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.

Daniel Jensen, professor of accounting, was quoted in a March 13 New York Times article about how the two founders of Arthur Andersen -- the accounting firm embroiled in the Enron scandal -- were known for their impeccable integrity. Both of the leaders are in the Accounting Hall of Fame at Ohio State.

The March 14 Dallas Morning News ran a review of the paperback edition of the book Who Am I: The 16 Basic Desires that Motivate our Actions and Define our Personalities, written by Steven Reiss, professor of psychiatry and psychology.

A March 15 Chicago Tribune article quoted advice from Ohio State Extension about the proper way to prune spruce and pine trees in the spring.

Donald Sylvan, professor of political science, was interviewed for Cable News Network reports about developments in the continuing war between Israel and the Palestinians, and prospects for resumption of peace talks. The reports were broadcast on “CNN Saturday,” March 16, “CNN Live Today,” March 20, and “CNN Saturday,” April 20.

Jon Krosnick, professor of psychology and political science, was mentioned in a March 17 Washington Post article about a California Superior Court decision that overturned the election of the Compton, Calif. mayor. The decision was based heavily on testimony by Krosnick about his research showing that candidates whose names are listed first on a ballot have an advantage in winning votes. The judge ruled that the winner in the mayor’s race had his name illegally listed first on all ballots.

Anthony Libby, professor of English, was quoted in a March 17 Chicago Tribune article about the role of art in helping people deal with tragedies such as the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The March 17 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel included an article about a study done by the Fisher College of Business and the Society for Human Resource Management that found half of large companies (more than 2,500 employees) give severance pay to involuntarily departing employees, while only 31 percent of small companies (fewer than 100 employees) do the same.

A special section on “America’s Best College Sports Programs” in U.S. News & World Report, March 18, gave extensive coverage to Ohio State, including a profile of athletic director Andy Geiger.

United Press International carried an article on March 18 about Parwinder Grewal, professor of entomology, and his efforts to find the equivalent of a common European nematode in the United States or Canada because this nematode has proven to be an effective parasite against gray garden slugs.

An article about research by Firdaus Dhabhar, assistant professor of oral biology and molecular virology, immunology and medical genetics, Staci Bilbo, doctoral student in psychology, and Randy Nelson, professor of psychology and neuroscience, was carried by Reuters News Service, March 19. Their research found Siberian hamsters boost their immune function during the winter in order to help them cope with the seasonal stresses of cold weather and limited food. An article about Dhabhar’s research that suggests short-term stress may sometimes be beneficial by helping the body mobilize the immune system ran in the Oct. 29 Woman’s World.

Public Radio International broadcast an article about research by David Hirshleifer, Kurtz Chair in Finance, on the March 19 “Marketplace.” Hirshleifer’s research found morning sunshine at the sites of 26 leading stock exchanges around the world -- including the New York Stock Exchange -- is linked to positive market returns that day.

Karen Ahijevych, associate professor of nursing, was mentioned in an Associated Press article March 22. The story mentioned her research that found menthol in cigarettes increases exposure to carbon monoxide, at least in men, and causes higher levels of nicotine in plasma.

Kenneth Jezek, professor, geological sciences and Byrd Polar Research Center, was quoted in articles about a project led by the Byrd Center that is using satellite imagery to complete the first detailed map of Antarctica. Coverage included: the London Times, March 26, and the Calgary Herald, Montreal Gazette, Ottawa Citizen and Vancouver Sun, March 27.

Joshua Dressler, professor of law, was quoted in the March 28 New York Times about issues surrounding the U.S. government’s decision to seek the death penalty for a man charged with conspiracy in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Research by Angelo Alonzo, associate professor of sociology, was the subject of several articles recently. Alonzo’s research found that women over the age of 35 who have children may be at increased risk of some long-term health problems, especially those linked to heart disease. Coverage included: United Press International, March 29; Reuters News Service, April 1; Copley News Service, April 8; Chicago Tribune, April 14; and the Seattle Times, April 28.

Gannett News Service, March 29, quoted Herb Asher, professor emeritus of political science, about how the public’s perception concerning the state of the economy will help determine whether they support President Bush and other Republicans in upcoming elections. Asher was quoted by USA Today, July 26, about how voters may translate their economic concerns into blame for the Republican Party because the GOP is seen as the party of big business. USA Today, Sept. 24, quoted Asher in an article about how public support for a war against Iraq depends on getting Congressional and United Nations approval for an invasion. Asher was interviewed on NPR’s “All Things Considered,” Sept. 2, for a report about how President Bush is trying to win support of union members.

