Dateline Rice for Sept. 16, 2015

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

A quest to rule the universe? Amazon’s Jeff Bezos expands his rocket plans
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos envisions life in space and is challenging Elon Musk and Richard Branson in a race to make it happen. Yael Hochberg, the Ralph S. O’Connor Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, is quoted.
Los Angeles Times (This article also appeared in Sci-Tech Today, Chicago Tribune and My Informs.)
http://lat.ms/1W2MpE8

Inside South America’s oil-fueled currency battle
Some South American countries are facing a currency crisis. Francisco Monaldi, a fellow in Latin American Energy Policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, explains the plight of dollarization for these suffering countries. Monaldi will also speak at the Domenici Public Policy Conference.
Bloomberg Business
http://bloom.bg/1Kf9ZbC
Community calendar (Sept. 15)
KHOU.com (This article also appeared in Daily Record and KSDK-TV.)
http://bit.ly/1QGlFGB

Saudis make push for nuclear energy
Saudi Arabia announced its plans to build 16 reactors over the next several decades to provide 15 percent of the country’s electricity by 2032. Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow in Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Wall Street Journal
http://on.wsj.com/1KlZNuG

Houston growing in size, diversity
An article about Houston’s dramatic demographic shift cites a poll from Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research on racially diverse U.S. cities’ attitudes towards social issues.
The Columbus Dispatch
http://bit.ly/1KpHlG7

Here’s how to get the most out of the government’s new college scorecard
An article offers tips on how to navigate and understand the federal government’s new College Scorecard. Rice is mentioned.
Time Money
http://ti.me/1OZdMe7

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Q&A: An outsider’s view on the Houston real estate market
Zillow Real Estate will host a discussion with Stephen Klineberg, professor of sociology and founding director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1OeLEGA

Memorial Hermann receives bonus for success with efficient care, cost-saving initiatives
The Memorial Hermann Accountable Care Organization received the largest bonus of more than 350 other groups in the nation. Vivian Ho, the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics at the Baker Institute and professor of economics, commends the organization for meeting the Affordable Care Act’s tough standards. Ho also comments on the benefit of providing people with insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1OZ4Oh4
http://bit.ly/1iOK2qj
More health insurance means more diagnoses but also better care
Healthline News (This article also appeared in News List Online and My Informs.)
http://bit.ly/1MrD8E3

Is Houston better than Chicago? A comparison in photos
Rice is included in a slideshow comparing Houston’s landmarks and demographics with Chicago’s.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1iPaZKv

Wednesday letters: A return to school days
Rice is mentioned in a letter to the editor about the Houston Independent School District seeking audits.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1FfXKwk

Will another traffic nightmare precede the next big storm?
Texas officials believe the state is better prepared for a storm evacuation, but the lack of highway expansion suggests otherwise. Bob Stein, the Lena Gohlman Fox Professor of Political Science, is quoted.
Texas Tribune
http://bit.ly/1Ow5cFG

UH moves up in top 100 ranking
Rice University is included on U.S. News & World Report’s list of schools that meet 100 percent of demonstrated financial need for full-time degree-seeking students.
The Cougar
http://bit.ly/1QFINFb

The light fantastic
A new installation called “Intersections” by artist Anila Agha will be on display in Rice Gallery Sept. 24 through Dec. 6.
Houstonia
http://bit.ly/1OXW3ni

Houston Symphony to offer wide range of concerts in October
Colombian violinist and conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada and the Houston Symphony will perform at Rice’s Stude Concert Hall.
Here Houston
http://bit.ly/1NDfQeJ
Houston Symphony Orchestra releases full October 2015 schedule
Broadway World
http://bit.ly/1QhPz3d

College Night set for Oct. 7 at Berry Center
Rice will participate in the 21st annual districtwide College Night Oct. 7 at the Berry Center.
Cypress Creek Mirror
http://bit.ly/1W2ZSvR

BROADCAST

KENS-TV (San Antonio)
Rice is ranked the No. 1 best value school in Texas by NerdWallet and is the only private university that made the top 10. NerdWallet evaluated 36 universities and colleges in Texas by analyzing data on affordability, prestige, graduation rates, graduate salaries and student debt.
http://bit.ly/1Kql8Yu
KVUE-TV (Austin, Texas)
http://bit.ly/1gre81a
McNeese ranks on ‘best colleges’ list
American Press
http://bit.ly/1MrFnXT

