Story Ideas for Media 6/13/06

Research

Organ transplants just as successful in those with mental retardation. Mental retardation does not lessen the likelihood that a patient will benefit from a kidney transplant, according to a new study co-authored by Steven Reiss, professor of psychology and psychiatry at Ohio State. A survey of published cases worldwide found that the one-year survival rate for people with mental retardation who received kidney transplants was 100 percent, and the three-year survivor rate was 90 percent. ?That?s comparable to national survival rates for the overall population, said Reiss, who is director of Ohio State?s Nisonger Center for Mental Retardation. ?From these results, there doesn?t seem to be any reason to think the mentally retarded are not good candidates for transplants.? CONTACT: Steven Reiss, (614) 292-2390; Reiss.7@osu.edu
SEE: http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/orgtrans.htm

Events

Teens visit campus for ?companion animal academy?? June 14-16. With an estimated one pet for every two Americans, the $58 billion companion animal industry offers many career opportunities. From dogs and cats to pet rats, horses and pygmy goats, animals are companions to their owners and often are employed in therapy and community service. Fifty 4-H members ages 14 and older will spend three days on the Ohio State campus for the Companion Animal Science 4-H Leadership Academy, to learn about careers in the companion animal industry and learn about animal behavior, socialization, handling, welfare, training, nutrition, health. Media is invited to attend the academy, which is sponsored by Ohio State?s Department of Animal Sciences and OSU Extension?s 4-H program. Participants will watch canine and equine demonstrations, and tour companion animal-based businesses and Ohio State?s College of Veterinary Medicine. On Friday (6/16), their adult sponsors will bring many of the youth?s companion animals to Ohio State to participate with their owners on the last day of the academy. CONTACT: Mauricio Espinoza espinoza.15@osu.edu, (330) 202-3550, (330) 621-6541; or Paul Kuber, kuber.2@osu.edu, (614) 247-8305.

Ohio State to feature ?Green Machines? ? June 19. Alternative fuel vehicles will be in the spotlight on the Ohio State campus on Monday, (6/19) with a variety of possibilities on display outside from noon to 4 p.m., outside of Hitchcock Hall, 2070 Neil Avenue. Ohio State?s ChallengeX vehicle, fresh from its impressive fourth place finish in the national ChallengeX competition last week, will join with the Dartmouth College ?Big Green Bus,? a bus converted to run on used cooking oil, to show the many ways that student groups are working to find alternative energy sources to fossil fuels. Visitors will be able to view the vehicles and to ask vehicle team members about the technologies used in the various energy sources used to power the machines. Additional environmental groups from throughout the area have also been invited to display their ?green? activities. More information on the ChallengeX vehicle can be found at http://www.osuchallengex.com/, and the Big Green Bus at http://www.thebiggreenbus.org/. CONTACT: Gina Langen, (614) 688-4423,