Risky driving behaviors with sleep disorder

Up to half of older adults may have sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing and sleep are briefly interrupted many times a night. A new study from the School of Medicine shows that this chronic tiredness can have serious implications for road safety.

New leader for university services appointed

Jason McClellan, of Tufts University, has been appointed assistant vice chancellor for university services at Washington University, announced Shantay Bolton, executive vice chancellor and chief administrative officer. His appointment begins May 1.

From rare soil microbe, a new antibiotic candidate

Demand for new kinds of antibiotics is surging, as drug-resistant and emerging infections are becoming a global health threat. Biologist Joshua Blodgett in Arts & Sciences discovered a new candidate for drug development from bioactive compounds in a soil bacterium.

Child tax credit reduced usage of high-cost financial services

Families eligible for the child tax credit experienced improved nutrition and decreased reliance on credit cards, and they made long-term educational investments for both parents and children, finds a new report from the Social Policy Institute.

Notables

Recognizing excellence and dedication in medical education during a time of unprecedented challenges, students at the School of Medicine recently honored faculty, residents and staff with Distinguished Service Teaching Awards for the 2020-21 academic year.

Research Wire

Biomedical engineer Jianmin Cui at the McKelvey School of Engineering is going deep into the basic mechanisms that lead to arrhythmia to ultimately find potential new drug candidates with a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Notables

The Skandalaris Center recently hosted its spring awards ceremony, recognizing excellence in innovation, entrepreneurship and mentorship. The center also announced the winners of the Global Impact Award and Skandalaris Venture Competition.

Announcements

Campus limits light pollution to protect birds

Washington University has joined ​​Lights Out Heartland, a local initiative to limit light pollution during periods of peak bird migration — April and May in the spring and September and October in the fall.