About The Source
The Source is a place for information, inspiration and for sharing stories about exciting discoveries and accomplishments at Washington University. Here, you’ll experience the research, scholarship and creativity that drive us every day. You’ll also get a glimpse of campus life and meet the people who inspire us: scientists, leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, artists and authors. If you’re looking to explore a remarkable place where people matter and serious work is done, this is The Source.
Clues to ancient past: baby mummy, dinosaur skulls scanned
The mummified remains of a 7-month-old baby boy and pieces of skull from two teenage Triceratops underwent computed tomography (CT) scans Sept. 16 at the School of Medicine, in hopes researchers could learn more about the ancient past.
Time to step it up, America
The United States earns failing grades when it comes to the number of people walking to work and school and the number of walkable communities, finds a new national report. Amy Eyler, associate professor at the Brown School, serves on the advisory panel for the National Walking and Walkable Communities Report Card, released Sept. 14.
Breathing dirty air may harm kidneys
Outdoor air pollution has long been linked to major health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A new study now adds kidney disease to the list, according to researchers at the School of Medicine and the Veterans Affairs (VA) St. Louis Health Care System.
Inside the Hotchner Festival: Scott Greenberg
In “Raindropped,” playwright Scott Greenberg, a senior in Arts & Sciences, explores the idea of falling from grace, both figuratively and literally. This weekend, “Raindropped” and two other student plays will receive their world premiere staged readings as part of Washington University in St. Louis’ annual A.E. Hotchner New Play Festival.
Newly ID’d role of major Alzheimer’s gene suggests possible therapeutic target
A study led by researchers at the School of Medicine shows that the presence of ApoE4 exacerbates the brain damage caused by toxic tangles of a different Alzheimer’s-associated protein: tau. In the absence of ApoE, tau tangles did very little harm to brain cells.
Scientists find way to convert bad body fat into good fat
Research at the School of Medicine has identified a way to convert bad, white fat into good, brown fat, at least in mice. The findings raise the prospect of developing more effective treatments, in people, for obesity and diabetes related to weight gain.
Pet, pest allergens linked to reduced asthma risk
An ongoing study at the School of Medicine is aimed at understanding what factors may increase or decrease the risk of developing asthma in childhood.
Metabolomics just got smaller
Scientists at Washington University estimate that the number of metabolites present in a data set could be 90 percent smaller than previously estimated.