Dateline Rice for May 11, 2017

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

‘Hot’ electrons don’t mind the gap
If they’re quick about it, “hot” electrons excited in a plasmonic metal can tunnel their way across a nanoscale gap to a neighboring metal. Rice scientists said the cool part is what happens in the gap, discovering that those electrons can create a photovoltage about a thousand times larger than what is seen if there is no gap. Douglas Natelson, professor of physics and astronomy, of electrical and computer engineering, and of materials science and nanoengineering and department chair of physics and astronomy, and graduate student Charlotte Evans are mentioned.
National Science Foundation
http://bit.ly/2pDr3CZ
Gold electrons can tunnel a nanoscale gap
AZO Nano
http://bit.ly/2pBNB69

How did Venezuela go from so rich to so poor?
Francisco Monaldi, a fellow in Latin American energy policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, discusses the economic crisis in Venezuela.
BBC World Service’s “The Inquiry” (This also aired on 707 radio stations.)
http://bbc.in/2pBW8pK

Freestanding ERs offer care without the wait. But patients can still pay $6,800 to treat a cut.
The rapid growth of freestanding emergency departments in Texas has been accompanied by an equal increase in use at relatively high prices that lead to sizable out-of-pocket costs to patients, according to new research by experts at Rice, Baylor College of Medicine, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. Vivian Ho, the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics at the Baker Institute and professor of economics, is quoted.
Washington Post
http://wapo.st/2pCYntV

Why couldn’t the Civil War have been worked out? Some smart people take the question seriously.
Graduate student William Black authored an op-ed.
Vox
http://bit.ly/2q62mSu

The cycle, not automation, is keeping oil and gas hiring down
Graduate student Mark Agerton authored an op-ed about oil and gas hiring.
Forbes
http://bit.ly/2q6bsP8

In Mexico, a cautious sigh of relief over Trump’s presidency so far
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, is quoted.
MSN News (This also appeared in Miami Herald.)
http://bit.ly/2q75BsQ

Comey firing compared to Nixon’s ‘Saturday Night Massacre’
Douglas Brinkley, professor of history, discusses the firing of FBI Director James Comey.
New York Times (This Associated Press story appeared in over 250 additional media outlets)
http://nyti.ms/2q66sdn
ABC News
http://abcn.ws/2pCM2pn
Washington Post
http://wapo.st/2q77up9
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2qY56m0
http://bit.ly/2q6RbsD
AP Analysis: Defiant Trump again bucks Washington norms
Washington Post (This Associated Press story appeared in over 125 additional media outlets)
http://wapo.st/2q673f9
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2q5VKDT
http://bit.ly/2pBHMpo
By dismissing Comey, defiant Trump again bucks Washington norms
The Quint
http://bit.ly/2pD90fY
Nixon comparison with Comey sacking
The Australian (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2r5LRUC
Andrew Buncombe: Nothing short of Nixonian
The Gulf Today
http://bit.ly/2qw0Ji9
Trump lleva la presidencia a terreno peligroso
El Diario NTR (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2r4i3qU
‘CNN Newsroom’
CNN International
http://bit.ly/2pBL8Ja

In other disturbing news, the census director resigned Tuesday
Steve Murdock, the Allyn and Gladys Cline Professor of Sociology and director of Rice’s Hobby Center for the Study of Texas, is quoted.
Slate
http://slate.me/2r5GdSE

Talented students earn $$ and fame with online videos
Baker College senior Michael Groth, who will graduate in May with a mechanical engineering degree, is featured for being a YouTube star and entrepreneur.
VOA News
http://bit.ly/2r4i65W

The 50 most influential mums of 2017
Rebecca Richards-Kortum, the Malcolm Gillis University Professor, professor of bioengineering and of electrical and computer engineering and director of the Rice 360° Institute for Global Health, is featured on a list of the most influential moms.
Elle UK (This also appeared in Harper’s Bazaar SG.)
http://bit.ly/2q7hKha

25 must-see buildings in New Mexico
James Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace on the Suzanne Deal Booth Centennial Pavilion on the Rice campus is featured in a slideshow.
USA Today (This also appeared in Pal-Item, Star Gazette, Desert Sun, Des Moines Register and Statesman Journal.)
https://usat.ly/2r4s1Zf

