Dateline Rice for Dec. 9, 2016

FEATURED ITEM

Age matters: How to prepare for a billion people over the age of 65 in the US
IBM Research and Rice University have collaborated to create the prototype IBM Multi-Purpose Eldercare Robot Assistant, a first-of-its-kind Watson-enabled application designed to aid the elderly and assist caregivers. Some of the articles mention Rice Provost Marie Lynn Miranda; graduate student George Chen; Ashok Veeraraghavan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering; Ashutosh Sabharwal, professor of electrical and computer engineering; Margaret Beier, associate professor of psychology; and Christopher Fagundes, assistant professor of psychology.
Forbes
http://bit.ly/2giWn4B
Watson-powered robot aimed at aiding elderly and caregivers
Phys Org
http://bit.ly/2giPekL
IBM and Rice University create prototype of Watson-enabled robot for assisting elderly people
News Medical
http://bit.ly/2giGOJX
IBM Research and Rice University explore Watson-powered robot aimed at aiding elderly and caregivers
Broadway World
http://bit.ly/2gsK74v
Top technology stock picking: Electronic Arts Inc., International Business Machines Corporation
The Independent Republic
http://bit.ly/2hneY47
IBM creates Watson-powered robot for eldercare assistance
The Stack
http://bit.ly/2gkOkZL
Eldercare robots take a step closer to senior living
McKnight’s Senior Living
http://bit.ly/2giweml
Rice and IBM explore Watson-powered robot designed to aid elderly and caregivers
iConnect 007
http://bit.ly/2h5MPxQ
Sensors plus robotics plus AI for safer aging in place
ApplySci
http://bit.ly/2hf1FQG
IBM develops a voice-enabled eldercare robot
Speech Technology
http://bit.ly/2hf97eg

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

How Stone Age travel could clarify metastatic cancer
For cancer cells, the path of least resistance is often along tissue boundaries rather than through them, and studies have found that bacteria can become drug-resistant more quickly in nonhomogenous environments. In the case of humans settling America, a new study from Rice finds that migration was easier moving east-west as opposed to north-south, largely because the knowledge needed to live in the same climate zones was easily transferable. Michael Deem, the John W. Cox Professor of Biochemical and Genetic Engineering, professor of physics and astronomy, department chair of bioengineering and director of graduate program in systems, synthetic and physical biology, and graduate student Dong Wang are quoted.
Futurity
http://bit.ly/2hf5iGc
Scientists’ study of human migration could help understand cancer metastasis
Science Daily
http://bit.ly/2hcWeUu
Study of human migration could help understand cancer metastasis
Laboratory Equipment
http://bit.ly/2heKrCI
Study: Modularity affects human, single-celled migration
Health Canal
http://bit.ly/2hniFqM
Human migration study reveals new insights into cancer metastasis
News Medical
http://bit.ly/2hdd2eh
Rice scientists’ study of human migration could help understand cancer metastasis
Scienmag (This also appeared in Science Newsline.)
http://bit.ly/2hbSakR

Decoding cement’s shape promises greener concrete
Scientists at Rice have decoded the kinetic properties of cement and developed a way to “program” the microscopic, semicrystalline particles within. The process turns particles from disordered clumps into regimented cubes, spheres and other forms that combine to make the material less porous and more durable. Rouzbeh Shahsavari, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, is quoted.
Science 360 News (This is featured as the “Top Story” on the Science 360 News home page. This also appeared in Product Design & Development, Technology.org, Science Daily, Innovations Report and Materialsgate and was featured on the U.S. Department of Energy home page.)
http://bit.ly/2gkObFK
Scientists develop ‘programmable’ cement particles for more durable concrete
iTech Post
http://bit.ly/2giMPWX
Green concrete results from decoding cement’s shape
Controlled Environment
http://bit.ly/2hbLAL2
‘Programmable’ cement particles make for stronger concrete
Last Minute Geek
http://bit.ly/2hbYGb4

