Author: Jacob Canon

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The Career of Philander D. Chase, senior editor of the Papers of George Washington

In today’s show, written by Matt Kelly, Writer for the UVa News Department, we look at Philander D. Chase, who recently retired as senior editor of the Papers of George Washington, housed at the University of Virginia’s Alderman Library.

Philander D. Chase has spent 35 years in George Washington’s world — and he’s not done yet. “Being a documentary editor is a life, not a career,” Chase said.

Chase, 65, recently retired as senior editor of the Papers of George Washington, housed at the University of Virginia’s Alderman Library. Chase said he will miss the “research, writing, collaboration and interacting with the public…

For more information about the show or to see the full text, visit the Oscar Show’s blog.

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Flowers’ Fragrance Diminished by Air Pollution

In today’s show, adapted from an article written by Fariss Samarrai, Senior News Officer for the UVa News Department, we look at a University of Virginia study, which indicates that air pollution from power plants and automobiles is destroying the fragrance of flowers and thereby possibly inhibiting the ability of pollinating insects to locate flowers, and may partially explain why certain populations of these pollinators are on the decline.

Of the five senses, smell is one that is sometimes taken for granted in our everyday lives. For most animals, the ability to distinguish scents is a large part of their everyday survival function, as has been attested to in an earlier broadcast entitled, “Inside the brain of crayfish.” For insects, the same is true…

For more information about the show or to see the full text, visit the Oscar Show’s blog.

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100 Year Anniversary of UVa’s Skinner Organ

In today’s show, written by Jane Ford, Senior News Officer for the UVa News Department, we celebrate the one hundred-year anniversary of the E.M. Skinner Organ, which was installed in UVa’s Cabell Hall in 1907.

AUDIO SLIDE SHOW: E.M. Skinner Organ Celebrates 100 Years

On March 29th, 2008, UVa celebrated the 100th anniversary of the E.M. Skinner Organ, an iconic fixture of the University of Virginia since its installation at Cabell Hall in 1907. At the turn of the 20th century, pipe organs were models of cutting-edge technology and American engineering, an organ expert told an audience celebrating the 100th anniversary of the E.M. Skinner organ…

For more information about the show or to see the full text, visit the Oscar Show’s blog.

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Dorrie Fontaine New Dean of Nursing

In today’s show, written by Jane Ford, Senior News Officer for the UVa News Department, we look at Dorrie K. Fontaine, recently named Dean of UVa’s School of Nursing, and her career advocating better care for critically ill patients.

Dorrie K. Fontaine, who has dedicated much of her 36-year nursing career to advocating for better care for critically ill patients, will become dean of the University of Virginia’s School of Nursing on Aug. 1. Fontaine currently serves as associate dean for academic programs at the University of California-San Francisco School of Nursing.

For more information about the show or to see the full text, visit the Oscar Show’s blog.

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Girls and ADHD

In today’s show, adapted from an article published on the Oscar Web site written by Amber Davis, we look at UVA psychologist Amori Yee Mikami, her research of ADHD, and how intervening factors have made this disorder more complex and detrimental for young females.

In studies conducted on the effects of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in young children, researchers often turn to the most likely exhibitors of the impulsive and aggressive behaviors associated with the ailment — young males. What University of Virginia psychologist Amori Yee Mikami sought to uncover in researching ADHD, however, were the intervening factors that made this disorder more complex and detrimental for young females…

For more information about the show or to see the full text, visit the Oscar Show’s blog.

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Is Candor Best

In today’s show, adapted from an article published on the Oscar Web site written by Margaret Grundy, we look at be the research of Richard Handler, UVa professor of anthropology, and how the popularized story of colonial Williamsburg, upon reexamination reveals different side of tale.

When Americans visit Colonial Williamsburg, they come to celebrate their nation’s history, to learn about the ways of the past and to experience firsthand the ideals and idealism of the Founding Fathers. They come to try on hoopskirts and three-cornered hats; to make their own candles and to take carriage rides down Duke of Gloucester Street. They come, in short, to have a good time.

