Story Ideas for Media - 06/20/05
News
University offers Security and Intelligence major for undergraduates
The Ohio State University is responding to the challenges facing the nation by offering a new Security and Intelligence major for undergraduates. The major was developed to meet the demands of students and faculty who are interested in making contributions toward improving the nation’s security and intelligence services, said Tony Mughan, director of International Studies. The interdisciplinary major includes courses on terror and terrorism, development and control of weapons of mass destruction, food security and globalization, codemaking and codebreaking, and international security. Housed in the Undergraduate International Studies Program in the Colleges of the Arts and Sciences, the major comprises courses from approximately 14 colleges and academic departments. CONTACT: Shannon Wingard, University Relations, (614) 247-6821.
Experts
Expert can discuss heart device recall
The chief of cardiovascular medicine at Ohio State can discuss the recent recall of thousands of defibrillators, implanted devices intended to shock the heart back to normal rhythm. Dr. William Abraham says the key for affected patients and their physicians is to strike the appropriate balance in considering whether to replace the devices. Depending on a patient\'s health, the surgical procedure to remove or replace a defibrillator could carry more risks than keeping the original device, he said. Guidant Corp. is advising physicians about the safety of several defibrillator models, including those that could develop a short circuit or others that could malfunction because of a computer memory error. An estimated 50,000 patients are affected. CONTACT: Emily Caldwell, Medical Center Communications, 614-293-3737.
Research
Agricultural, medical researchers partner for berries study
If you have any doubts that “five a day” are good for you, here\'s some fruit for thought: berries could save your life. An interdisciplinary team of Ohio State food, agricultural, and medical researchers are studying berries to determine if they can stop or slow some of the biological processes that contribute to the development or spread of certain types of cancer. The second-leading cause of death in the United States, cancer is responsible for one in every four deaths in the country, according to the American Cancer Society\'s 2005 Cancer Facts and Figures report. The crop-to-clinic research project – which has brought together experts from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, the College of Medicine and Public Health, the College of Pharmacy and the College of Dentistry – is looking at the disease prevention values of different berries in fighting oral, esophageal and colon cancers. Several human trials are already being conducted. For more information, see http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~news/story.php?id=3171 CONTACT: Mauricio Espinoza, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, (330) 202-3550.
Events
‘Bumpy Space Dust’ is topic of project presented at annual symposium – June 20-24.
For 60 years, Ohio State has hosted researchers on the cutting edge of physics, chemistry, astronomy, engineering and biology as part of the annual International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy, Monday (6/20) through Friday (6/24). Spectroscopy detects a molecule’s unique structural “fingerprint” based on the wavelengths of light it emits or absorbs in a spectrum. It revolutionized science and, after World War II, was brought to the forefront of every discipline that was concerned with molecular structure. Ohio State Distinguished University Professor Eric Herbst, professor of physics, chemistry, and astronomy, will present his research on how “bumpy space dust” explains the origin of the most common molecule in the universe, hydrogen. His presentation is at 4 p.m. on Thursday (6/23) in 1153 Smith Laboratory, 174 W. 18th Ave. CONTACT: Melissa Weber, College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, (614) 292-2254; or Pam Frost Gorder, University Relations, (614) 292-9475.
Orientation begins this week for Autumn Quarter freshmen – June 22-23.
More than 250 high school graduates entering Ohio State as freshmen in Autumn 2005 will be the first to attend a two-day orientation on Wednesday (6/22) and Thursday (6/23). Nearly 6,000 first-year students will attend orientation, an event in which students learn what is expected of them in and out of the classroom; attend group advising sessions on their academic area of study, schedule classes for autumn quarter, and meet other students who will be entering Ohio State in the fall. The opening session for students and their parents is at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday (6/22) in the Thurber Theater of the Drake Union, 1849 Cannon Drive. Phyllis Miller, program director of Undergraduate Admissions and First Year Experience, will welcome the students and their parents. CONTACT: Shannon Wingard, University, (614) 247-6821.
OSU Hospital East celebrates the opening of new emergency department – June 23.
The Ohio State University Hospital East will celebrate the opening of its new emergency department at a ribbon- cutting ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Thursday (6/23). In response to the dramatic increase in emergency department visits, OSU Medical Center has invested in a new, larger emergency department facility that complements the expertise of the emergency physicians and staff at University Hospital East. The new $5 million expansion more than doubles the size of the existing emergency department. In the new facility, approximately 15,000 square feet of space is devoted to direct patient care. Another 10,000 square feet will be used as support space for advanced treatment technology, including enhanced radiology testing. CONTACT: Sherri L. Kirk, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737.
M.D. summer camp held for underrepresented students – Through July 8.
Ohio State’s College of Medicine and Public Health will hold its second annual M.D. Summer Camp June 20 to July 8. The camp’s curriculum and programs are designed to inspire interest and encouragement among 11th and 12th grade students traditionally underrepresented in the medical field. Media are invited to attend the camp 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students will discuss health issues and specialties with top doctors and faculty, receive basic instruction in anatomy, physiology, CPR and first-aid training and will practice such skills as suturing and clinical care. During the second phase of the program, students will be placed in a laboratory setting with scientists, providing them with hands-on experience and a doctor’s perspective of medical research. Marking the close of the camp, a white coat ceremony will be held and students will each receive their own white laboratory jacket. CONTACT: Sherri L. Kirk, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737.
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.
