School of Medicine

It’s not uncommon for a child with Down Syndrome to receive regular care from as many as six or seven specialists. The new Down Syndrome Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital allows families to coordinate all these doctor visits into one trip.

On the heels of President Bush’s call for medical liability reform during a recent visit to Collinsville, Ill., Washington University hosted a conference on the same topic, “Medical Malpractice and Tort Reform: Finding Truth and Common Ground.” Medical and legal experts gathered to discuss the hard road that must be paved toward a solution for this growing national concern. The consensus of the conference seemed to be that cooperation is the key.

Some instant teas may contain excess fluoride.Instant tea, one of the most popular drinks in the U. S., may be a source of harmful levels of fluoride, researchers at the School of Medicine report. The researchers found that some regular strength preparations contain as much as 6.5 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride, well over the 4 ppm maximum allowed in drinking water by the Environmental Protection Agency and 2.4 ppm permitted in bottled water and beverages by the Food and Drug Administration.

Successful students have help at home.Many kids dread them, but all parents should embrace them. Parent-teacher conferences can play an integral role in a child’s education. In the following St. Louis Post-Dispatch article, Dennis O’Brien, research associate in psychiatry, gives a few tips for successful parent-teacher conferencing.

Brain cells in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease have surprised scientists with their ability to recuperate after the disorder’s characteristic brain plaques are removed.

In August 1991 — on the same day that an attempted coup by communist hardliners ushered the collapse of the Soviet Union — Dmitriy Yablonskiy, Ph.D., took the biggest gamble of his life. He put himself and his family on a plane to America from Kharkov, their home in the Soviet Socialist Republic of Ukraine. […]

It recognizes Ross’ continuing efforts to exemplify King’s ideals and commitments through the field of medicine across the globe and in Missouri.

“This gift is further testament to Chuck and Joanne’s exceptional commitment and service to the St. Louis community and beyond,” Chancellor Wrighton says.

Robert Boston/WUSTL PhotoSiteman Cancer Center Director Timothy J. Eberlein announces that the center has earned the NCI’s highest designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center.This distinction recognizes Siteman’s broad-based research, outreach and education activities — and provides the center with research funding of $21 million. More medical news

The American Association for the Advancement of Science is the world’s largest general scientific society; fellow is the highest honor it confers.