Story Ideas for Media 11/3/08
Research
Research at Cuyahoga Valley National Park reveals that snakes, salamanders and other creatures thrive in areas with higher deer populations. Reducing the number of deer in forests and parks may unexpectedly reduce the number of reptiles, amphibians and insects in that area, new research suggests.
A recent study by researchers at Ohio State University and National Park Service found that higher deer activity is modifying forest ecosystems in unexpected ways. Out of several species of snakes, salamanders, and invertebrates studied, a greater diversity of animals were found in areas with deer populations than were in areas with no deer activity.
The study, which comes at a time when many states have begun to selectively control deer populations, challenges previous research that has suggested deer populations can negatively impact forest ecosystems through eating plants that many smaller animals may depend on.
The results, which were published recently in The Journal of Wildlife Management, highlight how recent attempts to control deer populations in and around forests may indirectly affect other animals in the forest.
"By just reducing the number of deer in the forest, we're actually indirectly impacting forest ecosystems without even knowing the possible effects," said Katherine Greenwald, co-author of the study and doctoral student in evolution, ecology, and organismal biology at Ohio State.
"Smaller creatures like salamanders and insects are all part of the base of a larger food web that can be affected by small changes." CONTACT: Katherine Greenwald, (614) 578-3207; Greenwald.35@osu.edu SEE: http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/deer.htm
Events
Panel looks at aging and outer space – Nov. 5. On the 10th anniversary of Senator John Glenn's historic return to space, Ohio State presents a panel discussion on "Engineering and Medicine: The Prescription for an Aging Population." Senator John Glenn and specialists from Ohio State's colleges of engineering and medicine will discuss the effects of aging on the human body, and what the university is doing to further the research that Senator Glenn began on the Shuttle Discovery in 1998. The discussion takes place from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday in 115 Biomedical Research Tower, 460 W. 12th Avenue. CONTACT: Laura Sipe, (614) 247-6369.
"Breakfast of Science Champions" returns – Nov. 5. More than 320 middle school children from around Ohio will visit Ohio State on Wednesday (11/5) to participate in the Breakfast of Science Champions, which allows them to explore science, math and engineering. Students will spend the morning on campus meeting faculty and graduate students from the sciences, mathematics and engineering, touring labs and participating in a variety of demonstrations. At the end of the school year, participants are invited back to campus for a "virtual conference." Utilizing video technology, students at several different locations around campus, as well as remote locations, are able to communicate with each other and present their experiences. CONTACT: Melissa Weber, (614) 292-3752, weber.254@osu.edu or Ruth Friedman, (614) 247-7936, friedman.194@osu.edu.
Ohio State political scientists offer reflections of election in global 'megaconference' – Nov. 6. Professors Herb Asher and Paul Beck will discuss the U.S. election for a global audience on Thursday (11/6) as part of the 10th annual Megaconference. As a world leader in the field of Internet video conferencing, Ohio State is the initiator and sponsor of Megaconference, which is the largest annual videoconference in the world. It is much like a professional conference, except there is no central location, and no travel. The theme of this year's conference is "Breaking down Barriers: Global Connections." The conference begins at 8 a.m. at http://digitalunion.osu.edu/megaconference/index.html. Profs Asher and Beck will offer "Reflections on the USA Presidential Election" at approximately 9:05 a.m. In addition to Ohio State's two political science professors, presenters will join the conference from around the world. SEE: http://digitalunion.osu.edu/megaconference/index.html.
Board of Trustees meeting – Nov. 6-7. The Ohio State University Board of Trustees and its committees will meet Thursday (11/6) and Friday (11/7) at the Longaberger Alumni House, 2200 Olentangy River Rd.
All committee meetings will occur on Thursday (11/6). The Agricultural Affairs Committee will meet from 10 to 11:15 a.m. Trustees will convene the board meeting and recess into executive session at 11:30 a.m. Audit and Compliance and the Committee on Trusteeship will met from 12:30 to 2 p.m.; Medical Affairs and Development and Investment committees from 2:15 to 3:45 p.m.; Academic Affairs and Student Life from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and Fiscal Affairs from 4 to 5:45 p.m. Trustees will meet for dinner at 6:15 p.m. at the University Residence.
On Friday (11/7), the formal board meeting will convene at 8:30 a.m. and recess into executive session. Trustees will break for lunch at noon. The full board will reconvene at 1 p.m. CONTACT: Shelly Hoffman, (614) 247-4748.
Learn about Ohio State's Equine program – Nov. 7. Ohio State's Equine Science Program will hold an open house from 1-5 p.m. on Friday (11/7) at the Equine Center (off Sawmill Road) at 3658 Kays Ave. The Open House is for anyone interested in learning about horse ownership or Ohio State's Equine Science Program. Representatives from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, the Galbreath Equine Center, The Ohio State University Equine Program, the Ohio 4-H Horse Program, the Ohio Equine Industry Coalition, Buckeye Nutrition, the Ohio State Equestrian Teams, and the American Farrier's Association will be there to answer questions. CONTACT: Kimberly Cole, Equine Science Program, cole.436@osu.edu , http://horse.osu.edu/
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 or cook.17@osu.edu, , Shelly Hoffman, (614) 247-4748 or hoffman.511@osu.edu, , Jim Lynch, (614) 247-4110 or lynch.270@osu.edu, , or Amy Murray, (614) 292-8385 or murray-goedde.1@osu.edu
