Welcome to the Source
These are extraordinary times, and this year the Washington University community has come together like never before. Here in The Source, we share the many ways we’re responding to the questions before us, from the unprecedented challenge of COVID-19; to pressing social issues in the St. Louis community and beyond; to the research, scholarship and creativity that drive us on campus every day. These are our stories.
No more needles?
The lab of Srikanth Singamaneni at the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis developed a biosensing microneedle patch that can be applied to the skin, capture a biomarker and, thanks to its unprecedented sensitivity, allow clinicians to detect the biomarker’s presence.
Aerosol particles naturally form over the open sea
Research led by Jian Wang, professor of energy, environmental and chemical engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, uncovers a previously undocumented source of aerosol formation, which will improve climate models.
Lots of water in the world’s most explosive volcano
Michael Krawczynski, assistant professor of earth and planetary sciences in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, and graduate student Andrea Goltz investigate the deep, inner workings of Shiveluch, a volcano on a remote peninsula in northeastern Russia.
Lessons and cautions from 1965 to fight white supremacy
David Cunningham, chair of sociology at Washington University in St. Louis, says Biden’s administration can and should make every effort to defeat the rise of political extremism and white supremacy, but should also be aware of unintended consequences.
Study reveals links between fatty liver disease, liver cancer
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that a protein involved in regulating lipid levels in the liver and blood also promotes development and progression of fatty liver disease and liver cancer in mice.
For some, GI tract may be vulnerable to COVID-19 infection
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that patients with Barrett’s esophagus may be vulnerable to coronavirus infection from what they swallow.
Webber to speak on growth, equity in St. Louis
Henry S. Webber, the university’s executive vice chancellor for civic affairs and strategic planning, will share what he has learned during a long-term study on the comparative performance of cities and regions. He will explain his findings on how St. Louis compares to peers and provide ideas for inclusive growth. The virtual event, presented by the Weidenbaum Center, will take place at noon Wednesday, Jan. 27.
Obamacare to get a rebuild
Dr. Karen Joynt Maddox expects the new Biden/Kamala Harris administration to retool and reinforce Obamacare, rather than the previous administration’s failed attempts to repeal and replace. She offers areas ripe for both quick and gradual change: reinstating health discrimination protection, investing in insurance enrollment, creating the “public option,” and broadening competition in insurance markets.