Dateline Rice for Oct. 6, 2015

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Major private gifts to higher education
Ann and John Doerr’s $50 million gift to Rice University for the Doerr Institute for New Leaders is included on a list of major gifts to universities.
Chronicle of Higher Education
http://bit.ly/1MX3ScZ

How car tires harm our lungs: Invisible pollutant carbon black found to be more dangerous than previously thought
An invisible pollutant produced by car tires and tobacco, among other things, has been found to be even more damaging to lungs than previously thought. Researchers studying the effects of carbon black have found it causes emphysema and DNA damage in smokers. James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering, is quoted.
Daily Mail
http://dailym.ai/1QWEIMp
Insoluble nanoparticulate carbon black linked to severe emphysema
AZO Nano (This also appeared on My Informs.)
http://bit.ly/1jMiHFB

Finding paying customers for carbon pollution
An article about new uses for carbon dioxide quotes Chuck McConnell, executive director of Rice’s Energy and Environment Initiative.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://bit.ly/1VD7Tp4

More Texans accepting of same-sex marriage, survey finds
Half of Texans now say they accept same-sex marriage, according to a recent survey that reflects changing demographics and what experts say is a growing tolerance of gay and lesbian couples. Brian Riedel, assistant director of Rice’s Center for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality and professor in the practice of humanities, is quoted. (Editor’s note: A correction has been requested on the misspelling of Riedel.)
CHNI News Service (This appeared in more than 80 publications.)
http://bit.ly/1WKJnF0

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, discusses the more conservative body of the Texas State Senate and legislative races in Tarrant County.
Seeing red in the Texas Senate
Trib Talk
http://bit.ly/1Lfuhir
Some early legislative race news
Off the Kuff
http://offthekuff.com/wp/?p=69940

HOUSTON/TEXAS

US looks to Asia with sweeping trans-Pacific Partnership
The United States, Japan and 10 other Pacific-basin nations on Monday agreed after years of negotiations to the largest regional trade accord in history. The accord is an economic pact envisioned as a bulwark against China’s power and a standard-setter for global commerce, worker rights and environmental protection. William Arnold, professor in the practice of management at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business, comments.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1OVIx6K

HERO supporters rake in $1.26 million in donations
Supporters of the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance raked in $1.26 million during seven weeks of official fundraising, more than doubling opponents’ efforts and fueling a fierce and frenzied media campaign to court voters before the law hits the November ballot. Bob Stein, the Lena Gohlman Fox Professor of Political Science, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (This article appeared on the front of the City & State section.)
http://bit.ly/1Oiyfw1
Deadline to register for November elections
99.1-FM (This also appeared on KTRH-AM.)
http://bit.ly/1LfTzkM

Mapping Houston’s health problems
Ryan Holeywell, senior editor at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, authored this article on a series of maps showing the prevalence of various health conditions across the region.
Houston Chronicle (This appeared in the Houston Chronicle’s “Gray Matters” online magazine Oct. 2 and in today’s Extra section online. Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1Z7Cf7L

Americans are losing the toilet war
An article on water-saving dual-flushing toilets mentions that Rice uses the technology.
Houston Chronicle (This appeared in the Houston Chronicle Oct. 5 and in today’s Extra section online. Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1hoy0CD

Texas universities rank among world’s best
Rice’s inclusion in the Times Higher Education magazine’s list of the 2014-15 world university rankings is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1Lcxb7J

The tragic fatalism of Islamic revivalism
A. Kadir Yildirim, research scholar at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, authored a blog post about fatalism in Islamic revivalism.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1WIPOs2

5 Houstonians to know and one editor-in-chief
Bob McNair is profiled. McNair’s recent $8 million endowment for the McNair Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy is mentioned.
Houston Business Journal
http://bit.ly/1GsOlNh

Project aims to help brain fix itself
A Rice University project to decipher how neurons form networks aims to help injured brains heal themselves. Amina Qutub, assistant professor of bioengineering; Jacob Robinson, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering; and Daniel Wagner, associate professor of biosciences, are quoted.
TMC News (This also appeared in Medical Design Technology Magazine and Guidry News.) 
http://bit.ly/1hos2l5

