This October has been designated Research Month at Ohio State, although research is built into the fabric of our Top-10 public research institution, yearlong. A research focus in October is a natural fit — it coincides with National Research Month; the university’s Office of Research State of Research Address; and the national ScienceWriters2014 conference, which is in Columbus this year.

Typically, we equate research with science; but research is not restricted to one area — research creates new knowledge; solves myriad problems large and small; drives creativity, innovation — and our economy; and keeps us moving forward as human beings.

Each week, Arts and Sciences will focus on a different area of research, inquiry and investigation and share discoveries, news and events of note.

RESEARCH

Billions and Billions of Stars: Astronomy PhD Candidate Publishes Two Groundbreaking Papers

Recent work by Astronomy PhD candidate Christian Clanton not only has far-reaching implications for the prevalence of planets in the Galaxy, his new methodology provides researchers a powerful tool in their quest to determine the census of extrasolar planets.

2 Million NSF Grant Funds New Materials Research Collaboration

Joshua Goldberger, assistant professor, chemistry and biochemistry, is principal investigator (PI) on a $2 million, four-year study funded by the National Science Foundation to look at thermal conductance and thermoelectric properties of germanium and tin by manipulating the materials’ thermal properties on the atomic level. Joseph Heremans, professor, mechanical and aerospace engineering; and physics, is co-PI.

Earth Sciences Professor Finds Leaky Wells, Not Fracking, Taint Water

Thomas Darrah, assistant professor of earth sciences, is lead author of a new study finding that contamination of water supplies near U.S. shale gas fields appears to be the result of leaky cement wells and casings and not the controversial production technique of hydraulic fracturing. Durrah’s study, published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests that improved well integrity is the key to preventing leaks from hydraulic fracturing.

EVENTS

Ebola Pandemic? Bird Flu? Zombie Virus? A Public Discussion

Join us for a public conversation on Thursday, Oct. 16 at the WOSU@COSI studios to talk about the flow of information and health risks from infectious disease outbreaks with a panelists Larry Schlesinger, chair, Ohio State’s Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, Vicki Friemuth, director, Southern Center for Communication, Health, & Poverty, University of Georgia and Richard Harris, science correspondent, NPR. Moderated by Fred Andrle. The event is free and open to all with seating beginning at 6:30 p.m. Hosted by the School of Communication’s Health Sciences Frontiers.