July 3, 2001

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Ohio State's news, experts and events give you more on the news

News
Biotechnology could protect soldiers of the future – Biotechnology could protect American soldiers from injury, infection and chemical weapons on the high-tech battlegrounds of the future, according to a report released by the National Research Council (NRC). Mauro Ferrari, director of the Biomedical Engineering Center and associate director of the Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute at The Ohio State University, served on the advisory committee for the report, entitled “Opportunities in Biotechnology for Future Army Applications.” Ferrari, who also holds professorships in internal medicine, mechanical engineering and materials science at Ohio State, said the report “outlines vital areas of biotechnology research that hold great potential for enhancing soldiers’ performance in the field, and helping them return home safely.” For more information visit http://www.osu.edu/researchnews/archive/mauronrc.htm or Contact: Pam Frost Gorder, (614) 292-9475.

Experts
Insanity plea could be hard for Houston mother’s attorney to prove – Houston mother, Andrea Yates, faces capital murder charges in connection with the deaths of her five children. Her attorney is considering using an insanity defense. Joshua Dressler, Ohio State law professor and Edwin M. Cooperman Designated Professor of Law, said he favors the use of this rarely used and rarely successful defense. “There is considerable misunderstanding about the defense in the minds of lay people, but, a legal system that does not permit an insanity defense is, in my opinion, is an unjust one,” he said. Contact: Joshua Dressler, (614) 688-3145.

Pass me a hotdog and some of that watermelon – When preparing Fourth of July picnics and cookouts, Sharron Coplin, a registered dietician with OSU Extension, recommends that meat, including hotdogs and brats, be cooked to 160 degrees to insure they’re safe to eat. She also suggests all fruit be washed before making that traditional fruit salad. If fruit is cut before thoroughly washing the skin, contaminants can be carried inside the fruit. After everything is cut, cooked and ready to go, Colin said food should be refrigerated after two hours on a warm day and one hour on a hot day. Contact: Sharron Coplin, (614) 292-6402.

Relax with your own water garden – Ancient Egyptians living along the Nile were lulled by the beauty and tranquility of water gardens, areas of water specifically designed to hold plants. Times may have changed, but the importance of water in the garden remains. From fountains to reflecting pools, water is used as a focus of relaxation and as a natural element to support plants and attract wildlife. Dale Bradshaw, an Ohio State greenhouse supervisor at the Agricultural Technical Institute, said that a 50-gallon tub and less than $100 for materials is all that is needed to create a backyard water garden. Hundreds of species of water garden plants are available and include: water lilies, bog plants, grasses and lotus plants. Contact: Dale Bradshaw, (330) 264-3911.

Weed control made easy? – Mulches pre-treated with herbicides may provide a new, better way to control weeds in nurseries. Hannah Mathers, an Ohio State University Extension nursery and landscape specialist, along with graduate student Luke Case, are studying the effect of chemically treated mulches on ornamental plants. They are evaluating whether the use of mulches pre-treated with herbicides reduces off-site movement and increases pre-emergent efficacy and duration. They also are studying the effect chemically treated mulches have on overall plant phytotoxicity. Contact: Hannah Mathers, (614) 247-6195.

Events
Say ‘hello’ to the newest Buckeyes – Autumn quarter may be over three months away, but Ohio State’s newest freshmen class is packing an over night bag and making a bee line for campus to take part in summer orientation, through August 10 on the Columbus campus. This year’s two-day orientation sessions will focus more on easing students’ transition into college, said Phyllis Miller, director of student orientation. Additions to this year’s student sessions include: a student-run session where students will learn how to be a successful student at Ohio State and information on substance-free late night events on campus. Contact: Phyllis Miller, (614) 292-6344.

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 Shannon Wingard, (614) 247-6821.

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