Story Ideas for Media 1-8-08

News

Ohio State’s first ‘green’ building opens. Even in the dead of winter, something green has sprouted on Ohio State's campus. The new Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau Ohio 4-H Center has opened, with two dozen faculty, staff and student workers moving in over the last week. Located across the street from the Schottenstein Center at 2201 Fred Taylor Drive, the center was built to the specifications of the national Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. The building's green features include a geothermal heating and cooling system, reflective roof, recycled materials and a building and window design that will rely heavily on natural light. Officials estimate that the 4-H center will save 30 percent on heating and cooling costs. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony and building dedication is April 4. CONTACT: Ryan Schmiesing, 4-H Youth Development, (614) 247-8168.

Research

Fleas’ journey into the vacuum is a ‘one-way trip.’ Homeowners dogged by household fleas need look no farther than the broom closet to solve their problem. Scientists have determined that vacuuming kills fleas in all stages of their lives, with an average of 96 percent success in adult fleas and 100 percent destruction of younger fleas.
In fact, the results were so surprisingly definitive that the lead scientist, Ohio State University insect specialist Glen Needham, repeated the experiments several times to be sure the findings were correct. The studies were conducted on the cat flea, the most common type of flea plaguing companion animals and humans.
Needham, associate professor of entomology, believes that the damaging effects of the brushes, fans and powerful air currents in vacuum cleaners combine to kill the fleas. “No matter what vacuum a flea gets sucked into, it's probably a one-way trip,” said Needham. CONTACT: Glen Needham, 614-688-3026. SEE: http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/needfleas.htm

Events

Law professor to argue case before Ohio Supreme Court – Jan. 9. Ohio State University Moritz College of Law Professor Katherine Hunt Federle will argue a case Wednesday (1/9) before the Ohio Supreme Court. The case, State of Ohio v. D.H., questions whether juveniles who receive adult criminal sentences in addition to their juvenile dispositions are entitled to the same 6th Amendment protections as adults. Specifically, the court is expected to determine whether the statute, which authorizes a judge to impose a sentence beyond the normal statutory maximum based on a finding of fact made by the judge and not the jury, is unconstitutional. Federle, who directs the Justice for Children Project, is a widely recognized leader in children’s rights and how the law relates to children. CONTACT: Rob Phillips, Moritz College of Law, (614) 247-6520.

Dick Gregory is keynote speaker for King Celebration – Jan 10. Human rights activist and comedian Dick Gregory will join the Ohio State University community in celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.on Thursday (1/10) at 7 p.m. at Hitchcock Hall, 2070 Neil Ave. Gregory will deliver the keynote address for the 36th annual celebration that will also feature the Ohio State African American Voices Gospel Choir. The event is free and open to the public.
Gregory emerged on the national comedy scene in the early 1960s and used his social satire to change the way society perceived African Americans. Inspired by the work of King, he used his celebrity status to fight racial and social injustices, and co-authored Zorro: The Murder of Martin Luther King Jr. published in 1977.
Gregory’s political concerns have since broadened on a global scale to include issues such as violence, world hunger, capital punishment, drug abuse and poor health care. An outspoken critic of the Vietnam War, CIA and the FBI, he has initiated more than 100 hunger fasts for social causes over the years.
The event is one of several that will culminate on the official day of remembrance on Jan. 21.
CONTACT: Liz Cook, (614) 292-7276.

The person listed as the CONTACT will have the most current information about the story. Call on our media relations staff for help with any Ohio State story: Liz Cook, (614) 292-7276, Shelly Hoffman, (614) 247-4748, Jim Lynch, (614) 247-4110, or Amy Murray, (614) 292-8385.