September 18, 2000
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Ohio State's news, experts and events give you more on the news
News
Ohio: Political Battleground - For politicians, the mantra has always been, if you can win Ohio, you can win the nation. Presidential candidates will be attempting to win Ohio with many vists in the next six weeks. The last time Ohio voted differently from the rest of the nation was in 1960, when John Kennedy won the nation, but not Ohio. Both Al Gore and George Bush have solid partisan bases in the Buckeye State. The fight now is for a small slice of the pie, the 5 to 6 percent who are undecided. Dean Lacy, an assistant professor of political science here, says Ohio's swing voters are atypical - not white working-class ethnics, but independents, suburban residents and women. An expert in Ohio voter behavior, Lacy can discuss both the presidential and statewide races, and public opinion polls. Contact: Dean Lacy, (614) 292-9648.High pressure to make your sandwich safer - Ohio State University researchers Tom Shellhammer and Ahmed Yousef are working together to prevent another outbreak of illnesses caused by contaminated hot dogs and lunchmeat. Yousef is a microbiologist with a special interest in Listeria monocytogenes, the organism that led to the recent recall of 15 million pounds of hot dog and lunch meat. Shellhammer is a food engineer whose specialty is using high-pressure processing to pasteurize or sterilize foods. The two food science and technology faculty members hope to show high pressure can eliminate the risk of Listeria in processed meats. So far, they say results are very promising. Contact: Tom Shellhammer, (614) 292-4335; Ahmed Yousef, (614) 292-7814.
Experts
"Rats" ad could have negative impact- The Bush campaign's controversial "rats" ad could indeed negatively influence viewers against Al Gore, according to a researcher who has studied subliminal messages. In the ad, the word "rats" flashes on the screen for 1/30 of a second during an attack on Gore's health care plans. While the word may be difficult to see in normal viewing, research suggests it still can influence viewers, says Jon Krosnick, a professor of psychology and political science at Ohio State. A study he co-authored in 1992 showed that such subliminal messages influence how viewers judge a person. "The use of the word 'rats' in the ad may bring about a negative impression of Gore in viewers," Krosnick said. "It may not be a large impact, but it would be wrong to say the ad had no effect." Contact: Jon Krosnick, (614) 292-3496West Nile virus moves across New York toward Ohio
- The West Nile virus is now within 60 miles of Ohio's eastern border, according to Ohio health officials, and residents of Ohio's Lake Erie counties are being asked to watch for dead crows and other birds - a sign of possible West Nile infection. The West Nile virus, spread by mosquitoes, infects people, horses and birds and can be fatal. Bill Saville, an Ohio State University Extension veterinarian in Veterinary Preventative Medicine, has been tracking the progress of the West Nile virus since its discovery in the United States last year. Contact: Bill Saville, (614) 292-8553 or saville.4@osu.eduEvents
A big Buckeye welcome to 48,000 students - through Sept. 23. Some 48,000 students return to Ohio State as a new academic year gets under way on Wednesday (9/20) Welcome Week is a week-long Buckeye bonanza that includes something for everyone: free food by the tons, and chances to make friends and get involved on and off campus. This year, thousands of students, faculty and staff will participate in a Tae Bo class led by Billy Blanks to give Ohio State the new world record for the number of people doing the popular exercise at the same time. Contact: Karissa Shivley, University Relations, (614) 292-8295Activities include:
Monday (9/18) Noon - 2 p.m. - President's Picnic & Buckeye Bash on the Oval
Noon - 4 p.m. - Student Involvement Fair on the Oval
Tuesday (9/19) 9 a.m.-1 p.m. - Community Commitment. Buses take students to one of 50 service sites throughout Columbus. The following sites are available for media coverage from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.:
· Mitten Project, Grey Suites in the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. · Mid-Ohio Food Bank, 1625 W. Mound St. · Community Roots, 16th Avenue and Waldeck Avenue · Westminster-Thurber Community, 717 Neil Ave. 6 p.m. - Tae Bo creator Billy Blanks will lead a workout on the Oval in an attempt to break the world record for the largest aerobics class.Wednesday (9/20): Classes begin! Class locator volunteers in orange T-shirts will help students get to class on time.
8 p.m. - Buckeye Fever Pep Rally with TBDBITL (Marching Band), Brutus Buckeye and many special guests in St. John Arena.Thursday (9/21) Class Locator Service & Health Food Giveaway, all day, all over campus.
