Dateline Rice for Jan. 3, 2017 (Holiday Edition)

FEATURED ITEMS

‘CNN Newsroom with Brooke Baldwin’
Ambassador Edward Djerejian, director of Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, discusses U.S.-Israel relations.
CNN
https://youtu.be/tK0ly1iY6wsb (This also aired on CNC3.)
CNNI
https://youtu.be/Esut4jVU7_0

After a downer of a year, what will 2017 bring?
Bill Fulton, director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, and Rebecca Richards-Kortem, the Malcolm Gillis University Professor, professor of bioengineering and of electrical and computer engineering and director of Rice 360° Institute for Global Health, share their predictions for 2017.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front page of the Jan. 1 print edition.)
http://bit.ly/2iyUl5h
Houstonians predict 2017
Houston Chronicle (This also appeared in My San Antonio.)
http://bit.ly/2j0qLlS
http://bit.ly/2hID1et
City resolutions
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2iG2F0g

What’s in store for 2017?
Stephen Klineberg, founding director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research and a professor of sociology, is quoted about the upcoming Houston Super Bowl. Klineberg is also mentioned in a list of predictions for 2017.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front of the Business section in the Jan. 1 print edition with a different headline, “The Year Ahead.”)
http://bit.ly/2iEbafi
Houston makeover setting stage for Super Bowl
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front page of the Dec. 30 print edition.)
http://bit.ly/2j4pH4r

Team at Rice builds machine to transform the way we vote
An article discusses STAR-Vote, a voting machine designed by researchers at Rice. Dan Wallach, professor of computer science and of electrical and computer engineering, and Michael Byrne, professor of psychology, are quoted. Philip Kortum, assistant professor of psychology, and Wallach are pictured in the Houston Chronicle article.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front page of the Dec. 28 print edition.)
http://bit.ly/2iftif8
New model of digital election equipment produces instantly verifiable results
Government Technology
http://bit.ly/2iFFO53
Rice team builds machine to transform how we vote
San Antonio Express-News
http://bit.ly/2iFFhjr
Rice University designs new voting machines with public funds
Center for Digital Education
http://bit.ly/2j0IrOe

Rice University unveiling required sexuality course as preventive step to curb assaults, harassment
An article discusses Rice’s “Critical Thinking in Sexuality” course. Dean of Undergraduates John Hutchinson; Allison Vogt, director of sexual violence prevention and Title IX support; former student body president Jazz Silva ’16; Hanszen College freshman Michelle Nguyen; Duncan College sophomore Shomik Sen; and Wiess College senior Raena Panicker are quoted. An editorial discusses the course.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front page of the Dec. 26 print edition.)
http://bit.ly/2ip3lqZ
What to expect in Congress this year
Politico
http://politi.co/2iEwvFb
Sex ed … in college?
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2io0NM7
Editorial: Rice University class should be duplicate
Houston Chronicle (This also appeared in Beaumont Enterprise.)
http://bit.ly/2hNfQj8

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

US elections still vulnerable to rigging, disruption
Dan Wallach, professor of computer science and of electrical and computer engineering, is quoted about election security and voice recognition software.
U.S. News & World Report (This also appeared in the Houston Chronicle, the Associated Press and over 100 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/2hv4EYg
Election system susceptible to rigging despite red flags
The Washington Post
http://wapo.st/2inX0OM
Election system susceptible to rigging despite red flags
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2iGPhYS
http://bit.ly/2hNTGvG
Tech company mimics Mother Nature with gecko-inspired adhesives
WESA
http://bit.ly/2ipdofy
Internet connected devices may put their owners behind bars
Government Technology
http://bit.ly/2iX74PL
Could your high-tech gadgets send you to jail?
Miami Herald
http://hrld.us/2j4VO4e

