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Plant sex chromosomes defy evolutionary models

Some plants like ginkgo trees have either male or female flowers, not both. Susanne Renner, honorary professor of biology in Arts & Sciences, reviewed the genetic basis of sex determination in plants for Nature Plants and will guest-edit a special issue of a Royal Society journal on the topic.

Students

Class Acts: The Advocates

Welcome back to Class Acts, a celebration of the Class of 2021. This week, we spotlight advocates Leah Wren Hardgrove, Logan Phillips and Alexis Tinoco, three seniors working to make a difference.

Medicine

Anti-aging compound that improves metabolic health in mice improves muscle glucose metabolism in people

In the first clinical trial of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), School of Medicine researchers have found that the compound previously demonstrated to counteract aspects of aging and improve metabolic health in mice also has clinically relevant effects in people.

St. Louis Region

Earth Day: Students support U. City’s green goals

Municipalities such as University City play a vital role in protecting the planet, and Washington University students are working hard to help the city meet its sustainability goals.

Medicine

Among COVID-19 survivors, an increased risk of death, serious illness

A new study from the School of Medicine shows that even mild cases of COVID-19 increase the risk of death in the six months following diagnosis. The comprehensive study also catalogues the wide-ranging and long-term health problems often triggered by the infection, even among those not hospitalized.

Awards & Notables

Chancellor, four other faculty named to American Academy of Arts & Sciences

Chancellor Andrew D. Martin and four other faculty members of Washington University were elected members of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, the academy announced April 22. The others are Deanna Barch, John Baugh, Pascal Boyer and Holden Thorp. Founded in 1780, the academy honors exceptional scholars, leaders, artists and innovators.

Awards & Notables

Feldman, Khader, Philips elected to American Academy of Microbiology

Three researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have been elected to the American Academy of Microbiology in recognition of their scientific achievements and original contributions that have advanced the field of microbiology.

Performing Arts

Performing Arts gets ‘Tough!’

Bobby, Jill and Tina gather around the picnic table. Their bickering drifts across Mudd Field. But fear not, this isn’t some end-of-year meltdown — it’s a live, un-miked, guerilla-style performance of George F. Walker’s provocative tragicomedy “Tough!”.

Law

Five factors that led to Chauvin guilty verdicts

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted April 20 for his killing of George Floyd. Collectively, people across the country breathed a sigh of relief because far too often, the story has been police killing people of color with impunity, says an expert on race and the law at Washington University in St. Louis.

Diversity & Inclusion

Mindfulness and anti-racism series launches

Meshing mindfulness with anti-racism is the focus of a series of upcoming talks funded by Washington University’s Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity & Equity. The first virtual event features speaker Rhonda Magee on April 30.