Babies’ susceptibility to colds linked to immune response at birth
Innate differences in immunity can be detected at birth, according to new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. First author Kaharu Sumino, MD, and her colleagues say babies with a better innate response to viruses have fewer respiratory illnesses in the first year of life.
Memorial service for Welch June 4
A memorial service in honor of Michael J. Welch, PhD,
who was a faculty member for more than four decades at Washington
University in St. Louis, will be held at 3 p.m. June 4 in Graham Chapel.
Medical students write health-care handbook
Washington University School of Medicine students Nathan Moore and Elisabeth Askin collaborated to produce a clear and concise guide to the U.S. health-care system called the Health Care Handbook. The book is a topical overview of the system, aimed primarily at undergraduate and graduate health professions students.
Early substance use linked to lower educational achievement
School of Medicine researchers have found evidence that early drug and alcohol use is associated with lower levels of educational achievement. They found that people who began drinking or using drugs as young teens or who became substance dependent were less likely to finish college.
Surgeons restore some hand function to quadriplegic patient
Surgeons at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, led by Susan E. Mackinnon, MD, have restored some hand function in a quadriplegic patient with a spinal cord injury at the C7 vertebra, the lowest bone in the neck. Instead of operating on the spine itself, the surgeons rerouted working nerves in the upper arms. These nerves still “talk” to the brain because they attach to the spine above the injury.
Bonni to lead anatomy and neurobiology department
Azad Bonni, MD, PhD, currently professor of
neurobiology at Harvard Medical School, will be the next head of the
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology at Washington University School
of Medicine in St. Louis.
Washington University receives $8 million to lead international childhood malnutrition effort
Jeffrey I. Gordon, MD, at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis will lead an international team of scientists to find new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent a critical global health problem: malnutrition in infants and children. The work is funded by an $8.3 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Genetic test identifies eye cancer tumors likely to spread
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed a genetic test that can accurately predict whether the most common form of eye cancer will spread to other parts of the body, particularly the liver. The test successfully classified tumors more than 97 percent of the time.
Witherspoon to help lead Siteman Cancer Center committee
Maranda Witherspoon has agreed to co-lead a group of community members and public health experts who are working to improve cancer prevention and care in medically underserved populations.
Outstanding Graduate David Levine:School of Medicine
David Levine is a former high school teacher who saw a need to serve people with limited access to health care. The Record’s Outstanding Graduate from the School of Medicine, he will graduate May 18 with a medical degree and is headed to New York University in July to begin a residency in internal medicine-primary care.
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