16
October
2014
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05:34 AM
America/New_York

Ohio State University News Tips 10/16/14

Ebola Pandemic? Bird Flu? Zombie Virus? A Public Discussion – Oct. 16. Populations have been exposed to several major disease outbreaks in recent years, both globally and nationally. The bird flu, swine flu and now major Ebola pandemic in Africa have swept over the world within a few years. More recently, the United States has experienced a resurgence of disease outbreaks, such as the mumps and measles, in many American communities and college campuses — including in Ohio. But what are the actual health risks from these infectious diseases, both major and minor? What are the factors driving this spread of old and new viruses? Has the public been well served by our media when reporting on these cases? Are they accurately reporting the risks?

Ohio State’s School of Communication’s Health Sciences Frontiers program will host a public conversation from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16, at the WOSU@COSI studios, 333 W. Broad St., to talk about the flow of information and health risks from infectious disease outbreaks. Panelists include Larry Schlesinger, chair, Ohio State’s Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, Vicki Friemuth, director, Southern Center for Communication, Health, & Poverty, University of Georgia and Richard Harris, science correspondent, NPR.

The event is free and open to allwith seating beginning at 6:30 p.m. CONTACT: Erik Nisbet, assistant professor, School of Communications; director, Health Sciences Frontiers, Nisbet.5@osu.edu, (614) 247-1693. SEE: http://artsandsciences.osu.edu/events/a-panicked-public-viral-flows-of-information-and-health-risks-from-infectious-disease-outbrea.

Ohio State and Columbus roll out the red carpet for science reporters – Oct. 17-21. About 400 writers from around the country will converge here, when Ohio State hosts ScienceWriters2014.Attendees at the joint meeting of the National Association of Science Writers and the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing will spend Oct. 17-21 immersed in workshops and lectures focused on the craft of science writing and emerging topics in science.Among speakers at the meeting are 35 top Ohio State faculty members who will share the latest advances in their own work as well as insight into the future of their disciplines. Reporters will leave with deep knowledge about the topics they will cover in the future – and direct connections with the Ohio State researchers they will want to interview when those topics become timely.
In addition to hearing from faculty at Ohio State and elsewhere, meeting attendees will have the opportunity to visit several Ohio State research labs. Demand to see the Byrd Polar Research Center was so high that a second tour had to be added. Other tours will include the Center for Automotive Research, the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum and the new James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. SEE: http://www.sciencewriters2014.org/

Homecoming aims to bring out Buckeye Spirit – through Oct. 18. Ohio State will welcome alumni back to campus for homecoming festivities on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 17 and 18. “Buckeye Spirit” is the focus of this year’s celebration. The homecoming parade, one of the university’s biggest and longest running traditions, begins at 6 p.m. at Ohio Stadium and ends at the Ohio Union. The parade will be followed by a pep rally. For the homecoming game, the Buckeyes’ kick off at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18 against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. SEE: homecoming.osu.edu.

The person listed as theCONTACTwill have the most current information about the story. Call on our media relations staff for help with any Ohio State story: Jane Carroll, 614-292-5220 or carroll.296@osu.edu; Liz Cook, 614-292-7276 or cook.17@osu.edu; Gary Lewis, 614-688-2048 or lewis.330@osu.edu; or Amy Murray, 614-292-8385 or murray-goedde.1@osu.edu.