Dateline Rice for Oct. 3, 2016 (Weekend Edition)

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Rice biophysicists model genome mechanics
Rice scientists trying to solve the ultimate puzzle — the architecture of the human genome — have snapped another piece into place. Researchers at Rice’s Center for Theoretical Biological Physics have developed a model to explain one part of the mechanism, the folding of chromosomes during a cell’s interphase. Their work offers the possibility of predicting the three-dimensional organization of entire genomes from limited one-dimensional data. José Onuchic, the Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor of Physics and Astronomy; Peter Wolynes, the D.R. Bullard-Welch Foundation Professor of Science, professor of chemistry, of biochemistry and cell biology, of physics and astronomy and of materials science and nanoengineering; and postdoctoral researcher Michele Di Pierro are quoted. Erez Lieberman Aiden, adjunct assistant professor in computational and applied mathematics and in computer science, and postdoctoral researcher Bin Zhang are mentioned.
National Science Foundation
http://bit.ly/2dn6iqP

Are crystals the way to create energy-saving cement?
Rice scientists working to develop a deeper understanding of the world’s most widely used man-made material, concrete, have detailed previously unexplored aspects that affect the energy required to make it and the greenhouse gases released. Rouzbeh Shahsavari, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering and of materials science and nanoengineering, is quoted.
Futurity
http://bit.ly/2dn7877
Cement gets its close-up: Team explores cement’s crystalline nature to boost concrete performance
Phys Org
http://bit.ly/2dywf8i

Graphene nanoribbons combined with common polymer can bridge damaged neurons
The combination of graphene nanoribbons made with a process developed at Rice University and a common polymer could someday be of critical importance to healing damaged spinal cords in people, according to James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering.
Forbes
http://bit.ly/2d8C5ts

South China Sea is a US election issue for Southeast Asian Americans
Steven Lewis, the C.V. Starr Transnational China Fellow at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and professor in the practice and associate director of Rice’s Chao Center for Asian Studies, is quoted in an article about the 2016 elections.
VOA
http://bit.ly/2dp6J3u

‘Free’ college could cost state billions
Rice-based publisher OpenStax is mentioned.
Politico
http://politi.co/2dq1Jv8

Confessions of a former neo-Confederate
Graduate student William Black authored an article explaining how his views on neo-Confederates have changed.
Vox
http://bit.ly/2dMmkKd

Today NOAA adds solar storms to the weather forecast
Starting this month, forecasts of the regional effects of solar storms will help protect the power grid and communications satellites, thanks to a new tool developed by researchers at the University of Michigan and Rice.
Mental Floss
http://bit.ly/2dqq5oI
We’re about to get regional forecasts for solar storms
Popular Science
http://bit.ly/2dDREPc

Market gyrations don’t kill the oil business, they make it stronger
Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies at the institute, authored an article about the U.S. oil and gas industry.
Forbes
http://bit.ly/2dLgyvX

Iran won’t freeze oil output; What’s next for OPEC?
Ambassador Edward Djerejian, director of Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, discusses oil prices.
Yahoo! Finance
http://yhoo.it/2dn0Bcs

Argentina’s Macri still standing after poor month of statistics
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 2016 elections, the federal Refugee Resettlement Program and Argentina.
The Washington Post
http://bit.ly/2dpn9sE
Democrats hoping to pick up judicial seats in November
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2dpWgVi
Is Texas ready to join a movement to rewrite history?
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
http://bit.ly/2cNuaAX
KRLD
http://bit.ly/2cMJlPU (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.)

Posts on Weibo quantify air pollution in China
Residents of China’s megacities who post comments about air quality to social media can give environmental scientists a window into pollution levels there. A multidisciplinary study by Rice researchers showed that the frequency of key words like dust, cough, haze, mask and blue sky can be used as a proxy measurement of the amount of airborne particulate matter in the country’s urban centers at any given time. Dan Wallach, professor of computer science and of electrical and computer engineering, and Daniel Cohan, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, are quoted.
Epoch Times
http://bit.ly/2dEkAXb

Syrian carnage likely to outlast Obama
Ambassador Edward Djerejian, director of Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about the crisis in Syria.
The Hill
http://bit.ly/2dEm041

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Houston’s spiraling murders spurs surge of officers, confounds experts
Robert Werth, lecturer in sociology, is quoted about violent crime in Houston.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front page of the Oct. 2 print edition with a different headline, “Murder surge a major concern.”)
http://bit.ly/2cMhRdf

