Dateline Rice for May 19, 2016

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Study probes heart of synthetic heart valves
Rice researchers are studying the characteristics of hydrogels that may be used as a tunable bioscaffold for new spongiosa, the middle tissue layer in the leaflets of heart valves. The ultimate goal is to develop synthetic replacement heart valves that mimic natural ones.
National Science Foundation
http://1.usa.gov/1NAcQkI

Saudi Aramco: Fix for a 1-trick economy?
Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow in Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about Saudi Aramco.
Financial Times
http://on.ft.com/1rUwVIJ

Revealed: How Earth got its oxygen
Earth scientists from Rice, Yale University and the University of Tokyo are offering a new answer to the long-standing question of how our planet acquired its oxygenated atmosphere. Cin-Ty Lee, professor of Earth science, is quoted.
Bilkul
http://bit.ly/1V9Wqky
Earth’s ‘bathtub’ collected oxygen to support life
Laboratory Equipment
http://bit.ly/1W2z6GJ
Scientists propose new explanation for how Earth got its oxygen
The Science Explorer
http://bit.ly/1TgaGca
Researchers propose new explanation for how Earth got its oxygen
Canada Journal
http://bit.ly/1steBq0
Study finds timing of oxygen’s 1st appearance in Earth’s atmosphere
News Nation
http://bit.ly/1U1lTKF
This is how the Earth got atmospheric oxygen
DNA India
http://bit.ly/1NA7ANX
How Earth got its oxygen
Prothom Alo
http://bit.ly/1qwjmhj
New answer to why Earth’s atmosphere became oxygenated
Archaeology News Network
http://bit.ly/1Vb3ZHI

Climate change, runaway development worsen Houston floods
Alumnus Harry Duffey ’93 discusses his experience with the 2015 and 2016 Houston floods.
The Washington Post (This also appeared in 123 other media outlets.)
http://wapo.st/23Xvwgl

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Ensemble mesmerized by the music of Cuba
“Imagénes de Cuba,” a composition by Arthur Gottschalk, professor of composition and theory at Rice’s Shepherd School of Music, will have its world premiere at the MATCH May 21.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/22gev1s

Houston can take back its streets for walkers, bikers and drivers, expert says
An article mentions that Janette Sadik-Khan spoke at Rice.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/252n1D6

Political disconnect
An op-ed mentions the 2016 Kinder Houston Area Survey.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/252nMfn

Allegations of fearmongering in education board runoff
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor of political science, fellow in political science at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and fellow at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is quoted about the Texas State Board of Education primary runoff race and the presidential primaries.
KETR
http://bit.ly/23Xxzko
In race For Texas Board of Education, allegations of fearmongering, references to Hitler abound
Bipartisan Report
http://bit.ly/250KrZi
Các hiệp định thương mại bị chỉ trích trong chiến dịch tranh cử Mỹ
Little Saigon TV (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/23hTI1G

Texas suburbs bursting with new residents; see how much they’ve grown
Steve Murdock, the Allyn and Gladys Cline Professor of Sociology and director of Rice’s Hobby Center for the Study of Texas, is quoted about population changes in Texas.
The Dallas Morning News
http://bit.ly/1VaZQnp

Here’s what’s showing outside the megaplex
The Houston Palestine Film Festival will be held at the Rice Cinema May 18-22 and May 26-28.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/23XxQDZ
http://bit.ly/1W38wgr

Author Q&A: Justin Cronin on ‘The City of Mirrors’
Justin Cronin, writer-in-residence at Rice, is featured.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1R8KNn8

LEO Torch Run for Special Olympics
An article mentions that the 2016 Summer Games Gulf Coast Law Enforcement Torch Run will begin at Rice.
The Examiner
http://bit.ly/1OAjT7R

Big Brothers Big Sisters to break ground on new Houston HQ
An article mentions that Rice is one of the partners for the new Big Brothers Big Sisters local headquarters construction project. (A visiting lecturer and two students at the Rice School of Architecture designed the building.)
Houston Business Journal
http://bit.ly/27B03Fg

Houston music highlights: Week of May 16
A performance recorded at Rice’s Duncan Recital Hall will air May 20.
Houston Public Media
http://bit.ly/1W33kt5

The downtown building turns 103 years old
An article mentions that Rice founder William Marsh Rice bought the Rice Hotel in 1883.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This also appeared in Beaumont Enterprise.)
http://bit.ly/1TlO3xG
http://bit.ly/1XBYVwN

