Dateline Rice for Jan. 15, 2015

FEATURED ITEM

Agriculture: State-of-the-art soil
An article about the growing popularity of biochar among farmers and scientists features new research from Rice and Colorado College about the contradictory ability to make clay soils drain faster and sandy soils drain slower. Caroline Masiello, associate professor of Earth science and co-author of the study, is quoted. Rebecca Barnes at Colorado College began the research while serving as a postdoctoral research associate at Rice.
Nature
http://bit.ly/1KLxU2N

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Both US, France face immigration challenges
Julie Fette, associate professor of French studies, is quoted in a report on Muslim immigrants in France and the U.S.
Voice of America
http://bit.ly/1DIdkOS

Pump aligning
Some countries are taking advantage of lower oil prices by cutting subsidies. Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
The Economist
http://econ.st/1wdwsLS
GCC states cutting subsidies as crude prices still sinking
Times of Oman (This article also appeared in Gulf Base, Daily Star and Repubblica.it.)
http://bit.ly/17Lw82x

Work-life balance: Lab life with kids
An article about work-career balance for faculty who are trying to get tenure and start families quotes Rebecca Richards-Kortum, the Stanley C. Moore Professor of Bioengineering, professor of electrical and computer engineering and director of both Beyond Traditional Borders and Rice 360°: Institute for Global Health Technologies.
Nature
http://bit.ly/1wdO8XI

Study of Belize’s Blue Hole: Mayan civilization collapse may be linked to extreme drought
André Droxler, professor of Earth science, co-authored a study on a centurylong drought causing the collapse of the ancient Mayan civilization.
Fox News
http://fxn.ws/1y1PlGY

Donor seeks to offer ‘freshman year for free’ through online college courses
New York philanthropist Steven Klinsky announced a $1 million donation for edX to provide the first year of college free online. Rice is mentioned for its free Advanced Placement biology course for high school students on edX.
The Washington Post (This article also appeared in Reading Eagle.)
http://wapo.st/17KSMIg

Why Iron Man ditched iron for graphene
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.co.uk
http://bit.ly/1wdHW28

Laser-induced graphene enables 3-D supercapacitors power next-generation wearables
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.
EE Times Europe (This article also appeared in Phys.org and 10 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/1x5LJQe

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Rice University building among 19 of the best in 2015
The American Institute of Architecture 2015 Institute Honor Awards recognized Rice’s Brockman Hall for Physics.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1ziko3k
The American Institute of Architects honors the finest architecture and interiors of 2015
Vogue
http://bit.ly/1584pHS

Bun B and Talib Kweli join academics at Menil for discussion of the influence of Ghandi and MLK on hip-hop culture
Rice’s Anthony Pinn and Bernard “Bun B” Freeman held a panel discussion on “The Influence of Gandhi and King on Hip-Hop Culture” at the Menil Collection. Pinn is the Agnes Cullen Arnold Professor of Humanities and professor of religious studies and Freeman is the Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning’s Distinguished Lecturer.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1AUyeXz
Bun B and colleagues contemplate hip-hop and nonviolent protest at the Menil
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/17Lf64G

One-day rally interrupts oil’s falling trend
Former Baker Institute energy fellow Amy Myers Jaffe discusses the potential continuous decline of oil prices.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1y1uCmB

Thursday letters: A critical challenge
Catherine Clark Mosbacher, president and CEO at the Center for Houston’s Future, accepts the challenge presented by an editorial on racial injustice in a letter to the Houston Chronicle. Rice is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1KNDL7K

Creative Writing Camp set for June
The Writers in the Schools program, a partnership with Rice’s School Literacy and Culture Project, is now accepting participants for its Creative Writing Camp in June.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1AUsxJ9

Battleground Texas replaces field director
Alumna Victoria Zyp ’04 is stepping down as field director at Battleground Texas.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1sCEbb3

Chronicle critics offer entertainment suggestions
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.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/14ElzMJ
Culture scene: Jan. 15-22
Houston Chronicle (This article also appeared in San Antonio Express-News. Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1E3VenV

ConocoPhillips CEO: Crude exports vote not ripe yet
Chairman and CEO of Conoco Phillips Ryan Lance said that crude exports are not quite ready for a Senate vote. Lance’s speech at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy about the surge in oil and gas production is mentioned.
Fuel Fix
http://bit.ly/17JFfAO