Mexico gasoline hike impact marginal for US refiners: Analysts
Ken Medlock, the James A. Baker III and Susan Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics and senior director of the Center for Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and lecturer of economics, is quoted about oil prices.
Reuters
http://reut.rs/2iFLvjE
A year after the ban, US oil exports nibble at Asian market share
Hellenic Shipping News
http://bit.ly/2i5CHWg

Long gas lines, price hike mar holiday season in Mexico
Miriam Grunstein, contributing expert and scholar in the Mexico Center at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about gas prices in Mexico.
The New York Times (This also appeared in the Christian Science Monitor.)
http://nyti.ms/2io4XU5
Long gas lines, price hike mar holiday season in Mexico
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2j4tY8f
http://bit.ly/2hNuaZ0
Mexico deregulates gas prices — good, it should
Forbes
http://bit.ly/2hNwRtN
‘The entire system … is rotten’: Weaknesses in Mexico’s oil sector are creating ‘chaos’ during the holiday season
Business Insider
http://read.bi/2hEFDFz
Escasez y alza de gasolina encienden el fin de año en México
Houston Chronicle (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2hNRmVv
Preocupación en México por falta de gasolina
Houston Chronicle’s “La Voz” (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2iEns7f

Trump tells visitors he’s drafting his inaugural speech with Reagan and Kennedy in mind
Douglas Brinkley, professor of history, is quoted about President-elect Donald Trump, President Barack Obama and U.S.-Israel relations. Some articles mention that Brinkley met with Trump Dec. 28. Brinkley will also speak at the University of California, Santa Barbara Jan. 26.
Washington Post
http://wapo.st/2hIoRbM
Trump says he’s drafting his inaugural speech with Reagan, Kennedy in mind
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2iWZy7t
http://bit.ly/2hIhFhA
Does Donald Trump know that we’ve already landed on the moon?
Gizmodo (This also appeared in Gizmodo India.)
http://bit.ly/2iFH6x1
Niceties giving way to turf war
The Bulletin
http://bit.ly/2ip6ruS
Obama’s lasting legacies in the West
The Colorado Independent
http://bit.ly/2hIF6r0
It’s dueling administrations
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2j4uJxZ
Historian, author Douglas Brinkley to speak at UCSB
Santa Ynez Valley News
http://bit.ly/2izm7fA
‘Anderson Cooper 360’
CNNI (This also aired on CNN and CNC3.)
http://bit.ly/2hMBq2y
‘Erin Burnett OutFront’
CNN
http://bit.ly/2j5hwVx
KAIT
http://bit.ly/2j5gedf

Heart valves strive to get oxygen one way or another
As the valves in a heart stretch with each beat, their cells take in life-giving oxygen. But if the supply is cut off, aortic and mitral valves use different strategies to compensate, according to Rice scientists. Jane Grande-Allen, professor of bioengineering; research assistant Matthew Sapp; postdoctoral fellow Varun Krishnamurthy; alumni Daniel Puperi ’16 and Gabrielle Fatora ’16; and McMurtry College senior Saheba Bhatnagar are mentioned.
National Science Foundation (This also appeared in TMC News and the Dec. 26 issue of TMC Today.) 
http://bit.ly/2i6FhIT

Astronomers find giant planet around very young star
In contradiction to the long-standing idea that larger planets take longer to form, U.S. astronomers announced the discovery of a giant planet in close orbit around a star so young that it still retains a disk of circumstellar gas and dust. Christopher Johns-Krull, associate professor of physics and astronomy, is quoted.
Science 360 News (This story from May appeared in the Headlines section on the Science 360 News home page on their Dec. 28 edition of “Best of NSF’s Science360 2016.”)
http://bit.ly/2izGNEk

New superconducting alloy toggles between phases
Physicists at Rice’s Center for Quantum Materials have created a new iron-based material that offers clues about the microscopic origins of high-temperature superconductivity. Pengcheng Dai, professor of physics and astronomy; Qimiao Si, the Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor of Physics and Astronomy; and graduate student Yu Song are quoted.
Futurity
http://bit.ly/2inThk9

