Dateline Rice for Jan. 21, 2014 (Weekend Edition)

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Obama stands fast on intelligence gathering but promises more oversight
President Barack Obama made clear in his speech January 17 that he has no plans to cut back on the intelligence community’s efforts to gather and analyze large amounts of electronic communications. Christopher Bronk, fellow in information technology policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Scientific American
http://bit.ly/1dMoqpI
Obama to speak on NSA surveillance controversy
Hispanic Business
http://bit.ly/1hJa4pi

Demographic data let colleges peer into the future
Steve Murdock, the Allyn and Gladys Cline Professor of Sociology and director of Rice’s Hobby Center for the Study of Texas, is quoted in an article about the changing demographics of certain racial groups in today’s classrooms. He is also quoted in articles about the decline of Megargel, Texas, and income inequality.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
http://bit.ly/1akg3RK
Texas town of Megargel struggles to survive
Houston Chronicle (This Associated Press article also appeared in Beaumont Enterprise, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the News-Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Enquirer-Herald, Fort Mill Times and Longview News-Journal.)
http://bit.ly/1ank0Fg
Tiny Archer County town struggles to survive
Star-Telegram
http://bit.ly/1anRcfX
Income inequality could impact Texas negatively
KTRH-AM
http://bit.ly/1anuzbE

Building a bridge between China and US
An article profiles the life and career of University Representative Y. Ping Sun.
Women of China
http://bit.ly/1hejkAZ

Coursera flirts with diplomas: Online ‘specialization’ is $250
Rice is among the universities offering Specializations courses through the online platform Coursera.
Forbes
http://onforb.es/1eam6DM
‘Deep dive’ in popular fields is aim of next generation of MOOCs
Vanderbilt News
http://bit.ly/LNpT3B

Iran’s Rouhani to woo business in Davos
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will court global business in Davos next week after winning an easing of some economic sanctions, but any trade bonanza depends on the long-term success of nuclear diplomacy. Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Eyewitness News (This article also appeared in Reuters and more than 10 other publications.)
http://bit.ly/1dDrDGG
RPT-Rouhani to woo business in Davos but Iran hurdles abound
MSN Money (This article also appeared in Al Arabiya News.)
http://on-msn.com/1cQpAKV
Iran to woo trade in Davos, but hurdles remain
The Daily Star (This article also appeared in 702 Talk Radio.)
http://bit.ly/1eaA8oX

Harvard bible edX course ‘Early Christianity: The Letters Of Paul’ draws 22,000 students from 180 countries — and counting
Rice is mentioned as one of the universities offering courses on online education provider edX.
Huffington Post
http://huff.to/1eb05ow

Appropriations bill removes restrictions on NSF funding for political science
Rick Wilson, the Herbert S. Autrey Professor of Political Science and professor of statistics and of psychology, is quoted.
The Washington Post
http://wapo.st/1eOwwwK
Budget offers recovery hope
Nature Publishing Group
http://bit.ly/1anwzAC

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Focus returns to Wendy Davis’ biography
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 an article about Wendy Davis’ life story and the upcoming primary. Jones is also quoted in an article on Mayor Annise Parker’s recent marriage to her longtime partner and donor funds given to political candidates.
The Texas Tribune
http://bit.ly/1ik4z3k
Davis shows fundraising clout though Abbott leads in cash
Fort Worth Business Press
http://bit.ly/1dQTgfi
Countdown to the March 4 primary
Star-Telegram
http://bit.ly/1ju5YC6
Annise Parker, Houston mayor, weds longtime partner Kathy Hubbard in California
WLS-TV (Chicago)
http://bit.ly/1mbwf7C
Texas-sized campaign cash flows in governor’s race
MSNBC (This article also appeared in KENS-TV.)
http://nbcnews.to/KzdIq8
A question for the judicial candidates – forced legislative respect
Big Jolly Politics
http://bit.ly/1cR6NPs

Singers from Rice, Lakeway advance in Met contest
Rice graduate student Rafael Moras will compete in the semifinals of the Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions in New York.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1hILBAo

