#ResearchSky: Nitazenes, a potent class of synthetic opioids, have been found in Missouri school wastewater, yet only 12% of survey respondents are aware of this threat. WashU research highlights the urgent need to raise awareness and take decisive action. https://bit.ly/4dahrcZ

KPop Demon Hunters is the most-watched film in @Netflix history, and WashU professor Mijeong Mimi Kim helped bring its world to life as a cultural consultant. Through her contributions, she helped ensure the film’s details felt authentic. 🎞️ https://bit.ly/3OOpR0f

Visual cues can’t always warn of excessive blood loss during birth. WashU engineers are designing a wrist device that monitors blood flow continuously, so doctors know immediately when a mom’s at risk. https://bit.ly/4nw5FfV

Across 406 forest plots spanning from Brazil to Colombia, a team including WashU biologists has been tracking the fate of tropical trees in South America's forests. The findings reveal important shifts in tree biodiversity across the Amazon rainforest. 🔍 https://bit.ly/4dGMbDj

Pigeons know how to “wing it” in city life. St. Louis rooftops, overpasses, and busy streets become their playgrounds. Alumna Daisy Lewis tracked their flocks in St. Louis and Madrid, revealing how these urban birds thrive among humans. 🐦 https://bit.ly/467DzzT

Could we one day live on Mars? 👽 🛸 Scientists say in order to terraform the Red Planet, creating an Earthlike atmosphere is just step one. https://bit.ly/3IlIdT1

▪️ Know the risks ▪️ Pay attention to symptoms ▪️ Stay up-to-date on screenings like colonoscopies Colorectal cancer is on the rise among people under 50, but early detection can save lives. https://bit.ly/3HGBmUd

Romance is fly 🪰: Male fruit flies follow female eyes to direct their romantic moves with precision. Using AI tracking, researchers can map their flirtation patterns and gain insights into how the brain processes sensory information in real time. https://bit.ly/4leKONX

#ResearchSky: A breast biopsy is often the only way to rule out cancer, but up to 80% turn out benign. Researchers at WashU developed imaging that could cut unnecessary biopsies by nearly 25%, helping reduce anxiety, costs and invasive procedures for patients. https://bit.ly/4qQV7JR

Ever wonder why some plants deteriorate despite careful watering? 🍅 Harmful bacteria can “listen” to a plant’s chemical signals and strike when it’s most vulnerable. WashU scientists are studying this to protect crops and the food we rely on every day. https://bit.ly/3IodBjS

#ResearchSky: What if a simple blood test could help predict when #Alzheimers symptoms might begin? 🧠 WashU Medicine researchers developed a model that estimates onset within 3–4 years, an advance that could speed research on treatments to prevent or delay the disease. https://bit.ly/4ruRcTo

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

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

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

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

#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

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

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

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

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

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

#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

💪 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

#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

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

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

Majoring in fall. 🍂🍁🍂

▪️ 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

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

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

🏢 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

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.

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. ☀️

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

What can viral memes teach us about global connections? East Asian languages and cultures researcher Jianqing Chen explores how social media humor fosters cross-cultural engagement.

“Many people think, ‘Oh, cannabis is not harmful — it’s organic, it’s natural." New research shows #cannabis use disorder is becoming a major public health concern, with patients facing nearly three times the risk of death. nyti.ms/3EwUuSy

What’s living in your plumbing? 💧 WashU #researchers led by Fangqiong Ling are uncovering the hidden microbiomes of household water systems, revealing diverse bacteria and resistance genes that could impact health. #sciencesky #researchsky

Researchers collaborated on a new method using Fitbit data to predict spine surgery recovery more accurately. Their model shows promising results and could lead to more personalized treatment plans for patients.

Weedy rice is wreaking havoc on rice crops in the southeastern U.S. 🌾 A new study finds over half of weedy rice in the region is herbicide-resistant, costing farmers millions. Here's how #science is tackling this growing agricultural challenge ⬇️

Want to power up? Beet it. Beet juice, packed inorganic nitrate, isn't just tasty—it's helping heart failure patients improve muscle power. #science #sciencesky #research #researchsky

Can #volunteering slow down #aging? A Brown School #research study says yes! Retirees volunteering 1-4 hrs/week showed the greatest benefits, but everyone gains from giving back. Dive into the #science behind how helping others helps you.

Researchers have developed a promising strategy to treat glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. By forcing tumor cells to display immune targets, they aim to make these cells visible and vulnerable to immunotherapies. #researchsky #sciencesky #science🧪

A new WashU study shows a drug called itacitinib may reduce a dangerous side effect in #stemcell transplants for blood cancer. Early results: no severe cases and better survival rates. #researchsky #sciencesky 🧪