Sensory overload: how immersive art took top billing at music festivals
James Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace on the Suzanne Deal Booth Centennial Pavilion on the Rice campus is mentioned.
Guardian
http://bit.ly/2ifkupG

Trump inaugural to include prayers from prosperity preachers
Anthony Pinn, the Agnes Cullen Arnold Professor of Humanities and professor of religion and fellow at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is quoted about prosperity preachers.
Washington Post
http://wapo.st/2itAylq
Paula White, prosperity preacher once investigated by Senate, is a controversial pick for inauguration
Washington Post
http://wapo.st/2iECD0o
Trump inaugural to include prayers from prosperity preachers
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2hIx6Gl
http://bit.ly/2i0SmmY
Televangelist Paula White joins Trump Inauguration Day plans
Hollywood Reporter
http://bit.ly/2inNCLd
Trump inauguration to feature faith leaders, including Franklin Graham, Samuel Rodriguez and Paula White
The Christian Times
http://bit.ly/2hOj0Sr
Trump adds controversial ‘prosperity preachers’ to list of religious leaders at his inauguration
Haaretz
http://bit.ly/2izpi6R

How Ryan and Trump’s uneasy peace could quickly fall apart
Paul Brace, the Clarence L. Carter Professor of Political Science, is quoted about Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and President-elect Donald Trump.
Bloomberg Politics
http://bloom.bg/2j4Kzc1

America is finally ready to change the way it talks about drugs
Katharine Neill, the Alfred C. Glassell III Postdoctoral Fellow in Drug Policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about opioid addiction.
Wired (A correction on the misspelling of Neill’s first name has been requested.)
http://bit.ly/2isyUA3

Mapping the value of neighborhood ‘character’
An article quotes a blog by Kyle Shelton, postdoctoral research fellow at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, about neighborhood design.
“City Lab” from The Atlantic
http://bit.ly/2isGsCU

IBM is working on a robot that takes care of elderly people who live alone
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.
Business Insider (This also appeared in Business Insider Australia and the Houston Chronicle.)
http://read.bi/2inVsEp
IBM and Rice University team up on a robot to care for the elderly
Mental Floss
http://bit.ly/2iECZE6
These robots want to help seniors live independently as they age
Texas Standard (This also aired on 24 other stations and also appeared online in KUT, KUOW and KWBU.)
http://bit.ly/2hEDXvE

The best free online business courses starting in January
An online business course offered by Rice through Coursera is mentioned.
Business Insider
http://read.bi/2inSKyD

Turn the page on your career with 10 books on leadership to read in 2017
“Stretch,” by Scott Sonenshein, the Henry Gardiner Symonds Professor of Management at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business, is featured on a list of leadership books to read in 2017.
National Post
http://bit.ly/2iFGUha

Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher: Parents at higher risk of dying after child’s death
An article mentions that Christopher Fagundes, assistant professor of psychology, is studying the physical effects of grief.
The Globe and Mail
https://tgam.ca/2iV0PYZ

These health hacks have women over 50 living fabulously
A Rice study on diabetes is mentioned.
Essence
http://bit.ly/2itCACb

30 under 30 2017: The young innovators redefining marketing and advertising
An article mentions that Tony Chen attended Rice. Chen is on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in Marketing and Advertising list.
Forbes
http://bit.ly/2iLCV2z

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Most fascinating Houstonians of 2016
Genevera Allen ’06, the Dobelman Family Junior Chair and assistant professor of statistics, and Richard Tapia, University Professor, the Maxfield-Oshman Professor in Engineering and a professor of computational and applied mathematics, are featured in a slideshow of “Houston’s most fascinating of 2016.”
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2hNRBQe

Best cultural moments of 2016
The hiring of Alison Weaver, executive director of Rice University’s Moody Center for the Arts, is cited as one of the best cultural moments in Houston in 2016.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2hqu4S2

