Dateline Rice for May 14, 2014

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Lemons as gifts, viruses for good, failure for success and college graduation: A well-intended tale
Rice scientists created a tunable virus that can potentially be used to target and destroy cancer cells. Junghae Suh, assistant professor of bioengineering, is mentioned.
Huffington Post (This article also appeared in Computer Magazine.)
http://huff.to/1or0xss

HOUSTON/TEXAS

The architectural vision behind Exxon Mobil’s campus
Construction of Exxon Mobil Corp.’s corporate campus is currently underway in north Houston. The architectural plan used Rice and Yale University as benchmarks for its design.
Houston Business Journal
http://bit.ly/RQuqF2

Health law analysis shows high insurance subsidy rate
The government may have to pay premium increases in highly subsidized states. 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 (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1hKmL19
Area hospitals prepare for changes following Affordable Care Act deadline
Community Impact
http://bit.ly/1hLCaP1

Tim League, founder and CEO, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
Alumnus Tim League ’92, owner of the Alamo Drafthouse, is featured. Karrie Smith League ’92 is mentioned.
Community Impact
http://bit.ly/1gDBHy0

Shop at Houston’s farmers markets
Rice’s farmers market is included in a list of farmers markets in Houston.
Examiner.com
http://exm.nr/1sqZjuZ

Texas Wesleyan business school joins premier ranks
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accredited Wesleyan’s School of Business Administration after a seven-year process. Rice is mentioned to have AACSB approval.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
http://bit.ly/1iSODV3

BROADCAST

KTRK-TV
The art deco Josephine Apartments near Rice University that have included Rice students among its renters have been sold to a new developer.
http://bit.ly/1iSYtX1
http://bit.ly/1gnGfOu

KUT 90.5 (Austin)
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 about political ads.
http://bit.ly/T2iNfl

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

This new gel could let doctors grow bone exactly where they need it
Rice University bioengineers have created a hydrogel that instantly turns from liquid to semisolid at close to body temperature — and then degrades at precisely the right pace. The story includes a video produced by Public Affairs’ Brandon Martin.
Gizmodo India
http://bit.ly/1iPQ9XO
Grow bone tissue exactly where you need it most with new medical gel (video)
Gadget Review
http://bit.ly/1qADIof
Rice thermogelling hydrogel turns hard when injected into body to support stem cells (video)
MedGadget
http://bit.ly/RCOFWl
Researchers create hydrogel that can repair damaged bones
Techi
http://bit.ly/1mSXdXI
A hydrogel that knows when to go
Space Daily (This article also appeared in DeviceSpace.)
http://bit.ly/1k0ZcWa

High-tech peg measures palsy patients’ dexterity (video)
Rice engineering students created a Bluetooth-enabled device to boost cerebral palsy therapy. Senior Sonia Garcia is quoted. Gary Woods, professor in the practice of electrical and computer engineering; Eric Richardson, lecturer in bioengineering; and seniors Shaurya Agarwal, Allison Garza, Vivaswath Kumar and Andrew Schober are mentioned.
Medical Xpress (This article also appeared in HealthCanal, BioPortfolio and Medical Design Technology.)
http://bit.ly/1lyaVeG

Integrated neglected tropical disease (NTD) control: The early years
Peter Hotez, a fellow in disease and poverty at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, authored this blog post about neglected tropical diseases.
PLOS Blogs
http://bit.ly/1hKhaYJ

Properties of water at nanoscale will help to design innovative technologies
Mechanical engineers from the Department of Energy at Politecnico di Torino and the Translational Imaging Department at Houston Methodist Research Institute provide insight of water properties at the nanoscale. Rice is mentioned as a collaborator.
Phys.org
http://bit.ly/1jElJJ1

Thin-film battery for wearable electronics requires no lithium
Rice chemists created a flexible material with the high energy of a battery or supercapacitor. James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Chair in Chemistry and professor of mechanical engineering and materials science and of computer science, and Rice postdoctoral researcher Yang Yang are quoted.
Cutting Edge News
http://bit.ly/1jfNaJK

