Dateline Rice for May 1, 2013

FEATURED ITEMS

Bloomberg’s ‘Bloomberg Surveillance’
Rice President David Leebron discusses online education and Rice University during a Q-and-A at Bloomberg TV’s studio in New York City. (This interview also appeared on Businessweek.com.)
http://bloom.bg/18ovK32

These students are trying to save the world. And they’re succeeding
Rebecca Richards-Kortum and Maria Oden won the 2013 $100,000 Lemelson-MIT Award for Global Innovation and are donating their prize money toward the construction of a new neonatal ward at the African hospital that has helped implement Rice’s low-cost, student-designed health care technologies since 2007. Richards-Kortum is the Stanley C. Moore Professor of Bioengineering and professor of electrical and computer engineering. Oden is professor in the practice of engineering education and director of the Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/12mmrNP

Compress silicone to make it stiffer
Silicone in the liquid crystal phase becomes 90 percent stiffer when it’s gently and repeatedly compressed. Rafael Verduzco, the Louis Owen Assistant Professor and Junior Faculty Chair of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, is quoted. Alumnus Brent Carey ’10 is mentioned.
Futurity.org
http://bit.ly/12hRp9O
Liquid crystal silicone may be key to self-healing materials
Science World Report
http://bit.ly/11A3doX

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

American Public Media’s ‘Marketplace’
The new health care law requires individuals to carry health insurance or pay a small fine, starting next year. Behavioral economists say even a little punishment may go a long way to get people to sign up. Vivian Ho, the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and professor of economics, is quoted.
http://bit.ly/11U0GYp

Boko Haram: Reversals and retrenchment
David Cook, associate professor of religious studies, authored this op-ed about the Boko Haram militant group.
Punch (Nigeria)
http://bit.ly/14UEz8x

The 10 healthiest colleges in America
Rice was named the fourth healthiest college in America by Greatist.com.
USA Today
http://usat.ly/11A4IUb
The 25 healthiest colleges in the US
Greatist.com
http://greatist.com/health/healthiest-colleges

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Less is more in the Texas Legislature — and better for Texas
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor and chair of political science and fellow in political science at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted in news items about the Texas legislative session, international relations with Mexico and growing political tensions in Venezuela. An English translation of the El Nuevo Herald article is not available.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
http://bit.ly/13L4GdJ
KTRH-AM
http://bit.ly/18cx2Ru
Changes make lives tougher for feds
KTRH.com
http://bit.ly/18oYYyT

Savage beating of opposition deputies in the Venezuelan parliament
El Nuevo Herald (Miami)
http://hrld.us/Zm82Ra

Students’ math shows path to success for BARC
Rice students are using high-level mathematics to help Houston’s Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care cut its euthanasia rate. Martel College senior Bryan Wigianto is quoted. Martel College senior Lilibeth Mata and Lovett College seniors Katherine McConachie and James Rigby are mentioned.
San Antonio Express-News (This article also appeared in the Connecticut Post.)
http://bit.ly/12mfgFo
Use Rice students’ chart to make BARC a ‘no kill’ shelter
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/12iq4UV

Oil ties between Texas and Norway grow stronger
An informal relationship going back decades became official with the launch of the NorTex Research Collaborative, linking researchers in Texas and Norway. Rice is mentioned.
FuelFix.com (This article also appeared in the Houston Chronicle.)
http://bit.ly/Zj6PKv

Space coffee gets an upgrade by Rice University students
Some Rice University engineering students think they can make the perfect cup of coffee with a 3-D printer for astronauts aboard the International Space Station. A Rice-produced video is featured.
KTRH.com
http://bit.ly/159tj8y
Space coffee just got a whole lot better, thanks to Rice University students
TechHive.com (This article also appeared on CIO.com and CIO.de.)
http://bit.ly/11A3jwT