Perry polishes image for new role as energy secretary
Charles McConnell, executive director of Rice’s Energy and Environment Initiative, is quoted about former Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front page of the Jan. 1 print edition with a different headline, “Perry polishes image for role.”)
http://bit.ly/2hIorDZ

The time to start building Houston 2036 is now
Rice University founder William Marsh Rice and the Rice Institute are mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front of the Business section in the Jan. 1 print edition with a different headline, “Bicentennial choice: Be a great city or one that needs to try harder.”)
http://bit.ly/2hIsEpq
A look ahead … to the year 1911
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2iL30Pf

When ‘historic’ doesn’t mean ‘white’
Raj Mankad, editor of the Rice Design Alliance’s Cite Magazine, co-authored an article about preservation in Houston and is quoted about strip malls.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front of the Zest section in the Jan. 1 print edition. This appeared in the Chronicle’s “Gray Matters” online magazine and previously appeared in Dateline Dec. 16)
http://bit.ly/2gICP9V
In defense of Houston’s strip malls
Houstonia
http://bit.ly/2itMB2e

Houston’s future
Heather O’Connell, postdoctoral fellow at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, and graduate student Elizabeth Korver-Glenn discuss Houston’s future.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front of the Outlook section in the Jan. 1 print edition.)
http://bit.ly/2iL9gqb

For a happier 2017, unresolve your bad habits
Cardiologist John Higgins authored an article about healthy habits. The byline mentions that he works as a sports cardiologist for Rice Athletics.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front of the Star Health section in the Jan. 2 print edition.)
http://bit.ly/2hLU4HX

Measures to control flooding falling short as area grows
Larry Dunbar, project manager for Rice’s Severe Storm Prediction Education and Evacuation from Disasters Center, is quoted in an article about flooding in Houston.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front page of the Dec. 24 print edition.)
http://bit.ly/2huREjU
http://bit.ly/2hERtPU

Secrets you probably didn’t know about Houston
Valhalla on Rice’s campus is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2hNmPZr

97-year-old Wexler Jewelry to close on New Year’s Eve
A photo from the Rice Design Alliance of the former Magic Island building taken by Paul Hester, lecturer of visual and dramatic arts, is included in a slideshow.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2hLLd8T
http://bit.ly/2hNYLUO

Texas colleges weekly roundup: Facebook friending A&M, Rice; Trump meeting
A roundup of news mentions that Rice is one of 17 universities that Facebook announced it will partner with for swifter collaboration on technology research projects and links to an interview with two Rice sociologists.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2hmiZRX
Princeton to partner with Facebook’s mysterious R&D team
Philadelphia Business Journal
http://bit.ly/2hEyBRe

What are Latinos expecting for 2017 in Houston?
David Medina ’83, director of multicultural community relations in Rice’s Office of Public Affairs, discusses his expectations for 2017.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2iE13a8
http://bit.ly/2i0XVBI

What would happen if Houston-based companies got Yahoo-ed?
Vikas Mittal, the J. Hugh Liedtke Professor of Marketing at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business, co-authored a column about security breaches.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. The print edition mentions Mittal’s faculty appointment at Rice.)
http://bit.ly/2hNpl29

Money given for completion of new museum of fine arts announced at public opening
A reprint of a 1924 Houston Chronicle article mentions the late James Chillman, who was a professor at the Rice Institute.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This also appeared in My San Antonio.)
http://bit.ly/2hNwtvn
http://bit.ly/2i6nkKc

Governance, planning, social justice among key issues for area suburbs
A report on suburbs by Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2inWuAx

Texas Children’s Hospital catches popular fancy
A reprint of a 1952 Houston Post article mentions the Rice Institute.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2iXopbm

The 17 best colleges for the value
An article mentions that Rice is featured on Kiplinger’s list of the top 100 “best college values.”
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2hLJJvu

Top 10 fashion moments of ’16
Rice is mentioned in an article about New York fashion designer Vivienne Tam.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2hLDAiT