Butler Snow expands to Texas with the addition of Sosland, Davis and Luzarraga
Alumnus Martin Sosland ’75 is mentioned.
Kinney Recruiting’s Texas Chronicles
http://bit.ly/22hc4fg

District leaders graduate from Rice REEP program
An article mentions that six Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District principals and administrators graduated May 11 from the Rice University Education Entrepreneurship Program.
Cy-Fair Magazine
http://bit.ly/1YFmUtd

LeTourneau University to opt out of campus carry
Rice is mentioned for opting out of the Texas ”campus carry” law.
Longview News-Journal
http://bit.ly/252BVJl

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Cancer cells coordinate to form roving clusters
Two-way communication between cancer cells appears to be key to their becoming motile, clustering and spreading through metastasis, according to Rice scientists. Herbert Levine, the Karl F. Hasselmann Professor of Bioengineering; Jose Onuchic, the Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor of Physics and Astronomy; and former Rice researcher Marcelo Boareto are quoted.
Medical Xpress
http://bit.ly/1YFfGFN

Converting sunlight into hot electrons using gold nanoparticles
Rice researchers have demonstrated an efficient new way to capture the energy from sunlight and convert it into clean, renewable energy by splitting water molecules. Isabell Thomann, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and of materials science and nanoengineering, is quoted and Peter Nordlander, professor of physics and astronomy, and Alejandro Manjavacas, a former theoretical physicist in Nordlander’s group, are mentioned.
Solar Novus Today
http://bit.ly/1U1msnC

Evolutionary ‘probables’ a positive step
Rice scientists have advanced their method for determining the most likely ways genes have evolved over eons, both within and across species. Luay Nakhleh, associate professor of computer science and assistant professor of biochemistry and cell biology, is quoted and graduate student Dingqiao Wen and postdoctoral researcher Yun Yu are mentioned.
Archaeology News Network
http://bit.ly/1suP5k4

Jim Williamson named dean at Texas Tech College of Architecture
An article mentions that Jim Williamson, the new dean of the Texas Tech College of Architecture, has taught at Rice.
Texas Society of Architects
http://bit.ly/25cds7V

Report: Huawei, Samsung, LG top telecom innovators in 2015
An article mentions that Thomson Reuters named Rice the top innovative research institution with an emphasis on telecom research and design.
RCR Wireless News
http://bit.ly/1syHRMG

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Florida Southern College releases lineup for 2016-17 lecture series
Douglas Brinkley, professor of history, is one of six scheduled speakers in the Florida Lecture Series at Florida Southern College for 2016-17. He will speak March 16.
The Ledger (This also appeared in News Chief.)
http://bit.ly/1XA01sQ

Houston gets a transit-oriented development spark
Ryan Holeywell, senior editor at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, authored an op-ed about the ideas presented at the Next City Vanguard 2016 conference. As a part of the conference, the institute tasked the conference fellows who visited Houston to think of ways to revamp five underutilized pieces of land across the city and will spend $10,000 to make one of the ideas a reality.
Next City
http://bit.ly/1OIUgae

Houston’s Metrorail launches mobile ticketing, begins its digital revolution
Leah Binkovitz, staff writer for Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, authored an op-ed about transit innovation in Houston.
Gov Tech
http://bit.ly/1WFdb8n

Top journalists offer graduation advice: Don’t let ambition warp you
Rice University’s commencement ceremonies were held May 13 and 14. Commencement speaker Sheryl WuDunn is quoted.
Poynter
http://bit.ly/1XC43Rv

Caprio: Leave the ladder down, so others may follow
An article mentions that Richard Tapia, University Professor, the Maxfield-Oshman Professor in Engineering and a professor of computational and applied mathematics, will receive an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Rhode Island May 21.
The Independent
http://bit.ly/23YkmHX

Cooke Foundation gives money for low-income students
An article mentions that Rice was one of five finalists for the $1 million Cooke Prize for Equity in Educational Excellence, which goes to a selective college or university with an excellent record of admitting, supporting and graduating outstanding low-income students.
District Chronicles
http://bit.ly/1XmNDvP

2 Bartlesville students receive top award
An article mentions a student who will attend Rice.
Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise
http://bit.ly/1XAxkMm

AJC Official: Latinos, Jews see eye to eye in parallel
An article mentions a panel discussion that was organized by Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and the American Jewish Committee.
Atlanta Jewish Times
http://bit.ly/1TofOb6

Coinbase CEO thinks bitcoin offers much more promise than peril
Alumnus Brian Armstrong ’05 is mentioned.
The Sacramento Bee (This also appeared in Lancaster Online.)
http://bit.ly/1OPaGhl

