Dateline Rice for May 28, 2013 (Weekend Edition)

FEATURED ITEMS

Rice wins C-USA tournament in dramatic fashion
The Rice Owls baseball team beat Southern Miss 5-4 in 11 innings to claim the C-USA Championship postseason title. The Owls have been selected to play in the Eugene, Ore., Regional of the 2013 NCAA Tournament.
Houston Chronicle (This article appeared on the front of the Sports section.)
http://bit.ly/10zNeX0
UH loss ends C-USA title quest, leaves Cougars on NCAA bubble
Houston Chronicle (This article appeared on the front of the Sports section.)
http://bit.ly/1arjX5g
Rice routs Memphis 10-1 to advance to C-USA title game
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/155la0O
Rice’s Graham extends Memorial Day Monday tradition
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/16mAElM
Rice Owls win C-USA tournament
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/12YoZF8
Rice walks off with C-USA tourney title
KHOU.com
http://www.khou.com/sports/college/Rice–209024831.html
Rice grabs 2nd seed in Eugene regional
KHOU.com
http://bit.ly/13fnEsp
Cook’s RBI single gives Rice Owls C-USA title
Courier of Montgomery County (Texas) (Coverage of Rice also appeared in the Biloxi Sun-Herald, the Henderson Dispatch and nearly 120 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/17dJin1

CBS Evening News
CBS Evening News included a quote from Neil deGrasse Tyson in a montage of commencement speakers. A Houston Chronicle article about commencement speakers around Houston also cited quotes from Tyson’s speech at Rice. Separate articles include a video of Tyson’s speech.
http://bit.ly/118bxOT
A celebration of excellence
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/155Wd5p
Rice University Commencement: Neil deGrasse Tyson
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/13Vb6sd
If you’re curious what Neil deGrasse Tyson would be like as your dad, watch his graduation speech
Upworthy.com (This article also appeared on Loudwire.com.)
http://bit.ly/1agkR4i

Student inventors graduate, pick up patents
An article about student innovators notes that Rice University students developed a unique type of soap dispenser using a common kitchen utensil that a downtown Houston restaurant incorporated into its bathrooms.
USA Today (This article also appeared in the Baxter Bulletin, the Jackson Clarion-Ledger and nearly 20 other media outlets.)
http://usat.ly/12Tyk0I

KTRK-TV
Richard Baraniuk, the Victor E. Cameron Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering and founder of OpenStax, is quoted in a story about OpenStax College.
http://bit.ly/126k7Rw

NSF Science Now
A video reports that an international team of scientists and technicians led by Rice University will spend 45 days in the North Atlantic this summer to gather the most detailed information ever about the geology of the ocean basin that formed at what was once the center of Pangaea.
http://news.science360.gov/archives/20130524

Pragmatic environmentalist seeks to preserve coast
James Blackburn, professor in the practice of environmental law, is profiled for his career.
Houston Chronicle (subscription required) (This article appeared on the front page.)
http://bit.ly/12JbNCl

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Mexico drug cartel commander pleads guilty in murder of US official
A Mexican drug cartel commander known as "Tweety Bird" pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Washington to ordering the ambush and murder of U.S. immigration agents in 2011, according to U.S. officials. Nathan Jones, the Alfred C. Glassell III Postdoctoral Fellow in Drug Policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Reuters (This article also appeared in the Hampton Roads Daily Press, the Baltimore Sun, the Imperial Valley Press, the South Bend Tribune, GlobalPost.com, ReviewSeeker.com, TheUSDaily.com and TutorialFinder.com.)
http://reut.rs/13VgfAC

Tied to Obama, Biden forges his own distinct role
With his political future tied irrevocably to President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden is still working to preserve his own distinct identity as he contemplates a third presidential run in 2016. Douglas Brinkley, professor of history and fellow in history at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted. Brinkley is also quoted in an article about Obama’s visit to Oklahoma Sunday to meet with the survivors of the recent tornado.
Seattle Times (This Associated Press article also appeared in the Boston Globe, the San Francisco Chronicle, Salon.com and nearly 100 other media outlets.)
http://seattletimes.com/html/politics/2021068152_apusbiden.html
Obama in Oklahoma to console on nation’s behalf
Newsday (This article also appeared on NorthJersey.com.)
http://bit.ly/10BBpQc