What to watch: A rundown of bills filed so far in the Texas Legislature
Leah Binkovitz, staff writer for Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, authored an op-ed about the Texas Legislature.
Rivard Report
http://bit.ly/2iEwfX5

Armenteros doubles down at toughest 10K Galveston
Alumnus Luis Armenteros ’96 is featured.
Texas Runner & Triathlete (This appeared in the November 2016 edition.)
http://bit.ly/2hMsqdV

Meet Houston’s new music ensemble: Loop38
Graduate student Yvonne Chen and SYZYGY, Rice’s faculty ensemble group, are mentioned.
Houstonia
http://bit.ly/2hLUO0h

Gardening events in the Houston area
Urban Harvest’s 17th Annual Fruit Tree Sale will take place at Rice Jan. 14.
Houston Chronicle (This also appeared in My San Antonio.)
http://bit.ly/2iE8tKB
http://bit.ly/2iyUgib
KTRH
http://bit.ly/2izT6jX

Local symphony’s concertmaster aims to bring classical, folk music to Cuba
“Imagénes de Cuba,” a composition by Arthur Gottschalk, professor of composition and theory at Rice’s Shepherd School of Music, is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (This also appeared in Beaumont Enterprise.)
http://bit.ly/2j0o9Ev

Houston kid: Guy Clark in the Bayou City
Rice is mentioned.
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/2iURiRI

MasterMinds 2016 1 year later: HISD’s EMERGE program
An article mentions that a student from the EMERGE program recently graduated from Rice.
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/2iocWAv

430,000 new Texans in 1 year
Steve Murdock, the Allyn and Gladys Cline Professor of Sociology and director of Rice’s Hobby Center for the Study of Texas, discusses population growth in Texas.
Denton Record-Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2hv1fc6

Homestead: Jimmie Powell honored Hereford Association
Alumnus Jimmie Powell ’51 is featured.
San Angelo Standard-Times
http://bit.ly/2hLSQ01

Texas’ 12 best books of the year: These perfectly arty presents challenge your view of the Lone Star State
An article mentions an exhibit which will be on display at the Rice Media Center March 7-31.
PaperCity
http://bit.ly/2hqp4gi

It’s debatable: The debate over free education
Rice is mentioned.
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
http://bit.ly/2isxrtv

97-year-old Houston jewelry store to close
Rice Stadium is mentioned.
Houston Business Journal
http://bit.ly/2iV5dHt

2016 in review: Music
Lovett College senior Monica Czausz is mentioned.
Theater Jones
http://bit.ly/2ivJ3hS

Ray Perryman, board of contributors: Even with global oil glut, Texas economy still thrives
Alumnus Ray Perryman ’78 authored an op-ed.
Waco Tribune-Herald
http://bit.ly/2j57hRi

BROADCAST

Ogg: Welcome to new era of criminal justice
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 resurgence of Democrats in Harris County, Ted Cruz and the upcoming Congressional session. The Empower Texas article discusses Jones’ research on bills in the Texas House and Senate.
KPRC
http://bit.ly/2iLzqJI
Could Ted Cruz get a shot at the Supreme Court?
KRIV
http://bit.ly/2iEvcWO
115th Congress convenes tomorrow
KTRH
http://bit.ly/2iEEEtk
Loyalty vote on day 1
Empower Texans
http://bit.ly/2hOxiSS

KPFT
Richard Stoll, the Albert Thomas Chair in Political Science and scholar at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, discusses President-elect Donald Trump’s tweet about nuclear weapons and the United Nations vote on Israeli settlements.
http://bit.ly/2iA66pS
KPFT
http://bit.ly/2i6VYDG

‘Power 102 — Trinidad’
A broadcast features Stephen Klineberg, founding director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research and a professor of sociology, discussing the results of the Houston Area Survey.
http://bit.ly/2iEMWkU

Music in the making: Happy New Year!
A performance by Rice’s Shepherd School of Music is featured. Larry Rachleff, the Walter Kris Hubert Professor of Orchestra Conducting; Thomas Jaber, professor of music and director of choral ensembles; and alumni Annamarie Zmolek ’10, Sishel Claverie ’10 and Brenton Ryan ’11 are mentioned.
Houston Public Media
http://bit.ly/2j59cVV

3rd Annual Newcomers’ Guide to Houston: Thursday’s show (Dec. 29)
Rice is mentioned.
Houston Public Media
http://bit.ly/2j59Hz3

BN9
Rice is mentioned.
http://bit.ly/2iEHA9q (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.) 

