Dateline Rice for April 24, 2012

FEATURED ITEMS

To make boron sheets, focus on the holes
Thinking of boron as Swiss cheese helped Rice scientists figure out what atom-thin sheets of it might look like. Boris Yakobson, the Karl F. Hasselmann Chair of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and professor of chemistry, and Evgeni Penev, a postdoctoral research associate in mechanical engineering and materials science, are quoted.
Futurity.org
http://tinyurl.com/7pdpdkj
Flat boron may take many forms
Nanotech-Now.com
http://www.nanotech-now.com/news.cgi?story_id=44993

Stephen Klineberg, professor of sociology and co-director of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research, discusses the results of this year’s Kinder Houston Area Survey.
KUHF-FM
http://tinyurl.com/7z9s4h7
KUHF-FM (The text version of this story also appeared on DemocraticUnderground.com and TransportationNation.com.)
http://tinyurl.com/6nqmav4
City in transition
Sunny99.com (Houston) (This article also appeared on iHeart.com.)
http://tinyurl.com/87u89vt

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

How daily deal sites can bite your bottom line
Research by Utpal Dholakia, professor of marketing at the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business, is cited in an article about daily deal websites such as Groupon.
Globe and Mail (Canada)
http://tinyurl.com/d3s5cys

At charter schools, more black teens drop out
Despite being promoted as a viable alternative, charter schools in Texas have a higher attrition rate for black students than comparable urban public schools. The article notes that researchers from Rice University contributed to this study.
Futurity.org
http://tinyurl.com/cft74wn

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Rice’s public art program looks to science as it prepares for major James Turrell unveiling
Rice University’s Public Art Program has been looking to the BioScience Research Collaborative building as the backdrop for a string of site-specific pieces that speak to the innovative science center’s interdisciplinary focus. Molly Hipp Hubbard, university art director, is quoted about several art displays at the BRC and elsewhere on campus. Artist James Turrell’s “skyspace” is also mentioned. The article mentions a work by John Sparagana, professor and chair of visual and dramatic arts.
Culturemap.com
http://tinyurl.com/cjkymuz

Despite SOPA, Lamar Smith dominates fundraising
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor and chair of political science and fellow in political science at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, is quoted in articles about Rep. Lamar Smith. Jones is also quoted in an article about the Texas U.S. Senate contest.
Houston Chronicle
http://tinyurl.com/bu7nypp
Morning political roundup for April 23
RedRacingHorses.com
http://tinyurl.com/blodzu5
Ad war frames Senate race as Dewhurst vs. Cruz
Houston Chronicle
http://tinyurl.com/cmhuxw9

Baila! A night of dancing benefiting Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals
David Medina, director of multicultural community relations in the Office of Public Affairs, received the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals.
NewsWireHouston.com
http://tinyurl.com/7ew7k82

Rice study finds touch may boost plant defenses
When touched, plant defenses go into overdrive to fight off fungal infections and insect invaders. Janet Braam, professor and chair of biochemistry and cell biology, is quoted.
UltimateWestU.com
http://tinyurl.com/bwj4txr

A&M president: Get ready for college
Rice is mentioned in an article reporting on statements made by Texas A&M University President R. Bowen Loftin at Veterans Memorial High School.
Brownsville Herald (This article also appeared on Individual.com.)
http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/articles/-139442–.html

BROADCAST/WEBCAST

KPFT-FM
Ric Stoll, the Albert Thomas Professor of Political Science and scholar at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, appeared on KPFT-FM to discuss Iranian claims to have recovered information from the U.S. drone that went down over their country. The interview begins one minute into the clip.
http://archive.kpft.org/mp3/kpft_120423_160037news.mp3

KTRK-TV
A story about the retrial of Roger Clemens mentions that a Rice graduate is serving on the jury.
http://tinyurl.com/7aemgun

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Carbon nanotubes improve, cut cost of dye-sensitized solar cells
By replacing platinum with carbon nanotubes, Rice researchers hope to make efficient solar cells at a fraction of the current cost for silicon-based solar cells. Jun Lou, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and materials science, is quoted. Pei Dong, a graduate student in mechanical engineering and materials science, is pictured.
CleanTechnica.com
http://tinyurl.com/cqtlqzm

SPORTS

Owls relax to gear up for stretch run
A Houston Chronicle “Rice Notebook” article discusses the Rice Owls baseball team’s preparations for the remainder of the season. Head coach Wayne Graham and Wiess College junior Christian Stringer are quoted. The article also reports on recent events in Rice Owls tennis.
Houston Chronicle
http://tinyurl.com/79onb3d

The Dan Patrick Show
Former Rice baseball player Philip Humber is interviewed about throwing the 21st perfect game in Major League history Saturday. Articles report that Humber was named the American League Player of the Week. The Houston Chronicle also reports on Humber’s perfect game.
http://tinyurl.com/7r5fty6
Perfect Humber earns American League Player of the Week
MLB.com
http://tinyurl.com/cu8plyp
Philip Humber named American League Player of the Week
BeltwayBoySports.com
http://tinyurl.com/7fp83u2
Former Rice pitcher Humber’s perfect game hits baseball blackjack
Houston Chronicle
http://tinyurl.com/6vx9por

Owls climb for second straight week
Articles report on the Rice Owls baseball teams’ placement in polls by BaseballAmerica.com and ESPN/USA Today.
Houston Chronicle
http://tinyurl.com/8257afb
Baylor at No. 4 in ESPN/USA Today poll
SBNation.com
http://tinyurl.com/bqgh7xd
UCF up to No. 7 in one national poll
BayNews9.com (St. Petersburg, Fla.)
http://tinyurl.com/7lzvs4d

Blue Jays taking look at Rice TE Willson
Lovett College senior Luke Willson is profiled for his performance in baseball.
Houston Chronicle
http://tinyurl.com/d75z4zp

Andrew Benak, Rice University
Articles report on the performance of Lovett College senior Andrew Benak and Brown College senior Taylor Wall at a baseball game between Rice and East Carolina University.
UltimateCyFair.com
http://tinyurl.com/cecmah3
Taylor Wall, Rice University
UltimateMemorial.com
http://tinyurl.com/cqh7yxr

Ace’s road struggles continue in loss at Tampa Bay
Former Rice standout Jeff Niemann is mentioned in an article recapping a game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Minnesota Twins.
Sioux Falls Argus Leader (S.D.)
http://tinyurl.com/88xf2dc

Baseball, softball players recall facing their toughest opponents
Former Rice standout Anthony Rendon is mentioned in an article about the Louisiana State University baseball team.
LSUReveille.com
http://tinyurl.com/6qyomml

Ross Wilson signs to Rice University
An article reports that a Newcastle Eagles basketball player has accepted a full basketball scholarship at Rice.
HoopsFix.com
http://www.hoopsfix.com/2012/04/ross-wilson-signs-to-rice-university/