Symphony celebrated
A news brief discusses the farewell celebration for Houston Symphony Maestro Hans Graf, artist in residence at the Shepherd School of Music, chaired by Rice trustee Bobby Tudor ’82 and his wife, Phoebe.
TanglewoodBuzz.com (This news brief also appeared on MemorialBuzz.com.)
http://bit.ly/YdRltM

How to baby a new mother
Alumna Geraldina Interiano Wise ’83 is quoted in an article about how Colombian women eat in preparation for a new baby.
TanglewoodBuzz.com (This article also appeared on MemorialBuzz.com.)
http://bit.ly/11VqZgU

BROADCAST/WEBCAST

KTRK-TV
A story about a retiring mail carrier mentions that Rice was one of his routes.
http://bit.ly/12RzPwn

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Down for the count
Alumnus Kevin Claytor ’09 is quoted in an article about counting bacterial colonies.
TheScientist
http://bit.ly/102SfWy

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Democrats hope economy will boost candidates in 2014
Presidents like to take credit for economic recoveries, just as President Barack Obama is angling to do now. Douglas Brinkley, professor of history and fellow in history at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Fon du Lac Reporter (Wis.) (This article also appeared in the Southeast Missourian.)
http://fondul.ac/11Vq0gC

Congressional immigration debate signals big shift
The national mood on immigration has changed dramatically since Arizona approved a first-of-its-kind immigration law and ignited a furor over border security and the country’s treatment of immigrants. Tony Payan, scholar for immigration studies at the Baker Institute, is quoted.
KATU.com (Portland, Ore.)
http://bit.ly/YdPZza

Featured tweets of the week
An art newsletter included a link to a video about artist Soo Sunny Park’s Rice Gallery Installation.
Mosaic Art Now
http://bit.ly/11XsoSL

The death of China’s most famous and powerful bishop
An article about the legacy of Bishop Aloysius Jin Luxian mentions Rice.
Catholic World Reporter
http://bit.ly/YmgTY1

Local high school students receive $250,000 scholarship
Rice is mentioned in an article about the recipient of a scholarship from the Leonore Annenberg College Scholarship Fund.
Patch.com
http://bit.ly/11Vp5LY

SPORTS

Kinkaid girls lean on Rogers, teammates
Rice is mentioned in an article about the Kinkaid School’s girls’ track-and-field team.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/12ZNy57

Rhiannon Johns running away with it
Rice is mentioned in an article about a Canadian student-athlete.
Sault Star (Canada)
http://bit.ly/17xnCPs

Track-and-field wins four in historic meet
Rice is mentioned in an article about the East Carolina University track-and-field teams.
TheEastCarolinian.com
http://theeastcarolinian.com/?p=9408

NEWS RELEASES

Rice professors share Lemelson-MIT award, donate prize money
Rice University bioengineering professors Rebecca Richards-Kortum and Maria Oden, the winners of the 2013 $100,000 Lemelson-MIT Award for Global Innovation, are donating their prize money toward the construction of a new neonatal ward at the African hospital that has helped implement Rice’s low-cost, student-designed health care technologies since 2007.
https://news2.rice.edu/?p=44460

Rice’s Naomi Halas elected to National Academy of Sciences
Rice University Professor Naomi Halas has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences – one of the highest honors that can be conferred upon a U.S. scientist or engineer. She is one of 84 new members and 21 foreign associates announced today in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.
https://news2.rice.edu/?p=44400

Cyberthreats must require governments and businesses to be ‘cyberrisk intelligent’
In an age where cybersecurity is of foremost interest for governments and businesses, public and private organizations must deploy risk-intelligence governance to secure their digital communications and resources from eavesdropping, theft or attack, according to a new paper from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
https://news2.rice.edu/?p=44503

Baker Institute expert: Governments must step up fight against neglected tropical diseases
Despite recent progress, much more needs to be done to combat such parasitic and bacterial diseases as hookworm, snail fever, river blindness, guinea worm, elephantiasis, sleeping sickness and leprosy in developing nations and the United States, according to Dr. Peter Hotez, the fellow in disease and poverty at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
https://news2.rice.edu/?p=44573