Viruses exacerbate disease caused by Leishmania parasite

Washington University School of Medicine’s Stephen Beverley found that viruses hidden inside the parasite Leishmania worsen disease caused by the parasite. Now, an evolutionary survey of the viruses in related parasites suggests that Leishmania’s viruses may have helped it make the jump from infecting insects to infecting vertebrates.

Year in review: Washington University wins some, loses one

It has been another year of achievement at Washington University in St. Louis. Seniors Jasmine Brown and Camille Borders both were named Rhodes Scholars, graduate Lizzy Christ was named 2017 NCAA Woman of the Year and researchers discovered tomb of a Maya ruler, explored the link between sleep and Alzheimer’s and found that babies are master social statisticians in disguise. Here, The Record shares 2017’s most-read stories in The Source.

For a healthier 2018, find purpose in life

2018 goals
If your resolution is to be healthier, happier and more fit in the new year, focus first on finding a real purpose in life. People with a higher sense of purpose tend to engage in healthier lifestyle choices and are more likely to feel better about their own health status, according to new research from Washington University in St. Louis.

Dutcher named cell biology society fellow

Susan Dutcher, a professor of genetics and the interim director of The McDonnell Genome Institute at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has been named a 2017 fellow of the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB).

Lack of sleep boosts levels of Alzheimer’s proteins

Chronic poor sleep has been linked to cognitive decline. A new study from the School of Medicine shows that a sleepless night causes levels of the Alzheimer’s protein amyloid beta to rise faster than the brain’s waste-disposal system can remove it. Persistently high levels of the protein can set off a cascade of brain changes leading to dementia.

A new way to ‘see’ cancer

Quing Zhu headshot
In 2016, a group of engineers and doctors at Washington University in St. Louis launched efforts to determine if an imaging-based technique could provide a more detailed view of the cancer and enable women to make an informed decision for treatment options at the onset.