Story Ideas for Media - 04/11/05
News
Ohio State experiment to hitch a ride on the shuttle -- When the space shuttle Discovery takes off next month, it will carry Ohio State technology that could power the next generation of space vehicles. NASA is trying out new types of solar cells -- devices that convert solar energy to electrical energy -- and Ohio State engineers have an innovative design that they’re ready to put to the test. These solar cells are tough enough to take all the heat, cold, and radiation that space can throw at them. They’re also potentially cheaper and easier to build, and weigh half as much as the conventional cells NASA uses today. Steven Ringel, the Neal A. Smith Professor of electrical engineering and professor of physics, and his team designed the materials in collaboration with scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and NASA Glenn Research Center. As part of this NASA-funded project, astronauts will install a small prototype solar cell device outside the International Space Station, and Ringel and his colleagues will monitor its performance in real time over the next year. CONTACT: Steven Ringel, Departments of Electrical Engineering and Physics, (614) 292-6904; or Pam Frost Gorder, University Relations, (614) 292-9475.
Experts
More than 70 percent of older adults use alternative medicine -- Nearly three out of every four adults over age 50 use some kind of alternative medicine, such as acupuncture and herbal medicine, according to an Ohio State study led by Gong-Soog Hong, professor of consumer sciences. While previous research has been limited, this appears to be a higher rate than occurs within the general population, Hong said. The most commonly used form of alternative medicine was chiropractic medicine, which about 43 percent of respondents had used. Acupuncture was the least used. Hong presented this study last week at the 51st annual conference of the American Council on Consumer Interests in Columbus. CONTACT: Gong-Soog Hong, Department of Consumer Sciences, (614) 247-7243; or Jeff Grabmeier, University Relations, (614) 292-8457.
Research
Black raspberries yield anticancer gel -- They’re plump and juicy on the vine, great with cereal and make some of the yummiest cobblers in the kitchen. Black raspberries may be one of America’s favorite fruits, but for patients with troublesome, precancerous changes in their mouths, they may also be an effective form of therapy. “As far as we know, there is no one anywhere else in the world using a bioadhesive gel like we are,” says Dr. Susan Mallery, an oral pathologist in the Comprehensive Cancer Center and a professor in the OSU College of Dentistry. Ohio State cancer researchers have been studying the anticancer properties of black raspberries for years under the leadership of Dr. Gary Stoner, co-leader of the OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Molecular Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program. They’ve found that freeze-dried berries can inhibit the growth of several forms of cancer in rats and hamsters, and have now begun testing the berries in humans. CONTACT: Michelle Gailiun, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737.
Service
The James to offer free oral cancer screenings – April 15. -- Since approximately 30,000 people are diagnosed each year in the United States with oral cancer, the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute is providing free oral cancer screenings on Friday (4/15). The screenings will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on the first floor of The James, 300 W. 10th Ave. Appointments can be made by calling The James Line at 1-800-293-5066. Each screening takes approximately 15 minutes and includes examination of the neck, mouth and other sites where oral cancer can be detected. Results of the screenings will be immediately available. CONTACT: David Crawford, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737.
OSU Extension teams up with youth groups for service day – April 15. -- OSU Extension is teaming up with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Columbus and Medary Elementary School to host a “Seeds of Change” project as part of National Youth Service Day. The project is from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday (4/15) at Medary Elementary School, 2500 Medary Ave. The youth will plant seeds for a flower garden plot; a pizza garden plot that includes herbs, tomatoes and other vegetable pizza toppings; and a community garden plot, which will enable children and adults to grow food and flowers and donate some of the vegetables to the local food pantry. CONTACT: Amy Murray, University Relations, (614) 292-8385.
MBA students to host the ‘Fisher 5K Race and One-Mile Fun Walk’ – April 17. -- The second annual Fisher 5K and One-Mile Fun Walk will take place on Sunday, April 17. All proceeds benefit Children\'s Hunger Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting childhood hunger. The race will start and finish on the Fisher College campus, 2108 Neil Ave. The race begins at 11:15 a.m. and the walk begins at 11:20 a.m. The cost is $15 for those who register before April 10 and $20 for those who register after April 11. The race is open to the public. For more information, see http://www.fisher5k.org/. CONTACT: Laura Bowers, Fisher College of Business, (614) 292-8937.
Events
Faculty award winners recognized at ceremony – April 13. -- Some of the university’s most treasured Ohio State faculty will be recognized at the 2005 Faculty Awards Ceremony and Reception, beginning at 4 p.m. on Wednesday (4/13) in Weigel Hall, 1866 College Road. The Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching, the Distinguished Scholar Award and the Faculty Award for Distinguished University Service will be presented to 18 faculty members. CONTACT: Shannon Wingard, University Relations, (614) 247-6821.
Education recruiters to interview graduates at TeachOHIO job fair – April 14. -- More than 240 recruiters from 110 school districts will interview new graduates, alumni and other candidates as part of the College of Education’s 23rd annual TeachOHIO Job and Career Fair. The event is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday (4/14) in the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. More than 500 Ohio State education graduates and about 100 graduates from five Central Ohio universities will interview for positions in administration and teaching for elementary, middle and high schools. CONTACT: Jogy Das, College of Education, (614) 292-5732.
Expert will discuss issues regarding American Indians in higher education – April 14. -- Mary Jo Tippeconnic Fox, director and chair of American Indian Studies Programs, will discuss issues involving American Indians in higher education. The event is at 4 p.m. Thursday (4/14) in the Alumni Lounge, Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road. Fox has examined American Indian women’s issues and roles, and the development of American Indian Studies and American Indian education with a special focus on higher education. The event is a part of this year’s President’s and Provost’s Diversity Lecture and Cultural Arts Series. CONTACT: Liz Cook, University Relations, (614) 292-7276.
Research forum showcases more than 100 graduate student projects – April 16. -- More than 100 graduate students are presenting research, ranging from the “Suppression of Immune Response in Neonatally Stressed Mice” to “Does Voting Benefit the Voter?” at the 19th annual 2005 Edward F. Hayes Graduate Research Forum. Presentations will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday (4/16) in Drinko Hall, 55 W. 12th Ave. First place winners will receive $300 as well as $500 in travel grants to present their research at a conference. Second place will receive $200 and third place, $100. The 10 research categories are: food, agricultural and environmental sciences and human ecology; the arts; biological sciences; humanities; engineering sciences; social and behavioral sciences; professional biological sciences; physical sciences and mathematics; business; and education. CONTACT: Shannon Wingard, University Relations, (614) 247-6821.
Film examines tensions between black Americans, students from Africa – April 17. -- The Wexner Film Theater is presenting “African American,” introduced by filmmaker Askia Holloway, at 2 p.m. Sunday (4/17) at the Center, 1871 N. High St. The film examines the tensions between black Americans and black students from Africa at Central State University in Dayton. A panel discussion with Ohio State students and community members will follow the screening. James Stowe of the Columbus Community Relations Commission will moderate the discussion. The cost is $3. CONTACT: Liz Cook, University Relations, (614) 292-7276.
The person listed as CONTACT will have the best information about the story. Call on our media relations staff for help with any Ohio State story – Elizabeth Conlisk, (614) 292-3040; Liz Cook, (614) 292-7276; Amy Murray, (614) 292-8385, and Shannon Wingard, (614) 247-6821.
