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Ohio State University


Nightlights for stream dwellers? No, thanks

A new study from Ohio State University finds that artificial light at night is detrimental to ecosystems, affecting species composition and food chain length. The research explores the impact of existing artificial light on streams and wetlands, revealing changes in energy flow and nutrient cycles.

SourceOhio State University·JournalEcological Applications·DateDec 19, 2018

Why relationships -- not money -- are the key to improving schools

A study by Ohio State University found that strong relationships between teachers, parents, and students have a significant impact on improving student learning. Social capital, the network of relationships promoting academic achievement, had a three to five times larger effect than financial capital on reading and math scores.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Education for Students Placed at Risk (JESPAR)·DateOct 25, 2018

Cluster of factors could help predict C. diff

Researchers identified a cluster of five risk factors associated with unhealthy gut microbial communities, which can increase the risk of C. diff infection. The study suggests potential preventive interventions, including dietary changes and fecal transplantation from healthy donors.

SourceOhio State University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 24, 2018

Graphic images on cigarette warnings stick with smokers

A new study suggests that graphic images on cigarette warnings are more effective in reducing smoking rates than text-only warnings. The study found that smokers who viewed graphic images remembered the warnings slightly longer than those who received text-only warnings, and were more likely to quit smoking six weeks later.

SourceOhio State University·JournalAnnals of Behavioral Medicine·DateSep 5, 2018

Algae a threat to walleye vision, study finds

A new study led by Ohio State University found that algae poses a greater threat to freshwater fish vision than sediment, causing a 40% decrease in their ability to see in cloudy water. This could jeopardize the future of walleye and other fish populations if harmful algal blooms persist.

SourceOhio State University·JournalConservation Physiology·DateAug 27, 2018

Algal blooms a threat to small lakes and ponds, too

A recent study by Ohio State University researchers found high levels of toxins in water near farm fields in rural Ohio, posing serious health risks to people, pets, and wildlife. The study highlights the need for judicious fertilizer use and measures to reduce animal waste contamination to control algal blooms.

SourceOhio State University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateAug 23, 2018

Why zebrafish (almost) always have stripes

A new mathematical model explains the formation of zebrafish stripes by highlighting the crucial role of a single pigment cell type. The model shows that iridophores lead the process, providing redundancies to ensure reliable stripe formation even when cellular processes go wrong.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 13, 2018

White mass shooters receive sympathetic media treatment

A new study found that white mass shooters are 95% more likely to be described as mentally ill in media coverage compared to black shooters. The research analyzed 219 mass shootings and found that whites were often framed as sympathetic characters, while black shooters were portrayed as dangerous and a menace to society.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Research in Crime and Delinquency·DateJul 17, 2018