Discovering new films from Spain and France
Rice Cinema will show a selection of new films from Spain at its annual Festival of Spanish Cinema.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1jua39a

San Antonio Symphony names Gratz, 22, as concertmaster
Rice graduate student Eric Thomas Gratz is featured.
San Antonio Express-News
http://bit.ly/LB0Fom

Texas principals gather in Dallas for leadership training
Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business offers a 13-month training program for principals in the Houston area through a partnership with Raise Your Hand Texas.
Dallas Morning News
http://bit.ly/1adLUDy

Judicial Q-and-A: Steven Kirkland
Alumnus Steven Kirkland ’82 is featured in a Q-and-A series on judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1fVJiMY

The case for universal vaccination against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Hagop Kantarjian, the Baker Institute Scholar in Health Policy at the Baker Institute for Public Policy, authored a blog post about HPV vaccinations.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1mB3J2g

Electric 1st season for Andrés Orozco-Estrada and Houston Symphony unveiled in multimedia blitz
Colombian violinist and conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada will conduct an interactive talk at Rice’s Stude Concert Hall in September.
Memorial Examiner (This article also appeared in the Bellaire Examiner and the Rancher.)
http://bit.ly/1dsPDI2

Rice’s K.C. Nicolaou sets sights on cancer-related drug discovery
K.C. Nicolaou, the Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor of Chemistry, is embarking on one of the biggest challenges of his professional career — finding new drugs to fight cancer.
Memorial Examiner (This article also appeared in Fort Bend Sun, the Examiner and Sugar Land Sun.)
http://bit.ly/1f9kWdX

Firefighter Bebee, coaching icon Talton honored
Alumnus Trevor Cobb ’93 will be inducted into Dobie High School’s Hall of Honor.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1bfPoQP

SonicWorks echoes past blasts
Rice will host a restaging of Bonnie Barnett’s participatory “HUM” at James Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace Feb. 20.
Glasstire
http://bit.ly/1heG1oI

Video: Dave Hickey, part 4: Accommodating identities
American art and cultural critic Dave Hickey spoke at Rice about the importance of art.
Glasstire
http://bit.ly/1moXWtD

Houston’s tree love gets an outlet: 5 tips to take advantage of a most unusual sale
Urban Harvest’s Jan. 18 fruit tree sale at Rice’s Greenbriar parking lot is mentioned.
CultureMap
http://bit.ly/1jay6dn
It’s winter and gardeners are busy
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/19AEKJ2

BROADCAST

KRIV-TV
Rice’s first mariachi band, Mariachi Luna Llena, performed at the KRIV studio for Fox 26 Morning News.
http://bit.ly/1dRpAyR

Rosetta spacecraft awoken from deep slumber
David Alexander, director of the Rice Space Institute and a Rice professor of astronomy, is interviewed.
ABC News Digital
http://abcn.ws/1mw6O3G

3 Rice University graduates make Forbes ’30 under 30′ list
Genevera Allen ’06, the Dobelman Family Junior Chair of Statistics and assistant professor of statistics and electrical and computer engineering; Jocelyn Brown ’10, senior program associate at Rice 360°: Institute for Global Health Technologies; and Daniel Paul Hashim, graduate student in materials science and nanoengineering, were chosen for Forbes magazine’s coveted 30 Under 30 in Science and Health Care.
KPRC-TV (This broadcast also appeared on KSAT-TV.)
http://bit.ly/1aHZxFL

MSNBC
Bernard “Bun B” Freeman, the Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning’s Distinguished Lecturer, is interviewed about rap lyrics being used in police investigations.
http://bit.ly/1i7864O
‘Bun B’ speaks on rap lyrics in courtrooms, not running for mayor
Vibe
http://bit.ly/1dMg2GW
‘Bun B’ talks rap lyrics being used as evidence
All Hip Hop
http://bit.ly/1f94vOD

