Dateline Rice for Feb. 12, 2015

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

OPEC calls the tune and US shale producers follow — by cutting production
U.S. oil production, especially shale oil, has proven to be an early and nimble responder to the large drop in oil prices that occurred in late 2014, according to a new report by energy experts at Rice University’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 Mark Agerton, graduate fellow in the Center for Energy Studies a the Baker Institute, co-authored the paper.
Forbes (This article also appeared in Bullfax.com.)
http://onforb.es/1KQbf2z
Baker Institute paper: US oil production has been an early responder to large drop in global oil prices
Sugar Land Sun
http://bit.ly/1Eg59X5
Traders wait for news out of Europe; Tim Cook says ‘sitting is the new cancer’
Yahoo! Finance
http://yhoo.it/1zwdGRh
Oil drilling in US declines 28 percent amid low crude prices
Alexander’s Gas & Oil Connections (This article also appeared in RIA Novosti, iMarketReports, PatriotPost and Aktiespararen.)
http://bit.ly/1Clrn7O

Is having a college degree a presidential prerequisite?
Presidential candidates are expected to have college degrees, but it may alienate them from voters. Douglas Brinkley, professor of history and fellow in history at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, explains that American voters may relate to Gov. Scott Walker for not graduating from college.
The Washington Post
http://wapo.st/16XWw8I

Texans with AK-47s prod legislature to ease curbs on small guns
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 a new open-carry bill that is expected to pass and universities’ support of the Texas Dream Act.
Bloomberg Business
http://bloom.bg/1vnpwwF
University of Houston gives its support to Texas DREAM Act
La Voz de Houston
http://bit.ly/1zODq0f
http://bit.ly/1uJYLYg

Apple leads clean energy trend with solar deal
Apple CEO Tim Cook announced a plan to build a clean energy plant with First Solar to provide renewable energy for the Apple campuses, retailers, offices and data centers in California. Rice is mentioned for its success in owning its own electricity generator.
U.S. News & World Report
http://bit.ly/1CiILfW

DC community calendar, Feb. 12-19, 2015
Students from the Shepherd School of Music will perform at the Kennedy Center Feb. 16.
The Washington Post
http://wapo.st/1E4gsBR

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.
Journal Sentinel (This article also appeared in Island Packet, Fresno Bee, McClatchy Company, Belleville News-Democrat, Bradenton Herald, ArcaMax and Beaufort Gazette.)
http://bit.ly/19c3A32

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Cancer patient finds cheaper premium carries a high cost
Millions of marketplace consumers buy health coverage based on premiums rather than plan details to make sure they’ll be covered. Elena Marks, scholar in health policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, explains that many people don’t understand how insurance works or figure out what would suit them best.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/17mwU6e

Match.com, my grandma and me
Alumna Lorís Simón Salum ’11 authored an essay about the generations of courtship.
Houston Chronicle (This article appeared in the Houston Chronicle’s “Gray Matters” online magazine. Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1J1ItAC

Drillinginfo launches new oil and gas production index
Drillinginfo, the leading software as a service and data analytics company for energy exploration decision support, launched Drillinginfo Index. Kenneth Medlock III, the James A. Baker III and Susan Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics and lecturer of economics, is quoted about the index’s contribution to the demand for updated data concerning U.S. oil and gas trends.
CityBizList Houston (This article also appeared in CityBizList Dallas, CityBizList Charlotte/Raleigh, Vouroilandgasnews.com, PennEnergy, Oil & Gas Financial Journal and World Oil.)
http://bit.ly/1J2PlxE

Out of state, out of luck? Restraint on ‘outside’ access to public info among new open records bills
Some Texas lawmakers are proposing changes to the Public Information Act.
The Dallas Morning News
http://bit.ly/1KQcD5q

BROADCAST

Perry in New Hampshire
Bob Stein, the Lena Gohlman Fox Professor of Political Science, comments on Rick Perry’s speeches at Republican dinners in New Hampshire.
KTRH-AM
http://bit.ly/1B2HN9P
http://bit.ly/1Cj8ghc

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Fannin spinout Acelerox aims to halt immune attacks with nanotech
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. Houston’s Fannin Innovation Studio has started its latest company, Acelerox, based on these nanoparticles. James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering, is quoted.
Xconomy (This article also appeared in eWallStreeter.)
http://bit.ly/16UzcbV

Bent watches and cats in rocking chairs — Paul Kweton’s 3-D printed designs
Alumnus Paul Kweton ’08 is featured for his unique furnishings and watches.
3DPrint.com
http://bit.ly/1zOTz5R

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

CSU libraries make open resource textbooks available to students
The Twenty Million Minds Foundation collaborated with Rice’s OpenStax College to offer textbooks in core subjects at 13 California State University campuses.
Campus Technology (This article also appeared in ABC 10 News and 60 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/1CZsj6X

SPORTS

Middle Tennessee (13-11) at Rice (7-15)
Rice men’s and women’s basketball are playing against Middle Tennessee University Feb. 12 at Tudor Fieldhouse.
The News Tribune
http://bit.ly/17mVu7d
Lady Raiders not looking past Rice
Daily News Journal
http://on.dnj.com/1FCZnzQ

Local private schools athletes ink their letters
Several high school seniors signed National Letters of Intent to play for Rice, including standout J.T. Granato. Head coach David Bailiff is quoted.
Bellaire Examiner
http://bit.ly/1yq6DcM
Eagle transforms into Rice Owl
Pleasanton Express
http://bit.ly/16XCpra

Football NL keeps making forward progress
Alumnus Luke Willson ’12 will be featured at a two-day clinic in St. John’s School.
Northern Pen (This article also appeared in Gulf News and 10 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/1FDmqur

NEWS RELEASE

Baker Institute paper: US oil production has been an early responder to large drop in global oil prices
U.S. oil production, especially shale oil, has proven to be an early and nimble responder to the large drop in oil prices that occurred in late 2014, according to a new report by energy experts at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
http://bit.ly/17nnck1