HOUSTON/TEXAS

White Americans skeptical about benefits of college, new survey shows
Stephen Klineberg, founding director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research and a professor of sociology, discusses the Houston Area Survey.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2q5RwvZ
http://bit.ly/2pBKr29

Art gallery and museum listings: May 11-17
Rice’s Moody Center for the Arts will present Thomas Struth’s “Nature & Politics” through May 29 and teamLab’s “Flower’s and People, Cannot Be Controlled But Live Together — A Whole Year Per Hour” through Aug. 13. Rice Gallery will present Sol LeWitt’s “Glossy and Flat Black Squares” until May 14.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2pD2uG0
http://bit.ly/2r5KXaM

What’s showing outside the megaplex?
Rice Cinema will screen “Hidden Figures” May 11.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2q5UmBa
http://bit.ly/2r3Ow0s
Click2Daily: Moody Center for Arts at Rice University opens
KPRC
http://bit.ly/2q67W7A

Abilene university graduations set for this weekend
An article mentions that Ray Martinez III worked at Rice.
Abilene Reporter-News
http://bit.ly/2q6c4o1

Rashomon of the bathroom bill: Were Abbott’s calls to the pastors really the pastors’ calls to Abbott?
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 firing of FBI Director James Comey and the Texas “bathroom bill.”
Austin American-Statesman
https://atxne.ws/2powvO2
Congressman Al Green calls for investigation after firing of FBI director James Comey
KTRK
http://abc13.co/2r4f0il
President Trump fires FBI Director James Comey: Wednesday’s show
Houston Public Media’s “Houston Matters”
http://bit.ly/2r4bN2d
KPFT
http://bit.ly/2pCTeSw

Dallas Voice receives 7 Lone Star Award nominations
The Lone Star Awards will be handed out at Rice June 10.
Dallas Voice
http://bit.ly/2r44GqE

BROADCAST

Shark Tank casting call in Houston!
Shark Tank will hold a casting call at Rice May 30.
93.7-FM
http://bit.ly/2pBZ19S

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Researcher leads fruit fly study that measures genetic variation in learning 
You live, you learn — even if you’re a larva and especially if there’s a little shock involved. That doesn’t sound particularly nurturing, but the jolt was important to a Rice scientist and her team who studied common fruit fly larvae. Their strategy helped them conclude that nature and nurture do collaborate in determining the behavior of a population. Julia Saltz, assistant professor of biosciences, is mentioned.
Phys Org
http://bit.ly/2q7g9bh

Link between heart disease risk factors and depression is biological, not behavioral
Biology, rather than personal behavior, may be responsible for the link between depression and risk factors for heart disease, according to a new study from Rice. Chris Fagundes, assistant professor of psychology, and postdoctoral research fellow Diana Chirinos are mentioned.
Medical Xpress (This also appeared in Health News Digest and Health Canal.)
http://bit.ly/2r5DXdZ

Fed grant backs nanofiber development: Rice University joins Department of Energy ‘Next Generation Machines’ initiative
Rice scientists who developed conductive fibers made entirely of carbon nanotubes will enhance their invention with the aid of a grant from the Department of Energy. Matteo Pasquali, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, of materials science and nanoengineering and of chemistry and department chair of chemistry, and Junichiro Kono, professor of electrical and computer engineering, of physics and astronomy, and of materials science and nanoengineering, are mentioned.
Nanotechnology Now
http://bit.ly/2q8XPwM

Rice U. unveils dual-channel biological function generator
Rice bioengineers who specialize in creating tools for synthetic biology have unveiled the latest version of their “biofunction generator and bioscilloscope,” an optogenetic platform that uses light to activate and study two biological circuits at a time. Jeffrey Tabor, assistant professor of bioengineering, and alumnus Evan Olson ’14 are mentioned.
MDT
http://bit.ly/2qwdMjD

Marketing campaign connects students with campus chefs
An article discusses a recent Rice Dining marketing campaign designed by Duncan College senior Cassy Gibson. Susann Glenn, manager of communications for Housing and Dining, is quoted.
Food Management
http://bit.ly/2qwb4eb

Why automation in the age of AI will change the way we think of work
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, discusses automation.
Tech Republic
http://tek.io/2q63Egn

Anadarko names EVP international and deep water operations
Daniel Brown ’11 is mentioned.
Offshore Engineer
http://bit.ly/2poipw8

