WashU

A clear view to better batteries Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis are providing guidance and maps to improve the performance and safety of lithium-ion batteries.

Charging your phone in the cold? That can stress the battery. 🥶

Engineers at WashU built a new way to watch what happens inside batteries in real time — insight that could lead to safer tech and smarter charging. https://bit.ly/4b3h8P5

A clear view to better batteries Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis are providing guidance and maps to improve the performance and safety of lithium-ion batteries.

Charging your phone in the cold? That can stress the battery. 🥶

Engineers at WashU built a new way to watch what happens inside batteries in real time — insight that could lead to safer tech and smarter charging. https://bit.ly/4b3h8P5

WashU Expert: Why prescription drug prices stay high — and what Congress can do about it High prescription drug prices are not caused by any single company or practice, but by the system itself, said Washington University in St. Louis School of Law's Rachel Sachs. If Congress wants lower ...

Many patients skip needed meds because of cost.

According to Rachel Sachs of the School of Law, high drug prices stem from system-wide incentives meaning real affordability will require broad, coordinated reforms. 💊 https://bit.ly/4apIcZI

How feelings of neighborhood safety may shape young minds Research from psychologists at Washington University in St. Louis finds perception of neighborhood safety affects brain development.

Safety first 🤝: Children already juggle school, friendships and growing up. New research from WashU shows that when young people worry about neighborhood safety, it can affect how their brains develop and how they think, learn and feel. https://bit.ly/4tF3cmF

$80 million supports research into exceptional longevity WashU Medicine researchers have received a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue a study of families with a history of extreme longevity, seeking genetic clues to healthy agin...

#ResearchSky 🧬: Researchers at WashU have received support to continue research into the genetics of families with a history of extreme longevity, seeking keys to healthy aging. https://bit.ly/4aDenDK

How lipstick became music’s most versatile symbol From Courtney Love to Chappell Roan, lipstick has evolved into a marker of power.

The Power of the Pout 💄: Throughout pop culture, poet and culture critic Eileen G’Sell examines how lipstick has emerged as a powerful marker of agency and artistry. Beyond satin or matte, it’s a form of expression sealed with a kiss. 💋 https://bit.ly/4rvmV6P

Putting some ‘muscle' into material design Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed various muscle-inspired fiber materials for use in textiles, foods, and biomedical applications.

What if your clothes were powered by real muscle proteins? WashU engineers grew fibers in bioreactors that are strong, flexible, and heat-resistant and offering safer, more sustainable materials for everyday life. https://bit.ly/40gJsZn

Blood test 'clocks' predict when Alzheimer’s symptoms will start WashU Medicine researchers have developed a method to predict when someone is likely to develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease using a single blood test.

Just as tree rings tell a tree's age, brain proteins can now forecast Alzheimer's symptoms.

Researchers have developed a model using these "protein rings" to estimate symptom onset. This could be a major step forward in Alzheimer's research and care. #ResearchSky https://bit.ly/4ruRcTo

Alternative sweetener sorbitol linked to liver disease A study from researchers at Washington University in St. Louis has found connections between the alternative sweetener sorbitol and liver disease.

Swapping sugar for “sugar-free” sweeteners may not be the win we think.

New WashU research shows sorbitol, found in gum, candy, and low-cal snacks, can be converted into fructose in the liver, raising new questions about its long-term health effects. https://bit.ly/44mHnNG

Method spots early signs of infection after breast cancer reconstruction A new tool developed by Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine researchers could allow for preemptive treatment of implant-related infections that improves outcomes and reduces patients' emotional and financial burden.

After breast cancer surgery, infections can mean more pain, more surgeries, and more stress. WashU Medicine researchers found a way to spot infections early, before symptoms, so doctors can treat faster and help patients heal without losing implants. #ResearchSky https://bit.ly/3MfENU0

Immunotherapy reduces plaque in arteries of mice An antibody-based immunotherapy reduces plaque in the arteries of mice, offering a potential new strategy to treat cardiovascular disease, according to a study led by Washington University School of M...

#ResearchSky A new WashU-led immunotherapy targets the root cause of dangerous artery plaque, not just the symptoms. The discovery could complement cholesterol-lowering treatments and offer hope for people whose heart disease needs more than diet or medication alone. https://bit.ly/4qnFZmd

What's the Easiest Way to Start Strength Training? Strength training offers a range of benefits, experts say. Here's how to start.

💪 Focus on safety
💦 Build a routine that fits you
🏋️ Tune in to your body

Looking to incorporate strength training into your workouts? These tips will help! https://bit.ly/3Mlihcn

Brain network responsible for Parkinson's disease identified A brain network first identified by Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine researchers, called SCAN, is shown in a new study to be the neurological basis for Parkinson's disease. Patients receiving treatments targeted to this brain region...

#ResearchSky Parkinson’s affects movement, sleep, and thinking, and current treatments can’t stop it.

A new study led by WashU pinpoints the brain network underlying the disease and shows that targeting it can dramatically improve symptoms without surgery. https://bit.ly/4tpIjfh

Making hydrogen fuel cells ‘less precious' Engineers at Washington University in St. Louis are working to bring stability to iron components instead of using more expensive precious metals in fuel-cell technologies.

Hydrogen cars are clean and fast to refuel, but too expensive to go mainstream. WashU engineers are using iron instead of platinum in fuel cells, a change that could lower costs and help hydrogen-powered vehicles compete with gas and EVs. 💨 https://bit.ly/4bFADiz

Look Up! ✨

The Northern Lights lit up the skies above campus, captured beautifully by WashU student Hanyu Xiao!

