New evidence COVID-19 antibodies, vaccines less effective against variants

School of Medicine researchers have found that new variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 can evade antibodies that work against the original form of the virus, potentially undermining the effectiveness of vaccines and antibody-based drugs now in use.

‘The Dilemma of the Black Republican’

Jackie Robinson’s baseball career is synonymous with civil rights advancement. But his life also illuminates a period of dramatic electoral realignment, writes Arts & Sciences’ Gerald Early in an essay in the new anthology “42 Today,” which explores Robinson’s legacy.

Opioid overdose reduced in patients taking buprenorphine

The drug buprenorphine is an effective treatment for opioid use disorder. But many who misuse opioids also take benzodiazepines to treat anxiety and similar conditions. School of Medicine researchers found that buprenorphine lowered overdose risk, even in people who also took benzodiazepines such as Valium.

Pyrite is not ‘global fingerprint’ of oxygen in atmosphere

Scientists have long used information from sediments at the bottom of the ocean to reconstruct conditions in oceans of the past. But a new study from David Fike in Arts & Sciences raises concerns about a common use of pyrite for this purpose.

Notables

Washington University has earned a Bicycle Friendly University (BFU) Gold designation. The award by the League of American Bicyclists recognizes efforts to provide a more bikeable campus for faculty, staff, students and visitors. The university is the first in Missouri to receive a BFU designation at a gold or platinum level and one of only six in the Midwest.

Notables

Junior Sophie Devincenti and senior Tirzah Reed are representing the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts in Varsity Art XXV. The annual exhibition, which opens today, is hosted by Art St. Louis and features work by undergraduate and graduate students from St. Louis college- and university-level art programs.

Announcements

University Libraries seeks entries for student awards

University Libraries announced a new research award designed to engage students’ research with collections from the Julian Edison Department of Special Collections. Apply for the Mendel Sato Research Award by May 7.