Rice University students build robotic arm
Rice bioengineering students developed a robotic arm for a 17-year-old boy with brittle bones disease. Members of “Team Brittle Bones,” juniors Sergio Gonzalez and Nimish Mittal, are quoted.
WLTX-TV (This broadcast also appeared on WMAZ-TV and Desktop Engineering.)
http://on.wltx.com/1bfWtRn

Legislators revisit changes to Texas marijuana laws
Nathan Jones, the Alfred C. Glassell III Postdoctoral Fellow in Drug Policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted on the sale of retail recreational marijuana.
KVUE-TV
http://bit.ly/1f31HEI

Honeymooning Houston mayor blasted by GOP leaders
Bob Stein, the Lena Gohlman Fox Professor of Political Science, is quoted.
KHOU-TV (This broadcast also appeared on KVUE-TV, Yahoo! News and Yahoo! Canada.)
http://bit.ly/1f3f7Ao
Houston mayor’s nuptials irk gay marriage opponent Dan Patrick
Dallas Morning News
http://dallasne.ws/1dsA8Q8

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

More effective compressed natural gas storage
Lightweight materials created at Rice University using graphene nanoribbons could replace metal tanks for natural gas storage. James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Chair in Chemistry and professor of mechanical engineering and materials science and of computer science, is quoted.
Online Digital Publishing
http://bit.ly/1fWC5w7

Rice University signs deal to commercialize succinic acid
Europe’s largest starch and starch-derivatives company has signed a licensing agreement with Rice to enable the company to produce biobased succinic acid.
Biomass Magazine
http://bit.ly/1juknhC

Attacking cancer with light-controlled bacteria?
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have engineered bacteria to kill surrounding cells when exposed to blue or red light, which may aid in the attack of cancer cells. Jordan Miller, assistant professor of bioengineering, is quoted.
Biological SCENE
http://bit.ly/19KN2hA

Houston’s Rebellion Photonics helps spot dangerous leaks
Rice alumna Allison Lami Sawyer ’10 is experiencing success with Rebellion Photonics, the company she created at Rice.
Xconomy
http://bit.ly/19L6PO1

Next up for consideration as a hopelessly unlikely solution to the Cambrian mystery? Global warming
New evidence suggests volcanoes cause global warming, due to their large emission of carbon dioxide. Cin-Ty Lee, professor of Earth science, is quoted.
Discovery Institute
http://bit.ly/1bOFxW6

Competition and cooperation among protein motors
Rice researchers have engineered cells to cooperatively regulate the transport of organelles. Michael Diehl, associate professor of bioengineering and of chemistry, is quoted.
Materials Today
http://bit.ly/1bfXPLG

Actors from the London Stage to bring ‘As You Like It’ to Rice University, Feb. 18-20
Actors from the London Stage will perform “As You Like It” Feb. 20-22 at Hamman Hall.
Broadway World
http://bit.ly/1eXEF00

Henrique Oliveira installation coming to Charlotte
A photo of Henrique Oliveira’s “Tapumes” at the Rice Gallery accompanies an article about the artist creating a site-specific installation at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte.
Knight Arts
http://kng.ht/LBkOdV

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Meet the Spears – The family that debates together stays together
David Worth, senior lecturer and director of forensics and speech communications, is mentioned.
Allen Publishing
http://bit.ly/1hzg43T

Durbin bill to promote cheaper textbook alternatives
To cut down costs on textbooks, politicians are rallying for the use of open-source textbooks. Rice’s OpenStax College initiative is referenced.
Bloomington Pantagraph
http://bit.ly/1dseBaq

‘Am I too white to be your pastor?’ asks megachurch leader in ad
Stephen Klineberg, professor of sociology and co-director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is quoted.
Opposing Views
http://bit.ly/19KVbTf

David Holmes to share his story of hope, courage and perseverance during MLK event
Alumnus David Holmes ’93 is featured.
M Live
http://bit.ly/1dIkST2

Boston Brass to perform at Adelphi University Feb. 28
Rice’s Shepherd School of Music is mentioned as a previous host for the band Boston Brass.
Mi2N
http://bit.ly/1elTQ49