WSCL
Rice is mentioned.
http://bit.ly/2j11190 (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.) 

‘Imus in the Morning’
Lovett College freshman Wyatt Imus is mentioned. Douglas Brinkley, professor of history, is mentioned in the second and fourth broadcasts.
WABC (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast. This also aired on 66 other stations.)
http://bit.ly/2i6OpwU
‘Imus in the Morning’
WABC (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast. This also aired on 66 other stations.)
http://bit.ly/2hOKw1Q
‘Imus in the Morning’
WABC (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast. This also aired on 66 other stations.)
http://bit.ly/2iEGYRk
‘Imus in the Morning’
WABC (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast. This also aired on 66 other stations.)
http://bit.ly/2i71qGL

‘Great Day Houston’
Lovett College sophomore Martin Rather discusses the Rather Prize, which is being offered in partnership with Rice’s Center for Civic Leadership.
KHOU
http://bit.ly/2i6I2Ke

KLBJ
Tony Payan, the Baker Institute for Public Policy’s Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies and director of the institute’s Mexico Center, discusses immigration from Central America.
http://bit.ly/2i6R4XC (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.) 

2016 year in review
A broadcast discusses pioneers lost in 2016, including Sir Harold Kroto. The broadcast mention that Kroto won the 1996 Nobel Prize in chemistry, jointly with University Professor Emeritus Robert Curl and the late Richard Smalley, for their discovery in 1985 of fullerenes, popularly known as “buckyballs.” Alumni James Heath ’88, Sean O’Brien ’88 and Yuan Liu ’85 are also mentioned.
Science Friday (This aired on 374 radio stations.)
http://bit.ly/2iLVqEm

Sharon Isbin: Troubadour
The late alumnus Neil Isbin ’73 is mentioned.
KCWC
http://bit.ly/2hMFa3T

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Up close 2016: Around Houston
An article cites Rice’s new Moody Center for the Arts as one of three “highly anticipated additions” for Houston’s art mavens.
Art in America
http://bit.ly/2hNYkvo

Medgadget’s best medical technologies of 2016
A sterilization station for surgical instruments that can help minimize risk of infections to patients anywhere in the world created by Rice students and their mentors is featured on MedGadget’s Best Medical Technologies of 2016 list.
MedGadget
http://bit.ly/2j0RheN
Best of 2016: Renewable energy powers medical instrument sterilization
Today’s Energy Solutions
http://bit.ly/2hItXGr

2 newborn planets may be forming around a distant young star
Rice astronomers and their colleagues have for the first time mapped gases in three dark rings around a distant star. The rings mark spaces where planets are thought to have formed from dust and gas around the star. Andrea Isella, assistant professor of physics and astronomy, is quoted.
Space.com
http://bit.ly/2hLQ6Qj

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

The latest hardship in Venezuela: A shortage of cash
Francisco Monaldi, a fellow in Latin American energy policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about the cash shortage in Venezuela.
Herald and News
http://bit.ly/2hxS8aL
Cuba en recesión: Cómo las crisis económicas de Venezuela y Brasil están impactando a la isla
BBC Mundo (An English translation is not available.)
http://bbc.in/2izjwor

The most important pollution rule you’ve never heard of
Daniel Cohan, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, authored an op-ed about the Regional Haze Rule.
The Hill
http://bit.ly/2iUYmxJ

