Dateline Rice for Feb. 16, 2015 (Weekend Edition)

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Oil prices up 3 percent on news of economic growth in Europe, but supplies rise
An article about the global benchmark price for oil cites a report on U.S. oil production released last week by Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
New York Times
http://nyti.ms/17bx9k0

Fairness and equality advance with jury verdict in Houston Equal Rights Ordinance trial
An article about the jury’s verdict in the case involving the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance mentions that Rice University is a supporter of the ordinance.
Human Rights Campaign Blog
http://bit.ly/1AeoebD

‘Pretentious? We’re just sticking a beat underneath satellite noises’
John F. Kennedy’s speech given at Rice in 1962 is mentioned.
Lancashire Evening Post (This article also appeared in Chorley & Leyland Guardian, Long Ridge News and Garstang Courier.)
http://bit.ly/1AehTNt

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Big idea: Music’s power to heal the brain
Anthony Brandt, associate professor of composition and theory at Rice’s Shepherd School of Music, helped J. Todd Frazier, composer and director of Houston Methodist Center for Performing Arts Medicine, design a study using music targeted to injured areas to help rehab the brain.
Houston Chronicle (This article appeared in the Houston Chronicle’s “Gray Matters” online magazine. Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/19ocTNv

District 17 voters face final decision in Republican runoff
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 race to replace state Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt and universities’ support of the Texas Dream Act and explains Texas’ growing acceptance of same-sex marriage and gay rights but the Republican primary’s unwavering opposition.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/17beogw
Gay marriage: ‘A hot spur’ to Texans
Fort Worth Star-Telegram (This article also appeared in Gay News Today.)
http://bit.ly/1DYq3w6
Universidad de Houston a favor de la Dream Act
El Quiosco (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1v64w2z

Education will open doors to engineering, energy future
Walter Chapman, the William W. Akers Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and chair of chemical and biomolecular engineering, is quoted about the various overlapping responsibilities of engineers.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1Aeqcsn

Energy industry is always on the move
Rice will collaborate on the Subsea Systems Institute in Houston.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/17HvTWt

2015 Engineers Week events highlight best of the best
Houston is celebrating Engineers Week Feb. 22-28, which will include the Outstanding Engineer Student Luncheon that recognizes junior and senior university students from Rice, University of Houston and Prairie View A&M University.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1vPHFJe

Nano-antioxidants prove their potential
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.
TMC Today (This article is featured in this week’s Texas Medical Center newsletter.)
http://tinyurl.com/lu7d6sd

BROADCAST

Houston health centers scramble before Affordable Care Act deadline
Elena Marks, scholar in health policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, explains the sudden surge in health insurance marketplace enrollment.
KPRC-TV
http://bit.ly/1FKQggH

KTRK-TV
Rice’s Latino Education Summit is mentioned.
http://bit.ly/17hMBL4

KVUE-TV (Austin, Texas)
Rice engineering students, in collaboration with Shriners Hospital and “Marvel Universe Live!” actors, used 3-D printers to design custom prosthetic hands for kids.
http://bit.ly/1zZIsXI

Breaking the barriers of classical music: An interview with ALKALI
ALKALI Chamber ensemble members Andrew Griffin ’11 and Shepherd School of Music student Chelsea Sharpe are featured. Griffin co-founded the ensemble.
Houston Public Media
http://bit.ly/1JmMDDl

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Phone with terabyte storage!
Rice’s silicon oxide technology can now be used to fabricate devices with conventional production methods, which brings it a step closer to mass production. James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering, is mentioned.
Business 2 Community
http://bit.ly/1CAP8sH

Buckyballs offer environmental benefits
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.
K-Online.de
http://bit.ly/1yMEOLK

Mexico’s first bidding round is still generating interest
Statements made by Luis Fernando Herrera Fallas, deputy general director of hydrocarbons for Mexico’s energy ministry, during Rice’s Mexico energy reform event are cited.
E&P Mag (This article also appeared in Oil and Gas Investor.)
http://bit.ly/1DYNmG0

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Jeff Edelstein: Chris Christie and his 2016 presidential hopes are not dead yet … again
An article about New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie mentions a quote that appeared in the New York Times in 1999 from Earl Black, the Herbert S. Autrey Professor Emeritus of Political Science, about George W. Bush’s alleged past drug use.
The Trentonian
http://bit.ly/1CAEli2

Why are first-graders prepping for college?
Elementary schools are embracing college prep and helping children understand and explore higher education options. Rice’s elementary and middle school tours, teacher resource page and classroom packets are mentioned.
Care2
http://bit.ly/17ho1Km

