Arts & Sciences

It’s long been assumed that people are willing to pay more for an item if they know a portion of the proceeds will go to charity. But do they really? Two professors from the Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis collected data from eBay auctions. They compared prices of items on eBay’s regular auction with items auctioned through its “Giving Works” program where sellers choose to donate part of their earnings to a non-profit of their choosing. They found out that buyers are willing to pay a 5 percent premium on average for those items linked to a cause. More…

NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona.Polar layered deposits exposed in a scarp at the head of Chasma Boreale, a large canyon on Mars.Mars climate history, recorded in ice-rich deposits near the poles, on crater-wall cliffs and ancient sand dunes, is being revealed by a trio of NASA instruments now flying over and rolling across the planet, suggest Washington University in St. Louis researchers playing key roles in the mission.

Jeffrey Marlow is among the 43 young Americans to receive a 2007 Marshall Scholarship, which provides full support for two or three years of study at any British university toward a second bachelor’s degree or an advanced degree. Marlow, a senior in earth and planetary sciences in Arts & Sciences, is WUSTL’s first Marshall Scholar since 1993.

The Department of Music in Arts & Sciences will conclude its fall season with a series of concerts Dec. 8-14.

In January, Washington University will co-produce playwright Emil Sher’s adaptation of Hana’s Suitcase (2002), Karen Levine’s acclaimed children’s book.

Parent/child interaction with a toy is key to inciting learning.Many parents around the country will purchase toys for their children this holiday season. While choosing toys that will further a child’s education development is important, it’s also a great idea for parents to remember to play with their children and engage with them in their new gifts. R. Keith Sawyer, Ph.D., associate professor of education in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, offers advice to parents worried about making the right toy choice for their children. Video available.

While it’s known as “the season to be jolly,” the holidays can be a time of stress, conflict, and pressure for many people. Some people feel overwhelmed and become depressed during the holidays. Don’t dismay. There are strategies for coping with the emotional stresses and strains of the holiday season. More…

Karavikar SvetasreniKaravikar Svetasreni, the daughter of Kannikar Svetasreni and Suraphon Svetasreni of Bangkok, has been named a McDonnell International Scholar at Washington University in St. Louis, and she has received a corporate fellowship from the Nestlé Purina PetCare Co. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science, international relations from Chulalongkorn University, which is one of 15 leading Asian universities partnered with Washington University in St. Louis in the McDonnell International Scholars Academy.

Yanjiao Xie, the son of Zhijun Li and Gongming Xie of Beijing, has been named a McDonnell International Scholar at Washington University in St. Louis. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Peking University, which is one of 15 leading Asian universities partnered with Washington University in St. Louis in the McDonnell International Scholars Academy.

Juanyi YuJuanyi Yu, the daughter of Yuejian Gao and Zhan Yu of Zhejiang, has been named a McDonnell International Scholar at Washington University in St. Louis. She holds a bachelor’s degree in information engineering from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, which is one of 15 leading Asian universities partnered with Washington University in St. Louis in the McDonnell International Scholars Academy. She also participated in a summer study program at the University of California, Berkeley.