Story Ideas for Media 2/28/11

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Researchers at Ohio State University have invented fluorescent nano-particles that change color to tag molecules under the microscope. This series of photos shows a particle changing from red to green – and, at the 89-second mark, to yellow – over the course of two minutes. Image by Gang Ruan, courtesy of Ohio State University.

News

Ohio Supercomputer Center partners with Procter & Gamble on modeling and simulation projects. The Ohio Supercomputer Center (OSC) has signed a collaboration agreement with the Procter & Gamble Company, (P&G) enabling the two to work together on modeling and simulation projects aimed at accelerating innovation collaboration between industry and academia. The collaboration is the first at the Ohio State University enacted under P&G’s master alliance agreement with Ohio colleges and universities.
P&G uses computer modeling and simulation techniques in the research and development of many of its leading commercial brands, which include Tide, Pampers Pringles, Dawn, Downy and Mr. Clean. The company has used supercomputers to create higher speed production lines for its Pringles potato crisps; improve the quality of its diapers; and develop detergent with more soapsuds. CONTACT: Kathryn Kelley, Senior Director, Outreach, Ohio Supercomputer Center, (614) 292-6067, kkelley@osc.edu. SEE: http://www.osc.edu/press/releases/2011/osupgosc.shtml

Research

Ohio State study: National anti-drug campaign succeeds in lowering marijuana use. The federal anti-drug campaign “ Above the Influence” appears to have effectively reduced marijuana use by teenagers, new research shows.
A study of more than 3,000 students in 20 communities nationwide found that by the end of 8th grade, 12 percent of those who had not reported having seen the campaign took up marijuana use compared to only 8 percent among students who had reported familiarity with the campaign.
The researchers said they believe this is the first independent study to find evidence for the effectiveness of the “ Above the Influence” campaign, which was initially funded at nearly $200 million a year when it began in 2005.
Evidence for the success of “ Above the Influence” is especially heartening because the primary independent evaluation of its predecessor campaign, “My Anti-Drug”, showed no evidence for success, said Michael Slater, principal investigator of the new study and professor of communication at Ohio State University. CONTACT: Jeff Grabmeier, (614) 292-8457. SEE: http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/aboveinfluence.htm

Events

Tuesday declared Peace Corps day – March 1. The Ohio State University will host a Commemorative Salute to honor the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps at 3 p.m. on Tuesday (3/1) at U.S. Bank Theatre in the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. The State of Ohio, City of Columbus, and Ohio State University all have declared it Peace Corps Day to celebrate the anniversary.
On March 1, 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed an Executive Order creating the Peace Corps to shares the best of American service and goodwill in all corners of the world. Ohio State’s history with Peace Corps is significant.
* Ohio State ranks 13th among large universities nationwide and first in the state of Ohio for producing Peace Corps volunteers.
* More than 1,500 Buckeye alumni have served since the Peace Corps’ founding, ranking the university 10th all-time for producing Peace Corps volunteers.
The event features Ohio State’s first Peace Corps volunteer, President Gee, former governor Bob Taft and state representative Ted Celeste (both returned Peace Corps volunteers) and more. CONTACT: Phil Saken, Office of Outreach & Engagement, (614) 247-0090.

Political analyst Juan Williams lectures on accuracy in media – March 1. Author and Fox News political analyst Juan Williams will explore whether candid speech really exists in today’s media in &lequo;Speaking the Truth: Honesty, Accuracy, and the Media” at 4 p.m. on Tuesday (3/1) at the Wexner Center Film/Video Theater, 1871 North High Street. Williams’ lecture is part of the 2011 Stanley Muroff Civil Liberties Forum, sponsored by the Glenn School of Public Affairs. CONTACT: Laura Sipe, sipe.9@osu.edu SEE: http://glenn.osu.edu/news/williams/index.html

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