Dateline Rice for Sept. 2, 2015

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

The mother of all disasters
Rice University’s Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disasters (SSPEED) Center has proposed a mid-bay gate as a third alternative for storm-surge protection from a hurricane for the heavily populated communities on the west side of Galveston Bay as well as for the industrial complex along the Houston Ship Channel. Phil Bedient, the Herman Brown Professor of Engineering, and/or Jim Blackburn, professor in the practice of environmental law, are quoted in some of the articles.
The Atlantic
http://theatln.tc/1JBDS5v
KHOU-TV
http://bit.ly/1JNbD0B
Rice presents mid-bay gate strategy
Dredging Today
http://bit.ly/1N2yVFk
Report analyzes new option for hurricane protection
Phys.org (This article also appeared in e! Science News and My Informs.)
http://bit.ly/1L0zhYs
KTRH-AM
http://bit.ly/1hUhNGv

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Massive explosion disfigures Texas landowner, and he blames fracking
Cody Murray alleges that a local oil and gas operation is to blame for the methane identified in his water well. Jim Blackburn, professor in the practice of environmental law, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (This article also appeared in DailyNews724.com.)
http://bit.ly/1Q8GhHe

Why are political outsiders faring well?
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor of political science and fellow in political science at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, explains the success of current presidential candidates who are political outsiders, project funding and the possibility of revisions needed for new laws that went into effect Sept. 1.
KTRH-AM
http://bit.ly/1JM7olX
New bills going into effect bring broad changes
Corpus Christi Caller-Times
http://bit.ly/1Jx6HxN

2015 studio awards – winners announced
Ron Witte, associate professor of architecture, is a 2015 Studio Award winner for the project “Kaihui Exchange.”
Texas Architects
http://bit.ly/1JM4XEp

Hennessy celebrates Bun B Day
Hennessy celebrated Bernard “Bun B” Freeman, the Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning’s Distinguished Lecturer, with a toast commemorating “Bun B Day” in Houston Aug. 30.
Houston Style Magazine
http://bit.ly/1L54WI9

True Colors Fund: Forty to None Summit
The True Colors Fund is hosting its second annual Forty to None Summit at Rice Sept. 24-25.
OutSmart
http://bit.ly/1hyJfc2

Dude, you’re a ‘what’? An interview with author CJ Pascoe
Author CJ Pascoe will present “Bullied: Youth, Gender and Homophobia” at Rice’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies Sept. 24.
OutSmart
http://bit.ly/1JNo3Wg

SWAMP: Still going strong after all these years
Southwest Alternate Media Project (SWAMP), a Texas independent nonprofit organization founded by alumnus James Blue ’50 with the help of philanthropists John and Dominique de Menil, is featured.
Local Houston Magazine
http://bit.ly/1NNsmbi

BROADCAST

Happy birthday, Houston!
Music performed by Rice’s Shepherd School of Music is played on Houston Public Media’s “Music in the Making.”
Houston Public Media
http://bit.ly/1hU2xcN

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Modified bacteria become a multicellular circuit
Rice scientists made a living circuit from multiple types of bacteria that prompt cooperation to change protein expression. Matthew Bennett, assistant professor of biochemistry and cell biology, is quoted. Graduate students Ye Chen and Andrew Hirning are lead and co-authors of the study, respectively.
National Science Foundation (This article also appeared in Health Canal, Doctor Pulse and One News Page.)
http://1.usa.gov/1EyQxqO

New method opens pathway to new drugs and dyes
Rice University scientists working to simplify the manufacture of cancer-fighting drugs have created a simplified method to synthesize chemical building blocks widely used to make drugs and dyes. K.C. Nicolaou, the Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor of Chemistry, is quoted.
Phys.org
http://bit.ly/1Q8hi6M

Where does Mexico go from here?
Francisco Monaldi, a fellow in Latin American Energy Policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, comments on Mexico’s expectations for the opening of its energy sector.
Offshore Engineer (This article also appeared in OEDigital.)
http://bit.ly/1NMeo9p

Eni’s Zohr discovery could end Egyptian gas imports
The massive gas discovery in Egypt could possibly restore the country as an exporter. Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow in Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute, is quoted.
E&P
http://bit.ly/1Q7ucBX

4 social media mistakes every FM should avoid
Duncan College senior Anastasia Bolshakov, communication intern, shares advice for posting hashtags and messages on various social media platforms.
Buildings
http://bit.ly/1JM607d

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Fall arts preview: LC Symphony
Duncan College junior Ryo Kaneko will perform at the Lake Charles Symphony 2015-2016 classical concert series in the Rosa Hart Theater.
American Press
http://bit.ly/1LUhCYd

College students save on textbook costs
OpenStax is mentioned as a service offering free online textbooks and low-priced printed versions.
The Durango Herald
http://bit.ly/1hRXUzK

California Symphony’s future looks bright with Aubrey Bergauer on board
A profile of alumna Aubrey Bergauer ’05 mentions Pierre Jalbert, professor of composition and theory at Rice’s Shepherd School of Music.
Contra Costa Times (This article also appeared in Inside Bay Area, San Jose Mercury, Monterey County Herald, Daily Democrat, Times-Standard and Times-Herald.)
http://bayareane.ws/1NWKvT4

SPORTS

KPRC-TV
Rice football will play its opening game against Wagner College at Rice Stadium Sept. 5. Head football coach David Bailiff is quoted.
http://bit.ly/1JBrIJP

College football: Enhanced stadium experience awaits Rice fans
Tanner Gardner, senior associate athletic director and chief revenue officer, comments on the upgrades made to Rice Stadium, which include an improved sound system, new concessions and a new family area in addition to the Rice Owls Kids Zone.
Atascocita Observer (This article also appeared in Fort Bend Sun, Sugar Land Sun and Memorial Examiner.)
http://bit.ly/1NXMYN2

KFDM-TV (Beaumont, Texas)
Rice women’s volleyball beat Lamar University 3 to 1 at Tudor Fieldhouse.
http://bit.ly/1Nabhs7
KBTV-TV (Beaumont, Texas)
http://bit.ly/1UmIWTs

Tight end gains new stature at UH
Alumnus James Casey ’11 is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1JLYQjq

Comcast SportsNet Chicago
Former baseball standout Tyler Duffey is featured.
http://bit.ly/1hyeeF3
Duffey pitching well after nervous Twins debut
Star Tribune
http://strib.mn/1JJpCZG

NEWS RELEASES

Rice method opens pathway to new drugs and dyes
Rice University scientists working to simplify the manufacture of cancer-fighting drugs have created a simplified method to synthesize chemical building blocks widely used to make drugs and dyes.
http://bit.ly/1N1wEdo