Yet the story of Colonial Williamsburg is not entirely pleasant…

For more information about the show or to see the full text, visit the Oscar Show’s blog.

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Negative Campaign Ads – Repeat

With the results in from Indiana and North Carolina, the race for the democratic nomination is starting to see some resolution. Just last week, a noted super-delegate publicly pledge their support for one candidate, stating that part of his decision was made because of the negative campaign ads of the other candidate.

We here at The Oscar Show want to know what you think. The show that follows is a repeat concerning the effects of Negative Campaign ads. After listening to this show, we encourage our listeners to go on-line to WTJU.net and click on the Blogs and Pods link on the left hand side of the page. Follow that link to The Oscar Show site where you will be able to read the copy of the story as well as listen again. We want to hear your comments on this subject or the campaign in general. Enjoy the show and let us hear from you!!!

In today’s show, adapted from an article recently published on the Oscar Web site written by Brevy Cannon, we look at the research of University of Virginia politics professor Paul Freedman which suggests that the ever-growing barrage of political ads actually contributes to citizen education and engagement, and only rarely have negative impacts.

For more information about the show or to see the full text, visit the Oscar Show’s blog.

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Material World

In last week’s show we examined the research of we examined the works of Tobias Lear, secretary to George Washington and envoy to North Africa for President Thomas Jefferson.

In today’s show, adapted from an article recently published on the Oscar Web site written by Melissa Maki, research communications coordinator for the Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies, we look at the research of Allison Pugh, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Virginia, and her study of how families deal with the increasing demands of a consumer culture…

For more information about the show or to see the full text, visit the Oscar Show’s blog.

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Diary of Tobias Lear

In today’s show, adapted from an article recently published on the Oscar Web site written by Matt Kelly, a writer for UVa’s Media relations, we examine the works of Tobias Lear, secretary to George Washington and envoy to North Africa for President Thomas Jefferson.

In 2007, the University of Virginia’s Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, received a firsthand glimpse of George Washington’s last days through the writings of Tobias Lear, secretary to President Washington and envoy to North Africa for President Thomas Jefferson.

For more information about the show or to see the full text, visit the Oscar Show’s blog.

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The SpermCheck Vasectomy

In today’s show, adapted from an article recently published on the Oscar Web site written by Morgan Ellen Estabrook, outreach and communications manager for the U.Va. Patent Foundation, we look at the research of John C. Herr, director of U.Va.’s Center for Research in Contraceptive and Reproductive Health, and his development of the FDA approved “SpermCheck Vasectomy”, a home test that confirms men’s post-vasectomy sterility.

Technology developed at the University of Virginia could soon have a dramatic impact on male contraception practices throughout the U.S. Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved SpermCheck Vasectomy, a home test that confirms men’s post-vasectomy sterility and is based on discoveries made at U.Va.

For more information about the show or to see the full text, visit the Oscar Show’s blog.

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Working It

In today’s show, adapted from an article recently published on the Oscar Web site written by Melissa Maki, research communications coordinator for the Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies, we look at the research of Rob Cross, associate professor in the McIntire School of Commerce, and his work helping businesses discover potential bottlenecks or disconnects in their network — providing information that is critical for businesses to improve.

One of the secrets to running a business, and getting the highest productivity is understanding how a company is structured to maximize efficiency. In the past, companies have used formal organizational charts that delineate chains of command, oversight and work flow.

For more information about the show or to see the full text, visit the Oscar Show’s blog.

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Negative Campaign Ads

In today’s show, adapted from an article recently published on the Oscar Web site written by Brevy Cannon, we look at the research of University of Virginia politics professor Paul Freedman which suggests that the ever-growing barrage of political ads actually contributes to citizen education and engagement, and only rarely have negative impacts.

Television viewers may instinctively reach for the remote control when yet another political ad airs during a commercial break, but those who stay tuned may reap some surprising benefits…

Stayed tuned for a bonus announcement at the end of the podcast…

For more information about the show or to see the full text, visit the Oscar Show’s blog.