Acid-resistant bug doesn’t give in to alcohol either
A chemist at Washington University in St. Louis has found surprisingly tough enzymes in a bacterium that “just says no to acid.” Acid resistance is a valued trait for both pills and human pathogens. The bacterium Acetobacter aceti makes unusually acid-resistant enzymes in spades, which could make the organism a source for new enzyme products and new directions in protein chemistry.
Depression in preschoolers
Joan Luby helps identify depression in children with “interview puppets.”Although all children are sad sometimes, preschoolers tend to be inherently joyful. But Joan Luby, director of the Early Emotional Development Program at the School of Medicine, has found that, like adults, very young children can experience depression. Her research team has developed a checklist to help clinicians identify young children at risk for developing the disease.
Imaging technique detects plaques in Alzheimer’s disease
PET scans: normal (top 2 rows) and Alzheimer’s.After decades of searching, scientists finally may have identified a way to study Alzheimer’s disease changes in living human brains. Researchers at Washington University’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) have begun studies of an imaging agent developed at the University of Pittsburgh that could potentially detect amyloid plaques with a positron emission tomography (PET) scan, enabling earlier detection of the disease and improved testing of new treatments.
Great American Smokeout can be kick-off to quitting, suggests behavior modification expert
Tips for kicking the butts.The Great American Smokeout — the day each November the American Cancer Society encourages smokers to say “no thanks” to cigarettes for 24 hours — helps many people recognize how dangerous smoking is and how much they really want to quit, says a psychologist at Washington University in St. Louis who is an expert on helping people gain control of personal habits.
TRAM flap procedure restores breasts of cancer patients
Keith Brandt performs a breast reconstruction using the TRAM flap procedure.When a breast cancer patient requires a mastectomy, cancer surgeons and reconstructive plastic surgeons at the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WUSM now perform a technique called the TRAM (traverse rectus abdominus myocutaneous) flap procedure, which allows surgeons to use the patient’s own tissues to recreate a natural breast.
DHEA may help fight off fat, diabetes
Abdominal fat reduction with DHEA useIn a six-month study of elderly people, researchers at the School of Medicine found that the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) significantly reduced abdominal fat and improved insulin action. This finding suggests that DHEA may be able to counter the increase in abdominal fat and accompanying increased risk for diabetes that very often occurs as we grow older.
Women in their 40s should get a mammogram every year
Getting an annual mammogram is recommended for healthy women beginning at age 40, and it could be even more important for women between 40 and 50. In the following Post-Dispatch article, Barbara Monsees, professor of radiology and head of the breast imaging section at Siteman Cancer Center, notes that breast cancer can be more aggressive among patients in that age group.
Gene maps of simpler life shed light
A comparison of the genetic codes of a type of algae, a weed and humans has led researchers to a gene linked to a human illness.
More medical articles
Obesity risk factors sought through genetic analysis
In the midst of the growing epidemic of obesity, a group of researchers at the School of Medicine has dived into the human gene pool to look for solutions. The group recently identified genetic variations unique to obese men and are now embarking on a wider search to find additional genes linked to obesity.
Day after Thanksgiving now a medical school holiday
The change will bring the School of Medicine holiday schedule in synchrony with the rest of the University.
View More Stories