News Releases

  1. Red tomatoes

    Tracing tomatoes’ health benefits to gut microbes

    Two weeks of eating a diet heavy in tomatoes increased the diversity of gut microbes and altered gut bacteria toward a more favorable profile in young pigs, researchers found. After observing these results with a short-term intervention, the research team plans to progress to similar studies in people, looking for health-related links between tomatoes in the diet and changes to the human gut microbiome – the community of microorganisms living in the gastrointestinal tract. “It’s possible that tomatoes impart benefits through their modulation of the gut microbiome,” said senior author Jessica Cooperstone, assistant professor of horticulture and crop science and food science and technology at The Ohio State University.  “...
  2. Susan Colbert and Amber Broadus stand outside Broadus' new home. Photo: Amber Broadus.

    OSU Extension increases keys to homeownership

    COLUMBUS, Ohio—Knowing is half the battle—especially when it comes to homebuying. That’s where Ohio State University Extension comes in. OSU Extension educators specializing in healthy finances offer homeownership education and homebuyer counseling to assist Ohioans throughout the homebuying and homeownership process. Extension is the outreach arm of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). Already, some 2,200 people in Franklin County have attended classes offered by OSU Extension and have received a HUD-approved completion certificate, said Courtney Warman, an Extension program specialist that works with the homebuyer education program. And an additional 497 homebuyers were served across Ohio through...
  3. Photo: Thinkstock

    Chow Line: How to enjoy holiday meals without packing on the pounds

    My kids brought home a large haul of Halloween candy that I’m trying to avoid snacking on. With the remaining fall and upcoming winter holidays coming, I’m wondering if you can offer any tips to help me avoid gaining weight but still enjoy the holidays?   Take heart – you aren’t the only parent tempted to eat their kiddos’ Halloween goodies. In fact, two-thirds of parents report that they do eat some of their children’s Halloween candy haul, according to the National Confectioners Association,  With the remaining fall and winter holidays approaching, many people are concerned about trying to stay healthy while also enjoying all the rich, delicious foods and traditions associated with the many celebrations that are or will be soon...
  4. Poultry Science Club members at a social event in September. Photo: Poultry Science Club

    Poultry Science Club sells Thanksgiving turkeys for annual fundraiser

    COLUMBUS, Ohio–Lindsey Okuley has been interested in chickens since she was small. A fourth-year agricultural communications major at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), Okuley joined her local 4-H chapter in the fifth grade and worked with the animals, going on to show them for seven years. When she arrived at Ohio State, she discovered CFAES’ Poultry Science Club (PSC) and has been a member since, serving in her second year as the club’s secretary. She is coordinating its annual Thanksgiving turkey sale. “The great thing about the sale,” Okuley said, “is that it supports the Poultry Science Club. People are directly supporting students.” The fundraiser, now in its 72nd...
  5. Photo: Getty Images

    Chow Line: Black licorice warnings and tips for safe Halloween celebrations

    Can eating too much black licorice really cause heart problems? In some cases, for some people, yes. With Halloween this week and candy sales expected to top $3.1 billion this year, according to the National Retail Federation, it’s a good time to revisit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s warning regarding black licorice. The FDA warns that people over 40 who eat 2 ounces of black licorice a day for at least two weeks could experience an irregular heart rhythm or arrhythmia that could land them in the hospital. Black licorice can also interact with some medications, herbs, and dietary supplements, FDA says. This is significant, considering that two-thirds of parents report that they do eat some of their children’s Halloween candy haul, according to...
  6. CFAES celebrates opening of one-of-a-kind greenhouse of the future

    The Ohio State University President Kristina M. Johnson, the Ohio State Board of Trustees, and several elected officials joined Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State vice president for agricultural administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), in celebrating the completion of a new, state-of-the-art greenhouse research complex that will catapult the university, the state of Ohio, and all of North America to the forefront of controlled environment agriculture (CEA), an innovative, technology-based approach to farming that takes place inside a facility equipped to create the most optimal conditions for food production. The Controlled Environment Agriculture Research Complex (CEARC) uses emerging technology to conduct research and control...
  7. Linda Saif

    Pandemic prep needs ‘smart surveillance’ to predict viral spillovers

    COLUMBUS, Ohio–“Smart surveillance” for viral spillover from animals to humans, targeted preparedness and drug and vaccine research, and worldwide cooperation on surveillance and stopping disease spread are required to reduce deaths and lessen the economic consequences of the next pandemic, according to an international team of scientists.  In a perspective article published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the 14 experts cite virus pandemics dating from 1918 to the COVID-19 crisis as examples of how “the world has largely failed to meet the challenge to be better prepared to prevent or respond to the next outbreak.”  Future outbreaks are inevitable. The team says the best way to lower chances for...
  8. Tomato plants in a greenhouse

    Ohio State to lead research and development project to help greenhouse growers create optimal conditions, increase crops, and reduce waste

    COLUMBUS, OHIO—The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) is leading a research and development project to help greenhouse growers create the most ideal growing environment using real-time data and climate optimization processes. The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded a $3.77 million grant to study controlled environment agriculture (CEA), a process that extends the growing season, reduces waste, and yields more crops that are higher in quality by controlling environmental factors such as temperature, light, and nutrients. CFAES will spearhead the four-year study with collaboration from Rutgers; Cornell; University of Arizona; and Koidra, a company specializing in tools that help greenhouse and indoor growers manage crops using...
  9. Distinguished Ohio State Professor and leading soil scientist Rattan Lal earns India’s fourth highest award for groundbreaking work

    COLUMBUS, Ohio—Distinguished University Professor Rattan Lal recently earned India’s prestigious Padma Shri award for his innovative research and sustainable farming practices that address food insecurity and mitigate climate change. Padma Shri is India’s fourth highest civilian honor and recognizes individuals for their distinguished service in any field. Lal was recognized in the Science and Engineering category for pioneering a method of farming called soil sequestration, a technique that restores nutrients to the soil by trapping them in the ground. Soil sequestration also prevents carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere, which leads to reduced carbon emissions. “Dr. Lal’s work significantly impacts the future of the planet because it...
  10. OSU Extension’s Mobile Design Lab

    Grant helps 4-H expand access to computer science education to multiple counties statewide

    COLUMBUS, Ohio–Thanks to a grant from Google, at least 1,500 more Ohio youth will have increased access to computer science education offered by Ohio 4-H. The funds are part of a $5 million grant to National 4-H Council to help expand access to computer science. In Ohio, the funds will go towards offering computer science programming to an additional 1,500 youth across the state by Ohio 4-H professionals, said Kirk Bloir, state 4-H leader and assistant director, Ohio State University Extension. Ohio 4-H, the youth development arm of OSU Extension, offers 4-H programs to youth in all 88 of Ohio’s counties. OSU Extension is the outreach arm of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). As America’s largest youth...

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