Dealing with the small stuff
An editorial on the Harris County District Attorney’s Office First-Chance Intervention Program for first-time offenders of marijuana possession cites a study co-authored by Katharine Neill, the Alfred C. Glassell III Postdoctoral Fellow in Drug Policy at the Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Beaumont Enterprise
http://bit.ly/1Guxiu1

Students, professionals join for conference on diversity at Rice University for ‘News Gathering: Diversity in the Digital Age’
Students and media professionals took over Rice University for a daylong journalism conference Oct. 3, “News Gathering: Diversity in the Digital Age.” The Office of Public Affairs’ Multicultural Community Relations sponsored the event.
KPRC-TV
http://bit.ly/1FUKZYk

SOLI Chamber Ensemble’s Texas roadshow
SOLI Chamber Ensemble’s season begins this week in San Antonio. Anthony Brandt and Karim Al-Zand, associate professors of composition and theory at Rice’s Shepherd School of Music, are mentioned.
Texas Public Radio
http://bit.ly/1VBNalr

HISD students to meet with prestigious colleges at Top-Tier College Night
Rice will participate in Houston Independent School District’s Top-Tier College Night.
Guidry News
http://bit.ly/1LvDHg7

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

MD Anderson, Theraclone launch immuno-oncology antibody discovery company
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Theraclone Sciences jointly launched OncoResponse, an immuno-oncology antibody discovery company, with $9.5 million in series A financing. Rice is mentioned as a participant.
Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News
http://bit.ly/1FRFutM
Hub-building MD Anderson partners with Theraclone on $9.5M biotech startup
Fierce Biotech
http://bit.ly/1FUFb0W
Houston’s MD Anderson, Theraclone launch immunotherapy startup
Xconomy
http://bit.ly/1PguFmM

Journal honors Michael Khodadoust as recipient of the 2015 Journal of Clinical Oncology Young Investigator Award
Alumnus Michael Khodadoust ’01 received the Journal of Clinical Oncology’s 2015 Conquer Cancer Foundation of American Society of Clinical Oncology Young Investigator Award.
Journal of Clinical Oncology
http://bit.ly/1KXWKMS

Educational drones
An August drone camp for middle school students hosted by the Rice Center for Engineering Leadership is featured.
Oil & Gas Journal (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1Rsg47c

Forum: N. America should develop further as global energy leader
A business column about the state of the oil industry includes statements made by Walker Moody, chief operating officer for the asset management business at Houston’s Tudor, Pickering and Holt Co., during a speech at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Oil & Gas Journal (Subscription required.) 
http://bit.ly/1VD8bfD

Smaller is better for nanotube analysis
Variance spectroscopy, invented at Rice, lets researchers learn more about mixed batches of fluorescent nanotubes by focusing on small areas of samples and comparing their contents. Bruce Weisman, professor of chemistry and of materials science and nanoengineering, is quoted.
Space Daily
http://bit.ly/1VBq3wN

Disease-free water commands an international team effort
Antibiotic resistance is a growing global public health threat causing an estimated 23,000 deaths in America alone each year. Pedro Alvarez, the George R. Brown Professor and chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is mentioned.
Infection Control Today
http://bit.ly/1RrkKtQ

‘From Russia to Riverside Drive’ to launch NYFOS’ 2015-16 season this November
Alumnus Shea Owens ’12 is profiled.
Broadway World
http://bit.ly/1MWJ0T1

Best of last week — Water on Mars, drunk kicking a robot and a drug to sharpen memory
Rice research on a new flat transistor that defied a theoretical limit is mentioned.
Phys.org (This also appeared in eScience News and My Informs.)
http://bit.ly/1Z7mUnL

Mars and the ‘mohawk guy’: Nasa basks in PR triumphs even as funding shrivels
President John F. Kennedy’s famous “Moon Speech” delivered at Rice Sept. 12, 1962, is mentioned.
Dawn
http://bit.ly/1FRS7oL

