Excess weight linked to 8 more cancer types

An international team of researchers, including Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has identified eight additional types of cancer linked to excess weight and obesity: stomach, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, ovary, meningioma (a type of brain tumor), thyroid cancer and the blood cancer multiple myeloma. Limiting weight gain over the decades could help to reduce the risk of these cancers, the data suggest.

Working well by being well

Nearly 90 percent of companies in the United States use some form of employee wellness program – from gym memberships to health screenings to flu shots – all designed to improve health. A study currently under review and co-authored by a faculty member at Washington University in St. Louis empirically tested how these programs affect worker productivity. The research paired individual medical data from employees taking part in a work-based wellness program to their productivity rates over time.

Who Knew WashU? 8.23.16

Question: Students are drawn to the university from every state in the U.S. and far beyond. How many countries are represented among first-year students, who will move in and celebrate Convocation on Thursday, Aug. 25?

Sadler receives award from American Society of Hematology

Evan Sadler, PhD, MD, a professor of medicine and director of the Division of Hematology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, will receive the 2016 Henry M. Stratton Medal for Basic Science.

Washington People: Adrienne Strong

Adrienne Strong, a doctoral candidate in anthropology in Arts & Sciences, has researched maternal health and mortality in Tanzania for years. Along the way, for and through her work, she has learned Swahili, become a doula and raised funds for a boat to improve access to medical care.

Media Advisory: First-year students move in Thursday, Aug. 25

Washington University will welcome some 1,780 first-year students — the largest class in its 163-year history. The Class of 2020 hails from all 50 states and 25 countries. Some 300 student, faculty and staff volunteers will assist students move in the residence halls throughout the day.

Without plants, there is no life

Botanists have organized to try to stem the frightening loss of plant species across the globe. How well are they doing? They recently met in St. Louis to exchange stories from the botanical front lines.

WashU debate history

1992 presidential debate stage. Ross Perot, Bill Clinton and George HW Bush stand behind podiums on a red carpeted stage.
The university has a long history of hosting presidential (and vice presidential) debates, and on Oct. 9, 2016, we are scheduled to host yet another. Here, we take a look back at how WashU became a go-to debate site and some interesting things that happened along the way.