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Ohio
State's news, experts and events give you more on the news

News

Researchers discover new building block of life – Two teams of researchers from Ohio State University have identified the 22nd genetically encoded amino acid, a discovery that is the biological equivalent of physicists finding a new fundamental particle or chemists discovering a new element. Prior to this, scientists had believed that there were only 21 natural amino acids -- the key building blocks of proteins. For 30 years after the discovery of the structure of DNA and the unraveling of the genetic code, scientists believed that there were only 20 natural amino acids. Then in 1986, researchers broke that numerical barrier announcing that the 21st had been discovered. Finding a 22nd suggests that even more of these basic biological building blocks may be found using modern genome sequencing techniques. The discovery grew out of some very basic biochemistry. Leaders of the two research teams, Joseph A. Krzycki, an associate professor of microbiology, and Michael Chan, an associate professor of biochemistry and chemistry, agree that the discovery shows that the genetic code is much more plastic than people might have thought. Contact: Joseph A. Krzycki, (614) 292-1578; or Michael Chan, (614) 292-8375; see http://www.osu.edu/researchnews/archive/aminoacd.htm

Experts

What smokers should know about menthol cigarettes – Smoking menthol cigarettes dumps menthol and nicotine directly into the bloodstream within minutes, a phenomenon users describe as“more filling” - a finding that may offer new insight into why menthol cigarettes may keep smokers smoking. Karen Ahijevych, an expert on tobacco cessation at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, believes the addition of menthol to cigarettes may affect how quickly the body absorbs and metabolizes the byproducts of nicotine. Ahijevych has conducted extensive studies on tobacco use among ethnic groups, and has previously shown that menthol smokers inhale larger puffs of smoke, take in higher levels of nicotine byproducts and have their first cigarette of the day sooner than smokers of other types of cigarettes. Studies show African Americans are three times more likely to smoke menthol cigarettes than whites. Her current study is the first to measure direct byproducts of menthol in the bloodstream.
Ahijevych says menthol may affect how quickly cancer-causing substances in cigarette smoke are broken down into safer chemicals in the body. In laboratory experiments, they found menthol slowed the breakdown of benzopyrene - a cancer causing substance in cigarette smoke.
Ahijevych also wanted to find out how menthol smokers compare the experience of smoking mentholated cigarettes to non-mentholated brands.“It was interesting to discover that the half-life of the MG is very short, around 12 minutes. That may be why menthol smokers feel the need to light up frequently during the day.” Contact: Michelle Gailiun, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737.

Events

Scenes from the next Star Wars – Robot Wars Come to Ohio State – May 30. Robots created by student design teams from the Ohio State Freshman Engineering Honors Program will go head-to-head in competition from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday (5/30) in French Field House, 410 Woody Hayes Drive. The competition focuses on the design and construction of a robot that will simulate picking and transporting apples into a storage bin. The winning robot must be the best at maneuvering around a specially made, multi-level course that simulates an orchard. In addition, the robot must successfully perform a variety of tasks on the course, including picking“apples” from the trees and delivering them to a bin in two minutes or less. The robots are each nine inches square and made from materials such as sheet metal, PVC sheet and pipe, and Erector sets. The competition will also offer demonstrations of a student-designed mechanical Frisbee launcher that throws Frisbees at several targets. The annual competition allows students to use their creativity and apply principles that they have learned in the classroom, including how to make engineering drawings, write reliable computer programs, and manage an engineering design project. Fifty-five student teams will participate. Contact: John Demel, Civil and Environmental Engineering and Geodetic Science, (614) 292-2427; Rick Freuler, Aerospace Engineering and Aviation, (614) 688-0499.

Urban activist to speak at Diversity Forum – May 31. Activist and author Carl Upchurch will be the keynote speaker for the College of Education's Seventh Annual Diversity Forum and Graduate Student Symposium on May 31. Upchurch is founder of the National Council for Urban Peace and Justice, headquartered in Columbus. He is author of the memoir, Convicted in the Womb: From Prisoner to Peacemaker. Forum and symposium registration begins at 8 a.m. in 100 Ramseyer Hall. The keynote address will be noon-2 p.m. in St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 30 W. Woodruff Ave. Upchurch has served as a consultant to school districts wishing to add an urban relevance to curriculum and to work out problems of racial conflict and gang development. He is a Distinguished Visiting Teacher and an adjunct professor of education at Capital University. Contact: April Peters, (614) 292-1936.

Forum offers information on doing business with China – May 31. The Mershon Center is the site of“Business Opportunities in China following WTO Accession,” from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday (5/31) at the center, 1501 Neil Avenue. Sessions and panels will offer insight and information from government trade officials, academic experts and industrial experiences. The forum is sponsored by Midwest Chinese Science and Culture Association (MCSCA), in cooperation with Ohio Department of Development, Ashland Specialty Chemical Company, and OSU partners including the Fisher College of Business, Center for International Business Education and Research, Institute for Chinese Studies, and the Dept. of Electrical Engineering. Contact: MCSCA, http://www.osu.edu/researchnews/archive/aminoacd.htm

Fisher College will award $100,000 for best business plans– June 1. What began as a field of 37 teams last September has been winnowed to nine competing in the 2002 Fisher College/Deloitte & Touche Business Plan Competition. At stake is $100,000 in cash and services for plans from the top three teams. The winning team will be announced at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday (6/1) in the Phahl Executive Conferernce Center, 280 W. Woodruff Ave. The 37 plans submitted to the competition represent a wide range of business ideas, from eco-tourism to construction. Many involve the Internet in the delivery of services ranging from entertainment to health and fitness. Entering the competition were current students, faculty or alumni from Fisher and other OSU colleges. Contact: Anna Rzewnicki, Fisher College of Business, 614-292-8937. For assistance on Saturday, call Anna’s cell phone at (614) 329-1900.

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; Randy Dunham, (614) 292-8295; Amy Murray, (614) 292-8385, and Shannon Wingard, (614) 247-6821.