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Billy Graham warns of fire and brimstone in ‘final’ book
In his latest book, evangelist Billy Graham declares that non-Christians are doomed to live in a fiery hell. William Martin, the Harry and Hazel Chavanne Senior Fellow in Religion and Public Policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, comments.
Charisma Magazine
http://bit.ly/1L4yFBH

Wife divorces man for being too short
A young Saudi bride divorced her husband because he is too short. The article cites a joint study by Rice University and the University of Texas that found women want a man who is taller than they are because it conforms to gender stereotypes and makes them feel protected.
Celeb Café
http://bit.ly/1jMt0tl

‘The Stones Will Sing’ at Oct. 11 organ concert at St. Mary of the Hills in Blowing Rock
Alumnus Joseph Causby ’08 is mentioned.
Hill Country Press (This also appeared in the Watauga Democrat.)
http://bit.ly/1MUE5C5

A grand debut for bioengineering majors
Five recent graduates have won a national competition for designing a portable device that enables patients with human immunodeficiency virus to determine whether their medication is working. Kathryn Kundrod, a Rice graduate student in bioengineering, is profiled.
Lehigh University News
http://bit.ly/1LfczAb

‘I’m me, and I’m human’: Trae Tha Truth speaks ‘tha’ truth
An interview with Houston rapper Trae Tha Truth mentions he sat on a Rice University panel in 2011 on hip-hop and its influence on culture.
Vice
http://bit.ly/1LvzBEG

SPORTS

2015 minor league sleeper prospects: Pitcher results
Former baseball standout Tyler Duffey is mentioned.
SB Nation
http://bit.ly/1hmfdaU

Rice tries to lift trust factor
Articles discuss Rice football’s disappointing season.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1j4l6Li
Rice Owls embarrassed by Western Kentucky, give a new meaning to ineptitude
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/1Q4Tbpg
Eliminator week 5: Nothing is what we expected
ESPN
http://es.pn/1Q4JUO2
Hilltoppers take care of business in Houston
WKU Herald
http://bit.ly/1LfaQX8
Bleacher talk: College football heating up
The Slate
http://bit.ly/1MWHFM2
As chaos swirls, Strong seems to be on firm ground at Texas
Fox News
http://fxn.ws/1McJZf7
10 Texas Longhorns to know ahead of the Red River Showdown
Dallas Morning News
http://bit.ly/1QWA7d7
WhatIfSports college football Week 6 power rankings: Gators are back
Fox Sports
http://foxs.pt/1MUOfCG

Kicker Boswell isn’t concerned with Steelers’ debut coming on ‘Monday Night Football’
Alumnus Chris Boswell ’13 is profiled.
Pittsburg Post-Gazette
http://bit.ly/1jMkDho

WFXP-TV (Erie, Pa.)
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed alumnus Chris Boswell ’13 as a kicker.
(This story also appeared on WJET-TV [Erie, Pa.].)
http://bit.ly/1RseORu

Why play football? 2 views on the game, from those who know it best
NPR’s Michel Martin discussed the ethics of football with two longtime players — one retired from the NFL, the other just beginning college. Wiess College freshman Nahshon Ellerbe is featured.
Colorado Public Radio (This also appeared on Report News Today.)
http://bit.ly/1jblwjz

NEWS RELEASES

Residents of Copenhagen less welcoming to immigrants than Houstonians are
Residents of Copenhagen, Denmark, are more likely than Houstonians to believe immigration threatens their country’s culture. That’s one of several findings in a new survey from Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research.
http://bit.ly/1LvRe7j

New report shows more Texas workers getting health insurance from employers
A larger percentage of Texas workers are getting health insurance through their employers now than before the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, according to a new report released by Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and the Episcopal Health Foundation.
http://bit.ly/1QWS3UO

Rice U. study: Researchers need to pay attention to differences in self-control
Whether it’s resisting buying a candy bar in the checkout lane or purchasing an unneeded pair of shoes on sale at the mall, self-control varies from person to person. Researchers must pay attention to these differences in individuals’ self-control when assessing the impact of public policies, according to a new study by marketing and consumer behavior experts at Rice University and Vanderbilt University.
http://bit.ly/1VBPxtT