Topic: Washington University in St. Louis

Sarah Palin Inc. Can she trademark her name?

Sarah Palin and her daughter Bristol want to trademark their names – a legal action more typical of celebrity figures in sports, fashion, and entertainment. As well-paid "motivational speakers," they've already made their mark.

TSA screenings drive passengers to find alternatives to flying

TSA screenings are becoming increasingly invasive. Will more travelers choose to take the bus or train, or even stay home and teleconference?

Global leadership: Voters launch a power surge of women

Brazil's President-elect Dilma Rousseff is the latest in a power surge of women in global leadership positions.

Charlie Chaplin time traveler debunked: It's just a hearing aid

Charlie Chaplin time traveler: A scene of a supposed time traveler talking on her cellphone in a 1928 Hollywood film probably just shows someone with a simple ear trumpet.

College savings plans: Skip that MBA

College savings plans can be as simple as avoiding education you don't need. Unemployment for MBA grads is way up.

In defense of the modern research university

Research universities aren't perfect, but they do have a role to play. They should start by reallocating their best resources, their faculty, to serve the undergraduates instead of the graduates.

Difference Maker Protecting women and girls in China, where one child per family is the rule – and a boy the preference.

Chai Ling was a leader of the 1989 student uprising at Tiananmen Square. Now she wants to help women and girls in her native China.

Virginia follows lead of Arizona immigration law, carefully

Police officers can check immigration status during criminal investigations, Virginia's attorney general says. The Arizona immigration law has encouraged other states to review their measures.

The moon may hold 100 times more water than previously thought

Researchers determined that the lunar water likely originated early in the moon's formation history, suggesting that it is, in fact, native to the moon.

Catholic sexual abuse scandal sharpens church rift over what a priest should be

Progressive Catholics and theologians in the US and Europe say the Vatican's model of a priest is outdated. The global sexual abuse scandal has sharpened the church's inner struggle over how to reform that model.

From abuse crisis, Germany's Roman Catholics seek reform

The Roman Catholic priest sex abuse crisis is prompting Germany's faithful to revisit the spiritual roots of their church.

Study suggests humans mated with Neanderthals

A study of DNA from humans living today has found signs of Neanderthal genes, suggesting that interbreeding occurred between the two species.

Pope Benedict calls for Catholic church penance, but questions about reform persist

Pope Benedict XVI said it's 'necessary to perform penance' in response to public outrage at revelations of sexual abuse by Catholic priests. But some analysts say those hoping for change are up against a deeply conservative hierarchy.

Trijicon sights: How the ‘Jesus gun’ misfired

Biblical references on rifle sights have been an open secret among soldiers. But it’s become an embarrassment for the Pentagon, causing Michigan gunmaker Trijicon to send ‘removal kits.’

Opinion: The patent system: End it, don't mend it

From AIDS to Android phones, research shows that intellectual property rights are detrimental to the social good.

Veterans day appreciation: Top 5 veterans in business

On Veteran's Day, Americans celebrate those who served the country as members of the military. But after trading fatigues for suits, here are the top 5 veterans who have left their mark on the business world.

NASA finds water ice in Mars craters

NASA's Mars Reconnaisance Orbiter spotted ice just below the surface that was exposed by fresh meteor crashes, not far from where the Viking 2 Lander looked in 1976.

An extinction that leaves sameness in its wake

Apollo lunar rocks still offer clues to scientists

If not for a St. Louis scientist and a few of his colleagues, NASA may never have collected moon rocks.

What another woman would bring to Supreme Court

Expectations are high that Obama will nominate a woman. Though female jurisprudence is not much different from that of male judges, women tend to be more pro-women's rights and to tilt more toward plaintiffs in sex-discrimination cases.

The Susan Boyle phenomenon: redefining beauty, grace, and success?

Commentators find deeper meaning in British singer's YouTube popularity.

Students in urban schools get big boost from pioneering tutor program

Comprehension and other critical skills improve dramatically with one-on-one help from Experience Corps' volunteers, a new study shows.

Opinion: What the poor can teach the rich at G-20

Microfinance lessons for a macrofinance mess.

States rebel against Washington

The pushback against federal power began under Bush, but may now be accelerating.

Unusually high stakes in vice presidential debate

On Thursday, Sarah Palin has a chance to restore her image, while Joe Biden must avoid being long-winded or aggressive.