Archives and Rare Books
Happy Valentine’s Day from Becker Archives!
Send your science-loving sweetie a valentine from Becker Archives and Rare Books!
Becker Blog
Science and Informatics
Getting Started with Python Learning Using Jupyter and AI
Are you new to Python programming? Python is a free open-source programming language that supports multiple approaches to programming including object-oriented programming, scripting and automation. It is widely used for web development, data science and machine learning. Whether your goal is data analysis, building applications, or automating tasks, python offers an extensive library ecosystem and [Read more]
Science and Informatics
Tips for Submitting RNA-seq Data to GEO
We have received several inquiries about depositing RNA-seq data generated by WashU’s Genome Technology Access Center (GTAC) into the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) repository managed by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). As a result, it is a good time to write a blog article providing guidance on this issue for researchers on campus. [Read more]
Announcements
Explore Consensus: Free 1-Year Trial of AI Search Engine for WashU Medicine
Becker Library has arranged for WashU Medicine faculty, staff, and trainees to have free trial access to Consensus, an AI search engine for academic research, from now through December 31, 2026. As an AI search engine, Consensus applies language models to more traditional literature search with the aim of helping researchers and students find, understand, and synthesize [Read more]
Scholarly Publishing
January 2026 Scholarly Communications Round-up
Learn more about the new requirements for the Common Forms, resources to identify the impact of publication and Generative AI tools. NIH Biosketch and SciENcv The NIH recently announced new requirements for applicants: Implementation of Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2026. [Read more]
Archives and Rare Books
The Becker Rare Books Tarot Project
If you stopped by the Annual Display of Rare Anatomical Books last week, you might have seen visitors hard at work on a scavenger hunt around the display. The fruit of their labors? The new tarot decks made with images from our rare book collections! Tarot cards are seen as divination tools and are thus [Read more]
Announcements
New Agreement with Springer Nature for Springer Hybrid Journals
Becker Medical Library and WashU Libraries are pleased to announce our participation in the Greater Western Library Alliance’s Open Access Agreement with Springer Nature.
Announcements
Becker Library’s FY2025 Annual Report is Here!
My last official act as the director of Bernard Becker Medical Library is to publish our annual report for the 2025 fiscal year. Even though the year was filled with change and uncertainty in all corners of the institution, Becker Library remained steadfast in its mission and had a productive and impactful year. I encourage [Read more]
Archives and Rare Books
Missile Missives: An Archival Journey
The year was 1973, and Jerome “Jerry” Cox and his family were en route from Hawaii to St. Louis on American Airlines Flight 152. In the early morning hours of January 12—Cox guessed around 3:00am, St. Louis time—the pilot called their attention to a staged missile launch visible from the plane. Based on their flight [Read more]
Scholarly Publishing
Implementation of Common Forms for NIH Biosketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support: Due Date on or after January 25, 2026
The NIH recently announced their official Implementation of Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2026. Applications, RPPRs, prior approval requests and JIT submissions on or after January 25, 2026 must use the Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support and NIH Biographical Sketch Supplement. Most of [Read more]