Dateline Rice for Jan. 14, 2015

FEATURED ITEM

On health care costs, the sheep are worried about the wrong wolf
American workers passively accepting wasteful health care spending and health care providers behaving like wolves should come to an end, according to the latest op-ed by Vivian Ho, the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and professor of economics.
The Hill
http://bit.ly/1wcgbab

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

The magical bulletproof material that made Iron Man give up iron
Rice University scientists used microbullets in experiments to show graphene is 10 times better than steel at absorbing the energy of a penetrating projectile. Edwin Thomas, the William and Stephanie Sick Dean of the George R. Brown School of Engineering; former research scientist Jae-Hwang Lee; Jun Lou, an associate professor of materials science and nanoengineering; and graduate student Phillip Loya are mentioned.
Wired
http://wrd.cm/1C0Oqbb

Slide in oil means tighter budgets and fewer perks for Gulf Arabs
Gulf Arabs are experiencing a reduction in diesel, natural gas and utilities subsidies and warn that oil will reach low levels if domestic power keeps rising. Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, said they will gradually be removed.
Bloomberg Businessweek
http://buswk.co/1ygTGXk
Oil drop means fewer freebies for Gulf Arabs
Chicago Tribune (This article also appeared in Concord Monitor.)
http://trib.in/1yjoXHF

Texas to weigh just how free its markets should be
Mark Jones comments on the legislative session in Austin, controversial tweets made by U.S. Rep. Randy Weber of Texas, Joe Straus’ re-election and Texas lawmakers’ re-regulation of tuition costs. Jones is 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.
Chicago Tribune (This article also appeared in Reading Eagle.)
http://trib.in/1u6kyDV
Texas weighs how free markets should be as Tesla seeks foothold
Dallas Morning News (This article also appeared in Texas News.)
http://bit.ly/1BpzG5I
Upstarts take on entrenched business interests in Austin
Star-Telegram
http://bit.ly/1zbOkOq
Texas lawmaker under fire after sending ‘outlandish tweets’ about the President
My Fox Houston (This also appeared in My Fox DC.)
http://bit.ly/1FVX4fh
Straus re-elected speaker with conservative Republican backing
Texas Insider
http://bit.ly/1yjiOew
Remembering the Alamo in the house of Straus
Austin American-Statesman
http://bit.ly/1FVS6PD
Prospects for return to tuition regulation best since ’03
Midland Reporter-Telegram
http://bit.ly/14W0ZbL
Podrían volver a regular los costos de matrícula en universidades de Texas
La Voz de Houston (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1u6owfJ

How Christie aimed his speech more to GOP and 2016 than N.J. residents
Douglas Brinkley, professor of history and fellow in history at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, commented on New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s State of the State speech.
NJ.com
http://bit.ly/1CkIpV2

Makar Sankranti: The use and significance of sesame seeds in the New Year Festival
Meenakshi Bhattacharjee, faculty fellow and executive director of applied algal research, authored an op-ed detailing the history and traditions of the Hindu New Year festival Makar Sankranti.
India.com
http://bit.ly/1wcdu8x

American architects pick the 11 best buildings of the year
The American Institute of Architecture 2015 Institute Honor Awards recognized Rice’s Brockman Hall for Physics.
Gizmodo Australia (This article also appeared in Gizmodo India and 100 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/1BpUGco
These 19 beautiful buildings were just honored by the American Institute of Architecture
Business Insider Australia
http://bit.ly/14zV6Q9
Awards: The AIA’s favorite new projects are here for your judgment
Yahoo! Homes
http://yhoo.it/1DFRtYr
American architects say these are the 19 best new buildings
FtLeavenworthLamp.com (This article also appeared in Observer-Dispatch.)
http://bit.ly/1ybQCxh

HOUSTON/TEXAS

What’s up with Houston’s swimming hole? Idea floats to next level with link to quality-of-life group
Three social business entrepreneurs launched a Kickstarter campaign to develop a “natural and beautiful” public swimming spot in Houston. Rice’s Shell Center for Sustainability is mentioned as a supporter of the project.
KHOU.com
http://bit.ly/1xZjlU2

Galleria-area theater stages off-Broadway hit this month
The 2010 off-Broadway show “Tigers Be Still” will be presented at the Black Lab Theatre. Alumnus Jordan Jaffe ’10, founder of the Black Lab Theatre, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1KJMQ1o