Radio stations at CMU and Pitt gain national recognition
Rice’s KTRU is mentioned in an article about the winners of the intercollegiate radio competition Soundtap Madness 2013. KTRU made it to the final round.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://bit.ly/18j9gF1

Finding new tools for tracing fracking impacts
Andrew Barron, the Charles W. Duncan Jr.-Welch Professor of Chemistry and professor of materials science, is quoted in an article about hydraulic fracturing.
San Francisco Chronicle (This article also appeared in the Dayton Daily News, the Franklin Daily Journal, the Columbus Republic, the San Antonio Express-News, the Washington Times, the Albany Times-Union, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, NBCPhiladelphia.com, WJACTV.com [Johnstown, Penn.] and WTOV9.com [Steubenville, Ohio].)
http://bit.ly/10TNnn9

How the world will be changed by carbon nanotubes
Rice research is cited in an article about carbon nanotubes.
Yahoo.com
http://yhoo.it/115FGyv

Mad genius buys volcano, transforms it into naked-eye observatory
An article about a project by artist James Turrell includes a photo of his "Twilight Epiphany" skyspace at Rice. A separate article about Turrell also mentions the skyspace.
Wired
http://bit.ly/17gc2LS
A year of light and space
Architect
http://bit.ly/13cXyGr

A third George Bush steps up to the political plate in Texas
Alumnus George P. Bush ’98 is profiled for his political aspirations.
Los Angeles Times (This article also appeared in the Chicago Tribune, the Baltimore Sun and KTUU.com [Anchorage].)
http://lat.ms/115t0aC
George P. Bush taking his first political step
NewsMax.com
http://bit.ly/12J4RoM

Billionaire Roberto Civita, Brazilian media baron, dies at 76
An article remembers the legacy of alumnus Roberto Civita ’57.
Forbes.com
http://onforb.es/11qcHHe

Driverless cars, pilotless planes … will there be jobs left for us?
Moshe Vardi, the Karen Ostrum George Distinguished Service Professor of Computational Engineering and professor of computer science, is quoted in an article on the job market of the future.
Japan Times (This article also appeared on Inform.kz.)
http://bit.ly/13cWdiX

After Germany’s fall
An op-ed by Max Blankfeld notes that he serves on the board for the Jewish Studies Program at Rice University.
Times of Israel
http://bit.ly/18kg3OK

Women’s tears dampen men’s sexual arousal
According to research, tears contain chemical signals that decrease sexual arousal and testosterone levels in men. Denise Chen, adjunct assistant professor of neuroscience, is quoted.
Jagran Post (India)
http://bit.ly/13WGiaF

HOUSTON/TEXAS

What a week: Humid and extreme
An editorial recapping the week noted that Rice University has received a $28.5 million gift from Houston philanthropists Dr. Milton and Laurie Boniuk to establish an institute that promotes religious tolerance.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/11rxIBe

Crusade for term limits brings together unlikely allies
An article about term limits in Texas quotes 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. Jones is also quoted in news items about immigration reform and the Texas legislative session. English translations of the La Voz articles are not available.
Texas Tribune (This article also appeared in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, EverythingLubbock.com [Texas], BigCountryHomepage.com [Abilene, Texas] and MyHighPlains.com [Amarillo, Texas].)
http://bit.ly/10r1NvT
Texans in US House to play key role on immigration
Austin American-Statesman
http://bit.ly/1704r34
Texas delegation could play a key role in the immigration debate
La Voz
http://bit.ly/1a2XDOZ
Special session prospects carry risks, rewards
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
http://bit.ly/1708JHI
How do Texas lawmakers’ bills affect your daily life?
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
http://bit.ly/16WzVr4
KRIV-TV
http://bit.ly/173LSvJ
Agreement restores funds for schools
La Voz
http://bit.ly/ZbPsyh

Goodbye toasts for the Symphony’s maestro
Leaders of the Houston Symphony offered a last flurry of goodbye toasts to Maestro Hans Graf, artist in residence at the Shepherd School of Music, at the Maestro’s Wine Dinner and Collector’s Auction on Sunday night. The article notes that the final round of the annual Ima Hogg Competition will take place at Rice’s Shepherd School.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/17YYfsh

Song of Houston operas redefine the art form
Rice is mentioned in a front-page article about the Houston Grand Opera’s Song of Houston program.
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
http://bit.ly/18lfd4m

