Dateline Rice for Feb. 11, 2015

FEATURED ITEM

Oil drilling slows as crude price drops
According to a study by Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, companies drilled 28 percent fewer oil wells in January across the U.S. than they did last June, in response to lower oil prices. Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and lead author of the study, is quoted.
Wall Street Journal (This article also appeared in Wall Street Observer, Yahoo! Xtra, DailyMe, iMarketReports and News Index.)
http://on.wsj.com/1KGYauq
Drilling slows down — energy journal
Wall Street Journal
http://on.wsj.com/1vEthUe
Press digest — Wall Street Journal — Feb. 11
Reuters
http://reut.rs/1ygqN93
The shale slowdown is here
Business Insider
http://read.bi/1E9F4Zt
US oil companies ease off drilling rigs as lower crude prices force production slowdown
International Business Times
http://bit.ly/17gPRHu
Oil drilling in US declines 28 percent amid low crude prices
Sputnik News
http://bit.ly/1ITcrGW
KUT 90.5
http://bit.ly/199zlto

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Buckyballs pull toxic metals from liquids
Treated carbon-60 molecules have the ability to recover valuable metals from liquids, including water and potential pollutants. Andrew Barron, the Charles W. Duncan Jr.-Welch Professor of Chemistry and professor of materials science, and Jones College senior Jessica Heimann are quoted. Co-authors of the paper are Rice graduate student Lauren Morrow and alumnus Robin Anderson ’05. Robert Curl, University Professor Emeritus and the Kenneth S. Pitzer-Schlumberger Professor Emeritus of Natural Sciences, is mentioned.
Futurity
http://bit.ly/1FyxclC
Treated buckyballs can remove toxic metal particles from liquids
AZoNano
http://bit.ly/1DFjEps
Binding bad: Buckyballs offer environmental benefits
Domain-B.com (This article also appeared in Science Newsline.)
http://bit.ly/1CgWpA9

Could an injection stop brain damage in minutes?
PEG-HCC nanoparticles show promise for quenching the overexpression of damaging superoxides in preclinical trauma models. New tests show the process is due to catalytic turnover of reactive oxygen species. James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering, is quoted.
Futurity
http://bit.ly/1Am4yUK
Nano-antioxidants prove their potential
Science Newsline
http://bit.ly/1EYy71j

Who are the ‘true Muslims?’
An op-ed about radical Islamists being a false representation of Islam quotes David Cook, associate professor of religion.
The Times of Israel
http://bit.ly/1ITXZOW

5 things you should be doing if you’re a pregnant job seeker
An article offers tips for pregnant job applicants. A 2013 Rice study about discrimination against pregnant job applicants is referenced.
Business Insider
http://read.bi/1KMD6Rg

Rebellion Photonics: Thriving on fumes
The Environmental Protection Agency announced its plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Alumna Allison Lami Sawyer ’10 is featured for her company, Rebellion Photonics, which helps detect and stop methane emissions.
Forbes
http://onforb.es/1zW4tp8

Tales of obsession and perfection: The musicians of the L.A. Phil
Alumnus Thomas Hooten ’01 is featured as a member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Los Angeles Times
http://bit.ly/1FyA3uM

Scott Walker’s risky university experiment
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker cut $300 million from the University of Wisconsin’s budget over the next two years. Rice is mentioned in research on the differences in pay between public and private universities.
Chicago Tribune
http://trib.in/1ygMdTm
What’s really at risk in Scott Walker’s $300 million university experiment
Crain’s Chicago Business
http://bit.ly/16Ti3zh
Wisconsin’s Walker and higher ed: Alchemy
Star Tribune (This article also appeared in 4-Traders, Fort Mill Times, MoneyShow.com, Minyanville, BioSpace.com, Sun News, Industrial Info, KMAX-TV and Townhall.)
http://strib.mn/17h5qz5

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Returning Rice radio station won’t be KTRU
Rice’s student-run radio station is returning to the FM airwaves by the end of this year but won’t be called KTRU. Lovett College senior and station manager Sal Tijerina is quoted.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1vF9hke
People are stoked about KTRU’s FM return
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/1E9SzIR
Popular student-run Rice radio station plans return, but it won’t be KTRU
CultureMap Houston
http://bit.ly/1AXtAuO
Metro board to consider sweeping change in bus system
The Metro board could approve a revision of Houston’s local bus system. The article notes that the changes would make trips from west Houston to Rice University faster.
Houston Chronicle (This appeared on the front page. Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1zvXHmj

A&M among top 20 in nation in research spending
Rice is No. 132 on the National Science Foundation’s ranking of university research spending.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/199mcAM

How conservative is too conservative?
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, authored an op-ed about the different measures of conservatism in the legislature and comments on Rick Perry’s failed 2012 presidential campaign.
TribTalk
http://bit.ly/1EYo6kD
Texas Take daily newsletter
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1E0RHXh
Troubles at home for some GOP potential White House candidates?
Idaho Statesman (This article also appeared in Ledger-Enquirer and 30 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/1ITvCAd

Crime rising in states reducing prison populations
States are experiencing a rise in property crime as programs start to ease overcrowding in jails. Robert Werth, lecturer in sociology, said it’s tough to connect the rise in crime to the release of criminals.
KTRH-AM
http://bit.ly/1zWnvf8

