Scientists Surprised To Find Neurons in Visual Cortex of the Brain “Drift” Over Time
New research from Washington University in St. Louis reveals that neurons in the visual cortex — the part of the brain that processes visual stimuli…
Washington University in St. Louis News
Antibody Discovered That Protects Against Broad Range of COVID-19 Virus Variants
Targets key part of virus’ spike protein that changes little across variants. The virus that causes COVID-19 today is not the same as the one…
Remarkable Evolutionary Accessory: Sticky Toes Unlock Life in the Trees
Many lizards are phenomenal climbers. Their sharp, curved claws are ideal for clinging to tree trunks, rocks, and other rough surfaces. However, in the precarious…
Incredible Fibers Produced by Engineered Bacteria: Stronger Than Steel, Tougher Than Kevlar
Artificially designed, amyloid-silk hybrid protein developed in Zhang lab even outperforms some spider silks. Spider silk is said to be one of the strongest, toughest…
Sculpted by Starlight: An Unusual Meteorite Witness to the Solar System’s Birth
Researchers use unusual meteorite to gain insight into our solar system’s past, present. In 2011, scientists confirmed a suspicion: There was a split in the…
Male Dragonflies Lose Their “Bling” in Hotter Climates – May Make It Difficult to Find a Mate
Less pigmentation keeps them cool, but could make it difficult to find a mate. A study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences…
Missing Piece Discovered in the Puzzle of Optical Quantum Computing
An efficient two-bit quantum logic gate has been out of reach, until now. Research from the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St….
Immunotherapy That Supercharges the Immune System’s Natural Killer Cells Shows Promise Against Melanoma
Effective against blood cancers, natural killer cells also may be effective against solid tumors. An immunotherapy based on supercharging the immune system’s natural killer cells…
Low Testosterone Means High Risk of Severe COVID-19 for Men
New clues on why more men than women develop severe disease. Throughout the pandemic, doctors have seen evidence that men with COVID-19 fare worse, on…
Electric Fish – Like Humans – Pause Before Communicating Key Points
American writer and humorist Mark Twain, a master of language and noted lecturer, once offered, “The right word may be effective, but no word was…
Sonothermogenetics Can Control Behavior by Stimulating a Specific Target Deep in the Brain
New Tool Combines Ultrasound, Genetics to Activate Deep Brain Neurons Neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy have had some treatment success with deep…
A Seedy Slice of History: Here’s Where Watermelons Actually Came From
Just in time for picnic-table trivia, a new study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences rewrites the origins of domesticated…
Mice With Hallucination-Like Behaviors Reveal Insights Into Psychotic Illnesses
Study in mice and people offers new approach to investigating mental illnesses. The humble lab mouse has provided invaluable clues to understanding diseases ranging from…
Genetic Link to Clogged Arteries Discovered – Raises Risk of Heart Disease Independent of Cholesterol Levels
Independent of cholesterol, gene variants raise risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure. High cholesterol is the most commonly understood cause of atherosclerosis, a…
COVID-19 Vaccinations of Breastfeeding Moms May Also Protect Their Babies – Major Boost in Antibodies
Major boost in COVID-19 antibodies seen in breast milk after vaccination. New research from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suggests that nursing…
Worrisome New Evidence That COVID-19 Vaccines Are Less Effective Against New Coronavirus Variants
Worrisome new coronavirus variants can evade antibodies that neutralize original virus. New research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis indicates that three…
Research Reveals How COVID-19 Can Kill Heart Muscle Cells, Interfere With Contraction
Study reveals details of how coronavirus infects heart; models of tissue damage may help develop potential therapies. Since early in the pandemic, COVID-19 has been…
No More Needles for Diagnostic Tests? Engineers Develop Nearly Pain-Free Microneedle Patch
Nearly pain-free microneedle patch can test for antibodies and more in the fluid between cells. Blood draws are no fun. They hurt. Veins can burst,…
