10
June
2001
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18:00 PM
America/New_York

Story Ideas for Media - 06/11/01

   June 11, 2001

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Ohio State’s news, experts and events give you more on the news

News

Ohio State chemists synthesize possible new anti-tumor agent – Using a frothy brew of soil bacteria as a guide, chemists at The Ohio State University have synthesized a substance that may lead to a new generation of chemotherapy drugs.  Laboratories around the world have struggled to create a synthetic version of the chemical, called azinomycin A, because the natural form breaks down too quickly to test whether it could be used to combat cancer.  Rob Coleman, a professor of chemistry here and principal investigator of the project, says now that Ohio State researchers have completed their quest to build an exact copy of azinomycin A atom by atom, they can try to redesign the chemical into a stable, medically usable form. http://www.acs.ohio-state.edu/units/research/archive/azino   Contact: Robert Coleman, (614) 292-4548.

Experts

Cancer researchers stress safe summer grilling – As the backyard barbeque season gets underway, researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center are stressing safe-grilling strategies. Recent research points to a link between charred or blackened meat and the production of carcinogens that may increase the risk of developing certain cancers.  The carcinogens are produced when fat from meat or fish falls on the coals, is partially burned and then deposited back on the meat from the smoke.  Dr. Steve Clinton, a cancer control specialist here, says some carcinogens are similar to the carcinogens in tobacco smoke.  The American Institute of Cancer Research offers guidelines to reduce the problem. Contact: Michelle Gailiun, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737.

Events

4-H Conference participants will take pets to nursing homes - June 13-15. Some 400 teens from across Ohio will attend the annual Ohio 4-H Youth Expo, June 13-15.  The state’s premiere youth organization brings together Ohio’s older youth in a spirit of exploration, celebration and personal development.  The Pet pals activity has participants working with university faculty and staff in preparing small animals for a visit to a nursing home. Contact: Ryan Schmiesing, Ohio State University Extension, (614) 292-6944.

Ohio State offers summer courses and camps:

  • African-American and African Studies Community Extension Center – High school students in 11th or 12th grades are living on campus this week as part of a summer residential program sponsored by the Department of African-American and African Studies. “Studying the Black Experience in the Age of Technology,” offers daytime classes at the African-American and African Studies Community Extension Center, 905 Mount Vernon Ave.  Closing ceremonies, where students will present projects developed during the program, will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday (6/16). Contact: Karla Wilks, African-American and African Studies Community Extension Center, (614) 292-4144.
  • College Bound Summer Institute – More than 200 elementary and middle school students are participating in the 6th annual Ohio State University College Bound Summer Institute, June 11 through August 17. The program offers academic and recreational activities that emphasize the importance of a college education.  Students tour academic departments and participate in golf, swimming, ice-skating, music, art, chess and other activities.  Contact:  College Bound Program, (614) 688-5661.
  • The Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design (ACCAD) – Columbus area high school girls in ninth and 10th grades can experiment with high-tech art and design possibilities like computer animation and Web-design, with the pilot summerDesign + Technology program, a free, two-week program June 18-29.  The program is the endeavor of Maria Palazzi, acting director of ACCAD, and a well-known educator of computer animation. Palazzi developed the program because of her concern that young girls are not embracing the rich technology available today. Classes are held 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hopkins Hall, 128 North Oval Mall.  Contact: ACCAD, (614) 292-3416.

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; Amy Murray, (614) 292-8385; Lesley Deaderick, (614) 292-0569; Karissa Shivley, (614) 292-8295, and Shannon Wingard, (614) 247-6821.

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