WUSTL in the News

Washington University faculty and staff make news around the world and a sampling of this news coverage is summarized below. Click on the headline for more information on a story and for links (when available) to the story as it appeared online in an external publication.

• Archived News Clips

July 2009

David Holtzman: Attacking Alzheimer's With a New Test for Amyloid Beta U.S. News & World Report online July 1, 2009 -- WUSTL neuroscientist David Holtzman and colleagues have devised a test that shows whether an experimental medication has a chance of working in Alzheimer's patients.

Elaine Mardis and Richard Wilson: Taking Cancer's Genetic Measure U.S. News & World Report online July 1, 2009 -- WUSTL biochemists Elaine Mardis and Richard Wilson helped decode the human genome and are now working to find genetic mutations associated with acute myeloid leukemia.

June 2009

Out of the Bedroom, Into the Clinic The New York Times June 30, 2009 -- Dwight Garner reviews Thomas Maier's new biography on sex researchers Masters and Johnson. Masters was a WUSTL ob-gyn professor when he met Johnson.

Patterns: Drinking Age Affects Bingeing, to a Point The New York Times June 30, 2009 -- A new study in The Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry finds that as the drinking age has gone up, binge drinking has gone down -- except among college students. Includes comments by study leader WUSTL psychiatry professor Richard Grucza.

Black Reverence for Jackson Is Now Unreserved The New York Times and 11 others June 29, 2009 -- Around the world, Michael Jackson was celebrated Sunday, but there was a special fervor in black neighborhoods and churches. Jackson is seen as a towering figure with crossover appeal, even if in life some of his black fans wondered if he was as proud of his race as his race was of him. Includes comments by WUSTL AFAS professor Gerald Early.

Vacation: What the Heck Is That? MSN Money June 26, 2009 -- Not taking some R&R could leave you carrying some heavy baggage down the line, bringing you and your company down. WUSTL entrepreneurship specialist Clifford Holekamp advises that shorter vacations are less stressful for small startups that are "very dependent on the founder to run the day-to-day operations."

Despite everything . . . Americans are seeing better times ahead USA Today and 2 others June 23, 2009 -- Americans say they're still in a tunnel, but more are beginning to see a light at its end. Fewer people say they've prospered over the past year than in decades, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds. WUSTL social work professor Mark Rank comments on the 'American Dream.'

Jobs Had Liver Transplant The Wall Street Journal June 22, 2009 -- Steve Jobs, who has been on medical leave from Apple Inc. since January to treat an undisclosed medical condition, received a controversial liver transplant in Tennessee about two months ago. The chief executive has been recovering well and is expected to return to work on schedule later this month, though he may work part-time initially. WUSTL pancreatic and gastrointestinal surgery professor William Hawkins and surgery professor William Chapman both comment.

Keeping a True Identity Becomes a Battle Online The New York Times and 3 others June 18, 2009 -- Since Facebook started giving out customized Web addresses last Friday, some 9.5 million people have rushed to grab their top choice. But for people signing up for these accounts, the battle over domain names is taking place in murky waters. WUSTL student Jeremy Fancer comments.

Study: 'Depression Gene' Doesn't Predict the Blues Time.com June 17, 2009 -- Are some people hardwired to get the blues? Scientists have long believed that a tendency toward melancholy runs in families. A new study published on June 16 in JAMA now threatens to send researchers back to the drawing board. The meta-analysis of 14 prior studies concludes that the so-called depression gene may not be associated with an elevated risk for depression, as many researchers had believed. WUSTL psychiatric geneticist Alexandre Todorov, whose 2007 peer-reviewed study was included in the JAMA piece, comments.

A Suicide at 102 Unites a City in Thanks for a Man's Life The New York Times June 16, 2009 -- When Isadore E. Millstone jumped off a bridge and killed himself, the people of St. Louis mourned his loss even before his body was found in the Missouri River early this month. At 102, Mr. Millstone left a deep and lasting imprint here in his hometown. He was a well-known member of the board at WUSTL. WUSTL chancellor emeritus William Danforth comments.

Revealed: Secret allergy triggers CNNhealth.com and 1 others June 16, 2009 -- You could blame weeds, trees, and grasses if you start itching, sneezing, coughing, and wheezing this fall. But the usual suspects aren't the only triggers. A host of household items candles, chemicals, stuffed animals, and spices may be the real culprits. Includes advice from WUSTL allergy and immunology professor James Wedner.

Gunman shoots, kills guard at Holocaust Museum Associated Press and 51 others June 11, 2009 -- Story on James von Brunn, the accused 88-year-old gunman with a violent and virulently anti-Semitic past, who opened fire with a rifle inside the crowded U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum on Wednesday, fatally wounding a security guard before being shot himself. According to a relative, von Brunn attended WUSTL and is an artist.