Politics and business both involved in Obamacare awareness campaigns
Enrollment in the health insurance exchanges that open this fall is seen by Republicans and Democrats alike as crucial to the success of Obamacare. For BlueCross BlueShield of Texas and some other insurers, though, it’s also a big business opportunity. 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.
Dallas Morning News (subscription required)
http://dallasne.ws/152cZD9

In diverse Dallas ISD, Hispanic leaders wonder where Latino trustees are
The election of Dallas Independent School District trustee Adam Medrano to the City Council this month leaves the school board with no Hispanic trustees for the first time in at least two decades. Melissa Marschall, the Albert Thomas Associate Professor of Political Science, is quoted.
Dallas Morning News (subscription required)
http://dallasne.ws/150ugg6

Two from Houston among Hogg contestants
Wiess College senior John Turman is among the semifinalists of the Houston Symphony’s Ima Hogg Competition this week.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/12JanYo

Bridge failure: Texas has more bridges than any state; 1 in 6 is ‘functionally obsolete’
The Houston Chronicle’s SciGuy blog discusses a recent bridge collapse in Seattle and recalls a Rice University conference on the state of the nation’s infrastructure.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/14HfdYp

With brewer’s expansion, more cowbell won’t be problem
Alumnus Rassul Zarinfar ’04 is quoted in an article about the Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company.
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
http://bit.ly/13VdxLt

Chesapeake hires Anadarko executive as its leader
Alumnus Robert Lawler ’02 was named CEO of Chesapeake Energy.
Houston Chronicle (This article also appeared in the Akron Beacon-Journal.)
http://bit.ly/18o1JT0
Chesapeake names new CEO
Fort Worth Business Press
http://bit.ly/ZaeHku
New Chesapeake CEO to get millions less in annual compensation than McClendon
SNL.com
http://www.snl.com/Interactivex/article.aspx?CdId=A-17803238-12335

Pianist gets a chance to take center stage at the ballet
Alumna Katherine Burkwall-Ciscon ’88 is profiled for her work with the Houston Ballet.
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
http://bit.ly/14XNJhl

Realtor’s experience includes global clientele
A profile of realtor Ursula Muenzel mentions that she has lectured at Rice.
Houston Chronicle (This article also appeared in the Darien News, the Westport News, the Danbury News-Times, the Norwalk Citizen and the Greenwich Citizen.)
http://bit.ly/19h4LK4

Tarrant County’s Class of 2013 takes center stage
Rice is mentioned in an article about Fort Worth, Texas, high school graduates.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
http://bit.ly/111CCjH

Outgoing UTA president’s leadership ‘amazing’
An article about the outgoing president of the University of Texas at Arlington notes that Rice is one of Texas’ Tier One universities.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
http://bit.ly/13dmihT

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

PediPower converts your footsteps into electricity
Rice mechanical engineering students Carlos Armada, Julian Castro, David Morilla and Tyler Wiest have created PediPower — a device embedded in the soles of shoes that generates power to charge the batteries of mobile devices. A Rice-produced video is featured.
TechnaBob.com
http://bit.ly/18uekEm
Engineering students design a shoe that harnesses energy from walking
iO9.com (This article also appeared on AllVoices.com.)
http://bit.ly/127YDnq
Recharge your phone while you walk
ThomasNet.com
http://bit.ly/12SOjfN
These shoes are made for power walking. Literally.
Good.is
http://bit.ly/13QMspo
Rice University students develop a shoe that charges your iPhone as you walk
ClickOnDetroit.com
http://bit.ly/11kUo00
The foot power: PediPower shoes charge your phone as you walk
WhatsonXiamen.com
http://www.whatsonxiamen.com/tech2026.html
WITI-TV (Milwaukee) (Similar stories appeared on KDAF-TV [Dallas], WKMG-TV [Orlando], News 12 Long Island [New York] and KGO-TV [San Francisco].)
http://bit.ly/13frPV5
These shoes were made for charging
Nagaland Post (India)
http://bit.ly/115xqeF
This shoe can charge your mobile phone!
EFYTimes.com
http://www.efytimes.com/e1/fullnews.asp?edid=107103

Family structure plays vital role in determining child’s obesity rates
Children living in households where the parents are married are less likely to be obese, according to new research from Rice University and the University of Houston. Rachel Tolbert Kimbro, associate professor of sociology and director of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research’s Urban Health Program, and Jennifer Augustine, adjunct assistant professor of sociology, are quoted.
TheMedGuru.com
http://www.themedguru.com/node/47965
Married parents less likely to have obese children
PsychCentral.com
http://bit.ly/13PhJJa