Boomtown, flood town
An investigative report published by ProPublica and the Texas Tribune argues that Houston is not well-prepared for a major hurricane. Phil Bedient, the Herman Brown Professor of Engineering, is quoted. This story is part of an ongoing investigation; the first story was published in March.
Scientific American
http://bit.ly/2htBzrZ

With rallies and tweets, Trump reshaping the bully pulpit
Douglas Brinkley, professor of history, is quoted about President-elect Donald Trump.
U.S. News & World Report
http://bit.ly/2heYpEJ

Canadian gets the nod to help with 1st-ever human head transplant
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. Graduate student William Sikkema is featured.
CTV News (This also appeared in The Loop.)
http://bit.ly/2hbBlpW
5 things to know on Friday, Dec. 9
CTV News
http://bit.ly/2htDsVH

What kind of manager will President Donald Trump be?
Paul Brace, the Clarence L. Carter Professor of Political Science, is quoted in an article about President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet picks.
CBS Money Watch (This also appeared in WDEF.)
http://cbsn.ws/2hn7TAD

Will robots take all our jobs someday?
A report on the De Lange Conference at Rice quotes Rice President David Leebron and 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.
The Star (Malaysia)
http://bit.ly/2giJyae

Huge China investment in Latin America, although US still dominates
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 China’s investments in Latin America.
CNS News
http://bit.ly/2hdeo8Q

Does it matter if Donald Trump has a science adviser?
Neal Lane, the Malcolm Gillis University Professor Emeritus, senior fellow in science and technology policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and professor emeritus of physics and astronomy, is quoted about President-elect Donald Trump.
Nature
http://go.nature.com/2gkMnwq

Edward ‘Mike’ Kelley Jr., member of the Federal Reserve Board, dies at 84
Alumnus Edward Kelley Jr. ’54 died Dec. 4.
The Washington Post
http://wapo.st/2h5Iw5k

Remembering John Glenn, up beyond the wild blue yonder
President John F. Kennedy’s famous “Moon Speech” delivered at Rice Sept. 12, 1962, is mentioned in editorials and stories about the death of former astronaut John Glenn Jr.
Baltimore Sun
http://bsun.md/2gsBfvK
American hero
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2hbxDwH
RIP, John Glenn: Spaceflight pioneer ‘was 1 of us’
Space.com
http://bit.ly/2hbDvGm
Texas history minute: Johnson was strong supporter of the American space program
The Edinburgh Review (This also appeared in Herald Democrat.)
http://bit.ly/2h5Cxxr
KTRK
http://bit.ly/2hu2Bzr

HOUSTON/TEXAS

UT opens center to combat superbug crisis
An article discusses efforts by eight Texas Medical Center institutions to work to together at Rice’s BioScience Research Collaborative to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
TMC News
http://bit.ly/2h8PvIC

New strategy may drop cancer’s guard
A drug used now to treat Type 2 diabetes may someday help beat breast and ovarian cancers, but not until researchers decode the complex interactions that in some cases help promote tumors, according to Rice scientists. Daniel Carson, vice provost for strategic partnerships, the Schlumberger Chair of Advanced Studies and Research and professor of biochemistry and cell biology, and alumna Micaela Morgado ’14 are mentioned.
TMC News
http://bit.ly/2ghlmtL

Meeks: Houston’s historic preservation efforts teach us about the future
Stephen Klineberg, founding director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research and a professor of sociology, is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2hbER3B

5 Houstonians named to list of nation’s best party hosts and hostesses
Rice Board of Trustees Chair Bobby Tudor ’82 and Phoebe Tudor are featured.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This also appeared in My San Antonio.)
http://bit.ly/2gsy878
http://bit.ly/2hncfb6

The psychology of giving better gifts
Scott Sonenshein, the Henry Gardiner Symonds Professor of Management, authored this op-ed about giving more by giving less during the holidays.
Houston Chronicle (This appeared in the Chronicle’s “Gray Matters” online magazine. Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2giwG3T