SPORTS

Track and field teams to compete in invitational
Rice men’s and women’s track and field teams will compete at the Texas A&M 10-Team Invitational.
The Shorthorn
http://bit.ly/1dMj91A

Articles recap Rice’s men’s and women’s basketball play this weekend.
Women’s basketball: Kuster’s 26 lift Rice over Marshall in OT
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1ikNSVs
Hooks leads Tulane to 58-41 win over Rice
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1jvW1UK
Owls fall to Southern Miss in 1st road Conference USA game
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1jlRjLE
Men’s college hoops: Rice visits Tulane on Saturday
Kingwood Observer (This article also appeared in the Potpourri and the Observer.)
http://bit.ly/KnYNi0
Tulane looks to bounce back against struggling Rice Owls
News Orleans Advocate
http://bit.ly/1eQgYGs
Recap: Tulane vs. Rice
Merced Sun-Star (This article also appeared in Lexington Herald Leader, the Herald, News & Observer, Columbus Ledger-Enquirer and the Sun Herald.)
http://bit.ly/1heA0s4
Rice (5-11) at Tulane (9-9)
The Herald (This article also appeared in Bradenton Herald, the Olympian, Myrtle Beach Online, News & Observer, Tri-City Herald, Island Packet, Charlotte Observer, Lexington Herald-Leader and the Sun News.)
http://bit.ly/1mB8Gbp
Louisiana Tech (15-3) at Southern Miss (15-3)
Centre Daily Times (This article also appeared in the Olympian and more than 15 other publications.)
http://bit.ly/1cQYnrl
Rice women off to superb start in Conference USA
Rice women’s basketball won against Marshall 74-68.
Examiner
http://exm.nr/1e9YQGa
Women’s basketball to conclude Texas trip at Rice
Huntington News
http://www.huntingtonnews.net/80293
MU women fall to Rice in OT
Herald-Dispatch
http://bit.ly/1heA0s4
Herd falls at Rice in overtime heartbreaker, 74-68
Big News Network
http://bit.ly/1eaG29P
Women’s college hoops: Rice wins overtime thriller over Marshall
The Observer (This article also appeared in Kingwood Observer, Atascocita Observer and Lake Houston Observer.)
http://bit.ly/1juFXm5

SHSU interviewing 5 for football head coach
Offensive line coach at the University of Virginia Scott Wachenheim has participated in football bowl subdivision programs at Rice.
SHSU Houstonian Online
http://bit.ly/1mAsWdg
Sam Houston names football coaching finalists
KBTX-TV (Bryan/College Station)
http://bit.ly/1hJfVuR
College football: SHSU names 5 finalists for head coaching job
The Villager (This article also appeared in Humble Observer, Atascocita Observer and Kingwood Observer.)
http://bit.ly/1dPB7A2

Heisman winner Winston sees Rice rally past Marshall
Florida State QB Jameis Winston attended the Rice women’s basketball game.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1bgegrq
Love and basketball: Heisman winner and BCS champ Jameis Winston spotted supporting his girlfriend Breion
Datzhott
http://bit.ly/1dRib2k

Canadian Luke Willson off to the Super Bowl with the Seahawks
Alumnus Luke Willson ’12 is featured.
The Vancouver Sun (This article also appeared in the Edmonton Journal and Ottawa Citizen.)
http://bit.ly/1f3mGqZ

Rookie Seahawk Willson heals at right time for trip to big gig
The Windsor Star
http://bit.ly/19L3sq4

NEWS RELEASES

Avi Dichter to speak on Israel’s security challenges at Rice’s Baker Institute Jan. 27
Avi Dichter, chairman of the Foundation for the Benefit of Holocaust Survivors and former Israeli minister of home front defense, will discuss Israel’s security challenges at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy Jan 27.
http://bit.ly/1aH5MN6

New test targets salmonella
Rice researchers have developed a fast biosensor for pathogens in food.
http://bit.ly/1f9nVTz