Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is one of the world’s oldest and most widely used anesthetics, but concerns that it raises the risk of a heart attack during surgery or soon afterward are unfounded, according to a new study from researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

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Richard Wilson, PhD, director of The Genome Institute at Washington University School of Medicine, was named the world’s most-cited researcher by Thomson Reuters’ ScienceWatch. The list of most influential researchers also included Elaine Mardis, PhD, Li Ding, PhD, and Robert Fulton, all of The Genome Institute.

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Researchers have identified a way to trigger reproduction in the laboratory of clusters of human cells that make insulin, potentially removing a significant obstacle to transplanting the cells as a treatment for patients with type 1 diabetes. MORE

States that want to reduce rates of adult smoking may consider implementing stringent tobacco restrictions on teens. Washington University researchers discovered that states with more restrictive limits on teens purchasing tobacco also have lower adult smoking rates, especially among women.

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The School of Medicine's Susan E. Mackinnon, MD, has received the 2013 Jacobson Innovation Award of the American College of Surgeons for her leadership in the innovative use of nerve-transfer procedures in the treatment of patients with devastating peripheral nerve injuries. Pictured is Mackinnon after receiving the award from A. Brent Eastman, MD, ACS president.

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Melissa Hopkins has been named assistant vice chancellor and assistant dean of facilities operations at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The appointment is effective Aug. 19.MORE

L. Michael Brunt, MD, professor of surgery in minimally invasive surgery at the School of Medicine, received a 2013 Philip J. Wolfson Outstanding Teacher Award at the annual meeting of the Association for Surgical Education, held April 25-27 in Orlando, Fla.

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