The future of science in America
The rise of economic competitors, combined with a decline in the education system at home, has threatened the United States’ position as the global leader in science. Neal Lane, the Malcolm Gillis University Professor and senior fellow in science and technology policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and a professor of physics and astronomy, is quoted.
Harvard Political Review
http://bit.ly/18wshld

As Groupon grows, so does the small business backlash
Utpal Dholakia, professor of marketing at the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business, is quoted in an article about daily deal websites such as Groupon.
AllBusiness.com
http://bit.ly/i7naO7

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Marcellus Shale’s fair share
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 in an op-ed about tax rates for companies drilling in the Marcellus Shale.
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat (Penn.)
http://bit.ly/ZoCqjf

Regional Atlanta leaders on 2013 LINK trip find Houston to be humbling
An article reports on a lecture by Stephen Klineberg, professor of sociology and co-director of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research.
SaportaReport.com (This article also appeared in the Atlanta Business Chronicle.)
http://bit.ly/152I7CF

Top 100 colleges with the highest ROI
Rice ranked No. 55 on the Deseret News’ list of 100 colleges with the highest return on investment. A photo of Lovett Hall appears at the top of the article.
Deseret News (Utah)
http://bit.ly/12Lv5XI
Top 100 colleges with the highest ROI
Deseret News (Utah) (Rice’s entry on the chart.)
http://bit.ly/117OtQd

Couple finds contemporary, outdoorsy home in Lewisville
McMurtry College senior Aaron Varnell is mentioned in an article about his parents’ house.
Winston-Salem Journal (Mass.)
http://bit.ly/14ZErRf

Spring cleaning: Some items we’d like to sweep away this season
An op-ed about things members of the Denver Post editorial board would like to do away with includes college rankings. Rice is mentioned.
Denver Post
http://bit.ly/15bIryp

Social community co-founder describes ET contact and hope for universal peace
An article discussing an interview with ETLetsTalk.org co-founder Kosta Makreas cites President John F. Kennedy’s 1962 speech at Rice.
Examiner.com
http://exm.nr/1akN4qE

SPORTS

Natalie Beazant moves on to NCAA tennis quarterfinals
Hanszen College sophomore Natalie Beazant became the first woman in Rice University history to reach the NCAA quarterfinals after defeating North Carolina’s Caroline Price.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/ZoFLif
In other news
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/10BJswp
Rice tennis standout reaches NCAA quarterfinals
Examiner.com (Coverage of Beazant also appeared on NWFDailyNews.com.)
http://exm.nr/151GuEp

Rice alum inks contract with 49ers
Former Rice football player Vance McDonald signed a four-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers.
CBSLocal.com (Houston)
http://cbsloc.al/133EaM7

Seahawks’ Anthony McCoy has torn Achilles, out six months
Alumnus Luke Willson ’13 is mentioned in an article about Seattle Seahawk football player Anthony McCoy.
ReignOfTroy.com
http://bit.ly/1ao0qCC

Big turnout for Jim Fixx race; Osborn the overall winner
An article about the the Jim Fixx Memorial Day Five-Mile run notes that Baker College sophomore Alicia King was the women’s 13-19 year-old champion.
Greenwich Time (Conn.) (This article also appeared in the Fairfield Citizen, the Danbury News-Times, the Albany Times-Union, the Stamford Advocate and the Connecticut Post.)
http://bit.ly/12JKI1V

Power ranking all 50 states by their college football teams
A photo slideshow about college football in Texas mentions Rice.
BleacherReport.com
http://bit.ly/1127KPU

Star student: Hudson swimmer Connie Gan rises to the test
Rice is mentioned in an article about an Ohio high school swimmer.
Akron Beacon-Journal
http://bit.ly/1ar4QZw

NEWS RELEASE

Diamonds, nanotubes find common ground in graphene
What may be the ultimate heat sink is only possible because of yet another astounding capability of graphene. The one-atom-thick form of carbon can act as a go-between that allows vertically aligned carbon nanotubes to grow on nearly anything. A diamond film/graphene/nanotube structure was one result of new research carried out by scientists at Rice University and the Honda Research Institute USA, reported today in Nature’s online journal Scientific Reports.
https://news2.rice.edu/?p=45842