Will machines take over the world? Time will tell
Moshe Vardi, director of Rice’s Ken Kennedy Institute for Information Technology, the Karen Ostrum George Distinguished Service Professor of Computational Engineering and professor of computer science, expects that within 30 years machines will be capable of doing almost any job that a human can.
Houston Chronicle (This Q&A originally appeared in the Sept. 15 Dateline when it was posted online. The headline above is different from the online version and appears in the print edition in today’s newspaper.)
http://bit.ly/2dnrGgP
Automated Inequality
Harvard Political Review
http://bit.ly/2cNra7E
New quantum-powered AI exoskeleton lets 1 person do the work of 4
Futurism
http://bit.ly/2cMCO7A

Decoys quietly contribute to genetic networks
Decoys in DNA may serve a larger purpose than drug designers suspect, according to Rice scientists. These decoy sequences bind the same proteins that prompt gene expression elsewhere along DNA. But they may have greater function in cells than simply keeping proteins out of circulation, said researchers at Rice’s Center for Theoretical Biological Physics. Peter Wolynes, the D.R. Bullard-Welch Foundation Professor of Science, professor of chemistry, of biochemistry and cell biology, of physics and astronomy and of materials science and nanoengineering; graduate student Zhipeng Wang; and postdoctoral research associate Davit Potoyan are quoted.
TMC News (This article appeared in the Oct. 3 issue of TMC Today.)
http://bit.ly/2dChE8f

Is changing one’s race a sign of mental health problems?
Tony Brown, professor of sociology, is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Similar articles appeared in 12 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/2dmvRJE

Who is your top Texan? Here are a few of our ideas; send us yours
Rebecca Richards-Kortum, the Malcolm Gillis University Professor, professor of bioengineering and of electrical and computer engineering and director of Rice 360° Institute for Global Health, was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship.
Dallas Morning News
http://bit.ly/2cMw89O

Feds: Colorado’s new pot laws a haven for Texas drug runners
Dean Becker, a nonresident research associate and member of the Drug Policy Program at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about marijuana laws.
San Antonio Express-News
http://bit.ly/2dMiTmr

Texas college students want voices to be heard
An article mentions that students from Rice will participate in the Texas Student Government Coalition, a lobbying partnership among student governments.
The Eagle
http://bit.ly/2cXISsg

6 advice clichés to avoid like the plague
An article mentions a study by Jing Zhou, the Houston Endowment Professor of Organizational Behavior and professor of psychology.
Texas Lawyer
http://bit.ly/2cXMdru

Spooky Houston
Baker College junior Haley Kurisky authored an article about Houston. The article describes the murder of William Marsh Rice and the establishment of Rice University.
The Buzz Magazines
http://bit.ly/2dqH1vp

The fixer-uppers: Making Houston’s judicial system less messy
Rice is mentioned.
OutSmart
http://bit.ly/2dLu1Un

2016 voters guide: Statewide and judicial candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot
Alumna Savannah Robinson ’79 is mentioned.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
http://bit.ly/2dqIr91

BROADCAST

Why is trade such a big subject for voters this election cycle?
Peter Rodriguez, dean of Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business, is quoted about the 2016 elections.
Texas Standard (This also aired on 24 other stations.)
http://bit.ly/2dUxBLh

What advice would Houston debaters have for the presidential candidates?
Duncan College senior Vera Ranneft is mentioned.
Houston Public Media’s “Houston Matters”
http://bit.ly/2dp2zsv

C-SPAN
President John F. Kennedy’s famous “Moon Speech” delivered at Rice Sept. 12, 1962, is discussed.
http://bit.ly/2cMIbUt

The poverty tour
Ruth López Turley, associate professor of sociology and director of the Houston Education Research Consortium, is mentioned.
On The Media (This aired on over 400 radio stations.)
http://bit.ly/2cMM5wA

KTRH
A broadcast mentions that Troy Sharpe secured his certified financial planner status from Rice.
http://bit.ly/2d8Y2ZD (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.)

Voting rights — and wrongs
A Rice study on voter ID is mentioned. Bob Stein, the Lena Gohlman Fox Professor of Political Science, is quoted about the 2016 elections.
Reveal (This aired on 326 radio stations.)
http://bit.ly/2dEeXIA

‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’s Hidden Heroes’
Milton Boniuk, whose gift to Rice established the Boniuk Institute for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance, and a group of Rice students are featured.
KXMC
http://bit.ly/2cNMREz

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

What’s happening in space policy Oct. 3-7
Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy will host a “Lost in Space 2016” panel Oct. 3.
Space Policy Online
http://bit.ly/2dq08FW

Algorithm could enable visible-light-based imaging for medical devices, autonomous vehicles
MIT researchers have developed a technique for recovering visual information from light that has scattered because of interactions with the environment — such as passing through human tissue. Ashok Veeraraghavan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, is quoted.
Science Blog (This also appeared in Scientific Computing.)
http://bit.ly/2cNqQ93

