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News

Study shows no benefit to popular method for detecting preterm birth – A new study suggests that home uterine activity monitors, long used by women who are at high risk for preterm birth, have no value in actually predicting early delivery. The multi-center study, led by Dr. Jay Iames, director of the OSU Medical Center’s Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, also found that other screening tools for preterm birth may not be as effective as originally believed. When introduced in the mid 1980s, home monitors were heralded as an early warning system to help get women believed to be in early labor to hospitals where they could be given medications to stop the contractions and allow the pregnancy to continue normally. Patients wear the monitors to detect uterine contractions, often a sign of early labor. As it was then, premature delivery is a leading cause of disability and death in newborns. “Technically, uterine monitoring sounds like a concept that should have merit, but studies aren't supportive,” said Iams.
The study was published in a recent issue of The New England Journal of Medicine. Contact: David Crawford, Medical Center Communications, 614-293-3737; see http://www.osu.edu/researchnews/archive/pretermiams.htm

Experts

Therapy found to relieve fatigue of multiple sclerosis patients – For the first time, researchers here have found an effective therapy that can alleviate the fatigue often accompanying multiple sclerosis. Many therapies have been developed to treat symptoms of multiple sclerosis, but few have helped relieve the excessive, debilitating fatigue that accompanies other disease symptoms in some patients. Dr. Kottil W. Rammohan, neurologist at The Ohio State University Medical Center, and his colleagues found that the drug modafinil is effective in relieving this fatigue, and it is void of serious side effects. Modafinil is used currently in the treatment of narcolepsy, a disease in which patients experience uncontrolled daytime sleepiness. “We were very pleased to find that a medication that was effective against narcolepsy was able to treat the fatigue associated with multiple sclerosis,” said Rammohan, lead author of the study. Contact: Betsy Samuels, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737; see http://www.osumedcenter.edu/whats_new/press_releases/press_releases.asp

Events

University marks partnerships with neighborhood public schools – Jan. 30. Ohio State’s P-12 Project and The Learning Bridge will hold a Gala Celebration of the University Neighborhood Schools from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday (1/30) at the Longaberger Alumni House, 2200 Olentangy River Road. Through the P-12 Project and The Learning Bridge, Ohio State connects with 13 Columbus Public schools to improve the environment for learning and teaching. Scheduled speakers at the celebration include P-12 Project director Daryl Siedentop, Ohio State President Kirwan, Columbus Education Association president John Grossman, and Columbus Public Schools superintendent Gene Harris. Contact: Christine Murakami, P-12 Project, (614) 688-0474.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony will open MicroMD Laboratory at Ohio State – Jan. 31. State, city and university officials will help cut the ribbon to open Ohio State’s new MicroMD Laboratory, a state-of-the-art research facility located in the Science Village research park, 1381 Kinnear Road. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, (1/31). Governor Bob Taft, Mayor Michael Coleman and Ohio State President William Kirwan are scheduled to assist lab director Jon Gray in opening the facility. The MicroMD Lab is one of the nation’s first technologically integrated facilities dedicated to developing micro- and nanotechnology devices for use in medical and biomedical applications. The lab will bring together corporate and academic researchers to provide new opportunities to tap the emerging economic potential of BioMEMS (microelectromechanical systems) for Ohio citizens. MicroMD director Jon Gray will be available for interviews and to conduct tours of the facility beginning at 2 p.m., prior to the ceremony. To schedule an interview, or for more information, contact: Gina Langen, Engineering Communications, (614) 688-4423.

Ohio State celebrates 32nd annual United Black World Month – Jan. 31-Feb. 28. Ohio State is gearing up for its 32nd annual United Black World Month, beginning Thursday (1/31). This year’s theme is The Year 2002 & The Struggle Continues! The kickoff event is a lecture by Sister Souljah, an author, researcher and community activist, at 7 p.m. on Thursday (1/31) at the Ohio Union East Ballroom, 1739 N. High St. Throughout the month, campus and community members are invited to attend events ranging from discussions on the student protest movement at Ohio State to a dance performance by Bebe Miller, renowned choreographer and professor in the Department of Dance. For more information or for a complete list of events, see http://www.osu.edu/ubwm Contact: Shannon Wingard, University Relations, (614) 247-6821.

Board of Trustees meets – Feb. 1. The Ohio State University Board of Trustees will meet in regular session at 10:30 a.m. on Friday (2/1) in 140 Pfahl Hall, 280 West Woodruff Avenue. Committee meetings, where most of the discussion takes place, begin at 9 a.m. Contact: Elizabeth Conlisk, University Relations, (614) 292-3040.

Diversity Lecture Series looks at battered women – Feb. 4. Linda Ammons, associate professor at the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, will present “The Facts and Myths about Battered Women,” at 9 a.m. on Monday (2/4) in the Ohio Union Conference Theatre, 1739 N. High Street. The Diversity Lecture series, a component of Ohio State’s Diversity Action Plan, is sponsored by the Office of the President and the Office of Academic Affairs. Contact: Frank W. Hale Jr. (614) 688-4255.

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