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WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Thursday, August 9. OSUToday is published on Monday and Thursday during the summer. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

Headline news

OHIO STATE SCIENTISTS WIN THIRD INNOVATION AWARD

A pollution sensor invented at Ohio State University is among the top 100 innovations of 2006, according to R&D Magazine. This is the third time that Prabir Dutta, chair of the Department of Chemistry, and his research team have earned a spot on the prestigious "R&D 100" list, which salutes the best inventions to emerge from industry, government, and academia each year. Dutta designed the sensor, along with Sheikh Akbar, professor of materials science and engineering, and former graduate students Nicholas Szabo and Jiun Chan Yang. R&D Magazine will list all 100 winners in its September issue, and will hold an October awards banquet in Chicago. Contact: 292-4532 or dutta.1@osu.edu. Read More >

HEADLINE FOR BIG TEN STORY

University and Big Ten officials recently sent a letter to key public officials and community leaders regarding the launch of the Big 10 Network later this month. Interim President and Provost Joe Alutto and Athletic Director Gene Smith joined Big 10 Commissioner Jim Delaney and Big 10 Network President Mark Silverman in highlighting the benefits of the new network which include increased national exposure as well as additional revenue, the current state of negotiations with cable providers, and portions of the upcoming broadcast schedule. Read the letter here.

"GREEN" FAIR UNVEILS INITIATIVES

Transportation and Parking and the Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens are hosting a Green Fair from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday in the Learning Gardens, and will unveil two new ways for faculty, staff and students to "go green" when traveling to, from and around campus. The new sustainability programs include Flexcar, a car-sharing program for university departments, faculty, staff, students and community residents; and a vanpooling program for commuters. Contact: Mary Maloney, 688-3479 or maloney.23@osu.edu. Read More >

POPULAR ASTRONOMY LECTURE SERIES BRINGS STARS DOWN TO EARTH

The Department of Astronomy's monthly public lecture series at Perkins Observatory in Delaware is a high-demand ticket. "New Vistas in Astronomy: A Mini-Course on the Universe" hosts near capacity at the 90-seat observatory and brings the latest research to life through Ohio State and Ohio Wesleyan faculty. Bradley Peterson, OSU astronomy professor and department chair, will present the next lecture, "Highlights from Hubble," on Sunday (8/19). Read More >

FORMER ASTRONAUT KATHRYN SULLIVAN TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON SPACE TRAVEL

Kathryn Sullivan, the first female astronaut to walk in space, and now director of the Battelle Center for Mathematics and Science Education Policy at Ohio State, will answer viewer questions on space travel in an Online Forum for The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. Viewers will have until 11a.m. Friday (8/10) to submit questions about space travel, astronaut training and the challenges facing female astronauts. Sullivan's answers will be posted on Tuesday. The forum is part of the Online NewsHour's ongoing effort to connect viewers with experts on various issues. Participate or view the forum here.

CME PROGRAM FOCUSES ON LIPID MANAGEMENT

The Medical Center will host a continuing medical education activity titled "Lipid Update: 2007" from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday in the Ross Heart Hospital Auditorium. The program will feature international lipid expert Paul Ridker, director of the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Eugene Braunwald Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. The program's purpose is to provide a practical update on lipidology for family practitioners, internists, cardiologists, endocrinologists, nephrologists, nurse practitioners, pharmacists and physician assistants. Register online or contact: 293-9992.

OSU NEWARK HOSTS WEIGHT LOSS WORKSHOP

A workshop, "Back to the Basics: Battle of the Bulge," will take place from 1-2 p.m. Thursday (8/16) in 64A Hopewell Hall. Learn weight loss principles and the best types of exercise for weight loss. The event is part of a series of health and wellness workshops offered by the OSU Newark Office of Human Resources. Contact Patsy Henderson at phenders@cotc.edu.

JEWISH LITERATURE AND CULTURE EXPLORED

The OSU Libraries is presenting a five-part reading and discussion series, "Let's Talk About It: Jewish Literature, Identity and Imagination," which explores Jewish literature and culture. The series - Modern Marvels: Jewish Adventures in the Graphic Novel - will be led by Steven Fink, professor of English. The discussions will be Monday evenings beginning October 1 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Cartoon Research Library seminar room in the Wexner Center. Registration for the free series is required, and is open to interested adults who are able to participate in all five discussions. Books for the Modern Marvels program will be provided to series participants. Read More >

ONCAMPUS BULLETIN BOARD LISTS REC SPORTS OPPORTUNITIES

Interested in the martial arts? See the Recreational Sports section of the onCampus Bulletin Board to post or view a variety of opportunities. The bulletin board is available to all OSU faculty and staff. All you need to do is register using your OSU Internet ID (name.#).

WRITING CENTER SPOKEN WORD EVENT AUG. 16

The Center for the Study and Teaching of Writing will host a Spoken Word Event from 8- 8:30 p.m. Thursday (8/16) in the pedestrian alley of the South Campus Gateway. All are invited to bring something to read, or just come to support other writers at Ohio State. Readings can also be recorded as a podcast available on iTunes, or someone else can read for you. Contact: dangler.6@osu.edu or 292-1308

WEB ACCESSIBILITY CENTER SUMMER WORKSHOPS

Four workshops designed to improve the usability and accessibility of information on web pages are being offered the week of August 13. Free for Ohio State faculty, staff, and students, the workshops focus on best practices, and easy to use tools and strategies. All workshops will be held in 009 Ramseyer Hall and include:

• PDF Best Practices Monday, August 13, 1- 5p.m.
• Dead-Simple Web Design: Structured HTML and CSS Tuesday, August 14, 8:30 a.m. - noon
• (Almost) Dead-Simple Web Design: CSS for Universal Usability Thursday, August 16, 8:30 a.m. - noon -
• (Not So) Dead-Simple Web Design: Multiple Columns and More Friday, August 17, 1- 5p.m.

Register online.

SCHOTTENSTEIN CENTER BLOOD DRIVE SCHEDULED

Give someone a "Schott at Life" and receive a free ticket to King's Island. Blood donors are needed at the OSU Schottenstein Blood Drive from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday. Schedule an appointment online at www.givelife.org (sponsor code: buckeyes) or call (800) GIVE-LIFE.