Artificial intelligence, internet of things among technology discussed at d5 Forum
An article mentions that The Next Big Thing d5 event was held at Rice.
Unconventional Oil & Gas Center
http://bit.ly/2q97FyE

Black schoolchildren at higher risk for ambulance-treated asthma attacks
Black schoolchildren were significantly more likely to require emergency medical crews to treat ‘uncontrolled’ asthma attacks at Houston public schools and at home, compared with white and Hispanic students, according to recent study. Loren Raun, faculty fellow of statistics, environmental analysis and decision-making, is mentioned.
Healio
http://bit.ly/2pDluUS

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Kingma the soloist for IV Symphony Orchestra Saturday
An article mentions that Joseph Stern Kingma attended Rice.
News Tribune
http://bit.ly/2pDgzn7
Pianist Kingma to perform Schumann and Respighi at IVSO concert
The Mendota Reporter
http://bit.ly/2pomxfi

Tyler ISD announces 2017 valedictorians and salutatorians
An article mentions a student who hopes to attend Rice.
East Texas Review
http://bit.ly/2q99qMm

Sincerely yours, Judy Ludin
Duncan College senior Jeremy Reiskind is mentioned.
Jewish Press of Pinellas County
http://bit.ly/2pDhPXt

RWTH-Start-up erfolgreich im weltgrößten Businessplan-Wettbewerb
The Rice Business Plan Competition is mentioned.
Device Med (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2r4cB7p

SPORTS

Texas football posts best Academic Progress Rate in program history
An article mentions that Rice athletics has the highest Academic Progress Rate in Texas.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2q66Icu
Texas, A&M, Baylor and others outpaced by C-USA schools in APR scores
Dallas Morning News
http://bit.ly/2pCLFLE
UNT continues to excel on NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate report
Denton Record-Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2qY3wAx

Houston’s top high school baseball recruits
A Rice commit is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2pnUFIy
http://bit.ly/2r4h4Xo

Houston-area products play key roles for Texas softball
Rice baseball will play Middle Tennessee State University May 12-14.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2pBBxBY
http://bit.ly/2r3Ow0s

UH pitcher Seth Romero dismissed from team
Rice baseball is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2qvGtNE
http://bit.ly/2r5Hs4h
MLB draft 2017: Elite prospect Seth Romero kicked off University of Houston team
Sportal (This also appeared in Sporting News.)
http://bit.ly/2q5PrA6
1st-round MLB draft prospect dismissed from college team after reported fight
Yahoo Sports
https://yhoo.it/2r5C4hp
Seth Romero dismissed by Houston after reported fight with teammate before game
Bleacher Report
http://ble.ac/2r5SaHP
What Ole Miss has to do to make the postseason
The Clarion-Ledger
http://on.thec-l.com/2pBw1z6
Bubble watch: Latest projections have Tech in NCAA Tournament
The News Star
http://tnsne.ws/2qYjD0R
Field of 64 projection: May 10
D1 Baseball
http://bit.ly/2q95X0e

College football rankings: FAU Owls
Rice football is mentioned.
Orlando Sentinel
http://bit.ly/2qYh8M2

Thank you, San Marcos: Barrick Nealy graduates from Texas State
Rice football coach David Bailiff is mentioned.
San Marcos Daily Record
http://bit.ly/2qwbxwU

NEWS RELEASES

University of Michigan history chair named humanities dean at Rice University
Kathleen Canning, who chairs the largest department of history in the U.S. at the University of Michigan (U-M), will become dean of humanities at Rice University Jan. 1.
http://bit.ly/2r64d87

Populations adapt as nature and nurture work together
You live, you learn — even if you’re a larva and especially if there’s a little shock involved. That doesn’t sound particularly nurturing, but the jolt was important to a Rice University scientist and her team who studied common fruit fly larvae. Their strategy helped them conclude that nature and nurture do collaborate in determining the behavior of a population.
http://bit.ly/2qXTZcU

Rice University commencement ceremonies are Friday and Saturday
Rice University’s commencement ceremonies will be held May 12 and 13. Former astronaut Mae Jemison will give commencement address Saturday.
http://bit.ly/2q76EbW

Fed grant backs nanofiber development
Rice University scientists who developed conductive fibers made entirely of carbon nanotubes will enhance their invention with the aid of a grant from the Department of Energy.
http://bit.ly/2qYn0oz