What Ben Carson at HUD could mean for Houston
Leah Binkovitz, staff writer for Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, authored an op-ed about President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet picks.
Houston Chronicle (This appeared in the Chronicle’s “Gray Matters” online magazine. Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2gsxOoR

The decline of Democratic influence in the Texas House
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, authored an op-ed about Texas state politics and discusses the American electoral college.
Trib Talk
http://bit.ly/2gj0Rb2
Collège électoral Américain: ‘C’est un système archaïque et dépassé’
Liberation (This also appeared in Yahoo News France.)
http://bit.ly/2htRHJY

Legalizing marijuana might have negligible impact on border security
Katharine Neill, the Alfred C. Glassell III Postdoctoral Fellow in Drug Policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, and Nathan Jones, nonresident scholar in drug policy and Mexico studies at the institute, are quoted in an article about drug policy.
The Texas Tribune (This also appeared in Rivard Report.)
http://bit.ly/2gJirpZ

Shelburne, Shamoo and Arias: We must be smarter about antibiotics use
Yousif Shamoo, professor of biochemistry and cell biology and Rice’s vice provost for research, coauthored an op-ed about the dangers posed by antibiotic resistance.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2gkKT5j

The nuance of Indian poetry, 1 tantalizing word after the other!
An article mentions that Sarita Mehta taught at Rice.
Indo American News
http://bit.ly/2hbwF3D

Holiday cheer, fashionistas make a statement for Pratham
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, is mentioned.
Indo American News
http://bit.ly/2hbRADn

Ray Perryman, Board of Contributors: OPEC will cut production, but oversupply of oil remains for time
Alumnus Ray Perryman ’78 authored an op-ed.
Waco Tribune-Herald
http://bit.ly/2giS0WT

Unzipped: During semester break, things will look different in 77004
Rice is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2gl2I4o

Texas innovations in health care: Dallas shows strong climate for health care accelerator
Rice is mentioned.
Houston Business Journal
http://bit.ly/2gsTD7M

Urban ballet lifts awareness of the African-American experience through hip-hop music, art and dance
Rice is mentioned.
Houston Style Magazine
http://bit.ly/2glaafI

BROADCAST

‘TWC News’
A broadcast mentions that Rice is one of the universities that will participate in the White House Transition Project.
http://bit.ly/2glhurF

2 Rice University students robbed at gunpoint
A broadcast discusses two students who were robbed at Rice.
KPRC
http://bit.ly/2htNFkS
http://bit.ly/2gj32eV
http://bit.ly/2hdqGxX

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Elon Musk thinks we’ll likely end up with universal basic income due to robots taking jobs
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.
The Science Explorer
http://bit.ly/2giEhQ1

No-shows for ‘NOPEC’ meeting add to doubts on output deal
Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about oil prices.
Investor’s Business Daily
http://bit.ly/2htvtb8

Graphene-covered bumps produce diamond material for heat transfer
Bumpy diamond surfaces covered with graphene could help to dissipate heat in next-generation microelectronic devices, according to scientists at Rice. Rouzbeh Shahsavari, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, and graduate student Lei Tao are quoted.
Materials Today
http://bit.ly/2hdmxtO

Bioscience grants benefit cutting-edge research
Four teams of scientists at Rice and other Gulf Coast Consortia institutions have earned research seed grants from the John S. Dunn Collaborative Research Awards, and a fifth group won a grant to support a cancer symposium. Gang Bao, the Foyt Family Professor of Bioengineering and professor of bioengineering; Angel Martí-Arbona, associate professor of chemistry, of bioengineering, and of materials science and nanoengineering; José Onuchic, the Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Chair of Physics and professor of physics and astronomy, of chemistry and of biochemistry and cell biology; Tomasz Tkaczyk, associate professor of bioengineering; and Deepak Nagrath, assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, are mentioned.
Drug Design & Development
http://bit.ly/2gJizpo

