Dateline Rice for June 5, 2013

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Bill Gates gets in on ‘Nerd Facebook’
Alumnus Dana Blankenhorn ’77 authored this op-ed about ResearchGate, a German social network startup aimed at scientists.
Yahoo.com (This op-ed also appeared on TheStreet.com.)
http://yhoo.it/13F1yzz

Bush family expands its brood yet again with Jeb welcoming a new grandson
An article reports that alumnus George P. Bush ’98 is looking forward to his first son playing baseball for the Rice Owls.
Daily Mail (U.K.)
http://dailym.ai/16GtMQv
George P. Bush and his wife welcome baby boy
Houston Chronicle (This article also appeared in the El Paso Times and nearly 10 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/15AjUni

HOUSTON/TEXAS

The ‘dam has burst’ statewide for GOP ambition
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 Texas politics. Jones also authored an op-ed about how immigration reform could change Texas politics.
San Antonio Express-News (subscription required)
http://bit.ly/15u0IqM
Texans rank low in political participation, national survey finds
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
http://bit.ly/18SBQ0l
A Republican stronghold at a crossroads
ZocaloPublicSquare.com
http://bit.ly/17on9Sb

TWDC leaders names grand marshals of July 4 parade
Alumnus Alex Sutton ’70 was named a grand marshal of the South County Fourth of July parade.
Woodlands Villager
http://bit.ly/Ztb4X1

More prominent role for cycling envisioned
As cycling’s popularity rises in Houston, city officials and planners see the west side of the Inner Loop as the logical next place to focus energy on developing a more prominent role for biking. Rice is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/18S4O0e

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Study says climate is biofuel foe
A new Rice study suggests that demands for water will make it harder for the United States to meet current biofuel goals if the climate continues to evolve as predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Alumna Rosa Dominguez-Faus ’07 is quoted in the IndianaPublicRadio.org article.
InsideClimateNews.org
http://bit.ly/14eKSkH
Climate change could affect biofuel production
FoodLogistics.com
http://bit.ly/14teQhv
Corn growers question study on climate and corn yield
HoosierAgToday.com
http://bit.ly/14gK3bf
Simulation predicts less corn yields in coming years
IndianaPublicRadio.org
http://indianapublicmedia.org/news/50237-50237/
Climate change makes meeting US biofuel goals unlikely
The Hill
http://bit.ly/17jU6zd
Getting warmer
BusinessReport.com
http://bit.ly/11kwX8t

Ancient continental breakup seismic survey
A team of scientists and technicians led by Rice University are on a 45-day journey this summer to study an unusual sediment that has existed on the bottom of the ocean for millions of years. Dale Sawyer, professor of Earth science, is mentioned.
Hydro International
http://bit.ly/15Hd7bD

Building the better solar cell, one copolymer at a time
Scientists have created solar cells based on block copolymers, self-assembling organic materials that arrange themselves into distinct layers. Rafael Verduzco, the Louis Owen Assistant Professor and Junior Faculty Chair of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, is quoted.
EarthTechling.com
http://bit.ly/13FiBlk

Today on the Medved Show, Discovery Institute’s Casey Luskin debates activist Zack Kopplin on academic freedom
Hanszen College junior Zack Kopplin will appear on the Michael Medved Show.
EvolutionNews.org
http://www.evolutionnews.org/2013/06/today_on_the_me_2072861.html

Divorce increases children’s risk of obesity
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.
EverydayHealth.com
http://bit.ly/ZOw64L

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Into the light: James Turrell
An article about artist James Turrell mentions his "Twilight Epiphany" Skyspace at Rice.
MutualArt.com
http://bit.ly/11kuLh9

Geneva Music Festival mixes old, new and experimental music
Geoffrey Herd, a graduate student in music, is quoted in an article about the Geneva Music Festival.
Ithaca Times (N.Y.)
http://bit.ly/11rw01g

Camas valedictorian Jake Hsu ready for an Ivy League challenge: Academic Achievers 2013
Rice is mentioned in an article about Camas High School’s valedictorian.
The Oregonian
http://bit.ly/ZrBDvF

SPORTS

Pack prepares for tradition-rich Rice
Articles preview a baseball series between Rice and North Carolina State University.
Raleigh News & Observer (N.C.) (Coverage of Rice Owls baseball also appeared in the Eugene Statesman-Journal, CollegeBaseballInsider.com and nearly 50 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/10Ol1PV
Top seeds advance to NCAA Super Regionals
MLB.com
http://atmlb.com/135xGMl
Previewing the CWS super regionals
ESPN.com
http://es.pn/1b1c2Md

Area track and field qualifiers target NCAA titles
Alumnus Clayton Chaney ’13 and Sid Richardson College sophomore Claire Uke are mentioned in an article about the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/12skGVY

Nationals reinstate Jayson Werth, add Rendon and Krol to roster
The Washington Nationals announced the promotion of former Rice standout Anthony Rendon from the Double-A Harrisburg Senators to the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs.
MLB.com
http://atmlb.com/1b4brtc
Washington Nationals recall Anthony Rendon from Syracuse Chiefs
Syracuse Post-Standard (N.Y.)
http://bit.ly/16IvDUT

Greenwich boys tennis team caps second straight undefeated season with a state title
Rice is mentioned in an article about the Greenwich High School boys’ tennis team.
TMCNet.com (This article also appeared in the Stamford Advocate.)
http://smart-grid.tmcnet.com/news/2013/06/04/7181670.htm

NEWS RELEASES

Rice’s Shell Center awards grants for sustainable development research
Three grants announced Tuesday by Rice University’s Shell Center for Sustainability will allow Rice faculty and student scholars to spend two years researching ways to improve nutrient and water management, reduce carbon emissions and positively impact the environmental, developmental and infrastructure sustainability of the Gulf Coast.
https://news2.rice.edu/?p=46180

Rice experts available to comment on US-China summit
Christopher Bronk, a fellow in information technology policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and a former U.S. State Department diplomat who specializes in cybersecurity issues, and Steven Lewis, the Baker Institute’s C.V. Starr Transnational China Fellow, are available to comment on issues to be addressed at the first bilateral summit between President Barack Obama and the newly installed Chinese President Xi Jinping.
https://news2.rice.edu/?p=46208