Dateline Rice for Nov. 21, 2012

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

GOP’s big Social Security lie
An article about Social Security, the “fiscal cliff” and life expectancy mentions Justin Denny, assistant professor of sociology.
Salon
http://www.salon.com/2012/11/20/gops_big_social_security_lie/singleton/

BROADCAST/WEBCAST

KPRC-TV
A student was robbed at gunpoint on the Rice campus.
http://tinyurl.com/bxs8fm9

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Rice composer’s piece inspired by killing of cousin in Iraq
A cousin’s death in the Iraq War inspired Rice University professor Karim Al-Zand to write music that will be performed at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2 at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Al-Zand, associate professor of composition and theory at the Shepherd School of Music, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle
http://www.chron.com/bellaire/news/article/Rice-composer-s-piece-inspired-by-killing-of-4054046.php

Rice’s solar breakthrough: A (tiny) bit of sunshine
Rice University researchers have passed a new frontier in solar energy, using nanoparticles to create steam in seconds, before the water reaches the boiling point. Naomi Halas, the Stanley C. Moore Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering, director of Rice’s Laboratory for Nanophotonics and professor of physics and astronomy, chemistry and biomedical engineering, is quoted. Graduate student Oara Neumann and Rebecca Richards-Kortum, the Stanley C. Moore Professor of Bioengineering and professor of electrical and computer engineering, are mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (This article also appeared in the San Antonio Express News.)
http://www.chron.com/default/article/Rice-s-solar-breakthrough-A-tiny-bit-of-4054948.php
Nano-mix may yield new source of power
Arizona Daily Star
http://tinyurl.com/cukxuje
Making steam without water, thanks to nanoparticles
The Independent
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/making-steam-without-water-thanks-to-nanoparticles-8334820.html
US varsity unveils new solar energy technology
Khaleej Times
http://tinyurl.com/c5r53sd
Photonic nanocrystals convertsunlight to solar steam
Photonics.com
http://www.photonics.com/Article.aspx?AID=52393

Top official resigns from state cancer agency
Jerald “Jerry” Cobbs has resigned as chief commercialization officer of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. Rice is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (This article also appeared in the Beaumont Enterprise, the Connecticut Post and the New Canaan News.)
http://tinyurl.com/a7uqp6l

Foundation preserves, protects Galveston Bay
An article about the Galveston Bay Foundation features Jim Blackburn, professor in the practice of environmental law and founder of the foundation. Blackburn is quoted.
Houston Chronicle
http://tinyurl.com/a7pgmuf

DHFS accepts EPA challenge, pledges to reduce food waste
The UT Division of Housing and Food Service is teaming with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce its food waste by 5 percent in one year. In participating in the Food Recovery Challenge, UT joins Rice University, Baylor University, University of Houston and UT-Arlington, becoming the fifth university in Texas to make the pledge to reduce food waste.
The Daily Texan
http://tinyurl.com/ba9yphk

Former AG Gonzales speaks to SHSU students
Alumnus Alberto Gonzales ’79 spoke at Sam Houston State University as part of the President’s Speaker Series, “Pursuing Your American Dream.”
Huntsville Item
http://tinyurl.com/b9x93fe

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Gas drilling presents Obama with historic choices
Energy companies, environmental groups, and even Hollywood stars are watching to see what decisions President Barack Obama makes about regulating or promoting natural gas drilling. Ken Medlock, the James A. Baker III and Susan Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics at the Baker Institute, senior director of the Center for Energy Studies and adjunct assistant professor in economics, is quoted.
Star Gazette
http://tinyurl.com/cj9ht6y

Nanotechnology breakthroughs could pose threat to Midwest crops
Fast-developing know-how makes our khakis resist stains, artificial bones more practical and diesel burn more efficiently. The late Richard Smalley is mentioned.
Kansas City Star (This article also appeared in the Anchorage Daily News, the Charlotte Observer, the Tri-City Herald, the Wichita Eagle and the Bellingham Herald.)
http://tinyurl.com/bqgleu7

SPORTS

C-USA baseball tournament leaves Pearl
The 2013 Conference USA Baseball Championship will be held at Reckling Park on the campus of Rice University in Houston. The eight-team, pool play event will be held May 22-26 and marks the return of the championship to Rice for the first time since 2006. Rick Greenspan, director of athletics, is quoted.
WJTV.com
http://www2.wjtv.com/sports/2012/nov/20/c-usa-baseball-tournament-leaves-pearl-ar-5012025/

Free agent Berkman awaits a contract offer
Outfielder/first baseman Lance Berkman has joined the Rice University baseball staff as a volunteer assistant.
KPRC.com
http://www.click2houston.com/sports/Free-agent-Berkman-awaits-a-contract-offer/-/1735736/17470734/-/format/rsss_2.0/-/hlqqo8z/-/index.html
Report: Red Sox have ‘kicked tires’ on Lance Berkman
CBS Boston
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2012/11/20/report-red-sox-kicked-tires-on-lance-berkman/