Spiral arms embrace young star
Astronomers thought it likely they would find a spiral of particles hidden in the cloudy disks that orbit and feed newborn stars. They have now found one, even though they weren’t looking for it. Andrea Isella, assistant professor of physics and astronomy, is quoted.
Space Daily
http://bit.ly/2cXvdSc
Protoplanetary disc’s spiral arms embrace young star
Astronomy Now
http://bit.ly/2dyfKJz

Underemployment can lead to creativity and commitment
Having underemployed workers can lead to two outcomes that benefit an organization — creativity and commitment — according to a new study by management experts at Rice, Chinese University of Hong Kong at Shenzhen and Chinese University of Hong Kong. Jing Zhou, the Houston Endowment Professor of Organizational Behavior and professor of psychology, is quoted.
Psych Central
http://bit.ly/2dU7nsq

Macondo incident made mark on oil, gas technology
Satish Nagarajaiah, professor of civil and environmental engineering and of materials science and nanoengineering, notes improvements in the oil and gas industry.
Rig Zone (This also appeared in Oil News Center.)
http://bit.ly/2dBUa38

Physicists probe magnetic fluctuations in heavy fermion
New findings from researchers at Rice, the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of California at San Diego suggest that condensed-matter physicists need to rethink how magnetic fluctuations arise in both unconventional and high-temperature superconductors. Pengcheng Dai, professor of physics and astronomy, and graduate student Yu Song are quoted.
Technology.org
http://bit.ly/2dqoY8F

NIST team suggests nanoscale electronic motion sensor as DNA sequencer
Researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and collaborators have proposed a design for the first DNA sequencer based on an electronic nanosensor that can detect tiny motions as small as a single atom. Boris Yakobson, the Karl F. Hasselmann Professor of Materials Science and NanoEngineering and professor of chemistry, is quoted.
Science & Technology Research News
http://bit.ly/2dpnewy
Team suggests nanoscale electronic motion sensor as DNA sequencer
Wireless Design & Development
http://bit.ly/2dlHK4M

Cybersecurity: You cannot secure what you cannot see
Alumnus David Zahn ’89 authored an article.
Chemical Engineering
http://bit.ly/2dUyeEn

4 ways in which optimism helps entrepreneurs succeed
Utpal Dholakia, the George R. Brown Professor of Marketing at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business and a marketing and consumer behavior expert, authored an article about optimism.
Psychology Today
http://bit.ly/2cNRPB8

Curious kids are in for a delightful shock
In lieu of a dry lecture on the wonders of electromagnetism, a team of Rice students built a contraption that combines elements of an automotive solenoid and a pinball machine for the Children’s Museum of Houston. Students Sammi Lu, Rachel Nguyen, Saad Yousaf and Karen Vasquez; alumna Carolyn Huff ’63; Rice lecturer Matthew Wettergreen; and Gene Frantz, professor in the practice of electrical and computer engineering, are mentioned.
Higher Outlook in Higher Education Magazine
http://bit.ly/2dyIr9e

David Erdman appointed as the chair of Graduate Architecture and Urban Design at Pratt
An article mentions that David Erdman held a visiting professorship at Rice.
World Architecture
http://bit.ly/2cNRf6L

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

People in Business for Oct. 2
Alumnus Michael Broshar ’80 is mentioned.
Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
http://bit.ly/2dpZsQC

Trademark plans 82-acre mixed-use center in West Houston
An article mentions that Trademark Property Co. operates and is redeveloping shopping centers in Rice Village on behalf of Rice Management Co.
Chain Store Age
http://bit.ly/2dp6pSk
Westside Ventures plans hotel in mixed-used development in Katy, Texas
Hotel Online
http://bit.ly/2cN8NEG

Hitting the high notes
Alumna Sarah Mesko ’10 is mentioned.
Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette
http://bit.ly/2dDSCec

OICMF presents special fall concerts
Graduate student Scott Cuellar is mentioned.
The Islands’ Sounder
http://bit.ly/2dp62Ya

South Bend Symphony concert 1st in audition process
An article mentions that Alastair Willis attended Rice.
In the Bend
http://bit.ly/2cMmT9q

Work in Houston? You are 17 times more likely to have this job
An article mentions the engineering programs at Rice.
PayScale
http://bit.ly/2dL1le8

Push to take end-of-life forms digital reveals complicated path ahead
Kirsten Ostherr, professor of English, is quoted about medical orders for life-sustaining treatment.
WSKG
http://bit.ly/2cMnmZa