Supporters say 2015 is the year for open carry in Texas
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 the rally at the Texas Capitol in support of open carry legislation, George P. Bush’s duties as land commissioner, former San Antonio mayor Julian Castro’s decision to become the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Rick Perry in an article about his accomplishments as governor.
Texas Sentinel (This article also appeared in Star-Telegram.)
http://bit.ly/1yg4yX3
George P. Bush continuing family’s legacy of service
Star-Telegram (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1ylOqBN
Texas deja atrás la era Perry, el gobernador más longevo en el cargo
ElPais.com (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1xt0yv8
KTSA-AM (San Antonio)
http://bit.ly/1ym9Lef

89th Annual Men’s Brotherhood Banquet — Keynote by Harris County Judge Edward M. Emmett
Harris County Judge Ed Emmett ’71 will be the keynote speaker at the 89th Annual Men’s Brotherhood Banquet Feb. 19.
The Vindicator
http://bit.ly/1INXzUJ

BROADCAST

Rice University policy expert pushes immigration debate beyond US borders
Tony Payan, the Baker Institute’s Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies and director of the institute’s Mexico Center, hosted a symposium with the U.S. State Department, immigration activists and ambassadors from El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Honduras to discuss national immigration. Payan is also quoted about Mexico President Enrique Peña Nieto’s trip to Ciudad Juárez, a city that is known for its troubled image but has improved dramatically in recent years.
Houston Public Media
http://bit.ly/1ICIWFu
Mexican president touts safer streets in trip to Ciudad Juárez
The Dallas Morning News
http://bit.ly/157td2u

MSNBC
Douglas Brinkley, professor of history and fellow in history at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, discusses Americans’ opinions on the state of the economy on the MSNBC show “Morning Joe.”
http://bit.ly/14EnK2I

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Laser-induced graphene is ‘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.
Controlled Environments
http://bit.ly/157NrJF

US needs harm-reduction approach to drug use, 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’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. Postdoctoral research fellow Katharine Neill is quoted.
Science Daily
http://bit.ly/1zifeUI
US needs harm-reduction approach to drug use, Baker Institute researcher says
The Rancher (This article also appeared in Memorial Examiner, Fort Bend Sun and Medical Xpress.)
http://bit.ly/1ICijki

Atomic placement of elements counts for strong 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.
Space Daily (This article also appeared in Nanotechnology Now, One News Page, PaintSquare News, JPCL and Science Daily.)
http://bit.ly/157NOnu

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.
R&D Magazine (This article also appeared in Aggregate Research.)
http://bit.ly/1u9OrDg

Who’s to blame when it comes to health care costs and discrepancies?
American workers passively accepting wasteful health care spending and health care providers behaving like wolves should come to an end, according to an 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.
Med City News
http://bit.ly/1u9jO0Q

Chemistry’s toughest total synthesis challenge put on hold by lack of funds
K.C. Nicolaou, the Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor of Chemistry, and his research team are featured for their near-completed synthesis of a molecule.
Chemistry World
http://rsc.li/1IO9jqg

Who made these covers and what are they doing here?
Michael Wong, professor and chair of chemical and biomolecular engineering and of chemistry, is quoted about the significance and creation of cover images.
Chemistry World Blog
http://rsc.li/1KNyQUy

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Bowie State alumni remember school as civil rights battleground
Roland Smith, associate provost, adjunct professor of sociology and of education certification, reflects on hearing the news about Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination while he was a student at Bowie State University.
Gazette Net
http://bit.ly/1sCgYG4

Pass the coffee and donuts, hold the faith: KC Star looks at a nonchurch
Writer Jim Davis comments on the Kansas City Star’s story about the rise of Sunday gatherings for agnostic and atheist congregations, which quotes a Rice humanities professor.
Get Religion
http://bit.ly/1x5EJmz

School of Science welcomes 7 new professors this spring
Alumna Nikta Fakhri ’10 was announced as a new assistant professor at the School of Science.
MIT News
http://bit.ly/1C4fM05

SPORTS

Rice (4-10) at Old Dominion (13-2)
Rice basketball will play against Old Dominion University at Constant Convocation Center in Virginia.
Charlotte Observer
http://bit.ly/1KNzFg6

Herman starts full-time at UH after title run
The University of Houston hired Major Applewhite, a former member of the Rice football coaching staff, as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
KHOU.com
http://bit.ly/1KNzZvf

NEWS RELEASE

Artist reception for Karin Broker’s ‘damn girls’ at Rice University’s Pop-Up Gallery will be Jan. 28
Rice Public Art is featuring a Pop-Up Gallery installation, “damn girls,” by Houston artist and Rice University Visual and Dramatic Arts Professor Karin Broker. A reception with the artist will be held Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the BioScience Research Collaborative at 6500 Main St.
http://bit.ly/1u6Uxdd