How to Win a Business Plan Competition The New York Times June 11, 2009 -- Since their advent in 1984, more than 50 American colleges and universities host business plan competitions, yielding prizes worth more than ever. Still, it's really not about the money, says Cliff Holekamp, a senior lecturer in entrepreneurship at WUSTL's Olin business school, which hosts multiple competitions, including the recently introduced Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Competition, a do-good variation with a $150,000 prize pool.

When Second Really Is the Best U.S. News & World Report online June 10, 2009 -- In industry after industry, entrepreneur after entrepreneur is saying the same thing: Being first can surely be an advantage, but so can being second. Those who follow a market leader can actually be more successful in most cases, says WUSTL business strategy professor Anne Marie Knott, who discusses second-to-market advantages on the first day of her entrepreneurial studies class.

Bad Habits Asserting Themselves The New York Times and 3 others June 9, 2009 -- Despite the well-advertised healthy lifestyle message, healthy habits are in decline, according to an authoritative national survey on health and nutrition. WUSTL epidemiology professor Ross Brownson, who is a leading expert in chronic disease prevention, comments.

Analysis: Obama tries evenhanded approach Associated Press and 51 others June 8, 2009 -- Nancy Benac reports on Obama's Cairo speech in which he tried to explain the American mindset to Muslims and the world of Islam to Americans. Various experts comment on the speech, including WUSTL presidential rhetoric specialist Wayne Fields.

Parental Eating Habits Don't Rub Off on Kids U.S. News & World Report online and 10 others June 5, 2009 -- Parents' eating habits don't seem to influence their children's food choices as much as experts have thought, new research suggests. The findings suggest that other factors, such as peer influence and television viewing, may be more powerful influences. The results are something of a surprise, said Connie Diekman, director of university nutrition at WUSTL and past president of the American Dietetic Association.

No scars: New obesity surgery goes through mouth Associated Press and 52 others June 4, 2009 -- Doctors are testing a new kind of obesity surgery without any cuts through the abdomen, snaking a tube down the throat to snap staples into the stomach. The experimental, scar-free procedure creates a narrow passage that slows the food as it moves from the upper stomach into the lower stomach, helping patients feel full more quickly and eat less. The first U.S. procedure was done at WUSTL. WUSTL surgery professor Chris Eagon comments.

Please silence your phone -- NOW! Los Angeles Times online June 3, 2009 -- A new study that shows that a cellphone ring, more than just being annoying, can pose the kind of distraction that can impair learning or derail someone's train of thought. Study author and WUSTL psychology postdoctoral research scholar Jill Shelton comments.

Body found in river IDed as missing philanthropist Associated Press and 19 others June 3, 2009 -- Jim Salter reports that the body found in the Missouri River on Tuesday is confirmed to be I.E. Millstone. On Sunday, hundreds of people, including many civic leaders from St. Louis, gathered for a memorial to honor Millstone, who graduated from WUSTL with an engineering degree. Includes comments by close friend and WUSTL chancellor emeritus William Danforth.

The culture of failure The Boston Globe June 1, 2009 -- If at first you don't succeed, tell the world about it -- because Web culture has become obsessed with "failure videos," mostly on YouTube. Whatever the reason, the sharing of personal missteps has become a part of today's e-culture. WUSTL psychology professor Don Fitz comments.

Words of Wisdom for 2009 grads USA Today June 1, 2009 -- Excerpts from several 2009 commencement speakers, including WUSTL's speaker Wendy Kopp, founder of Teach for America.

May 2009

Gene Mutation May Up Risks of Endometrial Cancer U.S. News & World Report online and 8 others May 27, 2009 -- A genetic marker for aggressive endometrial cancer has been identified by U.S. researchers, who said their finding could lead to more targeted and risk-appropriate treatments. WUSTL gynecologic oncologist Israel Zighelboim comments on the study that appears online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Former Army Doctor Accused of Research Fraud Takes Leave From University The New York Times and 6 others May 26, 2009 -- Orthopaedic surgeon Timothy Kuklo, a former Army physician accused of falsifying research involving injured soldiers, has taken a leave of absence from WUSTL medical school and its affiliated hospitals.

Ouch! How not to be a slave to pain MSNBC May 26, 2009 -- Top medical experts offer tips on how you can learn to control pain. Includes comments by WUSTL orthopaedic surgeon Matthew Matava.

2009 Commencement Address Highlights CBS Evening News May 26, 2009 -- Public service has been a common theme at college commencement ceremonies around the country this past month. Sunday's CBS Evening News gives a sampling, including WUSTL's commencement speaker Wendy Kopp.

