Dateline Rice for Jan. 31, 2014

FEATURED ITEM

UnitedHealthcare cuts many Medicare Advantage physicians
UnitedHealthcare has dropped about 1,100 Houston-area physicians from its Medicare Advantage program. 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 in this front-page story.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1gx60LB

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

The rise of Islamic finance
Mahmoud El-Gamal, the Chair of Islamic Economics, Finance and Management, professor of economics and statistics and Rice Scholar at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is referenced in an article about Islamic financial assets.
Council on Foreign Relations
http://on.cfr.org/1jShQAu

Republic Day flag hoisting at the Residence of Consul General of India
Rice students attended India’s 65th Republic Day.
Indo American-News
http://bit.ly/1kfOqd7

HOUSTON/TEXAS

New technique detects 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.
Texas Medical Center News
http://bit.ly/1eDeiux

In HD-92 race, a fiercely divided Republican party
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 cited for his study about a Texas state representative’s rankings.
Myhighplains.com
http://bit.ly/LwGmZB

Visiting professors address treatment of immigrants across the world
Sergio Chavez, assistant professor of sociology, presented a lecture titled “‘Rooferos’: The Occupational Networks of a Highly Mobile Labor Force” at the University of Texas at Austin.
The Daily Texan
http://bit.ly/1a74IUI

Rice University slips from Princeton Review’s top 10 best value list
Rice is cited as a best-value private university in the Princeton Review’s “2014 Best Value Colleges.”
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1fqZoLL
A costly plummet? Rice drops out of Princeton Review’s prestigious top 10, UH stands strong
CultureMap
http://bit.ly/MBlZez

New study: Successful companies don’t forget the customers after mergers
Merging companies that focus on a dual-goal emphasis of simultaneously enhancing efficiency and customer satisfaction show the highest increase in long-term financial performance, according to a new study from Rice University, Kent State University and the University of Pittsburgh. Vikas Mittal, the J. Hugh Liedtke Professor of Marketing at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business, is quoted.
Spring Observer
http://bit.ly/1n1L6lA
Don’t forget the customers after mergers
e! Science News
http://bit.ly/1fDRqNM

The source: Hungry kids don’t learn — A changing Texas brings big challenges
Steve Murdock, the Allyn and Gladys Cline Professor of Sociology and director of Rice’s Hobby Center for the Study of Texas, is mentioned for his new book, “Changing Texas: Implications of Addressing or Ignoring the Texas Challenge.”
Texas Public Radio
http://bit.ly/1dRcVrb

Four FBISD principals awarded sponsorships to attend yearlong Rice leadership development program
Raise Your Hand Texas is sponsoring 26 principals from seven Houston-area school districts to attend the yearlong Rice Education Entrepreneurship Program Business Fellowship for School Leaders.
Sugar Land Sun
http://bit.ly/1bH1e6z

Longtime Waco OB-GYN doctors retire together
Alumnus Donald Lewis ’80 retired after 37 years of practice as an OB-GYN.
Waco Tribune-Herald
http://bit.ly/1aL4VxB

BROADCAST

Movieguide’s Lili Baehr on the early days of a Hollywood ministry (video)
Alumna Lili Baehr ’69 is interviewed about her company, Movieguide.
New American
http://bit.ly/1fhvNlU

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Rice lab clocks ‘hot’ electrons
Plasmonic nanoparticles developed at Rice University are becoming known for their ability to turn light into heat, but how to use them to generate electricity is not nearly as well understood. Stephan Link, associate professor of chemistry and of electrical and computer engineering, and graduate student Anneli Hoggard are mentioned.
Science Codex (This article also appeared in R&D.)
http://bit.ly/1jPc9Dg
Lab clocks ‘hot’ electrons: Plasmon-generated electrons timed moving from nanorods to graphene
Photonics Online
http://bit.ly/LwtW40
Researchers time plasmon-generated electrons moving from nanorods to graphene
Phys (This article also appeared in Nanowerk.)
http://bit.ly/1fr8uZ2
Researchers clock movement of plasmon-generated electrons from nanorods to graphene
AZoNano.com
http://bit.ly/MmEgvw
Researchers time ‘hot’ electrons
Headlines & Global News
http://bit.ly/1fDzP8z

Obama touts natural gas, industry tax cuts in SOTU speech
Charles McConnell, executive director of Rice University’s Energy and Environment Initiative and former U.S. assistant secretary of energy for fossil energy in the Department of Energy, comments on the Keystone pipeline.
Rigzone
http://bit.ly/1fhDTLd

