Story Ideas for Media 11/2/09

Research

Ohio State study: Depressed pregnant women could be at higher risk for severe response to flu infection. Pregnant women with significant symptoms of depression tend to have a stronger biological reaction to the seasonal flu vaccine than do women with lower depression levels, according to a new study led by Lisa Christian, an associate professor of psychiatry at Ohio State.
The finding provides an argument in favor of flu vaccination during pregnancy, researchers say, because it suggests that the immune systems in depressed pregnant women are not functioning typically. This immune dysregulation could affect symptom severity among women who become infected with influenza.
Previous studies have established a link between some preterm births and gestational high blood pressure cases and infection or inflammation. Avoiding the flu with a safe vaccine might be one way to lower the chances of complications, according to researchers. CONTACT: Emily Caldwell, (614) 292-8310; caldwell.151@osu.edu, SEE: http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/pregimmune.htm

Events

African American Servicewomen to be honored – Nov. 7. African-American women who have served in the U.S. armed forces will be honored at the fourth annual Black Veterans Day Salute from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday (11/7) at the Ohio State Community Extension Center located at 905 Mount Vernon Ave. Col. Dolores Helen Hampton, the first president of the National Association of Black Military Women and the first inspector general of the U.S. Army Reserve, will be the keynote speaker. The event, sponsored by Department of African American and African Studies, is free and open to the public. Reservations are recommended. CONTACT: Sarah Twitty, (614) 292-1348 or http://aaas.osu.edu/resources/aaascec

Chadwick Arboretum Featured on PBS GardenSMART – Nov. 7. Ohio State University's Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens will be featured in the nationally syndicated PBS show GardenSMART, airing in central Ohio on WOSU-TV on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 3 p.m. The arboretum features more than pretty flowers. In addition to 710 cultivars of annuals in the Trial Gardens, and a horticultural therapy program, personnel study what grows best in central Ohio, what uses the least amount of water, what fertilizers work best, and best plant selections for the landscape. SEE: http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~news/story.php?id=5437

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.