Brad Schmidt, associate professor of psychology, was quoted in the April 2002 Discover about the search by scientists for genes that may be responsible for anxiety and panic disorders.

Research by Miguel Villalona, assistant professor of internal medicine, was the subject of an April 2002 Prevention article. Villalona’s research found suramin -- a drug originally used to treat parasitic infections -- appears to make chemotherapy more effective against lung cancer.

Charles Johnson, professor of pediatrics, was quoted in an April 1 Reuters News Service article about a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics offering guidelines on preventing psychological mistreatment of children. Johnson was a co-author of the report.

The April 1 Christian Science Monitor quoted John Kessel, professor emeritus of political science, in an article about the American tradition of having an open White House, allowing the public to visit the President’s residence.

An April 2 New York Times article about conflicting climate changes in Antarctica included information provided by the Byrd Polar Research Center.

Articles about research by Brian Prendergast, post-doctoral researcher, and Randy Nelson, professor of psychology, were carried by United Press International, April 3, and Knight-Ridder News Service, April 25. Their research found the immune system of ground squirrels essentially shuts down when the animals go into hibernation each winter.

Articles about research by Randy Hodson, professor of sociology, were carried by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, April 4, and United Press International, April 10. Hodson’s research found employees dislike incompetent managers even more than ones who are abusive.

An April 5 Newsday article mentioned research at Ohio State that found 48 percent of retirees won’t be able to maintain their former standard of living.

Roger Blackwell, professor of marketing, was quoted by the Associated Press April 5, in an article about a new television advertising campaign for Wendy’s, which features scenes from the Dublin, Ohio, birthplace of the restaurant chain. Blackwell said the campaign stays with Wendy’s core advertising values of focusing on wholesome, good-tasting food.

Dimitris Tatakis, professor of periodontology, was the subject of several articles about his research. Tatakis found people who wore tongue studs for more than four years were likely to suffer from chipped teeth and receding gums. Coverage included: New Scientist, April 6; Chicago Tribune, April 14; Los Angeles Times, April 15; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 30; and the San Diego Union-Tribune, June 9

On April 9, United Press International carried an article about research by Michele Carr, assistant professor of dental hygiene. Carr found that the DentiPatch -- a small adhesive patch containing the numbing agent lidocaine -- can be more effective than a topical anesthetic gel at preventing dental pain.

Sally Boysen, professor of psychology, was the subject of an hour-long documentary on the Discovery Channel that focused on her efforts to teach chimpanzees to use human language. Coverage of the documentary included: the San Diego Union Tribune, April 10; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, April 11; Atlanta Journal and Constitution, April 12; and the Washington Post and Houston Chronicle, April 13. A May 2002 Discover article mentioned her research teaching chimpanzees to use simple arithmetic. The November 2002 Discover named Boysen one of the top 50 women in science, based on her work as one of only a handful of researchers in the country who exclusively studies the behavior of chimpanzees.

United Press International, April 12, and the Los Angeles Times, April 29, carried articles about Dev Pathak, professor of pharmacy, and his research that found the most effective and intensive medication treatment for asthma isn’t the drug most commonly prescribed for that disease.

Several articles were published about research by Jonathan Schaffir, clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology. Schaffir found that old wives’ tales about pregnancy and labor still run rampant, even though they have little scientific basis. Coverage included: United Press International, April 12; New Scientist, April 13; Popular Science, June 2002; and Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Sept. 13.

Ann Smith, extension agent, was quoted in the Atlanta Journal and Constitution, April 13, about the trend of young adults moving back home with their parents, and ways to make the arrangement work. Smith spoke at a conference co-sponsored by Ohio State University Extension titled “Celebrating Midlife.”

An April 14 New York Times article about unique collections held by American universities mentioned the Celebrity Eyewear Collection at the College of Optometry.

Ohio State’s graduate programs are rated as the best in Ohio and remain among the top programs in the country, according to the U.S. News & World Report’s 2002-2003 rankings of America’s Best Graduate Schools, which ran in the April 15 issue.

Research co-authored by Richard Steckel, professor of economics, was the subject of an April 15 Washington Post article. Steckel found American Indians were involved in more violence after the Europeans arrived than they had been before. But he found there was also widespread violence in American Indian society before the Europeans came. Steckel also received coverage for research he co-authored that suggests the health of indigenous people in the Western Hemisphere was on a downward trajectory long before Columbus set foot in the Americas. Coverage included: the New York Times and Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Oct. 29, and the International Herald Tribune, Oct. 30.