School of Medicine

After preliminary success using artificial bone to replace degenerative spinal disks in the neck and lower back, neurosurgeons at the School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital are preparing a study to formally compare the performance of the synthetic material against that of real bone.

Despite lack of a key component of the immune system, a line of genetically engineered mice can control chronic herpes virus infections, researchers at the School of Medicine have found. Scientists suspect the missing component has a previously unrecognized backup that fills the void left by its absence. If so, that backup may become a new focus for efforts to design antiviral vaccines.

A program is based on research showing that students who interact with older adults early in their medical training develop better attitudes toward aging. More medical news

Controlling depression, by exercise, activity, cognitive therapy or medication, improves the likelihood that blood glucose will be better controlled in patients with diabetes.

Heart patients who smoke and have implanted defibrillators are much more likely to have the devices jolt their hearts back into normal rhythm than nonsmokers with the devices.

The School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital researchers will receive $300,000 annually for five years to study how infections are acquired in health-care settings.

Photo by Robert BostonMedical Education Day featured student poster presentations and faculty members receiving Samuel R. Goldstein Leadership Awards in Medical Student Education.

Abnormal folding patterns of the cerebral cortex in Williams Syndrome are displayed on a lateral view (left) and midline view (right) of a ‘surface-based’ atlas.A computerized atlas has brought unprecedented sensitivity to the search for brain structure changes in a genetic condition known as Williams syndrome, revealing 33 abnormalities in the folding of the brain’s surface. The disorder, which occurs in 1 in every 20,000 births, impairs visual and spatial skills but preserves musical ability and sociability.

Assab and Massawa, the two camels that produced antibodies for the caffeine testThree llamas and two camels have provided a way to tell whether your waiter swapped regular coffee for decaf in your after-dinner cup. Using the heat-resistant antibodies these camels and llamas make, researchers at the School of Medicine are developing a quick test for caffeine that works even with hot beverages. The researchers plan to adapt their technology to a simple test (“dipstick”) that can be used to check for caffeine in a variety of drinks.

WUSTL, BJH will provide free asthma screenings May 20 at the Saint Louis Science Center.