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WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Monday, Aug. 18. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

Headline news

POSSIBLE CAUSE OF ONE IN 10 COLON CANCER CASES FOUND

Researchers here have discovered that a subtle difference in the activity of a pair of genes may be responsible for one of every 10 colon-cancer cases. The work, led by researchers with the Human Cancer Genetics Program at Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center, is the first to link this particular gene conclusively as a cause of colon cancer, and it may provide clinicians with a new way to identify people who are at high risk for disease. The study was reported in the online journal Science Express and will appear soon in the journal Science. Read more >

ATHLETICS INCREASES SUPPORT TO MAIN LIBRARY TO $9 MILLION

The renovation of the William Oxley Thompson Memorial (Main) Library, the largest academic building project in Ohio State’s history, has received an additional $4 million commitment from the university’s Athletics program, President E. Gordon Gee and Athletics Director Gene Smith announced Friday (8/15). This new commitment from the Department of Athletics is in addition to the $5 million announced in September 2006 and brings the department's total support of the library renovation to $9 million. The current renovation, to be completed in August 2009, will create a state-of-the-art facility that will serve Ohio State students and faculty well into the 21st century. Read more >

STRESS AND ANXIETY CAN MAKE ALLERGY ATTACKS EVEN WORSE

A new study here shows that even slight stress and anxiety can substantially worsen a person’s allergic reaction to some routine allergens. Moreover, the added impact of stress and anxiety seem to linger, causing the second day of a stressed person's allergy attack to be much worse. The finding, the latest in more than three decades of study on stress and immunity, is important since allergic reactions are the fifth-most-common chronic disease in America, and medical costs to treat them can reach $3.4 billion each year. Researchers explained their work recently at the meeting of the American Psychological Association in Boston. Read more > View a short video version of the story

OSU BECOMES CHARTER MEMBER OF COLLEGEKEYS COMPACT INITIATIVE

Ohio State has become a charter member of the College Board's CollegeKeys Compact, which seeks to support students from low-income families as they work toward preparing for, getting into and succeeding in college. OSU is one of the first 500 institutions to join the call to action to U.S. schools and colleges issued by the College Board just seven months ago. A number of activities are slated to occur around the College Board's 2008 National Forum, Education First: Our Future Depends on It, to be held Wednesday (11/5)-Saturday (11/8). The College Board is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Contact: Sheila Jamison at the College Board, sjamison@collegeboard.org or (212) 713-8052. Read more >

REDESIGNED OSU.EDU WEB SITE TO REPLACE CURRENT ONE

It's almost time for a new school year, the first home football game - and the new osu.edu. The redesigned site, along with second-level audience and initiatives pages, is now running alongside the current site. On Monday (9/15) the new site will replace the existing one. The new site includes new international and O-H! second-level pages and a revamped visitors page. New features include Image of the Day, events podcasting, a list of faculty and student blogs, and a more visible presence for O-H-I-O cheer photos. It features more tailored audience content on second-level pages, including an e-mail reminder service. View the new osu.edu at www.osu.edu/index-preview.php

FRIEDMAN TO DELIVER FISHER PRIZE ADDRESS SEPT. 24

Three-time Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Thomas L. Friedman will receive the Fisher Prize and deliver a speech as part of the Fisher Council on Global Trade and Technology event at 4 p.m. Wednesday (9/24) at Mershon Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public, but tickets will be required. Foreign affairs columnist for The New York Times and author of the international bestseller, The World is Flat: A Brief History of the 21st Century, Friedman will discuss the green movement in America, the topic of his forthcoming book. Reserve tickets online

IRB FORMS HELP SESSION AUGUST 20

Investigators, graduate students, and research staff are encouraged to attend a help session on IRB applications (e.g., initial review, continuing review, amendment, event reporting) from 3-4 p.m. Wednesday (8/20) in 113 Research Foundation. Office of Responsible Research Practices staff will be on hand to answer questions. The session is targeted to researchers who submit materials to the Behavioral and Social Sciences IRB, but is open to all human subjects researchers. Register online. Contact: prestage.2@osu.edu or 292-0214

CHANGES TO MED CENTER JOB APPLICATION PROCESS

Effective Monday (9/8), all Medical Center positions will be posted at medicalcenter.osu.edu/careers. Previously, applicants interested in jobs within the College of Medicine, Office of Health Sciences or Comprehensive Cancer Center would need to apply on the university’s Web site, and if interested in a Health System or James Cancer Hospital job, apply on a separate site. Contact: recruitment@osumc.edu

CEREBROVASCULAR SYMPOSIUM SET FOR SEPT. 5

The first Annual Cerebrovascular Symposium is scheduled to take place on Friday (9/5) at the University Plaza Hotel and Conference Center. The program will focus on the proper recognition, diagnosis and management of medical issues related to aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, extracranial carotid, intracranial stenosis, and stroke in order to improve patient care and outcomes. The program is accredited for a maximum of six AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Registration is $50 for physicians and $25 for other healthcare professionals. Register online. Contact: lindsay.cowgill@osumc.edu or 293-7397

REC SPORTS FREE WEEK TODAY-AUG. 24

All faculty and staff with a valid university ID are invited to use the university's recreation facilities for free today (8/18)-Sunday (8/24). Try the climbing wall, swim in the pools and enjoy family hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Register at the RPAC Welcome Center or Adventure Recreation Center. Read more >

CENTER FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH, OSU CCTS REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

The OSU Center for Women's Health, in collaboration with the OSU Center for Clinical and Translational Science has announced a Request for Applications to fund research to advance its understanding of the complexities unique to women’s health and disease. Designed to initiate pilot funding and support new research teams, three awards will be given, not to exceed $40,000 each. Any area of women’s health will be considered and junior investigators are especially encouraged to submit proposals. Mail submissions by Friday (8/29) to: OSU Center for Women’s Health, c/o Kristine Hertl, Dodd Hall, 2118G, 480 Medical Center Drive, Columbus, 43210. Contact: kristine.hertl@osumc.edu, 366-7520 or 293-7309. Read more >

REGISTER FOR FREE MEN'S HEALTH AND WELLNESS EVENT

Register now for The Power to Live, a free men's health and wellness event to be held from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday (9/13) at the Fawcett Center. African-American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian and other multicultural communities continue to face obstacles in the pursuit of health and wellness. Learn more about choices and changes you can make to live a healthy life, including cancer prevention, heart health, nutrition, diabetes, mental health, financial health and sexual health. Call the Diversity Enhancement Program at 293-7020 or register online.