Each month staff in the Office of University Relations report on Ohio State research and connect reporters with experts across the University. They then monitor articles that mention Ohio State in the 50 largest U.S. and select world media markets. The dozens of articles each month are just one indication of the high profile the University enjoys in the national media.

Lucy Caswell, curator of the Cartoon Research Library, has served as an expert for several recent articles in the national media. Caswell was quoted by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Feb. 4, about how the children of U.S. presidents are usually considered off-limits to the jokes and barbs of political satirists. The Houston Chronicle, March 7, quoted Caswell in an article about the career of cartoonist Fred Lasswell, who wrote and drew the Barney Google and Snuffy Smith comic strip. Lasswell died recently. She was quoted by the Los Angeles Times, April 13, about how often newspapers cancel comic strips because of their controversial content. Articles in the San Diego Union Tribune, April 15, and the Houston Chronicle, April 29, discussed Caswell's attempts to archive and protect paper copies of old newspapers for research purposes. An article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, May 26, about how comic strips are a complex art form whose power and influence are often underestimated, also quoted Caswell.

Ruth Colker, professor of law, was quoted in a Feb. 8 Fort Worth Star-Telegram article about whether the Americans With Disabilities Act may cover a policeman who lost his job because he can't read and write as a result of an injury.

David Frid, assistant professor of internal medicine, was interviewed for a Feb. 13 CNN Newsroom report on how eating and drinking moderately before a long airplane flight can be healthy because it increases blood volume, which means better blood circulation. That's important because of the possibility of blood clots caused by sitting in one position for too long.

Articles in the Feb. 13 Houston Chronicle and Feb. 15 San Diego Union-Tribune mentioned research by Michael Podell, associate professor of veterinary clinical sciences, that is examining new ways to treat seizures in pets.

Rattan Lal, professor of natural resources, was quoted in the Baltimore Sun, Feb. 16, about how better agricultural practices can help reclaim much of the carbon that is released into the atmosphere each year.

Gannett News Service, Feb. 20, carried an article that mentioned research by Catherine Montalto, assistant professor of consumer and textile sciences. Montalto's research found families making less than $25,000 saw their wealth erode during the 1990s, despite the booming economy.

A Feb. 25 Boston Globe article mentioned that Ohio State researchers have developed a software program, called danceCODES, that can digitize dance videos to be used on CDs and DVDs.

Research by W. Dietz Bauer, professor of horticulture and crop science, was mentioned in the Feb. 27 New York Times. Bauer's research found peas and some other plants emit chemicals through their roots that may protect the plants from dangerous bacteria or promote colonization by helpful bacteria.

United Press International, Feb. 28, carried an article about research by Tobin Grant, doctoral student, and Janet Box-Steffensmeier, professor, both in political science. They conducted a survey that found slightly more than two-thirds of Americans want to change or replace the current campaign finance system.

Research by Bern Kohler, assistant professor of chemistry, was the subject of a March 2001 Discover article. Kohler's research has shown for the first time how DNA protects itself from the sun's harmful radiation.

A long feature article in the March 2 London Times examined attempts by David Huron, professor of music, to study musical taste scientifically.

P. Karen Murphy, assistant professor of educational psychology, wrote an article for the March 2 London Times about her research that found text on a computer screen is harder to read and less persuasive than the same text on the printed page.

Gay Su Pinnell, professor of teaching and learning, was quoted in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 4, about how to help children who have difficulty learning to read.

The March 5 USA Today quoted Tally Hart, director of student financial aid, in an article about how nearly half the students who drop out of Ohio State do so because of financial reasons. The article noted that Ohio State has improved retention by teaching incoming students more about financial aid.

Jill Morelli, assistant vice president and University architect, was quoted in the March 6 Chicago Sun-Times about the new student athletic and recreation center that will be built on campus beginning in 2002.

Barbara Andersen, professor of psychology, was quoted in USA Today, March 8, and the Detroit News, March 14, about a new study that found women with breast cancer who have a large network of supportive friends and relatives cut the risk of recurrence and death by 60 percent over seven years. The study, done at George Washington University, needs to be continued, she said.

The New Scientist, March 10, ran an article about research by Marc Madou, professor of materials science and engineering. The article was about his development of tiny implantable capsules perforated with microscopic holes to dispense medication, with each hole guarded by a tiny ring of artificial muscle made of soft, gel-like plastic.

A March 11 New York Times article about how gardeners can find horticultural information said that Ohio State's Factsheet Database (plantfacts.osu.edu/) is one of the best places for gardeners to find useful information online.

The March 12 Business Week included an article about Doug Kniss, professor of obstetrics and gynecology. Kniss is developing a method to grow human placental cells in the laboratory -- the first step toward finding a way to test the safety of drugs that a woman can take during pregnancy without harming her fetus.

Marvin Olmstead, professor of veterinary clinical sciences, was quoted in the Atlanta Journal and Constitution, March 12, and the Minneapolis Star Tribune, April 22, about the role that genetics plays in hip dysplasia in dogs.

Stephen Buser, professor and chair of finance, was quoted in the March 14 Detroit News in an article about how many stocks may still be overpriced, despite the recent steep declines in the stock market. Buser was quoted in the March 18 Detroit News about how an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve Board may not be enough to convince consumers to increase personal spending.