‘Marry me, so we don’t break up’: The political proposals of 2016 that got it all wrong
President John F. Kennedy’s famous “Moon Speech” delivered at Rice Sept. 12, 1962, is discussed.
The Journal.ie
http://bit.ly/2i0VwXQ

SPORTS

Old Dominion holds off Rice 62-56 in C-USA opener
Rice men’s basketball fell to Old Dominion University 56-62 and defeated the University of North Carolina at Charlotte 89-70. Players Connor Cashaw, Marcus Jackson, Austin Meyer, Marcus Evans and Egor Koulechov are mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2hIyiIi
http://bit.ly/2io0kJV
College basketball: Rice soars past Charlotte for 1st conference victory
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2izjACl
Evans scores 25, Rice puts Charlotte away in 2nd half
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2izmWFm
http://bit.ly/2i6fUa2
Area college basketball: UH beats South Florida, improves to 2-0 in AAC
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2hIFfJl
Old Dominion versus Rice — Dec. 31 college basketball pick, odds and prediction
Sports Chat Place
http://bit.ly/2hIEZdc
C-USA hoops: Competitiveness at the top makes for interesting conference race
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required This also appeared in My San Antonio.)
http://bit.ly/2j0hoT3
College basketball weekend preview: Dec. 30
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2iuTJNI
http://bit.ly/2iG2RN9
Monday’s college basketball
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2hNDP1U
Saturday’s college basketball
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2iuTjXD
What to know as league play begins in C-USA
Virginian-Pilot
http://bit.ly/2itOH1U

Rice, W. Michigan QB-receiver duos say relationship vital to success
Former Rice football players Chase Clement and Jarrett Dillard are featured.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2iX9wGe
Derrius Guice steps up as LSU tops Louisville in Citrus Bowl
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2itUBjx
Corey Davis bypassed NFL, has WMU in Cotton Bowl
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2iFWJ7D
NCAA football: Western Michigan makes Cotton logo reality versus Wisconsin
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2j4wPO8
Western Michigan makes Cotton logo reality versus Wisconsin
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2hIGdFk

Egor Koulechov fueling Rice’s basketball resurgence
An article discusses Rice men’s basketball’s 2017 season. Head coach Mike Rhoades, assistant coach Scott Pera and Wiess College senior Egor Koulechov are quoted. Brown College sophomore Marcus Evans is also mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2iyQftQ

So what’s going to happen in sports in 2017?
Rice football head coach David Bailiff is mentioned.
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/2i6uI8m

Oak Ridge’s Carly Graham named Houston’s volleyball player of year
A Rice commit is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2iEfyuL
http://bit.ly/2ijmVrk
Naples Holiday Shootout — wrapping up 2016
Bluestar Media
http://bit.ly/2i6GYWv

Doug Smock: Ranking C-USA basketball ahead of conference play
Rice men’s basketball is mentioned.
Charleston Gazette-Mail
http://bit.ly/2huJKqM

The unlikely player who integrated Division I college football in Texas
Rice football is mentioned.
Think Progress
http://bit.ly/2iV29en

Top football recruits find coach Tom Herman ‘fun,’ Longhorns fans annoying
An article mentions that Tom Herman coached at Rice.
Houston Chronicle (This also appeared in My San Antonio.)
http://bit.ly/2i6beRg

Texans’ offense has to crank it up considerably
Former Rice football player Christian Covington is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2hLRQIE

Weekly San Diego sports preview
Rice swimming is mentioned.
NBC San Diego
http://bit.ly/2i6lCc1

KUIK
Former Rice football player Tommy Kramer is featured.
http://bit.ly/2hNWCKl (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.) 

NEWS RELEASE

Rice probes ways to turn cement’s weakness to strength
Concrete isn’t thought of as a plastic, but plasticity at small scales boosts concrete’s utility as the world’s most-used material by letting it constantly adjust to stress, decades and sometimes even centuries after hardening. Rice University researchers are a step closer to understanding why.
http://bit.ly/2hP5iP6