6 p.m.- Best-selling author James McBride will give a public lecture on his book, The Color of Water, as part of the popular John Rudolph Book Program in Drake Union Thurber Theatre. Contact: David Strauss, University Honors & Scholars Center, (614) 292-3135 7-9 p.m. - It's the pizza eating contest students await as they cast their vote for "The Preferred Pizza of Ohio State Students" during the Pi Sigma Epsilon Pizza Challenge at Larkins Hall, 337 West 17th Ave.Friday (9/22) 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. - The Second City, the legendary improv comedy troupe, performs in the Ohio Union Ballrooms, 1739 N. High St.
Saturday (9/23) Buckeye football vs. Penn State, 12:10 pm.
Sunday (9/24) 3:30 p.m. - Walk off all that free food during "The Bucks Are Back" 5K Run & Walk, sponsored by the College of Human Ecology. The event benefits University District community service agencies. The race starts at Campbell Hall, 1787 Neil Ave. Contact Andrea Bowlin, race coordinator, 292-6516
For more information and a complete listing of events, check out the Welcome Week Web site at www.osu.edu/welcomeweekNanotechnology experts gather - Sept. 23-26. Hundreds of researchers are expected for the first-ever comprehensive international conference devoted to two growing disciplines - micro- and nanotechnology, Sept. 23-26, at the Hyatt Regency Columbus. More than 70 researchers are scheduled to present their findings at BioMEMS and Biomedical Nanotechnology World 2000. They will discuss their efforts to build biomedical microelectromechanical systems, or bioMEMS - tiny working machines smaller than the width of a human hair. Among the applications: taking heart surgery to a new level and improved methods of giving cancer or painkilling drugs. Mauro Ferrari, director of the Biomedical Engineering Center, and associate director of the Heart and Lung Institute at Ohio State, hosts the meeting. Contact: Pam Frost, University Relations, (614) 292-9475.
Buckeyes make a difference - Sept. 23. Hours before the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Penn State Nittany Lions settle matters in Ohio Stadium, students from both schools will participate in a more collaborative activity - "Make A Difference Day," a national initiative to promote good will through community service. Ohio State student volunteers are participating for the third year. More than two million people last year volunteered to improve local communities. Although the national day of recognition is Oct. 28, Ohio State is committing itself even further, hosting student leaders from Miami (9/16) and Penn State (9/23), and by traveling to Purdue (10/28) to do community service projects. Contact: Jaclyn Nowakowski or Matthew Lambert, student co-chairs, (614) 292-8763
Thousands flock to Farm Science Review - Sept. 19-21. Several million dollars worth of farm machinery, harvesting, tilling and drill and planter demonstrations, and hundreds of demonstration plots are all on tap at the 38th Farm Science Review at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio. Ohio State's 2,100-acre Molly Caren Agricultural Center is located two miles north of London on U.S. Route 40. More than 130,000 farmers flock to this three-day outdoor agricultural trade show Tuesday through Thursday for field demonstrations, gardening information and help on wildlife conservation. An annual favorite is the antique tractor pull on Thursday (9/21). Ohio State president William Kirwan will speak at a luncheon on Tuesday (9/19) and participate in ribbon cutting and groundbreaking ceremonies. Contact: Suzanne Steel, (614) 292-9637, or at the Review site (740) 852-7821
Cars of the future on display - Sept. 21. They've competed in national racing and endurance tests all summer, now they're home and on display. Ohio State's award-winning student vehicle projects will be on display Thursday (9/21) at 3 p.m. at the Center for Automotive Research and Intelligent Transportation, 930 Kinnear Road. Among the vehicles are the Smokin' Buckeye, an electric race car; FutureTruck, the new prototype for a fuel-stingy SUV; Formula SAE race car, powered by a motorcycle engine; Autonomous Robotic Transporter (ART), a robotic vehicle that navigates without a driver; Sunrayce, a solar-powered car; and the MiniBaja, a four-wheeled, single-seat, off-road vehicle powered by a lawnmower engine. Contact: Giorgio Rizzoni, Director, CAR-IT, (614) 292-3331.
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--Reggie Anglen, (614) 292-8423; Elizabeth Conlisk, (614) 292-3040; Amy Murray, (614) 292-8385; Lesley Deaderick, (614) 292-0569; Melinda Sadar, (614) 292-8298; and Karissa Shivley, (614) 292-8295.
Compiled by Amy Murray, University Relations, (Murray-Goedde.1@osu.edu)