School of Medicine

Photo by Tim ParkerDavid Goodwin wrote the book Ghosts of Jefferson Barracks, which traces the history and hauntings of the supernatural at the military post.

University researchers and their international colleagues have published the scientific description of the finished human genome. More medical articles

“We believe we may have identified a new oncogene,” says investigator Guojun Bu; findings will be reported the journal Oncogene.

Leishmania major is a parasite that infects approximately 12 million people worldwide, causing significant death and disfigurement.

Defining the line between fun and frightenedIn American culture, Halloween is an intriguing mix of ghastly imagery and holiday fun, and at the forefront of all the excitement are children. But how much is too much when it comes to Halloween fun? In the following St. Louis Post-Dispatch article, Dennis O’Brien, research associate in psychiatry, provides insight into the psyche of children on Halloween.

Severe calorie restriction prevents certain aging-related changes in the brain, including the accumulation of free radicals and impairments in coordination and strength, according to a WUSM mouse study. However, the dietary changes did not seem to prevent mice from developing some cognitive deficits associated with age, such as declines in memory.

High levels of a protein called LRP6 can make cancer cells more aggressive, according to Washington University researchers affiliated with the Siteman Cancer Center. The protein’s ability to enhance tumor development suggests that the gene that codes for LRP6 is an oncogene — a gene that contributes to tumor development when overactivated.

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine and the University of Pennsylvania have found an immune system cell can “remember” a parasite’s attack and help the body mount a more effective defense against subsequent invasions by the same parasite.

Investigators are launching several projects aimed at preventing the global spread of HIV infection by reducing high-risk behaviors. More medical articles

A panel of experts spoke at the “Health-Care Challenges Facing the Nation” conference Oct. 7 on the Medical Campus.