Koerner Quartet to welcome Rolston Quartet to VAM’s Koerner Recital Hall
An article mentions the Rolston String Quartet is the ensemble in residence at Rice’s Shepherd School of Music.
Broadway World
http://bit.ly/1Th8HEC

‘Journey to the Top’
President John F. Kennedy’s famous “Moon Speech” delivered at Rice Sept. 12, 1962, is discussed.
Jewish Link of New Jersey
http://bit.ly/1sBsXVX
KUT
http://bit.ly/1OBwK9T (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.)
Lo Spazio? Una questione economica
L’Indro (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1rWnmsB

Det ser vi efter hos en partner
Rice is mentioned.
MSN Livsstil (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1suP7Zp

SPORTS

Texas Longhorns baseball: Where did it go wrong?
Articles mention Rice baseball. Head coach Wayne Graham is mentioned in the SB Nation and the News Star articles, Sid Richardson College sophomore Dane Myers is mentioned in the Houston Chronicle article and Will Rice College senior Blake Fox is mentioned in the News Star article.
SB Nation
http://bit.ly/1XABljR
UH freshman slugger Joe Davis even better than advertised
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1TlOEzw
Miss. State, Ole Miss, Southern Miss may make history
Hattiesburg American
http://hatne.ws/1TpzaN6
Mitch Vingle: Marshall, WVU baseball teams red-hot right now
Charleston Gazette-Mail
http://bit.ly/1VaYnNU
Tech looks to snap 17-game losing skid versus No. 16 Rice
The News Star
http://tnsne.ws/1Vb0Ibm
Tulane tries to put loss behind as crucial series at Houston awaits
The Advocate
http://bit.ly/1XmNBUI
Cougars host 4-game series with McNeese State
Washington State Athletics
http://bit.ly/27DxF5w
Projected field of 64 (May 18)
Baseball America
http://bit.ly/23Ylw6t
UTEP volleyball unveils schedule for upcoming season
KVIA
http://bit.ly/25cbO6d

Lopez honored with Rice University’s 2016 Meritorious Service Award
An article mentions that Víctor Lopez, president of the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association, received the Association of Rice Alumni’s 2016 Meritorious Service Award.
IAAF
http://bit.ly/1OPdRWy

Texans’ Christian Covington looking forward to 2nd NFL season
Alumnus Christian Covington ’15 is featured.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/23YiAGR
http://bit.ly/1NA6qlw

LA Tech hosts No. 16 Rice in C-USA showdown
Rice baseball will play Louisiana Tech University May 19-21. Players Ford Proctor and Charlie Warren are mentioned.
LA Tech Sports
http://bit.ly/1XmOooR

Where do QBs Tyrone Swoopes, Jerrod Heard rank among top 25 players on Longhorns’ roster?
Rice football is mentioned.
Sport Day
http://bit.ly/1U03DRR
Tom Topics
Groesbeck Journal
http://bit.ly/22h9aXF

UTEP volleyball unveils 2016 schedule
Rice volleyball is mentioned.
El Paso Herald-Post
http://bit.ly/1szCvkr

Former Owl basketball star returns as assistant coach
Former Rice basketball player Brent Scott ’04 has joined the Rice basketball team as an assistant coach. Head coach Mike Rhoades is quoted.
Examiner
http://exm.nr/1TpqQhJ

Former Abilene High, Rice lineman Carroll gets kidney from father
Alumnus Andrew Carroll ’14 is featured.
Abilene Reporter-News
http://bit.ly/1YFhH4E

NEWS RELEASES

Baker Institute report: ‘Right to try’ laws make safety and efficacy secondary to speedy access
State “right to try” laws can give terminally ill patients early access to experimental drugs and medical devices, but they arguably make safety and efficacy secondary to speedy access, according to a new report by science policy experts at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
http://bit.ly/1WFeuUV

Cancer cells coordinate to form roving clusters
Two-way communication between cancer cells appears to be key to their becoming motile, clustering and spreading through metastasis, according to Rice University scientists.
http://bit.ly/1OOW95e

International conference on music and the mind to be held June 6-10 at Rice
Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music will host the third international conference on music and the mind June 6-10 on campus.
http://bit.ly/1TJ29ZG

Drop in childhood obesity cannot be explained by health behaviors
While a reported drop in obesity rates among U.S. children has been heralded as positive news, more work must be done to understand exactly why that drop occurred, according to researchers at Rice and Temple universities.
http://bit.ly/1NA7yFK