Story Ideas for Media - 04/18/05

Experts

Extension landscape specialist can discuss effective ways to rid garden of weeds -- Now that winter has passed and spring flowers are blooming, many people are trying to eliminate those pesky weeds that have popped up in their gardens or lawns. But, according to Hannah Mathers, an Ohio State Extension nursery and landscape specialist, effective weed control involves more than simply laying down mulch, applying herbicides or using a combination of both methods. She said a Department of Horticulture and Crop Science field mulch study found that the types of mulches or herbicides used, along with an application strategy, are just as important. First-year results of the two-year study revealed that herbicide applied between mulch and bare soil had benefits in reducing weed growth and was effective up to 120 days, compared to herbicide applied on top of mulch or with just mulch or herbicides applied alone. CONTACT: Candace Pollock, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, (614) 292-3799.

Medical expert can discuss how to protect personal health information -- Personal health information is a valuable resource and should be kept private and secure. According to Melanie S. Brodnik, director and associate professor of Health Information Management and Systems in the School of Allied Medical Professions, steps can be taken to ensure the protection and confidentiality of personal health information.
• Read your health care provider’s and health plan’s Notice of Privacy Practices.
• Talk to your health care provider and health plan if you have any concerns about the confidentiality of your health information.
• Read the fine print before you authorize release of information.
• Know what health information is being collected about you and by whom.
• Be cautious before giving your information to Web sites, phone surveys or in health screening questionnaires. Know how the information may be used or disclosed.
CONTACT: Sherri L. Kirk, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737

Research

A little stress gives beneficial boost to immune system -- New research in mice provides more evidence that a brief bout of stress can give the immune system a beneficial boost – under certain conditions. Laboratory results showed that acute stress – stress that lasts for minutes to hours – temporarily mobilized all major types of immune cells, or leukocytes to potential battle stations in the body. In certain situations, this stress-induced boost in the number of immune cells may be advantageous, as leukocytes fight infections and other diseases. Stressed mice had much higher numbers of leukocytes arriving at critical defense organs, such as the skin, than did non-stressed mice. “Acute stress could help increase immune protection,” said Firdaus Dhabhar, the study\'s lead author and an associate professor of oral biology and molecular virology, immunology and medical genetics. CONTACT: Firdaus Dhabhar, College of Dentistry, (614) 688-8562; or Holly Wagner, University Relations, (614) 292-8310.

Service

Students, community take part in Annual Weinland Park clean-up – April 23. -- Ohio State students will join with community members on Saturday morning (4/23) for the annual Weinland Park Spring Clean-up in an effort to beautify the area near the university. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Clean-up will occur in several neighborhood locations from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Media should come to the Godman Guild, 303 E. 6th Ave., during registration from 9 to 10 a.m. for specific locations. Volunteers will undertake a number of projects, including graffiti removal, sewer drain labeling, trash pick-up and community gardening. CONTACT: Amy Murray, University Relations, (614) 292-8385.

Events

Actress Anna Deavere Smith will visit Ohio State -- April 20 -- Anna Deavere Smith, a playwright, actor and professor, will be the featured guest in the First Year Experience’s Distinguished Speaker Series at 4 p.m. on Wednesday (4/20) at Weigel Hall Auditorium, 1866 College Road. Smith has held numerous acting roles on television, including “The West Wing” and “Presidio Med,” and in movies, including “Philadelphia,” “The American President” and “The Human Stain.” As a playwright, Smith was hailed by Newsweek in 1993 as “the most exciting individual in American theater” for her work exploring the American character and the multifaceted national identity. She earned an Obie award and the runner-up nomination for the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for her play, “Fires in the Mirror: Crown Heights, Brooklyn and Other Identities.” For more information, see http://fye.osu.edu/speaker.html A limited number of free tickets are available to the university community and the general public in room 120 Enarson Hall, 154 W. 12th Ave. CONTACT: Shannon Wingard, University Relations, (614) 247-6821.

‘Stefanie’s Champions’ to honor cancer caregivers – April 20. -- “Stefanie’s Champions,” a celebration of care-giving, will honor six special heroes in cancer patients’ lives during a luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday (4/20) at the Greater Columbus Convention Center’s grand ballroom. The Champion Award, established by breast cancer survivor Stefanie Spielman and her husband, former OSU and pro football standout and Columbus Destroyers coach Chris Spielman, is designed to honor one of the most important factors in cancer treatment: the loving and healing presence of a devoted caregiver. CONTACT: Michelle Gailiun, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737.

Talk focuses on a governor’s use of clemency and how it is justified – April 22. -- Amherst College Professor Austin Sarat will discuss “Mercy, Clemency, and Capital Punishment: Two Accounts,” for this year’s Schwartz Lecture on Dispute Resolution at noon Friday (4/22) in the Saxbe Auditorium of Drinko Hall, 55 W. 12th Ave. Sarat will focus on how governors use rhetoric and narrative in coping with the decision to spare a life or let someone die, and how they explain or justify the use of this power. The event will be carried live over the Internet and may be viewed at http://moritzlaw.osu.edu. CONTACT: Liz Cutler Gates, Moritz College of Law, (614) 292-0283.

U.S. House subcommittee to hold hearing on impact of Title VI – April 22. -- The U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Select Education, will hold a hearing at 2 p.m. on Friday (4/22) in the Assembly Hall Auditorium of the Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road. Three Ohio State faculty members are among the witnesses scheduled to testify at the field hearing on “International Education and Foreign Language Studies in Higher Education.” The hearing will focus on the importance and impact of Title VI, which provides resources for international programs through the Higher Education Act. The subcommittee is chaired by U.S. Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-Columbus), the chief Republican co-sponsor of a bipartisan resolution approved by the House of Representatives calling for increased study of foreign languages in the U.S. The hearing is open to the public and media are welcome to cover the event. CONTACT: Amy Murray, University Relations, (614) 292-8385; or Alexa Marrero, Committee on Education and the Workforce, (202) 225-4527.

Glenn Institute presents screening of ‘Government Girls of World War II’ – April 26. -- The John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy will present a free screening of “Government Girls of World War II” at 3 p.m. on Tuesday (4/26) in the Wexner Center Film/Video Theater, 1871 N. High Street. The one-hour documentary film tells the story of the young women who flocked to Washington, D.C., during the 1940s to help in the mobilization for World War II and how the experience changed their lives, the city and American society. It is narrated by NPR senior news analyst Cokie Roberts. Following the screening, Leslie Sewell, the film’s producer, writer and director, will answer questions from the audience. This event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. Please call (614) 688-3206, ext. 1 or e-mail glenninstitute@admin.ohio-state.edu by Friday (4/22) to reserve your seat. Reporters may arrange to interview Sewell by calling Laura Sipe. CONTACT: Laura Sipe, John Glenn Institute, (614) 247-6369.

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.