HIGHLIGHTS:

Roads Scholars hit the highway - Sept. 12-13

Students "Make a Difference" - Sept. 16

The facts of lice

NOTE: This is the final "Story Tips" you'll receive. On Monday, Sept. 18, we will unveil a new and improved Ohio State story planner that will include events, experts, ideas and more.

ALL ABOARD! ROADS SCHOLARS TOUR SOUTHWEST OHIO - Sept. 12-13. Ohio State faculty will hit the highways and byways of Ohio to learn about the region's natural resources, people and communities and the role that Ohio State plays in the lives of its citizens. Approximately 80 faculty will participate in the fourth annual "Roads Scholar" tour, a two-day bus trip designed to give new faculty a firsthand look at how Ohio State Extension agents, faculty, staff and students exchange expertise and resources with the state's citizens. The tour departs from the Fawcett Center at 8 a.m. Tuesday (9/12) and stops in Urbana, Lima, Dayton and Wilberforce. Reporters may join the Roads Scholars at any of the stops. An itinerary is available at http://www.osu.edu/osu/newsrel/Current/00-09-07_Roads_Scholars.html Contact: Lesley Deaderick, University Relations, (614) 292-0569, or (614) 370-2938 (cell), Sept. 12-13

STUDENTS WORK TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE - Sept. 16. Approximately 100 volunteers representing 30 student organizations from Ohio State and Miami University of Ohio will take part in Columbus-area service projects for Make a Difference Day, Saturday, Sept. 16 between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m., prior to the Ohio State - Miami of Ohio game. This year, volunteers will assist at Willow Brook Christian Home, Lutheran Social Services, Isabelle Ridgeway Nursing Home, The James Cancer Hospital and Project Openhand. Make a Difference Day, a volunteer project designed to encourage involvement in service projects, is part of the National Day of Doing Good sponsored by USA Weekend. Contact: Lesley Deaderick, University Relations, (614) 292-0569

BIFOCALS SLOW PROGRESSION OF NEARSIGHTEDNESS - Some children with nearsightedness may be able to slow the progression of that condition if they wear bifocal glasses instead of traditional single-vision glasses. That's the preliminary finding of a national study by the National Eye Institute. A member of the research team, Donald Mutti, is now at the Ohio State College of Optometry. Nearsightedness affects 20% of all school children in grade 5 and up. As the child grows, nearsightedness often becomes more severe, requiring stronger glasses to correct it. After 30 months, kids who wore the bifocal glasses showed 20% less progression in nearsightedness than kids who wore regular glasses. Since kids may not use the bifocals correctly, another study is looking at how well "no line" bifocals slow nearsightedness. Contact:Donald Mutti, College of Optometry, (614) 297-7057

THE FACTS OF LICE- A very small insect and a very BIG inconvenience is how an Ohio State entomologist describes head lice. The critters may be the first gift that youngsters bring home from school, causing a lot of work and worry for parents. Urban Entomologist Susan Jones is working with Columbus R.N. Judy Bozick to develop a head lice education program for use in schools. Jones says there are many non-pesticidal strategies for getting rid of head lice, including oil and vinegar treatments. Contact: Susan Jones, Extension Entomology, (614) 292-2752

MARRIAGE IS BEST FOR MENTAL HEALTH- When it comes to mental health, marriage is one of the best medicines. Patrick McKenry, a professor of human development and family science at Ohio State University, studied some 6,000 people, who were married, single, divorced, remarried or co-habiting, and found that married people had the fewest depressive symptoms. McKenry says the mental health boost may be due to feelings of emotional support, stability and commitment that accompany marriage. People who were single or living together didn't get the same boost. Contact:Patrick McKenry, (614) 292-5616

he 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--Reggie Anglen, 292-8423; Elizabeth Conlisk, 292-3040; Amy Murray, 292-8385; Lesley Deaderick, 292-0569; Melinda Sadar, 292-8298; and Karissa Shivley, 292-8295.

Compiled by Amy Murray, University Relations, (Murray-Goedde.1@osu.edu)