Are Medical Residents Worked Too Hard? Time.com May 26, 2009 -- There has been much hand-wringing over the dangers of medical residents' grueling schedules. One recent study advised that a solution would be to reduce the length of their shifts. But many in the medical community, including residents themselves, worry that shorter shifts could come at the expense of educational opportunities and possibly even patient safety. Includes comments by WUSTL Department of Medicine chairman Kenneth Polonsky.

When the Justices Ask Questions, Be Prepared to Lose the Case The New York Times May 26, 2009 -- A new study by four political scientists, including WUSTL doctoral candidate Ryan Black, to be published in the WUSTL Journal of Law and Policy, looks at whether or not Supreme Court justices tip their hands during oral arguments.

Limiting Work Hours for Medical Residents Could Be Costly U.S. News & World Report online and 9 others May 21, 2009 -- A new study shows that allowing doctors-in-training to work fewer hours and take longer naps during their shifts will cost the nation's teaching hospitals an estimated $1.6 billion a year. And there are no guarantees that shortening the shifts will improve patient safety. WUSTL medical professor Kenneth Polonsky comments in an accompanying co-written journal editorial.

Moves to Allow Medical Residents More Shut-Eye Rouse Opposition The Wall Street Journal May 21, 2009 -- Another study has indicated that shorter shifts for medical residents might actually increase patient harm because a departing resident hands over the patient to a fresh resident unfamiliar with the case. WUSTL medical professor Melvin Blanchard co-wrote an accompanying journal editorial that strongly disagrees with the Institute of Medicine's recommendations for shorter shifts.

Sen. Grassley investigating army surgeon who allegedly wrote bogus study of Medtronic graft Los Angeles Times and 8 others May 20, 2009 -- Influential Senator Charles Grassley is investigating a former Army surgeon who the Army says forged signatures and falsified data in a study touting the benefits of an implant from Medtronic. Orthopaedic surgeon Timothy Kuklo retired from the Army in 2007 and is now a professor of orthopedic surgery at WUSTL. WUSTL spokeswoman Joni Westerhouse comments.

Senator Seeks Data on Doctor Accused by Army of Falsifying a Product Study The New York Times and 1 others May 19, 2009 -- A top Republican lawmaker has opened an inquiry into a former Walter Reed Army Medical Center doctor whom the Army has accused of falsifying a medical study involving a product made by Medtronic, a company for whom he works as a paid consultant. The doctor currently works as an associate professor at WUSTL Medical School.

What another woman would bring to Supreme Court The Christian Science Monitor online May 19, 2009 -- Expectations are high that Obama will nominate a woman to the Supreme Court. A recent study by three academics focusing on the votes of federal court of appeals judges bears out the observation that a conservative woman acts more pro-women's rights than a conservative man. The research was conducted by WUSTL law and political science professor Andrew Martin and WUSTL political science doctoral student Christina Boyd, along with Lee Epstein of Northwestern University Law School in Chicago.

Doctor Falsified Study on Injured G.I.'s, Army Says The New York Times and 9 others May 13, 2009 -- According to the Army, WUSTL orthopaedic surgery professor Timothy Kuklo, a former surgeon at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, who is a paid consultant for a medical company, published a study that made false claims and overstated the benefits of the company's product in treating soldiers severely injured in Iraq. A WUSTL official declined to say whether it was investigating Dr. Kuklo but added that he remained on the faculty.

Perfectly Happy The Boston Globe May 12, 2009 -- The new science of measuring happiness has transformed self-help. Now scholars suggest it could transform society — from tort law to urban planning to medical care. WUSTL law professors Samuel Bagenstos and Margo Schlanger co-wrote a law review article in 2007 suggesting that the emphasis on lost enjoyment of life in jury awards actually makes it harder for the plaintiff to recover.

Chemical clue to dementia decline BBC News May 12, 2009 -- WUSTL scientists have pinpointed compounds in the spinal fluid which may give an early warning of how fast patients with mild dementia will decline.

What's Next: Ultrasound Images Via Cellphone The Washington Post May 12, 2009 -- WUSTL engineers led by computer science professor William Richard have created a USB-based ultrasound probe that can connect to a smartphone, creating a low-cost ultrasound imaging platform.

Union boss returns some of $1.2 million pay The Washington Times May 12, 2009 -- Controversy over compensation received by the president of the shipyard workers union, much of which was returned after it was disclosed to the government. Several labor analysts expressed concern about the union's pay practices and the changes it made in its financial reports. Labor consultant and WUSTL law professor emeritus Neil Bernstein comments.

Is The FDA Easing Up? Forbes May 8, 2009 -- Matthew Herper reports on the controversy surrounding the FDA and its policy for approving new schizophrenia drugs. Includes comments by WUSTL psychiatry professor John Newcomer.

