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News

Have an anxious cat? Synthetic chemical can calm kitty – A synthetic chemical may be what it takes to put kitty at ease in unfamiliar territory. Researchers at Ohio State University found that when stressed cats were exposed to a synthetic form of a feline facial pheromone (FFP), they ate more and seemed more comfortable in a hospital than did cats not exposed to the pheromone. FFP is one of a variety of pheromones – chemicals that animals use to communicate with others of the same species. FFP seems to signal comfort and amicability. Changing a cat's behavior by introducing a synthetic pheromone to its environment is a unique way to help agitated cats, according to Tony Buffington, co-author of the study and professor of clinical nutrition at Ohio State's College of Veterinary Medicine. Contact: Tony Buffington, (614) 292-7987.

Experts

Switching gas suppliers doesn’t save much – Residential consumers have benefited from competition in the natural gas market, but not significantly, according to a report by Ohio State University’s National Regulatory Research Institute. Consumers who switch natural gas suppliers as the result of deregulation save an average of 5 to 12 percent on their gas bills. Kenneth Costello, a senior economist at Ohio State’s NRRI and co-author of the report says while any savings are welcome in this winter of soaring natural gas prices, many experts had hoped consumers would be saving even more. Costello says even when consumers have a choice, most don’t choose a new gas supplier. The reason is simple: consumers don’t have the knowledge to make informed choices among different companies, and getting that knowledge is often difficult and time consuming. Contact: Ken Costello, NRRI, (614) 292-2831.

For children, the best holiday gift may be a life lesson – Some parents might be able to buy every item on their children's wish lists this year, but should they? A psychologist at OSU & Harding Behavioral Healthcare and Medicine says if you spoil your kids this holiday season, they may miss out on a valuable lesson. Dr. Douglas Kramer says it’s important to realize you can't always get what you want "As adults, we experience our own difficult times, such as not getting that promotion we wanted, " he says. "Typically adults who did not receive everything they ever wanted as children find it easier to handle these difficult situations." He says a consistent pattern of overindulgence in childhood may lead to many adult personality problems, including an inability to tolerate frustration, passivity, hostility, impaired empathy, and an attitude of entitlement. Kramer recommends that parents make gift giving an active and reciprocal process for their children. "If done thoughtfully, holiday gift giving is an opportunity to develop empathy in your children and to teach them the pleasure of giving." Contact: Jill Boatman, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737.

Events OSU Hospitals East hosts Kwanzaa celebration – Dec. 26. To celebrate the first night of Kwanzaa, University Hospitals East will hold a Kwanzaa celebration on Tuesday (12/26) from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Wallace Auditorium at Talbot Hall, 1441 Clifton Ave. There will be storytelling, African music and dancing, and children’s art activities. Kwanzaa is a seven-day, cultural holiday for African Americans, and each day recognizes one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. Contact: Patricia Boyd, Africentric program at Talbot Hall, (614) 257-3928.

OSU Marching Band prepares for Outback Bowl – Dec. 27-Jan 1. The Ohio State football Buckeyes aren't the only ones practicing for the Outback Bowl. The 225-musician Ohio State University Marching Band is also preparing for a trip to Tampa and a national TV appearance. The Marching Band will rehearse and spread its own style of Buckeye cheer prior to the Jan. 1, 2001 football game.
Before leaving Columbus, the band will rehearse at French Field House on Wednesday (12/27) from 2 to 5 p.m. and on Thursday (12/28) from 8 to 9:30 a.m.
The band plans to perform its feature show, Earth, Wind and Fire during the pregame portion of the Outback Bowl. Five minutes of the halftime show are devoted to the Ohio State University Marching Band as it performs Buckeye Battle Cry, Sloopy and a DOUBLE Script Ohio,
In Tampa, media are encouraged to cover the band's open rehearsal at Clearwater High School, Gulf to Bay Blvd at Hercules Ave, at 10 a.m. on New Year's Eve. Nearly 100 band alumni in the area have been invited to bring their instruments and participate in an impromptu pep rally following the rehearsal. Talk to the musicians who will 'dot the I' in Script Ohio at the Outback Bowl. Meet alumni who can still belt out “Hang on Sloopy” and “Buckeye Battle Cry.”
Contact: In Columbus, David Carwile, (614) 292-9678; or Jon Woods, band director, (614) 292-2598. In Tampa, at the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort, contact Jon Woods or David Carwile, at (727) 461-3222, or by cell at (614) 323-5195.

Mark Your Calendar
Ohio State University students are on winter break Dec. 8 to Jan. 2.

• Dec. 25 - 26—University closed for Christmas holiday.
• Jan. 1—University closed for New Year's holiday.
• Jan. 1—Buckeyes play South Carolina in Outback Bowl; 11 a.m. on ESPN
• Jan. 2—Winter quarter classes begin.

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)