Mexicana en Houston apoya a Donald Trump en campaña presidencial
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, comments on presidential candidates Donald Trump, and Ted Cruz and the second GOP presidential debate.
Telemundo Houston (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1KS2Ykj
As sole Texas banner carrier, Cruz’s candidacy looks strong — for now, experts say
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
http://bit.ly/1OfiiI7
KRIV-TV
http://bit.ly/1KqkB8F
KTSA-TV (San Antonio)
http://bit.ly/1W3A7eD
WOAI-AM (San Antonio)
http://bit.ly/1NDksBr

WABC-TV (New York)
Rice is mentioned on a top-20 list of universities with the best-looking students.
http://bit.ly/1OZ8qQ2

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Science provides new way to peer into pores
Rice University scientists combine techniques to create a new way to characterize the nanoscale spaces in porous materials. The technique should be of value to materials and biological sciences. Christy Landes, assistant professor of chemistry, is quoted.
National Science Foundation
http://1.usa.gov/1NxDmbt

Imaging software could improve breast cancer diagnosis process
New software developed by Rice University bioengineers could speed up the diagnosis of breast cancer with 90 percent accuracy and without the need for a specialist, according to new research published this week in the open-access journal Breast Cancer Research. Rebecca Richards-Kortum, the Malcolm Gillis University Professor, director of the Institute of Biosciences and Bioengineering and of Rice 360°: Institute for Global Health Technologies, is quoted.
Oncology Nurse Advisor (This article also appeared in Cancer Therapy Advisor.)
http://bit.ly/1OYp4PI

Architectural innovation to be tested on people in Swedish ‘living lab’
Construction began for an HSB Living Lab in Sweden, which should function for 10 years as a laboratory for technical and architectural innovations. Rice is mentioned as a research work partner of the project.
Global Construction Review
http://bit.ly/1W3o3dm

US oil output: More buffer provider than ‘swing’ producer
The Energy Information Administration published its production data using its new survey method. Vincent Kaminski, professor in the practice of management at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business, is quoted.
Hellenic Shipping News
http://bit.ly/1KgIADN

El sector ha muerto, el sector ha muerto … ¡Viva el sector!
Miriam Grunstein, contributing expert and scholar in the Mexico Center at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, authored an op-ed about the sector.
Energiahoy.com (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1OZctMr

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Seminary Chapel sermon ‘Certainty Not’ Sept. 15, 2015
Alumnus Roger Olson ’82 shares a sermon he gave at Baylor University’s Truett Seminary. Alumnus Winfried Corduan ’77 is mentioned.
Patheos
http://bit.ly/1UVksLZ

Interview with Terry Grier
Rice is mentioned in an interview with Houston Independent School District Superintendent Terry Grier.
MyInforms.com
http://bit.ly/1YcITch

Katrina Lenk, Richard Topol, Lenny Wolpe and more to star in Yale Rep’s INDECENT world premiere
Alumna Amy Boratko ’03 is profiled.
Broadway World
http://bit.ly/1JbPvfU

Danielle Supkis Cheek, CPA, CFE, CVA – 2015 40 under 40 honoree
Danielle Supkis Cheek, president of D. Supkis Cheek and former OwlSpark volunteer, is interviewed.
CPAPracticeAdvisor.com
http://bit.ly/1QhEUp1

SPORTS

Auburn’s Jonathan Wallace named to 2015 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
Rice football player Driphus Jackson was selected to the 2015 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
Alabama News (This article also appeared in the York, Penn State Nittany Lions, Bellaire Examiner and UNDsports.)
http://bit.ly/1Lh6tiU

Islanders snap Owls’ win streak
Rice women’s volleyball fell to Texas A&M University Corpus Christi 1-3.
Conference USA
http://bit.ly/1NDnO7z
KZTV-TV (Corpus Christi, Texas)
http://bit.ly/1QGiA9m
KRIS-TV (Corpus Christi, Texas)
http://bit.ly/1FN9Rfe
http://bit.ly/1UVgKlM

NEWS RELEASES

Baker Institute events to highlight neglected tropical disease issues in US and Mexico
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) comprise a group of parasitic, viral and bacterial infections that mainly afflict people living in areas of extreme poverty, including some southern regions of the United States and Mexico. Three events at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy Sept. 29-30 will bring together scientists and policy experts to discuss how NTDs are affecting both countries and determine how the countries can work together to address the problem.
http://bit.ly/1Lh2OS8

Rice researcher available to discuss maps of Houston health issues
What do maps reveal about Houston’s health issues? Rice University sociologist Justin Denney, director of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research’s Urban Health Program (UHP), is available to discuss eight newly released maps of health issues that plague Houstonians.
http://bit.ly/1Mc5Vt9