Dateline Rice for Jan. 11, 2016 (Weekend Edition)

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

World benefits from US liquefied natural gas exports
Increasing the United States’ export of liquefied natural gas (LNG) above 12 billion cubic feet per day would allow the U.S. to continue to provide a competitive advantage for domestic natural-gas-intensive industries relative to their counterparts overseas, according to a new report presented to the U.S. Department of Energy from the Center for Energy Studies at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and Oxford Economics.
Forbes
http://onforb.es/1OlS6re

In Saudi Aramco IPO, global refining empire may be the prize
Saudi Aramco is seeking options for a share sale. Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow in Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Bloomberg Business (This article also appeared in Yahoo! Finance and 21 other media outlets.)
http://bloom.bg/22UVCTg
Aramco mulls over its listing options
Business Day
http://bit.ly/1RhC3Rg
Saudi Aramco’s refining empire could be IPO focus
Fuel Fix
http://bit.ly/1UIs0CI

How to lower your health care bills
Health care spending is predicted to rise 4 percent this year. Vivian Ho, the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and professor of economics, is quoted. Ho is also quoted about the Baker Institute’s recent study on the number of Texans having problems paying their medical bills in 2015.
Seattle Times
http://bit.ly/1JEFC1a
Big bills hit even those with insurance
San Antonio Express-News
http://bit.ly/1TOXlnb
Study finds Obamacare helping in a state that fought it hardest, Texas
Daily KOS
http://bit.ly/1kZtTi3

Death penalty on decline in US
According to the Death Penalty Information Center, capital punishment has sharply declined in the United States. Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research is cited for its survey of Harris County’s preference for life without parole as opposed to the death penalty as punishment for first-degree murder.
National Catholic Reporter
http://bit.ly/1l0gx5c

Ian Lowrie on ‘Inventing the Future: Postcapitalism and a World Without Work’
Graduate student Ian Lowrie authored a review of “Inventing the Future: Postcapitalism and a World Without Work” by Nick Srnicek and Alex Williams.
Los Angeles Review of Books
http://bit.ly/1SJGaoN

HOUSTON/TEXAS

House race pitting Garcia, Green tests power of Latino vote
Former Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia is seeking to unseat Democratic Congressman Gene Green to represent the growing Latino community. Bob Stein, the Lena Gohlman Fox Professor of Political Science, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1ZfBTcp

These 15 things more likely to happen than you winning the Powerball
Katherine Ensor, professor of statistics, comments on the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot. She is also quoted in an article about members of the Environmental Protection Agency Science Advisory Board requesting clarification on the conclusion that fracking does not impact drinking water.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1ScKv4y
EPA says fracking is safe, scientists disagree
Claims Journal (This article also appeared in Power Source.)
http://bit.ly/1ZmuXjb

Developer proposes Medical Center redevelopment with hotel
An award-winning site development plan for the Texas Medical Center, which has been written about on the Rice Design Alliance’s Cite magazine website, is being circulated among retail brokers.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1ZmEGWI

People in business
Karen Nelson, the Harmon Whittington Professor of Accounting at the Jones Graduate School of Business, has been named to the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Standing Advisory Group.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1P24v3b
http://bit.ly/1VYye2J

Houston-area gardening events calendar
The 16th annual Urban Harvest fruit tree sale will be Jan. 16 at Rice Stadium.
Houston Chronicle (This article also appeared in DailyNews724.)
http://bit.ly/1mPqIvo
KTRH-AM
http://bit.ly/1JFgRSK

Study: Bacteria attack lignin with enzymatic tag team
A study from Rice University, the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Joint BioEnergy Institute at Emeryville, Calif., shows how bacterial enzymes team up to attack lignin. The findings could lead to more efficient processes for creating biofuels from wood, grass and agricultural waste. George Phillips, the Ralph and Dorothy Looney Professor of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, is quoted.
Texas Medical Center News (This is featured in TMC Today and appeared in Lab Manager and BioPortfolio.)
http://bit.ly/1OXd5Xd
http://bit.ly/1SdtoQ7

Rice researcher awarded $1.5M from Kauffman Foundation to study effects of entrepreneurship education
A leading researcher at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business has received a $1.5 million grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to study the effects of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial success. The five-year project will work with leading startup support organizations in the United States to track the outcomes of a group of startups receiving a free, concentrated entrepreneurship curriculum. Yael Hochberg, the Ralph S. O’Connor Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, is quoted. Eric Floyd, assistant professor of accounting, is mentioned.
TMC Today
http://bit.ly/1SdtoQ7

Rick Perry’s stamp of approval: Is it enough?
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, is quoted about the importance of former Gov. Rick Perry’s presidential candidate endorsement.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram (This also appeared in My Informs.)
http://bit.ly/1VYwrKM

Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. at the Rothko Chapel
Anthony Pinn, the Agnes Cullen Arnold Professor of Humanities and professor of religion, will participate in a discussion at the “Still Dreaming: Black Lives Matter, Hip Hop and MLK’s Legacy” event.
Conroe Today
http://bit.ly/1RGeFLO

Author Dr. Suzanna Danuta Walters challenges gay orthodoxies at Rice lecture in February
Author Suzanna Danuta Walters will speak at Rice Feb. 4.
OutSmart Magazine
http://bit.ly/1RwWBpn

Redesigned SAT to take effect in March
The College Board redesigned the SAT, which will go into effect in March. The new SAT will include an optional essay component, but the article notes that universities, such as Rice, will still require an essay for admission.
Kingwood Observer (This article also appeared in the Humble Observer, Kingwood Observer, Atascocita Observer, Lake Houston Observer and East Montgomery County Observer.)
http://bit.ly/1OlPU2Y

BROADCAST

C-SPAN
Douglas Brinkley, professor of history, appeared on “Washington Journal” to discuss which president had the best last year in office.
http://bit.ly/1TPrenc
http://bit.ly/1OXcd4N

It’s not just your ears; the raucous roars resound at NRG Stadium
Alumnus Robert McKinney ’14 explains the design of NRG Stadium, which is one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL.
ABC13.com
http://abc13.co/1N2qWUs

WOUC-TV (Zanesville, Ohio)
Artist Wayne White gives a presentation on the 22-foot puppet head resembling country singer George Jones’ head that was on display at the Rice Gallery.
http://bit.ly/1JFh5Js

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Inflammation increases depression: Here’s what to do
Chronic inflammation in the bloodstream can “fan the flames” of depression, much like throwing gasoline on a fire, according to a new paper from researchers at Rice University and Ohio State University. Christopher Fagundes, assistant professor of psychology, is quoted.
The Mind Unleashed
http://bit.ly/1SJESdf

Middle East unrest rarely a silver bullet for oil price rebalancing
Kenneth Medlock, senior director of the Center for Energy Studies and the James A. Baker III and Susan Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and lecturer of economics, is quoted in an article about how prices will be rebalanced in the Middle East.
Rigzone
http://bit.ly/1ZfG1sV

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Rice University offers liberal response to Trump campaign
Rice University’s 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; Tony Payan, the Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and director of the institute’s Mexico Center; and Douglas Brinkley, professor of history, are available to discuss Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s first large television commercial buy.
Higher Education Tribune
http://bit.ly/1PZSbFN

Colleges rush to nurture future entrepreneurs
Rice University is spotlighted among elite universities offering innovative programs designed to develop student entrepreneurs. The Rice Entrepreneurship Initiative is mentioned. Rice President David Leebron and alumna Mijin Han, who graduated in December, are quoted.
Deccan Herald
http://bit.ly/1kZuUXm

SPORTS

Owls win 3OT thriller over North Texas, 100-97
Rice women’s basketball beat North Texas University 100-97 at Tudor Fieldhouse. The team is also mentioned in a slideshow with photos from their game against University of Houston.
Conference USA
http://bit.ly/1Zgi84u
Women’s basketball drops triple overtime thriller to Rice
North Texas Daily
http://bit.ly/1mQokUA
Criner makes history, but UNT women lose to Rice in triple-OT
Denton Record-Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1OKIt9r
UH women’s basketball team falls to Connecticut
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1PZJWts

Around sports: Wyatt joins UH staff as receivers coach
Rice football will play against Louisiana State University at Tiger Stadium in 2018.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1MX0PhC

Area men’s basketball: Baylor surprises No. 13 Iowa State
Rice men’s basketball fell to North Texas University 74-85. They will play against Western Kentucky University Jan. 14 at Tudor Fieldhouse.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/22VgSII
Hilltoppers earn first conference victory in overtime thriller against FAU
WKUHerald.com
http://bit.ly/1JEEGKh
Lady Tops overpower Florida Atlantic on the road
WKUHerald.com
http://bit.ly/1VYuqOR
Comcast SportsNet Bay Area
http://bit.ly/1P3b8Ck
Another good game for the Herd
Herald-Dispatch
http://bit.ly/1SJIlZu

Heart-wrenching story of Bengals-Steelers as told by Twitter video
Former football standout Chris Boswell is mentioned for his game-winning field goal against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1SJt3E6
Steelers rally late to topple Bengals
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1PS5KVK

NEWS RELEASE

Rice U. paper: Legal barriers to adolescent participation in HIV and STI research need to be removed
Parental permission for adolescent participation in research on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is not required ethically and may undermine public health interests, according to a new paper by law and public health experts at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and Baylor College of Medicine.
http://bit.ly/1UJiQWt