Story Ideas for Media - 04/25/05
News
New major in medical school grooms undergraduate researchers -- Ohio State’s College of Medicine and Public Health will launch a new undergraduate major this autumn targeting incoming students who want to combine health care career preparation with advanced scientific research. The biomedical science major at Ohio State is one of just a handful of such undergraduate majors in the country administered through a medical school – most of the few similar programs are housed in colleges of arts and sciences or veterinary medicine schools. CONTACT: Emily Caldwell, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737.
Experts
Expert can discuss approaches to treating autism as part of awareness month -- As national autism awareness month draws to a close this week, Ohio State medical researchers are searching for new safe and effective methods to treat children with the disorder. Dr. Michael Aman, a professor of psychiatry and psychology, can discuss medication and behavioral approaches to treating autism. He is principal investigator on a study to find whether adding behavioral therapies to medication will increase chances that children with autism, especially those with severe symptoms, can improve their daily function and experience fewer disruptive episodes. The scientists, based in the OSU Medical Center, are concentrating on the drug risperidone, which was shown in a clinical trial three years ago to reduce disruptive behaviors in children with autism. This new study is comparing the effectiveness of the medicine alone with the medicine plus a behavioral treatment called “parent management training” in the treatment of youths with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders. To date, researchers\' observations suggest the combined therapies can produce desired results. CONTACT: Emily Caldwell, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737.
Research
Viruses may one day help treat brain tumors -- New research shows that a virus designed to kill cancer cells can significantly increase the survival of mice with an incurable human brain tumor, even in some animals with advanced disease. The study used a genetically altered herpes simplex virus that infects and reproduces only in malignant glioma cells and kills them. The altered virus leaves normal tissues unharmed. Viruses that kill cancer cells are known as oncolytic viruses. “This is another step toward making oncolytic viruses more effective and safer for use in the treatment of cancer,” says E. Antonio Chiocca, professor and chairman of neurological surgery. For more information, see http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/oncovirus.htm CONTACT: Darrell E. Ward, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737.
Events
College of Biological Sciences is showcasing undergraduate research – April 27.
More than 40 students in the College of Biological Sciences will present at its 17th annual Undergraduate Research Colloquium from 3:30 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday (4/27) in the main lounge of the Drake Union, 1849 Cannon Drive. Student work will be judged by a faculty panel. Research projects include how habitat reconstruction is affecting the diet of Big Brown Bats and whether interleukin – a substance involved in helping the body’s immune response – might have mitigating effects on an immune response common in transplant patients that can have potentially lethal effects. CONTACT: Caroline Breitenberger, College of Biological Sciences, (614) 292-6945.
Legal expert discusses current state of public education – April 28.
Mari Matsuda, professor of law at the University of California at Los Angeles, gives a talk on “Public Education: Call it Public Trust” at 4 p.m. on Thursday (4/28) in Drinko Auditorium of the Moritz College of Law, 55 W. 12th Ave. Matsuda is the author of “Where is Your Body?: Essays on Gender, Race and Law,” among other books. She also serves on the national advisory boards for the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Asian Pacific Legal Consortium. 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.
Ohio State to host state’s largest U.S. citizenship ceremony – April 29.
A group of nearly 800 Columbus-area residents from 88 countries will take the Oath of Allegiance and become United States citizens during a special ceremony 11 a.m. on Friday (4/29) at the Schottenstein Center. This will be the largest citizenship ceremony ever held by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the state of Ohio. Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell will address the new citizens. Other speakers will include Barbara Snyder, Ohio State executive vice president and provost, and Mark Hansen, USCIS Cleveland District Director. CONTACT: Amy Murray, University Relations, (614) 292-8385.
Series of events scheduled to celebrate Museum of Biological Diversity – April 29, 30.
Celebrating the Museum of Biological Diversity past and present is the purpose of a series of events on Friday (4/29) and Saturday (4/30). Among the highlights is a talk by Peter Raven, director of the Missouri Botanical Garden, on “How Many Species Will Survive the 21st Century?” at 7 p.m. on Friday (4/29) in the Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River. Also on Friday, the Charles A. Triplehorn Insect Collection will be dedicated from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Museum, 1315 Kinnear Road, in honor of Emeritus Professor Triplehorn. In addition, an open house is from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the museum. CONTACT: Sandi Rutkowski, College of Biological Sciences, (614) 292-4759.
Actor Redford to discuss career as artist, entrepreneur – May 2.
Robert Redford, actor, director and producer, will talk about his career as an artist and entrepreneur as this year’s Barnett Distinguished Visiting Lecturer. The public forum, moderated by Wayne Lawson, executive director of the Ohio Arts Council, is at 8 p.m. on Monday (5/2) in Mershon Auditorium, 1871 N. High St. Redford, an actor known for roles in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” “The Way We Were” and “All the President’s Men,” established a ranch and the Sundance ski resort in Utah. Over the years, the venture has grown into an international enterprise that includes a cable television channel, DVD/video company, retail catalog, resort and a not-for-profit institute that produces the annual Sundance Film Festival. Tickets for students are $10 at the Wexner Center Box Office, 1871 N. High St., and $20 for the public through Ticketmaster. CONTACT: Victoria Ellwood, College of Arts, (614)292-6299.
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.
