October 2, 2000
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Ohio State's news, experts and events give you more on the news
News
Feeling Nauseous? Research Suggests Your Brain Plays A Role--When it feels like you're about to lose your lunch, your brain may play as big a role as your stomach. Researchers have found that a chemical produced by the immune system directly stimulates the part of the brain that controls digestion. This explains why a variety of illnesses -- from cancer to the common cold -- can make people feel nauseous. "There are so many different disease states that have nothing to do with digestion, yet make a person feel lousy enough to lose his appetite," said Richard Rogers, study co-author and a professor of neuroscience at The Ohio State University. Rogers said this study might have identified the link that connects the immune, brain and digestive systems to produce the perception of illness. Contact: Richard Rogers, (614) 292-1246Judges from elite colleges more likely to rule against unions--U.S. appeals court judges who graduated from elite colleges were 30 percent more likely to rule against unions in labor law cases than were judges from less selective colleges. Three Ohio State University researchers studied more than 1,200 cases decided over a seven-year period. They found that numerous personal, professional and political background factors were significantly associated with a judge's likelihood of supporting or rejecting union legal positions. For example, judges who had previously held elected office were more likely to support unions on certain types of labor law issues, as were Catholic, Jewish and African-American judges. More recent appointees from both parties were significantly less likely to support unions than were earlier appointees. Contact:James Brudney, brudney.1@osu.edu.
Experts
Ohio's 'F' grade in teaching evolution could have been avoided--The state of Ohio would probably have gotten an "A" for its model science curriculum had the standards not omitted all reference to evolution. The Thomas B. Fordham Foundation recently passed out report cards on how well states were including evolution in their science curriculums. Ohio got an "F" for evolution but a "B" for its overall curriculum. No other state had as large a gap between the two scores. Steve Rissing, a professor in Ohio State's Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, and director of the university's Introductory Biology Program, was part of the symposium at which grades were passed out. He says the absence of evolution in the Ohio curriculum could become a serious problem for a state trying to change its image to one heavily oriented into high-tech business. Regardless of your religious beliefs, Rissing says the theory of evolution is the uniting theme behind all modern sciences, and not including it can put students at a disadvantage. Contact:Steve Rissing, (614) 688-4989Events
Krushchev's son, a scholar, visits campus to talk about the Cold War--Oct.2. Sergei Krushchev, senior fellow at the Watson Institute for International Studies at Brown University, will deliver a lecture and sign his new book this evening. The lecture, titled "Cold War Warriors: Khrushchev, Eisenhower, and Kennedy," begins at 7:30 p.m. 160 Math Annex, 209 W. 18th Ave. Khrushchev, the son of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, will also sign his new book, Nikita Khrushchev and the Creation of a Superpower. (Pennsylvania State University Press, 2000). Khrushchev's talk is the first in the Neckermann Lecture Series on European Society, Politics, Economics and the New Europe, co-sponsored by the OSU Office of International Studies, the Mershon Center, the Center for Slavic and East European Studies, and the Columbus Council on World Affairs. Krushchev also will speak to the Columbus Council on World Affairs at noon on Tuesday (10/3). Contact: Center for Slavic and Eastern European Studies, (614) 292-8770Breast Cancer Awareness Week 2000--Oct. 2-6. Each year an estimated 176,300 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in the United States. But there is hope. Early detection can make a difference, and it has in the lives of thousands of breast cancer survivors, including Ohio State University's own first lady Patty Kirwan. Mrs. Kirwan will share her personal experience with breast cancer during a Lunch and Learn Session, Oct. 6, from noon to 1 p.m. in room 122 of the Main Library, 1858 Neil Ave. A representative from the American Cancer Society also will be on hand to talk about the importance of screening and current perspectives on breast cancer, the second major cause of cancer death among women in the United States. Those who attend will be entered in a drawing to receive the new Longaberger "Horizon of Hope" basket. Other events during The Ohio State University's Breast Cancer Awareness Week 2000, Oct. 2-6, include:
Wednesday, Oct. 4-- Learn more about preventing, screening and treating cancer from representatives from the American Cancer Society and the College of Nursing in the Ohio Union Lobby, 1739 N. High St., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6-- Support breast cancer awareness by wearing denim and donating $5 to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Fund during the National Denim Day, a mark of solidarity against breast cancer. The event is sponsored by Lee Jeans. Contact: Heidi Bickerstaff, program coordinators at OSU's Student Wellness Center, 292-4527 or go to http://140.254.28.8/BrCaWeek.Microsoft, antitrust issues are subject of law lecture--Oct. 4. University of Iowa Law Professor Herbert Hovenkamp will discuss the "Monopolization Offense," about Microsoft and other antitrust cases, as he delivers the Strong Lecture at the Ohio State University College of Law at 3 p.m. Wednesday (10/4) in Drinko Hall auditorium, 55 W. 12th Ave. Hovenkamp co-authors the ongoing multivolume treatise Antitrust Law, which is considered a definitive reference for the legal profession. The Frank R. Strong Law Forum honors the dean of the College of Law from 1952 to 1965. Contact:Liz Cutler Gates, College of Law, (614) 292-0283
Hi, ho Silver, away--Oct. 5. An Arabian horse and its trainer will join a class of future teachers on the South Oval on Thursday (10/5) to display a method of interesting teen-agers in science and math. The horse, Kompania, and her trainer, Heather Cotterman, will help education professors Donna Berlin and Art White show how nutrition, horsepower, geometry and measurement relate to endurance and distance riding. The College of Education class will demonstrate for 60 future middle and high school teachers a way to interest teen-age learners, especially young girls. Groups will meet from 5:30-6:50 p.m. and 6:55-8:15 p.m. Contact: Art White, (614) 292-8061
Jobs for Engineering Students--Oct. 5. More than 225 companies are hoping to attract some future employees during the 34th Engineering Career Expo on Thursday (10/5) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in French Field House, 460 Woody Hayes Drive. This informal gathering of students and representatives has landed many students jobs after graduation. The Expo is designed to acquaint students with the needs, requirements and opportunities available in industry for full-time, summer, or co-op employment. Contact: Gina Langen, College of Engineering, (614) 688-4423
Board of Trustees meets--Oct. 6. The Ohio State University Board of Trustees will meet in regular session at 11 a.m. on Friday (10/6) in the Longaberger Alumni House, 2200 Olentangy River Road. Committee meetings, where most of the discussion takes place, begin at 9 a.m. Contact: Melinda Sadar, University Relations, (614) 292-8298
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; 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)