Autism diagnosis may occur years late United Press International and 2 others May 7, 2009 -- U.S. researchers suggest autism diagnoses are not occurring soon enough. WUSTL social work professor and study lead author Paul Shattuck comments.

Bright Spot in Downturn: New Hiring Is Robust The New York Times and 3 others May 6, 2009 -- Everyone knows the grim news — unemployment in the United States has jumped to 8.5 percent, a 25-year high, and is racing toward double digits. But not everyone knows the brighter side to the equation: deep in the maw of the deepest recession since the Great Depression, millions are still being hired. Like many educational institutions, WUSTL continues to hire. It has 175 job openings in admissions, residential life and other areas.

Early Admission From Waiting List InsideHigherEd.com May 5, 2009 -- This year, the process of turning to waiting lists has started early at some private colleges. WUSTL — and other institutions with competitive admissions — turned to their waiting lists in recent weeks, before the final tallies were in on how many accepted applicants were coming.

Early Alzheimer's, think less efficiently United Press International and 2 others May 5, 2009 -- Alzheimer's patients sift the important from less important less efficiently early on, according to a study conducted by WUSTL researchers.

Justices Limit Use of Identity Theft Law in Immigration Cases The New York Times and 3 others May 5, 2009 -- The Supreme Court rejected a favorite tool of prosecutors in immigration cases, ruling unanimously that a federal identity-theft law may not be used against many illegal workers who used false Social Security numbers to get jobs. WUSTL immigration law professor Stephen Legomsky comments.

Particles, Molecules Prefer Not To Mix ScienceDaily.com and 7 others May 5, 2009 -- In the world of small things, shape, order and orientation are surprisingly important, according to findings from a new study by WUSTL chemistry professor Lev Gelb, graduate student Brian Barnes, and postdoctoral researcher Daniel Siderius.

Flu control tests Obama balancing skills Associated Press and 47 others May 4, 2009 -- When it comes to swine flu, Obama is trying to strike the right balance between protecting public and economic health. That's resulted in some doublespeak and spin, evidence of the inextricable ties between a looming epidemic and a listing economy. Includes comments by WUSTL American culture studies director Wayne Fields, who is an expert on presidential rhetoric.

How Being Materialistic Can Actually Make You Happy U.S. News & World Report online May 1, 2009 -- Consumer behavior and psychological research has found all sorts of counterintuitive lessons about how we shop. So it's not surprising that a forthcoming study in the Journal of Consumer Research shatters some myths about materialism. Includes comments by WUSTL marketing professor Joseph Goodman, study co-author.

April 2009

Students in urban schools get big boost from pioneering tutor program The Christian Science Monitor April 8, 2009 -- A new WUSTL social work study shows that comprehension and other critical skills improve dramatically with one-on-one help from Experience Corps' volunteers. WUSTL social work professor Nancy Morrow-Howell comments.

December 2008

Buffets, exercise lack linked to obesity United Press International and 33 others Dec. 22, 2008 -- People in Middle America may have larger middles from frequent buffet and cafeteria eating and perceived barriers to physical activity, U.S. researchers said. "It's not that people don't want to get physical activity or eat healthy foods, but we've made it difficult in many communities," senior author of the study Ross Brownson of the Washington University in St. Louis said in a statement.

November 2008

Social workers to teach money management CNN.com and 1 others Nov. 17, 2008 -- In the contemporary era of rampant foreclosures, credit card debt, and ever-evolving scams that prey on the economically vulnerable, few social work schools offer specialized financial training to their students, but change is under way. WUSTL social work professor Michael Sherraden devised the concept of Individual Development Accounts, which helps low-income families build assets to reach long-term goals.

Social workers boosting expertise on money woes Associated Press and 123 others Nov. 10, 2008 -- Against the backdrop of the economic meltdown, a movement is building within the ranks of America's social workers to make their profession more adept at helping clients overcome financial woes. WUSTL social work professor pioneered the concept of Individual Development Accounts, which help low-income families build assets to reach long-term goals such buying a home.

PTSD Tied to Domestic Violence Among Vets PsychCentral.com (MA) and 8 others Nov. 7, 2008 -- New research suggests the risk of domestic violence will rise as increasing number of veterans are diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder. The consequences on families and children in communities across the U.S. are an emerging concern says WUSTL social work professor Monica Matthieu, an expert on veteran mental health.

August 2008

Financial literacy leads to positive change Chicago Tribune Aug. 5, 2008 -- Asset Builders CDC executive director Cecilia Salinas responds to critics of the benefits of financial literacy saying, "We have learned education does make a difference in changing behavior and establishing savings habits." "Nationally a recent report by the Center for Social Development at Washington University in St. Louis noted positive changes in financial behavior resulting from participation in the IDA program and financial education classes."