September 25, 2000
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Ohio State's news, experts and events give you more on the news
News
Tiny microchips show big promise in fighting diseases-Treatment for life-threatening diseases and relief from disease-related pain may one day be supplied by microscopic chips that could be implanted in the body, according to researchers in the new field of biomedical nanotechnology. The chips - called biological microelectromechanical devices (bioMEMS) - are less than half the width of a human hair. Robert Michler, chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Ohio State University, is a pioneer in robotic surgery. During the Ohio State-hosted BioMEMS and Biomedical Nanotechnology World 2000 meeting, Michler is expected to discuss the immense potential for microscopic chips to take heart disease treatment to the next level. Michler envisions using robotic surgery to place microchips inside the body, such as on heart tissue or blood vessels. The chips could contain a host of drugs, muscle cells or even be equipped to monitor a patient's condition minute-to-minute. Contact: David Crawford, University Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737.Bees walk in fungicidal "foot bath," and deliver fungicide better than sprays-Researchers at Ohio State and Cornell universities have found that bees can deliver a biological fungicide to strawberry blooms more effectively than mechanical sprayers. The study involved placing a tray filled with the fungicide - composed of an anti-fungal microorganism - in front of beehives. The bees walk through this "foot bath" while exiting the hive and deposit the fungicide on strawberry flowers. Using the procedure to dispense a natural fungicide that prevents gray mold - a common rotting disease in strawberries - researchers were able to reduce infected strawberries by 72 percent as compared to 40 percent when the same fungicide was sprayed on plants. Contact: Joseph Kovach; (330) 263-3846.
Experts
Gas reserve release may be counterproductive-Even as the government is releasing 30 million barrels of oil from the nation's strategic petroleum reserves to cut rising natural gas prices, an Ohio State university energy policy expert says meddling with the market can be counterproductive. Although there is a political value to tapping America's stockpiled oil, many economists believe the experiment may not make a big dent in prices and help consumers. Robert Burns, a research specialist at Ohio State's National Regulatory Research Institute (NRRI), says government interference in the petroleum market will only make people less likely to invest in exploration. "It's one thing to open the reserves if there is an interruption in supply, " says Burns. "But this is due to a tight market and we're better off to just hunker down and get through it." Contact: Robert Burns, NRRI, (614) 292-9307.Events
Ohio State launches Diversity Lecture Series-Sept. 26-Thousands of first-year college students are settling in with hopes for graduating with a degree. However, more than 26 percent of freshmen at four-year colleges do not return for their sophomore year, and minority students make up a large number of those dropping out. To address student and faculty recruitment and retention issues, Ohio State begins The President and Provost's Diversity Lecture Series. Vincent Tinto, Professor of Education at Syracuse University, kicks off the series with "Rethinking the Causes and Cures of Student Attrition" at 9 a.m. Tuesday (9/26) at the Fawcett Center. The series brings 16 nationally recognized experts to campus to discuss topics that include increasing African American and Hispanic student and faculty recruitment and retention, increasing graduation rates for students of color, workplace diversity, and racial justice in a multicultural society. Contact: Frank W. Hale, Jr., lecture series organizer; vice provost and provost emeritus for minority affairs and consultant to the president, (614) 688-4255.Panel to discuss presidential selection-Sept. 28. The Mershon Center will host a panel discussion Thursday (9/28) to discuss how Americans could better choose their president. "The Presidential Selection Process: Thoughts on Reform" will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in 1039 Derby Hall. The panelists, all in political science, will be Herb Asher, professor emeritus; Paul Beck, professor and chairperson; and Anthony Mughan, professor. The discussion will be chaired by Richard Hamilton, professor emeritus of sociology and political science.
Buckeyes celebrate Peanuts birthday-Oct. 1. As part of a unique exhibition of original Peanuts comic strips at the Ohio State University Cartoon Research Library (through January 19, 2001), the Wexner Center will celebrate 50 years of Charles Schulz's beloved Peanuts cartoons with a special Family Day, noon-4 p.m. inside and outside the Wexner Center. Reporters can see a new generation of cartoonists get their start by designing a pumpkin patch and viewing Schultz's kite-eating tree and other Peanuts originals. In Mershon Auditorium lobby, the cartoon comes alive as Peanuts music serenades families while they enjoy Charlie Brown's favorite treats of root beer and chocolate chip cookies. At 2 p.m., President Kirwan and his wife, Patty, will serve birthday cake. Excerpts from the musical You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown will be presented at 1 and 3 p.m. in Weigel Hall, and the Wexner Film/Video Theatre will screen A Charlie Brown Christmas and other Peanuts specials. Contact: Darnell Lautt, Wexner Center, (614) 688-3951 or Lucy Caswell, Cartoon Research Library, (614) 292-0538
Columbus Schools science classes get OSU boost- Students in five Columbus elementary schools are learning scientific concepts by tossing medicine balls to classmates on roller blades and making simple circuits. These and many other "inquiry-based" learning activities should help improve math and science education in grades 3-5, according to Alan Van Heuvelen, Ohio State physics professor. Van Heuvelen heads the university's K-12 Teaching Fellows Program, which has placed 17 OSU engineering, science and math students with third-grade teachers to incorporate inquiry-based learning into their classes. Participating in the three-year program are Cranbrook, Franklinton, Indianola, Fifth Avenue and Weinland Park Elementary Schools. The $1.2 million program, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), also will help train future teachers and boost interest in science and math among junior high students.Contact: Alan Van Heuvelen, Physics, (614) 292-6956; or Audeen Fentiman, Engineering, (614) 292-7930
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)