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Most Americans believe God created the world – despite what scientist Richard Dawkins says
Elaine Howard Ecklund, the Herbert S. Autrey Chair and Professor of Sociology, co-director of the Boniuk Institute for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance and director of Rice’s Religion and Public Life Program, is referenced for her survey on religious understandings of science.
The Gospel Herald
http://bit.ly/1jqfenN

Mexico oil opening may release gusher for foreigners
Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto signed a constitutional amendment into law that powerful unions and political backers had fought against for decades. A 2011 study of Mexico’s oil industry from the Baker Institute for Public Policy is referenced.
Hellenic Shipping News
http://bit.ly/T2nYfg

Annise Parker is not going away
An article about alumna and Houston Mayor Annise Parker ’78 cites Rice’s study about Houston’s metropolitan area being the most diverse in the nation.
SheWired
http://bit.ly/SZ0NCw

Winner of Tulane Business Model Competition proceeded to place second in international tournament
Tympanogen, a firm that developed a gel for healing eardrum wounds in children, won $44,000 at the Rice Business Plan Competition.
Times-Picayune
http://bit.ly/1oMm9gp

Schlatz, Hirono co-sponsoring Native American Languages Act
A photo from Rice’s annual powwow is included.
Honolulu Civil Beat
http://bit.ly/1iT56IL

Dobbs Ferry Mercy College’s 12th president takes office
Alumnus Timothy Hall ’82 began his new role as president of Mercy College.
Rivertowns Daily Voice (This article also appeared in Street Insider.)
http://bit.ly/1gnEQaF

SPORTS

No timetable for return of Owls’ closer Lemond
Rice baseball player Zech Lemond reports that his pitching arm is feeling good and he says he wants to play again, but will let the coach decide when he can return to action. Head baseball coach Wayne Graham is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1gnWzik

Owls relinquish ownership of Silver Glove for first time in 14 years
Rice baseball fell to University of Houston 7-3 at Constellation Field in Sugar Land. Head baseball coach Wayne Graham is quoted.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1lyVsLi
Cougars earn first season sweep of Owls since 1991
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1lf5X4S
Houston wins seventh in a row, earns first season sweep of Rice since ’91
NCAA.com
http://bit.ly/1orjYRY
KPRC-TV
http://bit.ly/1iLYyHx

Quality carries Awty girls to second place finish at TAPPS Class 4A meet
Alumni Ryan Harlan ’04 and Sam Waugh ’77 are mentioned.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1jpHJ5h

Condara’s dramatic hit helps St. Thomas clinch 23rd state baseball crown
St. Thomas High School senior Michael Rodgers, who signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Rice, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1jt0O6n
Condara delivers hit that lifts St. Thomas to 23rd TAPPS state crown
Bellaire Examiner
http://bit.ly/1lycFVn

Sports abyss? Try UH and Rice baseball
Rice baseball is featured for their success days before the NCAA selection show.
Fansided
http://bit.ly/1lyjYfI

Men’s college golf: Rice to begin NCAA tournament on Thursday
Rice men’s golf will compete at the NCAA Raleigh Regional at North Carolina State’s Lonnie Poole Golf Course May 15-17.
Humble Observer (This article also appeared in Lake Houston Observer.)
http://bit.ly/1laV2cq

Track and field ready for WAC Championships
An article features results from the Rice Owls Invitational.
NMStateSports.com
http://bit.ly/REeCVB
Aggies track & field heads to WAC Championships
KTSM-TV (El Paso)
http://bit.ly/REfaLd

NEWS RELEASES

Media advisory: Rice commencement ceremonies Friday and Saturday
On Friday night, undergraduate students will cross the stage to receive diploma tubes and be congratulated; the commencement address will be presented Saturday morning and degrees will be conferred to the group as a whole. Students will NOT walk across the stage to receive diplomas Saturday; Friday night is the only photo op for students crossing the stage. Fireworks will light up the sky after Friday night’s ceremony.
http://bit.ly/QJoQ6k

New home of Rice’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies to be dedicated May 22
The new home of Rice University’s Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies will be dedicated during a special ceremony and open house May 22.
http://bit.ly/1jYlKa2