#WashU #northernlights #AuroraBorealis

Inexpensive materials transform waste carbon into energy-rich compounds Research from engineers at Washington University in St. Louis will help turn waste gas into energy-rich compounds for sustainable manufacturing.

What if the carbon we throw away could help power the future? 💡

Feng Jiao and his team at the McKelvey School of Engineering have discovered a more cost-effective and longer-lasting method for converting waste carbon into usable energy. https://bit.ly/4ox3CIW

Washington University in St. Louis added 21 new photos.

Washington University in St. Louis added 21 new photos.

Washington University in St. Louis added 21 new photos.

Washington University in St. Louis added 21 new photos.

Majoring in fall. 🍂🍁🍂

Toward a safer world by 2040 National experts — including WashU’s Sandro Galea — call for rethinking violence as a preventable public-health crisis and investing in community, technology and research to create lasting safety.

▪️ Invest in communities
▪️Advance safer technology
▪️Expand the evidence base

Dr. Sandro Galea, Dean of WashU's School of Public Health, is among the co-authors of a groundbreaking report on building a safer, healthier world. https://bit.ly/3LmmStZ

Microbiome instability linked to poor growth in kids Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine researchers found that children with fluctuating gut microbiomes showed poorer growth compared with kids with a more stable microbiome. The study ...

Nearly 150M children under 5 face stunted growth from malnutrition.

Researchers at WashU Medicine and collaborators found that stable gut microbiomes support healthier growth, reshaping how we diagnose and treat malnutrition. https://bit.ly/3I2IRVE

Washington People: Kenneth Andrews The past two decades have been marked by unprecedented levels of activism in the U.S., with no signs of slowing down. Historically based research by Kenneth "Andy" Andrews, the Tileston Professor of Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis,...

What turns a moment into a movement?

Protests shape our politics, culture, and media. Sociologist Kenneth "Andy" Andrews studies what makes movements powerful and sustainable. https://bit.ly/3IIeh3S

Where does your glass come from? Glass seems simple − it’s just sand and a few more ingredients. Yet mining and production are rarely local, raising questions about sustainability.

🏢 We ask where our food comes from; why not our glass? 🏬

Architect Aki Ishida examines the process of glass production and highlights the importance of understanding its origins for more sustainable design. https://bit.ly/42psOrI

Research explores genetics underlying immune system disorders Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis researchers have received a $12.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study novel genetic causes of immune disorders.

Many people with rare immune disorders go years without a diagnosis because standard genetic tests can miss the underlying causes. Dr. Megan Cooper at WashU is using advanced gene sequencing to uncover hidden causes and help patients get the answers and treatments they need.

Genetic study suggests ways to catch blood cancer earlier In a new study, Washington University of St. Louis School of Medicine researchers shed light on how newly acquired mutations in blood stem cells interact with mutations passed down by parents to influ...

Scientists reveal how lifetime-acquired mutations interact with inherited genetic risk to drive blood cancer development. These findings pave the way for earlier detection and targeted preventive therapies.

Relax, recharge, and have a safe and happy Labor Day. ☀️

Research explores genetics underlying immune system disorders Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis researchers have received a $12.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study novel genetic causes of immune disorders.

For some patients, mysterious infections, autoimmune problems, or unusual reactions to everyday illnesses can signal a rare immune disorder—but standard tests don’t always find the cause. Dr. Megan Cooper at WashU is using new genetic techniques to find those missing answers.

When physics meets ecology Mikhail Tikhonov, an associate professor of physics in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, is using mathematical tools to deepen our understanding of microbial ecology and evolution...

From galaxies to grains of soil—physicist Mikhail Tikhonov uses math to decode the hidden rules of microbial ecosystems. His work could improve farming, protect waterways, and even guide the search for alien life. #AcademicSky #ScienceSky https://bit.ly/3VjeRaR

Genetic study suggests ways to catch blood cancer earlier In a new study, Washington University of St. Louis School of Medicine researchers shed light on how newly acquired mutations in blood stem cells interact with mutations passed down by parents to influence a person's lifetime risk of developing blood can...

WashU Medicine scientists reveal how lifetime-acquired mutations interact with inherited genetic risk to drive blood cancer development. These findings pave the way for earlier detection and targeted preventive therapies.

Is March Madness All Luck? As a Purdue Boilermakers fan, I’ve experienced plenty of heartbreak during the N.C.A.A. tournament. Was it a matter of skill, or of chance?

How much does luck actually impact #MarchMadness? 🤔

Not as much as you’d think, says sociologist Mark Rank. While upsets are part of the madness, basketball is the least luck-driven sport. bit.ly/4iQdOcD

Nasal COVID-19 vaccine based on WashU technology to enter U.S. clinical trials A nasal vaccine for COVID-19 – based on technology developed at Washington University in St. Louis – is poised to enter a phase 1 clinical trial in the U.S.

A new nasal COVID-19 vaccine from WashU, designed to reduce transmission and protect against respiratory viruses, is entering Phase 1 trials. A major step toward controlling global health threats.

Lady in red Research from biologist Susanne Renner in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis reveals the function of red stigmas in wind-pollinated flowers.

Those red stigmas on hazelnut flowers?

WashU biologist Susanne Renner co-authored a study uncovering why red stigmas are common in wind-pollinated plants. bit.ly/42QkAKn