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Laser-induced graphene ‘super’ for electronics
Rice University scientists show the practicality of turning laser-induced graphene into portable, flexible devices by making stacked supercapacitors. James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering, is quoted.
Phys.org (This article also appeared in Nanotechweb, Engineering.com, e! Science News and Innovations Report.)
http://bit.ly/1ygT443

Crush those clinkers while they’re hot
Clinkers pulverized to make cement should be processed right out of the kiln to save the most energy. The environmentally friendly advice is the result of a computational study by scientists at Rice University. Rouzbeh Shahsavari, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, is quoted. Former Rice graduate student Lu Chen is mentioned.
Phys.org (This article also appeared in Science Codex.)
http://bit.ly/1C6sVUn
Better cement: Crush those clinkers while they’re hot
Science Blog
http://bit.ly/1C6LXcZ

Atomic-level forces at play in concrete
The forces that bind atoms and molecules can impact the strength of particulate materials like concrete. Rice researchers carried out simulations to determine how the atomic placement of elements in concrete can be tuned to maximize its mechanical properties. Rouzbeh Shahsavari, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, is quoted.
Durability and Design
http://bit.ly/1KJS8Kf
[ Kristallografisch correct cement ]
C2w.nl (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1DFNURZ

How to start a small business while you’re still in college
Rice is cited for its business plan competition in an article with tips for students interested in starting a small business while they’re still in school.
Nerd Wallet
http://nerd.me/14TpExF

L’asfalto low cost che assorbe CO2
Rice scientists turn asphalt into an effective, environmentally friendly carbon-capture material for use at natural gas wellheads.
Focus.it (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1KJGZZX

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Khoury to launch Mideast lecture series
Ussama Makdisi, the Arab-American Educational Foundation Chair of Arab Studies and professor of history, will be featured at the Evanston Public Library and Northwestern University’s program in Middle East and North African studies’ lecture series March 2.
Evanston Now
http://bit.ly/1KJDwdQ

Houston hip-hop pioneer Bun B expands business portfolio
Bernard “Bun B” Freeman, the Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning’s Distinguished Lecturer, is interviewed. Anthony Pinn, the Agnes Cullen Arnold Professor of Humanities and professor of religious studies, is mentioned.
CommunityJournal.net
http://bit.ly/1Clh70I

March at the Houston Symphony features blockbuster film scores, Verdi’s ‘Requiem’ and more
Colombian violinist and conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada and the Houston Symphony will perform the first of a three-concert English commentary series called “Musically Speaking with Andrés” at Rice’s Stude Concert hall.
Broadway World
http://bit.ly/1wccn8N

SPORTS

Mike Rhoades radio show debuts this week
Head basketball coach Mike Rhoades’ radio show debuted last night and will air regularly on Monday nights for the remainder of the season. Associate head coach Scott Pera and players Seth Gearhart and Dan Peera appeared as guests.
Conference USA
http://bit.ly/1IwUGcG

Wilsonville alumnus Seth Gearhart helps guide Rice basketball to the light
Rice basketball player Seth Gearhart is featured for his leadership on the court. Head coach Mike Rhoades is mentioned.
Wilsonville Spokesman (This article also appeared in KCFX-FM and Fort Worth Star-Telegram.)
http://bit.ly/1xZmSSg

Tommy Tuberville named 2015 AFCA president
University of Cincinnati football head coach Tommy Tuberville will lead the American Football Coaches Association in 2015. Rice head football coach David Bailiff also serves on the board.
GoBearcats.com (This article also appeared in Central College Athletics.)
http://bit.ly/1APKpoD

NEWS RELEASES

US needs harm-reduction approach to drug use, Baker Institute researcher says
The United States’ law-and-order approach to reducing the supply of drugs and punishing sellers and users has impeded the development of a public health model that views drug addiction as a disease that is preventable and treatable. A new policy paper from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy advocates that a harm-reduction approach would more effectively reduce the negative individual and societal consequences of drug use.
http://bit.ly/1B1wPkl

Laser-induced graphene ‘super’ for electronics
Rice University scientists show the practicality of turning laser-induced graphene into portable, flexible devices by making stacked supercapacitors.
http://bit.ly/1FWf2yd

Crush those clinkers while they’re hot
Clinkers pulverized to make cement should be processed right out of the kiln to save the most energy. The environmentally friendly advice is the result of a computational study by scientists at Rice University.
http://bit.ly/1xpoYpA