Ohio State in the media

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.

An article about research by William Marras, professor of industrial, welding, and systems engineering, and Catherine Heaney, professor of public health, ran in the May 2001 Popular Science. Their research suggests high levels of workplace stress may make it more likely that employees will injure their backs while lifting heavy objects. Marras was quoted in the May 2001 Men's Health about a new backpack that claims it can prevent back strain. Marras said the product does not achieve that goal.

The Associated Press, May 2, and the San Diego Union-Tribune, May 3, mentioned research by Steven Reiss, professor of psychology, that found people who watched reality shows like"Survivor" tend to have a greater than average desire for social status. Reiss was quoted in the London Guardian, May 10, about how some people enjoy the fact that dot-com millionaires have gone broke during the economic downturn. Reiss said it restores their faith in the old economic rules of profit and loss.

David Sydnor, professor of natural resources, was quoted in the May 3 Boston Globe about how the death of a tree often takes 20 years before it is final.

Lucia Dunn, professor of economics, was interviewed for a May 4 report on NPR's"All Things Considered" about how workers and families in Columbus were responding to the nation's economic slowdown.

The Washington Post, May 5, quoted Doug Berman, assistant professor of law, in an article about how a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling could affect death penalty cases from around the country.

Mohan Wali, professor of natural resources, was quoted in the May 5 New Scientist about a theory that the heavy rains of El Nino could help convert over-grazed land in some parts of the world into usable pastures again.

Robert Burns, research specialist, National Regulatory Research Institute, was quoted in a May 6 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article about how it is often difficult to get approval for new power plants because no one wants one near their homes. Burns was quoted in the San Diego Union-Tribune, May 16, about the benefits of co-generation -- a kind of utility plant that produces both electricity and heat or air conditioning, and operates twice as efficiently as existing power plants.

Articles about research by Charles Albright, professor of industrial, welding, and systems engineering, were carried by United Press International, May 7, and Business Week, June 11. Albright's research devised a way to improve the precision of arc welding.

On May 7, United Press International carried an article about research by William Eveland, assistant professor of journalism and communication. Eveland's research found that students can learn as well from World Wide Web pages as they do from print -- as long as the Web pages offer some of the same elements found on today's typical printed page.

An article in the New Scientist, May 12, mentioned research led by Bo Yuan, head of Ohio State's Division of Human Cancer Genetics bioinformatics group. Yuan's research produced a third map of the human genome, this one containing twice the number of genes proposed by two earlier maps by other research groups.

Peter Swire, professor of law, was quoted in the Indianapolis Star, May 14, about how consumers should read privacy notices sent to them by their financial institutions.

A May 15 United Press International article was about research by Richard Timpone, assistant professor of political science, that found U.S. presidents have only fleeting success at naming Supreme Court justices who will follow their policy preferences.

Deutsche Presse-Agentur carried an article on May 17 about Albert de la Chapelle, director of cancer genetics, and his research on new treatments for leukemia and genetically caused cancer of the colon.

Steven Clinton, associate professor of internal medicine, was quoted in a May 18 Portland Oregonian article about the benefits of lycopene, an antioxidant that is found in tomatoes. Lycopene has been associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Clinton was quoted in the New Scientist, June 30, about the possibility that low-calorie diets can help cancer patients by slowing or preventing the growth of tumors.

The May 20 Atlanta Journal and Constitution quoted Peter Gries, postdoctoral fellow, Mershon Center, about the growing number of lawsuits filed by Chinese citizens against foreign companies that they feel have slighted or discriminated against them.

A May 21 Business Week article said the Department of Horticulture & Crop Science at Ohio State runs one of the best Web sites with information helpful to gardeners.

Steven Conn, associate professor of history, wrote an op-ed column for the May 22 Christian Science Monitor about how row houses helped define many Philadelphia neighborhoods last century.

Several media outlets carried reports about research by Sheryl Szeinbach, professor of pharmacy, that suggests nearly two out of three people treated for allergies are not really allergic. Coverage included: Wall Street Journal, May 18; Denver Post, May 22; NBC Nightly News and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 29; and CNBC and United Press International, May 30.

Gregory Good, professor of optometry, was quoted in the May 23 New York Times about some of the steps colorblind job seekers have taken to hide their condition from potential employers.

Several articles ran recently about research by Frederick Leong, professor of psychology, that found a child's place in the family birth order may play a role in the type of occupations that will interest him or her as an adult. Coverage included: London Daily Mail, May 25; Washington Post, June 10; and Chicago Tribune, June 24.

Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, professor of psychiatry, was the subject of articles in the Sacramento Bee, May 27, the London Daily Mail, June 1, and the Chicago Tribune, June 10. Her research found hormone levels in newlywed couples can help predict whether the couples will eventually divorce. Researchers found levels of stress hormones detected when the couple discussed their relationship history were associated with later divorce. Kiecolt-Glaser's research also was the subject of an article in the June 2001 Reader's Digest New Choices. The article discussed her research that found everyday stresses such as fighting with your spouse or caring for an ailing relative can measurably impair the performance of immune system cells.

A May 27 Detroit News article discussed research by Brent Sohngen, assistant professor of agricultural, environmental and development economics. Sohngen discussed his research that found visitors to Lake Erie beaches preferred beaches that had fewer health warnings than others, had finer sand, no zebra mussels and fewer cobbles.