouri.

Biology

Depth of perception

Minuscule tunnels through the cell membrane help cells to perceive and respond to mechanical forces, such as pressure or touch. A new study led by biologists in Arts & Sciences directly investigates what PIEZO channels are doing in the tip-growing cells in moss and pollen tubes of flowering plants, and how.

Aging

NIH funds Rudra, Jackrel to improve vaccines for elderly

Doctor preparing to give a shot to an elderly woman

Washington University’s Meredith Jackrel and Jai Rudra and are researching nanofiber materials that will eliminate the need for vaccine adjuvants.