Fat Tuesday at the Rice Farmers Market 2015
Chef de cuisine Sarah Finster and Terry Savoie will be preparing Cajun cuisine onsite for Fat Tuesday at Rice Farmers Market.
CultureMap Houston
http://bit.ly/1vkjJb1

Film screening: ‘Losing the West’
“Losing the West,” a 2013 documentary by Rice University alumna Alex Warren ’87, was screened at Rice Cinema Film Theatre.
CultureMap Houston
http://bit.ly/1DFyoVq

Come out and draw in Sumi Ink
Members of the Rice University and Greater Houston communities will have the chance to ink the walls of the Rice Media Center this month. The university will host the internationally known Sumi Ink Club for a participatory public art project at the university Feb. 15, 17 and 18. Students, faculty and staff are invited to join Los Angeles-based artists in creating a drawing painted with brush and ink on the gallery walls of the center throughout the three days.
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/1DhYD3A

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

The changing political climate for US science
Neal Lane, the Malcolm Gillis University Professor Emeritus, senior fellow in science and technology policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and  professor emeritus of physics and astronomy, authored an op-ed about possible progress for U.S. science policy and research funding.
Physics Today
http://bit.ly/1ChCoqK

Exclusive: Rice University event highlights importance of scientific collaboration with the media
Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy hosted its Civic Science Lecture Series presentation, “Influenza, SARS, Ebola and the Next Pandemic: Perceptions in the Media and Public.” Speakers included Peter Hotez, a fellow in disease and poverty at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, and Robert Bazell, nonresident fellow in science and technology policy.
BioNews-Texas
http://bit.ly/1E9C1kc

Texan institutes pioneering stem cell research
The Texas Medical Center is featured as a hub for advances in regenerative medicine. Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy is mentioned for its role in examining the ethical issues behind stem cells.
BioNews-Texas
http://bit.ly/17ganrH

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

13 rappers who have made a difference in the classroom
Bernard “Bun B” Freeman, the Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning’s Distinguished Lecturer, is featured. Freeman will co-teach the new online course Religion and Hip-Hop Culture.
XXLMag.com
http://bit.ly/1Ch2ZGX

Brad Smith ‘poster child’ for school officials’ licensure bill
Utah Rep. Kim Coleman, sponsor of the state’s House Bill 197, cites Rice’s business administration program with an emphasis in education as an example of why administrator licensing should not be limited to people with teaching experience and education degrees.
Standard Examiner
http://bit.ly/199lm6X

Students at 13 college campuses offered new online textbooks
The Twenty Million Minds Foundation collaborated with Rice’s OpenStax College to offer textbooks in core subjects at 13 California State University campuses.
The Tribune (This article also appeared in Military Times and 20 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/1AXGXel

Team Illini makes finals of BP’s Ultimate Field Trip
Rice’s team is advancing to the national finals of BP’s Ultimate Field Trip competition.
The Daily Illini
http://bit.ly/1ygGCwr

SPORTS

Rice University DE will forgo final year of eligibility for engineering job
All-conference player Brian Nordstrom decided to forego his final year of eligibility to accept an engineering job with a Houston oil and gas company.
Sports Illustrated
http://on.si.com/1CgW7Xy

KHOU-TV
Rice baseball is featured for its preparation for the upcoming season, which includes upcoming games against the University of Texas Feb. 13-15 at Reckling Park. Head coach Wayne Graham and player John Clay Reeves are quoted. Player Blake Fox is mentioned.
http://bit.ly/1KMBN4W
KPRC-TV
http://bit.ly/1KMCtHp
KTRK-TV
http://bit.ly/16SFrg7

Rice’s upset win turns C-USA title race into free-for-all
Rice men’s basketball beat Western Kentucky University 72-68 at E.A. Diddle Arena.
Pilot Online
http://bit.ly/1AY4VWX
Birth of a blob: ‘Big Red’ from Cincinnati
Cincinnati.com
http://cin.ci/16NdYwj

Which conference USA teams got better throughout the season?
Rice football’s last season games are mentioned.
Underdog Dynasty
http://bit.ly/199sUGO

Panthers celebrate signing day
Pflugerville High School senior Justin Bickham signed a National Letter of Intent to play for Rice.
Statesman.com
http://atxne.ws/1E97HWR

NFL hires Elizabeth Nabel as first chief medical adviser
Elizabeth Nabel, president of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and professor of medicine at Harvard, was named the first chief health and medical adviser for the NFL. Clark Haptonstall, professor in the practice of sport management and chair of the Department of Sport Management, is quoted.
Wausau Daily Herald (This article also appeared in Visalia Times-Delta, Lansing State Journal, News Press and Green Bay Press-Gazette.)
http://wdhne.ws/1Ch4h4t

NEWS RELEASE

Theologian Richard Mouw to speak on interfaith dialogue, religious civility Feb. 24-25
Richard Mouw, a leading American theologian and philosopher, will discuss interfaith dialogue and religious civility at three events presented by Rice University’s Boniuk Institute for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance Feb. 24-25. The events are free and open to the public.
http://bit.ly/1IU3aOP