Dateline Rice for Jan. 14, 2014

FEATURED ITEM

Tackling even the simplest problem takes initiative
A team of Rice students has invented a new bicycle rack for Metro buses to increase the use of transit by cyclists. Rice engineering students Kenny Groszman and Annabelle McIntire-Gavlick are quoted, along with Matthew Wettergreen, a lecturer in Rice’s George R. Brown School of Engineering.
Houston Chronicle (This article was the top story on the front of the City & State section.)
http://bit.ly/L7j9gN

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

In search of science role models
Paul Padley, professor of physics and astronomy, is quoted in an article about the absence of science in popular culture.
Huffington Post
http://huff.to/KfFlns

Physicist at lab wins award from White House
Miguel Morales, a former postdoctoral researcher, has been selected by the White House for a 2014 Presidential Early Career Award.
Livermore Patch
http://bit.ly/1d3j2Z4

School superintendent candidate sees similarity between Anniston’s situation and Detroit’s
Alumnus Gregory King ’91 is quoted in an article about the Anniston, Ala., school system.
The Anniston Star (This article also appeared in Cleburne News, Jacksonville News and Piedmont Journal.)
http://bit.ly/1a45rXd

Instapundit’s ‘The New School’ in 12 quotes
Rice’s hiring of cancer researchers from the University of California, San Diego, is mentioned in Glenn Reynold’s new book, “The New School.”
The Blaze
http://bit.ly/1aXKhEC

HOUSTON/TEXAS

University leaders: Higher ed coming out of controversial time
An article about the Association of American Universities (AAU) and the state of higher education mentions that Rice is one of three Texas schools that are AAU members.
Texas Tribune
http://bit.ly/1d3iq5B

Older people enrolling in health coverage
More older and presumably sicker people were among the first to enroll in the health insurance marketplace and guarantee their coverage by Jan. 1, according to new federal figures released Monday. Vivian Ho, the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics at the Baker Institute for Public Policy and professor of economics, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/KgPgci

A new media regime: Chinese press exercising new power in relationship with Western leadership
Aynne Kokas, a fellow in Chinese media at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and a postdoctoral fellow at Rice’s Chao Center for Asian Studies, authored this blog on the relationship between the press in China and international politicians.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1hT7rnw

Pacifica Quartet to play Shostakovich in Houston
The Pacifica Quartet will perform in Rice’s Stude Concert Hall Jan. 16.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1akXZ7A

Tall hat but how much cattle? Assessing Scott Turner’s challenge to Joe Straus for speaker
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor and chair of political science and fellow in political science at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted in this blog about Texas Rep. Scott Turner’s announcement that he will run for speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.
Austin American-Statesman
http://bit.ly/1hQVwq7

Texas A&M among top 20 universities nationally in ‘return on investment’ survey
Rice is ranked 12th on the list of the nation’s top 20 colleges for “return on investment.”
KBTX-TV (Bryan/College Station)
http://bit.ly/1d1BYY0

The Planner: Top things to do Jan. 14
David Dow, the Rorschach Visiting Professor of History, will speak and sign books at BookPeople.
Austin American-Statesman
http://bit.ly/19rWp5y

Houston company encourages employees to continue their education
Alumna Gillian Kruse ’09 authored an article about people using continuing education to increase their skill sets.
CBS Houston
http://cbsloc.al/1ajZSya

At Glasstire talk in Houston, art critic Dave Hickey rips Houston, Glasstire
American art and cultural critic Dave Hickey spoke at Rice about the importance of art.
D Magazine
http://bit.ly/KWLsxK

New book offers warning for Texans
Steve Murdock, the Allyn and Gladys Cline Professor of Sociology and director of Rice’s Hobby Center for the Study of Texas, discusses his new book, “Changing Texas: Implications of Addressing or Ignoring the Texas Challenge.”
Herald Democrat
http://bit.ly/1aBMglz

BROADCAST

Daily news flash with Courtney Morris on Ariel Sharon’s legacy, a new deal with Iran, and West Virginia’s chemical spill
Courtney Morris, postdoctoral fellow in the Center for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality, analyzes the latest news headlines.
Uprising Radio
http://bit.ly/1cfOeEs

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

New twist on epitaxial growth opens new possibilities for two-dimensional materials
An article about epitaxy references Rice researcher’s development to combine graphene and boron nitrade to combine 2-D materials.
IEEE Spectrum
http://bit.ly/1akHicw

Vapour nanobubbles rapidly detect malaria through the skin
Rice researchers have developed a noninvasive technology that accurately detects low levels of malaria infection through the skin in seconds with a laser scanner.
NANO Magazine
http://bit.ly/1akMoW7
Bloodless malaria test
Nerdy Science Blog
http://bit.ly/1dN6t59

Epigenetics researchers enthuse over Chromatrap ChIP technology from Porvair Sciences
Porvair Sciences has experienced an increased demand for its Chromatrap® chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay technology. Graduate student Brian Engel is quoted.
Select Science (This article also appeared in LabMate Online.)
http://bit.ly/1aBBagh

Researchers view competition, cooperation among motors in live cells
Rice researchers have engineered cells to cooperatively regulate the transport of organelles. Michael Diehl, associate professor of bioengineering and of chemistry, is quoted.
Medical News Today
http://bit.ly/1aljv9k

Cancer surgery complication costs burden US health care
Marah Short, a senior research analyst at Rice’s Baker Institute’s Health Policy Forum, is quoted in an article about crippling costs from surgery complications. Vivian Ho, the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics at the Baker Institute for Public Policy and professor of economics, is mentioned.
Formulary Journal
http://bit.ly/1d07YPS

Ensco promotes Hensel to senior VP of marketing
Alumnus David Hensel ’94 has been promoted to senior vice president of marketing at Ensco.
PennEnergy
http://bit.ly/19rUxK8

Superbug found in China’s wastewater
Tests at two wastewater treatment plants in northern China revealed antibiotic-resistant bacteria were not only escaping purification but also breeding and spreading their dangerous cargo. Pedro Alvarez, the George R. Brown Professor and chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is quoted.
Water Online
http://bit.ly/KWLPs5

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Whatever happened to the ‘New Age Movement’?
Alumnus Roger Olson ’82 authored an editorial about the disappearance of the “New Age Movement.”
Patheos
http://bit.ly/1lWRXPr

Online courses and classes to learn everything
Rice is mentioned as one of the most well-known universities to offer courses from online education provider edX.
Softonic
http://bit.ly/KZLuVA

SPORTS

Rice rally falls just short against Florida Atlantic
Rice men’s basketball fell to Florida Atlantic University 73-68 at Tudor Fieldhouse.
Sugar Land Sun (This article also appeared in the Rancher, Memorial Examiner, Bellaire Examiner and Fort Bend News.)
http://bit.ly/1d1BHo4

Bills cut ties with LB coach
Former Rice defensive coordinator Chuck Driesbach has been let go as second assistant coach for the Buffalo Bills.
Rochester Democratic and Chronicle
http://on.rocne.ws/1dqJDFE