May 25, 1999

Here are descriptions of the radio stories available on the Ohio State University Info Line, May 28 through June 4, 1999. Stories are changed at noon on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. All feeds include one wraparound report of approximately 1:00 and at least one other actuality plus background material. If you have questions, want additional information, or need a re-feed of a missed story, call Amy Murray at 614-292-8385.

DUE TO THE MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY, OHIO STATE AND UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, MAY 31.

Friday 5/28-Wednesday 6/2 - How do political experts react when their predictions -- about election results or the fate of countries or other important issues -- turn out to be completely wrong? They don’t worry about it. Ohio State University Political Science Professor Philip Tetlock found that experts shrug off their errors, claiming that they were “almost” right and that their understanding of the situation was basically sound. Tetlock says experts were often overconfident in their initial predictions, sometimes massively so. Experts who said they were 80 percent confident in their predictions ended up being right only about half the time. (rescheduled from 5/26)

Wednesday 6/2-Friday 6/4 - A mineral that is used to prevent sunburn and relieve diaper rash could help prevent lung and brain damage in premature infants. Zinc can protect the premature lungs of babies who must breathe high concentrations of oxygen. Tammy Bray, a professor of human nutrition and food management at Ohio State, studied the effect that two antioxidants have on preventing oxygen related damage. She says zinc worked better than vitamin E in doing the job.

Many news outlets are getting our news releases electronically. Would you like to receive your weekly Info Line rundown via e-mail? It’s faster than the postal service and offers less chance for bad addresses, lost or damaged mail. We can e-mail this and other news releases directly to your computer. E-mail Amy at murray-goedde.1@osu.edu or call 614-292-8385 to make arrangements.

www.osu.edu is Ohio State’s Internet address. News releases (including this rundown sheet) from University Communications and many other offices are posted on the website. The site is also a great source for answers to frequently asked questions about OSU.