‘Bubble CPAP’ boosts neonatal survival rates: Helps babies struggling to breathe
The first clinical study of a low-cost neonatal breathing system created by Rice University bioengineering students demonstrated that the device increased the survival rate of newborns with severe respiratory illness from 44 percent to 71 percent. Maria Oden, director of Rice’s Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen and co-director of Beyond Traditional Borders, and Rebecca Richards-Kortum, the Stanley C. Moore Professor and chair of the Department of Bioengineering and director of both Beyond Traditional Borders and Rice 360°: Institute for Global Health Technologies, are mentioned.
Science Daily (This article also appeared in Medical Design Technology.)
http://bit.ly/1cAy6SQ
Clinical study finds ‘bubble CPAP’ boosts neonatal survival rates
Medical Xpress (This article also appeared in Science Codex, RedOrbit and Bright Surf.)
http://bit.ly/1eB0MYv
Bubble CPAP, a low cost alternative for treating neonates with severe respiratory illness
MedGadget (This article also appeared in News-Medical.)
http://bit.ly/1fqkzwQ
Photos of the day: The $160 bubble CPAP machine
Medical Design Technology
http://bit.ly/1kkC6IJ

Houston’s OrthoAccel mouthpiece can make braces work faster
Alumnus Michael Lowe ’07 is featured for OrthoAccel, his orthodontic technology that won an award at the Rice Business Plan Competition.
Xconomy
http://bit.ly/1iTD80p

Texas Yoga Conference organizer launches altruistic fundraiser
Rice graduate student Jennifer Buergermeister has launched a fundraiser for the fifth annual Texas Yoga Conference to promote wellness.
Broadway World
http://bit.ly/1hTx5VW

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Time flies: Jon Kimura Parker marks 30 years as concert pianist
Jon Kimura Parker, professor of piano, is featured.
Times Colonist
http://bit.ly/MEFrXK

Faster way to catch food-poisoning microbes
Rice researchers have developed a fast biosensor for pathogens in food. Sibani Lisa Biswal, assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, is quoted, and graduate student Jinghui Wang is mentioned.
Oman Observer
http://main.omanobserver.om/?p=52486
New biosensor speeds up pathogen detection in food
Food Magazine
http://bit.ly/1bcOW6b

College textbook prices prompt new approaches
Despite new technologies and a 2012 California law promising college students relief from soaring textbook costs, students’ bookstore spending is higher than ever — now about $1,200 for books and supplies. Rice’s OpenStax College is referenced.
Bend Bulletin
http://bit.ly/1bcSbdH
Students leaving costly textbooks on the shelf
MSN News
http://on-msn.com/1fhzDvf
College textbook sticker shock causes students to leave books on the shelves
Sacramento Bee (This article also appeared in Santa Cruz Sentinel, McClatchy D.C. and Daily World.)
http://bit.ly/1iTQkCs

SPORTS

Rice men’s basketball played against San Antonio Jan. 30.
Rice (6-13) at Texas-San Antonio (6-12)
Charlotte Observer
http://bit.ly/1loCbiF
Rice men’s basketball held off at UTSA
Sugar Land Sun (This article also appeared in Kingwood Observer.)
http://bit.ly/1aMyiQ7
UT-San Antonio drubs Rice 89-76
CBS Sports
http://cbsprt.co/1bdwD3O
Sims, Jones lead UTSA past Rice; Louisiana Tech is next
San Antonio Express
http://bit.ly/1igKo3G
Rice (6-13) at Texas-San Antonio (6-12)
Athlon Sports
http://bit.ly/1dSnLxe
Recap: TX-San Antonio vs. Rice
Charlotte Observer (This article also appeared in Lexington Herald-Leader, Merced Sun-Star, Sun Herald, Tri-city Herald and Island Packet.)
http://bit.ly/1igNzZ5
Men’s college hoops: Rice held off at UTSA
Atascocita Observer (This article also appeared in Humble Observer, Kingwood Observer and Lake Houston Observer.)
http://bit.ly/1a71ikN
UTSA remains undefeated at home
Memphis Insider (This article also appeared in Mad Friars.)
http://foxs.pt/1bdLOKk

ASICS signs Dallas native Becky Wade
Rice graduate Becky Wade has signed with ASIC’s America’s elite team.
Dallas Morning News
http://dallasne.ws/Mm3Ala
ASICS America adds America’s best young female US marathoner Becky Wade to elite athlete roster
4-Traders (This article also appeared in Fort Mill Times.)
http://bit.ly/1lpCvxo

Lance Berkman retires, leaving legacy as a great player but not a Hall of Famer
Alumnus Lance Berkman ’98 is retiring from baseball.
Sports Illustrated
http://bit.ly/1aMAFCx
ASTROS: Team releases statement about Berkman’s retirement
Spring Observer
http://bit.ly/1hXhwfZ
Six-time all-star Lance Berkman announces retirement
Dalje.com
http://bit.ly/MEpL6U
Astros statement regarding Berkman’s retirement
Fort Bend Sun (This article also appeared in Memorial Examiner, Bellaire Examiner, Sugar Land Sun, Spring Observer and the Woodlands Villager.)
http://bit.ly/1fhBsrV
Lance Berkman retires; why he was everything that is great about baseball
WHIO-TV (This article also appeared in WPXI-TV, Journal-News, WSOC-TV and Austin American-Statesman.)
http://bit.ly/LhLjVm

Willson’s friends enjoy ride to Super Bowl
Alumnus Luke Willson ’12 is mentioned.
Calgary Herald
http://bit.ly/1iTK9ON