How 3 IITians have just taken their company to a $4B IPO
Alumnus Mohit Aron ’98 is mentioned.
Office Chai
http://bit.ly/2dCfKEu

How a mining engineer’s invention made pop singers all sound the same
An article mentions that Andy Hildebrand studied at Rice.
The Long and Short
http://bit.ly/2cMFMZI

SPORTS

Rice falls to 0-5 after losing to Southern Miss
Rice football fell to the University of Southern Mississippi 28-44. Head coach David Bailiff and players Tyler Stehling, Carl Thompson, Peter Godber, Zach Abercrumbia, J.T. Blasingame, Brandon Douglas, Trey Martin, Preston Gordon, Sam Stewart, Jowan Davis, Emmanuel Esukpa and Darik Dillard are mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. Similar articles appeared in over 100 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/2d8xCXS
Struggling Rice looks to turn around season at Southern Miss
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2cXqEHn
Nick Mullens, Southern Mississippi shatter records and Rice
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2d8xaZO
http://bit.ly/2dpVSpF
Football preview: Rice at Southern Mississippi
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2d8ylbt
http://bit.ly/2dpVwiP
Mullens, Southern Miss shatter records and Rice in 44-28 win
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2dp9LEX
http://bit.ly/2dmx17V

Texans’ Jadeveon Clowney moves into J.J. Watt’s starting spot
Former Rice football player Christian Covington is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2dmBUx9
http://bit.ly/2dC4p7z
Breakfast: Texans-Titans did you know?
Houston Texans
http://bit.ly/2dlkzb3

When the Super Bowl 1st came to Houston and Rice Stadium
An article mentions that Super Bowl VIII was hosted at Rice Stadium.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2dmCKK4
http://bit.ly/2dDZWSH

Rice adds verbal commitment from San Antonio’s Ellery Parish
A Rice commit is mentioned.
Swimming World
http://bit.ly/2cMlyQ4
Klein and Trammell run away from Memorial
Lone Star Gridiron
http://bit.ly/2dE7F32
Texas HS football week 6: Stats across Texas
247Sports
http://bit.ly/2cNBv3C
Guyer defense steals show
Denton Record-Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2dMvbvf

Big 12 candidates for 2016 (Houston, Air Force, South Florida, Colorado State)
An article mentions that Rice is one of the universities making a pitch to Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby to join the conference.
Inside Pulse
http://bit.ly/2dq5vVi

Tops head to Tech with memories of 2014 fresh in their minds
Rice soccer fell to Western Kentucky University 0-1.
WBKO
http://bit.ly/2dyi5nI
WKU keeps shutout streak intact, beats Rice 1-0
WBKO
http://bit.ly/2dynkDJ

Roadrunners win 14 matches at Rice Invitational
Rice tennis players Henrick Munch, Oscar Janglin and Jamie Malik are mentioned.
UTSA Athletics
http://bit.ly/2dC4p7z

Miami bests Florida International 161-101
Dual-a-Palooza will be hosted at Rice Oct. 14-15.
Swimming World
http://bit.ly/2dyoOhs

Banzer, Sigsgaard advance to qualifying draw at ITA All-American Championships
Rice tennis player Eric Rutledge is mentioned.
Texas Sports
http://bit.ly/2dEddKR

Charlotte slips past UTSA in double overtime on Sunday, 3-2
Rice soccer will play UTSA Oct. 7.
UTSA Athletics
http://bit.ly/2dLa5RE

2016-17 preseason power rankings: C-USA
Rice basketball’s 2016-2017 season is discusses. Brown College sophomore Marcus Evans is mentioned.
Mid-Major Madness
http://bit.ly/2dmS4Gs

Show your love of Sun Bowl tailgating, win prizes
Rice soccer will play UTEP Sept. 9.
El Paso Inc.
http://bit.ly/2dmKDjo

Column: Major Temple turning point came 40 years ago
Former Rice football player Tommy Kramer is mentioned.
Temple Daily Telegram
http://bit.ly/2dlm6hn

Blue Raider volleyball shows valiant effort but drops conference home opener
Rice volleyball defeated Middle Tennessee State University 3-0.
MTSU Sidelines
http://bit.ly/2dE83mF
Blue Raiders drop C-USA home opener to Owls
MT Athletics
http://bit.ly/2dUw5sn

Rugby news roundup — Sept. 30
Rice men’s rugby is mentioned.
Rugby Today
http://bit.ly/2d96IPw

NEWS RELEASE

Cement gets its close-up
Rice University scientists working to develop a deeper understanding of the world’s most widely used man-made material, concrete, have detailed previously unexplored aspects that affect the energy required to make it and the greenhouse gases released.
http://bit.ly/2dlAHsR