Here we consider the effect of a finite-sized stationary particle in a channel flow of modest turbulence at Re(tau) = 178.12. The size of particle is varied such that the particle Reynolds number ranges from about 40 to 450. The location of the particle is chosen to be either in the buffer layer (y(p+) = 17.81) or at the channel center. Fully resolved direct numerical simulations of the turbulent channel flow around the particles is performed. Here the ambient turbulence intensity relative to the mean velocity seen by the particle is large (I = 23.16%) in the buffer region, while it is substantially lower (I = 4.09%) at the channel center. We present results on turbulence modulation due to the particle in terms of wake dynamics and vortex shedding. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.