Lessons from a red state in how to go green under Republicans
Daniel Cohan, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, authored op-eds about renewable energy and climate change.
Windpower Engineering & Development
http://bit.ly/2hd5AzH
How to make climate progress with Trump in the White House
The Hill
http://bit.ly/2hcmfAs

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

7 election integrity and cyber security experts say stopping Michigan recount is a corrupt exercise of power
Dan Wallach, professor of computer science and of electrical and computer engineering, is quoted about the 2016 election recount.
Alternet
http://bit.ly/2heHphO

DOE funds projects to develop electric motor innovations
The U.S. Department of Energy announced nearly $25 million for 13 projects aimed at advancing technologies for energy-efficient electric motors through applied research and development. One of the projects is led by a team at Rice.
The NEWS
http://bit.ly/2gsYtSt

SPORTS

College basketball weekend preview: Dec. 9
Rice men’s basketball will play Stephen F. Austin State University Dec. 10.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2gkJcF7
TAMIU to battle UIW
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2hd4jsF
Path to the postseason: Survive and advance
Viva the Matador/SB Nation
http://bit.ly/2hbOqQ7
‘Jacks’ 31-game home win streak ended by hot shooting UAB in 84-73 setback
KTRE
http://bit.ly/2gJpA9G
Demons changing gears to make strides
The Town Talk
http://townta.lk/2htT1fV
What to expect: Houston Baptist
Inside the Hall
http://bit.ly/2hf1iFG

Marshall’s Jon Elmore putting up stellar numbers tainted only by turnovers
Brown College sophomore Marcus Evans is mentioned.
Charleston Gazette-Mail
http://bit.ly/2hdekWJ

UH officials say search for football coach near end
An article mentions that Major Applewhite coached at Rice.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front of the Sports section Dec. 9 print edition with a different headline, “Officials assure search near end.”)
http://bit.ly/2hn2ucT
Houston in ‘final inning’ of search for football coach
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This also appeared in My San Antonio.)
http://bit.ly/2hbwUvx
http://bit.ly/2h5qekI

NCAA men’s soccer: Few in-state options for local talent pool
Rick Mello, deputy athletics director, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2hnaWJ7
Men’s college soccer teams lacking in Texas
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This also appeared in Sportal and My San Antonio.)
http://bit.ly/2h5jPpP
http://bit.ly/2gJbBR8

Expectations high for Bellbrook girls
Brown College freshman Gabby Ozoude is mentioned.
Dayton Daily News
http://bit.ly/2h5L57M
http://bit.ly/2h5uz7F

Texas set to improve under Shaka Smart
Rice Athletics video coordinator Joey Rodriguez is mentioned.
247 Sports
http://bit.ly/2htKTfw

Boswell named CoSIDA Academic All-America of the Year
Sid Richardson College senior Leah Mikesky is mentioned.
BYU Athletics
http://bit.ly/2hdhh9G

Dan Patrick’s proposed bathroom bill could cost Texas some huge sporting events
An article discusses the possible implications of a bill proposed by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Rice is mentioned.
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/2htKx8q

Oregon job was a tougher pull than we thought; plus a note on UH
An article mentions that Tom Herman coached at Rice.
247 Sports
http://bit.ly/2gkXSnD

5 questions with Windy City Gridiron
Former Rice football player Phillip Gaines and Bryce Callahan are mentioned.
Pride of Detroit/SB Nation
http://bit.ly/2h5SwMe
Fox Sports
http://bit.ly/2hbUVCx

Friday night lights: Another trio of Odom brothers adding to the family’s football tradition
A Rice commit is mentioned.
News OK
http://bit.ly/2gJqgMs

Art Briles sues Baylor officials for libel and conspiracy
An article includes a photo of Art Briles at a Rice-Baylor football game.
KHOU
http://bit.ly/2giWn4B

NEWS RELEASE

Applications open for Rice Business Plan Competition
Applications are now being accepted for the 17th annual Rice Business Plan Competition at Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business April 6-8. Graduate students with a business plan for a new startup company are encouraged to apply to compete.
http://bit.ly/2hfdJB6