Dateline Rice for Dec. 10, 2014

FEATURED ITEM

Some NFL players use unproven stem cell therapies
Some National Football League players have been seeking out unproven stem cell therapies to help accelerate recoveries from injuries, according to a new paper from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. While most players seem to receive treatment within the United States, several have traveled abroad for therapies unavailable domestically and may be unaware of the risks involved, the paper found. Kirstin Matthews, an adjunct lecturer of sociology and a fellow in science and technology policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Komo News (This article appeared in more than 150 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/1vPeOCP

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Laser burns perfect ‘defects’ into graphene
Rice researchers use lasers to create graphene foam from inexpensive polymers in ambient conditions. The laser-induced graphene may be suitable for electronics and energy storage. James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering, and Boris Yakobson, the Karl F. Hasselmann Professor of Materials Science and NanoEngineering and professor of chemistry, are quoted. Alumnus Jian Lin ’96 is mentioned.
Futurity
http://bit.ly/1yQ8Hip
Defects are perfect in laser-induced graphene
R&D Mag (This article also appeared in Phys.org and Science Codex.)
http://bit.ly/12MuCdp
Flakey new ‘foam party’ graphene battery breakthrough
Clean Technica
http://bit.ly/1vEaq4z

Modi has not executed his power forcefully: US expert
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not executed his power forcefully enough to tackle the country’s economic challenges, according to Russell Green, the Will Clayton Fellow in International Economics at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and an adjunct assistant professor of economics.
The Economic Times
http://bit.ly/1zvYR5j
Support wearing out? Modi’s cheerleaders in business are disappointed too
FirstBiz
http://bit.ly/1z6xvS5
Acche din delayed? Why Modi is going slow on reforms
IN.com
http://bit.ly/1yQ53Fi
Narendra Modi has not executed his power forcefully: Expert
One India (This article also appeared in Business Standard and 10 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/1siURio

Classes C, D e E reúnem 68 percent dos brasileiros
Wagner Kamakura, the Jesse H. Jones Professor of Marketing, is mentioned for the study he co-authored on the gap between the rich and poor in Brazil.
MSN (An English translation is not available. This article also appeared in A Tarde, Pernambuco.com, Gazeta Digital, GSMD, Gazeta Do Povo and Tribuna Hoje.)
http://on-msn.com/1zPEKgJ

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Surprise at City Hall: Huge budget deficit cut in half
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, comments on Houston Mayor Annise Parker’s city budget plan and Greg Abbott’s plan to improve education, secure the state’s border, fund road construction and cut taxes in his first year as Texas governor.
Houston Chronicle (This appeared on the front page. Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1Affj8j
Abbott lists education as a top priority
San Antonio Express-News
http://bit.ly/12MzEqd
Greg Abbott identifies his agenda and the team to get it done
Insurance News Net
http://bit.ly/1BywLIQ

Recent editorials from Texas newspapers
Texas’ odds of facing drug cartel violence may just be hype. Tony Payan, the Baker Institute’s Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies and director of the institute’s Mexico Center, explains that the term “drug cartel” is outdated and does not apply to crime in Mexico.
The Washington Times (This article also appeared in KRIV-TV and 26 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/1vEOVR3

Asia Society presents! Common Practice 21C: Classical, contemporary and cross-cultural music
Rice will host the Common Practice 21C three-day festival in March.
Asia Society
http://bit.ly/12uddGz

BROADCAST

Health care, food waste, vision in space and samurai exhibit: Houston Matters for Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014
Elena Marks, scholar in health policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, answers questions concerning the state Senate Committee on Health and Human Services’ recommendations to address Texas’ health care challenges. Rice’s trayless dining is cited as an example of an effort to reduce food waste in a separate segment about food-waste reduction initiatives in Houston.
Houston Public Media’s “Houston Matters”
http://bit.ly/1zwdzJH

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Buckyballs could make carbon capture better
Amines bound by buckyballs can absorb carbon dioxide from emissions at industrial plants and at natural gas wells, according to Rice University scientists. Andrew Barron, the Charles W. Duncan Jr.-Welch Professor of Chemistry and professor of materials science, is quoted. Robert Curl, University Professor Emeritus and the Kenneth S. Pitzer-Schlumberger Professor Emeritus of Natural Sciences, and the late Richard Smalley are mentioned.
IEEE Spectrum
http://bit.ly/1wy6Tf4
Des buckminsterfullerènes pour capturer le CO2 industriel
Futura-Sciences.com (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1Gdi9OU

Service during sanctions
Western-based service companies’ projects in Russia increased in complexity because of the recent Western sanctions against the Russian Federation. Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
OEDigital.com (This article also appeared in Offshore Engineer.)
http://bit.ly/1GdsfQ3

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Two nights that changed Graham’s & Zamperini’s lives
William Martin, the Harry and Hazel Chavanne Senior Fellow in Religion and Public Policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, reflects on preacher Billy Graham.
BRNow.org (This article also appeared in Christian News Journal.)
http://bit.ly/1wy2XuM

Renowned artist Jim Colley hosts St. Nicholas Celebration at his Rockwall home
Artist Jim Colley invited Rockwall residents to peruse his home art collection. Some of his works include ceramic medallions produced for Rice.
Blue Ribbon News
http://bit.ly/1wgFTgN

Fashion: Former Spokane artist starts casual, athletic clothing line
Danielle Hatch started a Kickstarter campaign for her active street-wear clothing line, which won at this year’s Jones Graduate School Owl Tank Business Plan Competition.
Inlander.com
http://bit.ly/1scASHI

Black Lab Theatre to present ‘Tigers Be Still’ next month
Justin Doran, who formerly taught theater and directed productions at Rice, is profiled. Alumnus Jordan Jaffe ’10 is mentioned for founding the Black Lab Theatre.
Broadway World
http://bit.ly/1IAANT8

SPORTS

Rice DE Brian Nordstrom tabbed All-Conference USA first team
Rice football player Brian Nordstrom was named to the All-Conference USA first team. The Owls also had three players named to the second team, nine who received honorable mention recognition and one named to the All-Freshman team.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/12MOvkB

Hawaii Bowl 2014: Fresno State versus Rice opening odds
Rice football will play at this year’s Hawaii Bowl Dec. 24 at Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium against California State University, Fresno.
MWCConnection.com (Similar articles and broadcasts appeared in over 400 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/1wy67Pg
KFSN-TV (Fresno, Calif.)
http://bit.ly/1GdlZI1

Heisman finalists announced
Rice alumnus Chase Clement’s touchdown record is referenced in an article about this year’s finalists for the Heisman Trophy.
Breitbart.com
http://bit.ly/137eXGM

NEWS RELEASES

Theory details how ‘hot’ monomers affect thin-film formation
Researchers devised a mathematical model to predict how “hot” monomers on cold substrates affect the growth of thin films being developed for next-generation electronics.
http://bit.ly/1yyOBug

Defects are perfect in laser-induced graphene
Rice researchers used lasers to create graphene foam from inexpensive polymers in ambient conditions. The laser-induced graphene may be suitable for electronics and energy storage.
http://bit.ly/1x2kV8m