Peter R. Orszag: Scott Walker’s risky UW 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.
The Cap Times
http://bit.ly/1EgLExM

Classical pianist, black history-maker performs Feb. 19 at ECC
Alumna Jade Simmons ’03, who studied under Jon Kimura Parker, professor of piano, will perform at Elgin Community College for their Black History Month celebration.
Daily Herald
http://bit.ly/1ziwQLN

Native Iowan heading to space again
Alumna Peggy Whitson ’85 is scheduled to be on two of the next three International Space Station missions.
The Des Moines Register
http://dmreg.co/1FSKZDU
Iowan scheduled for another trip to space
KCCI.com
http://bit.ly/17b8JHo

APDC takes flight at grand opening
Alumna Cassie Barlow ’96 is profiled.
Beaver Creek News Current (This article also appeared in Bellbrook Times.)
http://bit.ly/1FToPBe

SPORTS

Guercy, Gearhart lead Rice past UAB, 82-73, in double OT
Rice men’s basketball beat University of Alabama at Birmingham 82-73 at Tudor Fieldhouse. Player Seth Gearhart scored a career-high 32 points. Head coach Mike Rhoades is quoted. Players Marcus Jackson, Andrew Drone and Max Guercy are mentioned.
CBSSports.com
http://cbsprt.co/1ziucp7
Gearhart scores 32, Rice notches 3rd straight win
KHOU.com
http://bit.ly/1CAt6WR
100 minutes of progress: Breaking down Rice’s win over UAB
Examiner.com
http://exm.nr/1Dy4rpP
Rice Owls versus UAB Blazers – Feb. 14, 2015 college basketball pick, odds and prediction
Sports Chat Place
http://bit.ly/1AvAh7K
Gearhart racks up 32 points in double overtime win against UAB
Sugar Land Sun (This article also appeared in Bellaire Examiner and Memorial Examiner.)
http://bit.ly/1DhRTUR

Rice unable to overcome miscues in season-opening loss to UT
Rice baseball fell to the University of Texas 4-3 at Reckling Park. Head coach Wayne Graham is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1Aetj3M
UT turns Rice miscues into season-opening win
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1CAZsAO
Owls see rally fizzle, fall to Longhorns in extra innings
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1v5zGae
Rice splits with Texas to start a new baseball season
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/1CAObk0
Texas baseball at Rice Saturday doubleheader open thread
Burnt Orange Nation
http://bit.ly/1AeiM8v
KEYE-TV (Austin, Texas)
http://bit.ly/1JmMqjg

Yankees set to retire Andy Pettitte’s jersey
The New York Yankees are retiring Andy Pettitte’s jersey and will honor him in Yankee Stadium’s Monument Park Aug. 23. Pettitte’s son, Josh Pettitte, will play baseball for Rice this season.
New York Times
http://nyti.ms/1L4GFEo

Dreaming red, white and blue
McMurtry College sophomore volleyball player Chelsey Harris was invited to try out for the U.S. Women’s National Team.
Atascocita Observer
http://bit.ly/1yLHV6O

Men’s tennis ready for 5th match of homestand
Rice men’s tennis fell to Louisiana State University 1-6 at Dub Robinson Stadium in Louisiana.
LSUSports.net
http://bit.ly/1Bh3VNL
LSU wins 7 event titles
New Orleans Advocate
http://bit.ly/1v5iIsI

Herd tops Hilltoppers 87-82
Rice’s basketball game against Marshall University is pictured.
The Parthenon
http://bit.ly/1zil6sp

Kitchener’s Tyler Varga enters NFL scouting combine as No. 2-ranked fullback
Football player Christian Covington was invited to the NFL’s scouting combine.
Nipawin Journal (This article also appeared in Calgary Sun and 34 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/1L36Rxk

Dodgers sign right-hander David Aardsma, extend invite to spring training
Alumnus David Aardsma ’05 was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers and was invited to the Major League spring training as a nonroster invitee.
Fansided
http://bit.ly/1vPACQQ

KSAT-TV (San Antonio)
Alamo Heights High School student McKay Kyle plans to attend Rice.
http://bit.ly/1FiIWLG

NEWS RELEASES

New book and online class launch celebration Feb. 19 at Alley Kat
Houston’s hip-hop community will host the launch of a new book from Rice University’s Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning.
http://bit.ly/1ziDGk8

Transportation planner Siegman to discuss how to solve parking shortages
Renowned parking and transportation planner Patrick Siegman will explain how to solve parking shortages by using new solutions to old problems during a free public talk at Rice University Feb. 19. The presentation will be hosted by Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Hudspeth Auditorium at the Anderson-Clarke Center, 6100 Main St.
http://bit.ly/1EhcR3h