Story Ideas for Media 04-08-09

News

Twelve current and former Buckeyes to compete in 2004 Olympic Games -- Twelve current or former Ohio State student-athletes or coaches will take part in the 2004 Olympic Summer Games, set to begin Friday (8/13) in Athens, Greece. Three of the 12 will serve as coaches, and the others are either current or former Ohio State student athletes. The number of Buckeyes who have competed all-time in the Olympics is now 107. For more information, see http://ohiostatebuckeyes.collegesports.com/genrel/080604aaa.html CONTACT: Tim Stried, Ohio State Athletics, (614) 292-0134.

Federal support continues for cancer center’s outreach -- A specialized center concentrating on gynecologic cancer prevention and treatment has received a $2.1 million grant as part of the 2005 Defense Department appropriations bill. The Gynecologic Cancer Center for the Study of Racial Disparities is a collaboration between the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and Walter Reed Army Medical Center focusing on cancer prevention strategies and the development of new treatments. CONTACT: Emily Caldwell, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737.

Experts

Ohio State expert can discuss the 2004 Olympic Summer Games -- Rusty Wilson, who earned a doctorate in sports history from Ohio State, is the local expert on the history and heritage of the Olympics, and especially the upcoming games in Greece. Wilson is currently writing a book profiling the nearly 150 Olympians who have attended, taught at or worked for Ohio State. He works at OSU as an exit interview coordinator in the Office of the Treasurer. CONTACT: Rusty Wilson, Student Loan Services, (614) 292-4803.

Research

Study: A little help from friends makes wounds heal faster -- New research in hamsters now suggests that without companionship, wounds on the animals don\'t heal as fast. Researchers looked at the effect social contact had on wound healing in stressed hamsters. According to Courtney DeVries, the study’s lead author and an assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience, the results showed that skin wounds healed nearly twice as fast in the hamsters paired with a sibling. For more information, see http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/healham.htm CONTACT: Courtney DeVries, Department of Psychology, (614) 538-9529; or Holly Wagner, University Relations, (614) 292-8310.

Events

The James opens state-of-the-art cancer care facility – Aug. 10. -- The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute is expanding its clinical and chemotherapy services to 2050 Kenny Road, Tower Floors 10 and 11, beginning Monday (8/16). A media tour of the newly renovated site, which will be known as JamesCare at Kenny Road, will take place from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday (8/10). CONTACT: Michelle Gailiun, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737.

U.S. Sec. of Agriculture to speak at 4-H park, statue ribbon-cutting - Aug. 12. -- Ann M. Veneman, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, will speak at the dedication ceremony of an urban park in Springfield, Ohio, honoring A.B. Graham and his involvement in the founding of the 4-H movement more than a century ago. The event is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on Thursday (8/12) at 31 N. Limestone Street. Other special guests at the event will include James Graham, grandson of A.B. Graham; Ann Spears, the last surviving spouse of an original 1902 club member; and Bobby D. Moser, vice president and dean of the College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. CONTACT: Martha Filipic, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, (614) 292-9833.

Faculty, students to show University Design features in Habitat house – Aug. 12. -- The College of Human Ecology and the School of Allied Medical Professions have incorporated Universal Design features – slip resistant flooring, grab bars in the shower and lever door handles – into the Habitat for Humanity house being built at the Ohio State Fair. Ohio State representatives will be on hand from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday (8/12) to discuss the Universal Design features on the house, located next to the DiSalle Center. The goal of Universal Design is to ensure that a residence is appropriately built for elderly, children or people with disabilities. CONTACT: Janet Ciccone, College of Human Ecology, (614) 292-5338.

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.