Dateline Rice for July 28, 2017

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Bathroom bill signals widening GOP rift in Texas
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.
Wall Street Journal (Subscription required. This also appeared in ADVFN.)
http://on.wsj.com/2v3KmLE

Wider US sanctions on Venezuela risk biting both countries
Francisco Monaldi, a fellow in Latin American energy policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about Venezuelan oil production.
New York Times (This also appeared in Africa-News and Public.)
http://nyti.ms/2vQgfEU

Joint chiefs: No transgender policy changes until Trump clarifies tweets
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told subordinates Thursday that the U.S. military will not make any changes to its transgender policy until President Donald Trump clarifies what he meant in a series of surprise tweets. Tom Kolditz, director of Rice’s Doerr Institute for New Leaders, is quoted.
NBC News
http://nbcnews.to/2uFOzUY

Mexican DREAMers face mental health risks
Immigrants who came to the United States illegally as small children and who meet the requirements of the Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, more commonly known as DREAMers, are at risk for mental health distress, according to a new study from researchers at Rice University. Luz Garcini, postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Psychology, is quoted.
Futurity (This article appeared in the July 28 issue of Futurity Today. This also appeared in DNAIndia, Outlook India, WebIndia123, ABP Live, NewKerala, India International Times, Scienmag and ZeeNews.)
http://bit.ly/2eUaulz

Reusable filter clears 99 percent of metals from water
Carbon nanotubes immobilized in a tuft of quartz fiber have the power to remove toxic heavy metals from water, according to researchers at Rice University. Andrew Barron, the Charles W. Duncan Jr.-Welch Professor of Chemistry and professor of materials science and nanoengineering, is quoted.
Futurity (This article appeared in the July 28 issue of Futurity Today.)
http://bit.ly/2vPTD7r
Water filter invented by high school student removes 99 percent of heavy metals
United Press International
http://bit.ly/2eQQpwJ
High school student’s water filter removes mercury, lead from drinking supply
International Business Times
http://bit.ly/2eThdfS
Heavy metals in water meet their match
TMC News (This also appears in the Canadian Inquirer, Deccan Chronicle, ChemEurope, Swansea University, Science Newsline, ITV, Science Blog, R&D and Controlled Environments.)
http://bit.ly/2v78NHN
Incredible filter can clean water in Fukushima-like disasters
Inverse Innovation
http://bit.ly/2h9vqpv
New carbon nanotube-reinforced filters remove heavy metal toxins from water
News-Medical (This also appears in the Canadian Inquirer, Engineering and Xinhua.)
http://bit.ly/2tJRNDY
Tufts of quartz clean water of toxic heavy metals
New Atlas
http://bit.ly/2uJpiay

Secrets of ‘lost 8th continent’ Zealandia to be unlocked as scientists set sail to explore underwater landmass
Thirty scientists sailed from Australia July 27 on a two-month ocean drilling expedition to the submerged continent of Zealandia in search of clues about its history, which relates to key questions about plate tectonic processes and Earth’s past greenhouse climate. Gerald Dickens, professor of Earth science, is quoted.
The Sun (This also appears in SABC, Yahoo! Singapore and over 60 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/2tPPjYP
High-tech deepsea drillship visits Townsville
Public Now
http://bit.ly/2tQ8LEM

HOUSTON/TEXAS

How to make Houston streets safer: Enough talk. More infrastructure.
A new safety campaign encourages pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists to be alert and be predictable. Will that be enough to make Houston’s streets safer for all road users? The “near-miss” study by Dian Nostikasari, development, transportation and placemaking research fellow at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is discussed. Nostikasari is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2tPttol

From chat room to ‘I do,’ high school sweethearts marry after 12 years together
Brian Lai, a graduate student at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business, is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2v6yWGG

Biochar could enhance crop growth and reduce air pollution
Biochar from recycled waste may both enhance crop growth and save health costs by helping clear the air of pollutants, according to Rice University researchers. Rice researchers in Earth science, economics and environmental engineering have determined that widespread use of biochar in agriculture could reduce health care costs, especially for those who live in urban areas close to farmland. Ghasideh Pourhashem, a postdoctoral fellow at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Carrie Masiello, professor of Earth, environmental and planetary sciences, of chemistry and of biosciences; and Daniel Cohan, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, are quoted.
TMC News (This also appears in domain-b, Scienmag, AZO Cleantech, Science Newsline, Health Medicine Network and Laboratory.)
http://bit.ly/2tJNmsN

Frankston ISD board meeting plays host to packed house
Rice is mentioned.
East Texas Matters
http://bit.ly/2v6Cg4F

Journalism has technically changed
Rice is mentioned.
Athens Daily Review
http://bit.ly/2v4AMs2

BROADCAST

Platform partners announces the hiring of Jeremy Newsom
Alumnus Jeremy Newsom ’08 has been named executive vice president of Platform Partners.
WXIX-TV (This also appears in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, WOWK, NBC Right Now and over 30 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/2w6mMe3

Former US attorney general to speak at United Way’s annual meeting
Alumnus Alberto Gonzalez ’79 will speak at the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties’ Community Celebration Aug. 30.
WGNS-FM
http://bit.ly/2vedeBw

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Partners announced for CUR Transformations Project
The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) announced that Rice is going to be one of its partners for the Transformations Project.
Pennsylvania Ag Connection (This also appeared in Illinois Ag Connection.)
http://bit.ly/2uJcHo4

2 types of diversity training that really work
Eden King, associate professor of psychology, co-authored an op-ed.
Harvard Business Review
http://bit.ly/2ve6hjC

Structure of protein in salmon virus could inform strategies to treat flu in humans
The structure of a protein key to the survival and spread of a virus that affects salmon could inform strategies to treat the flu in humans, according to scientists at Rice. Yizhi Jane Tao, associate professor of biochemistry and cell biology, is quoted.
News-Medical (This also appears in Science Daily, Public and Phys.org.)
http://bit.ly/2w6N009

Citing rail safety, Metro to change its colors
Pending approval by its board, Metropolitan Transit Authority is planning to spend $326,000 to affix a more colorful pattern to the front of all its light rail vehicles. The upcoming work builds on previous jobs adding the decals to 19 trains, which occurred after two high-profile incidents where bicyclists pedaled in front of oncoming trains. Marjorie Corcoran, a professor of physics and astronomy who was killed Feb. 3 in a train-cyclist accident, is mentioned.
Mass Transit
http://bit.ly/2h9yhP6

Energy: Paper details developments toward high-temperature batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are popular power sources for cellphones and other electronics, but problematic in extreme heat or cold. A Rice University laboratory has suggested ways to extend their range. Pulickel Ajayan, the Benjamin M. and Mary Greenwood Anderson Professor in Engineering and founding chair of the Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, and postdoctoral research associate Hemtej Gullapalli are quoted.
Materialsgate
http://bit.ly/2tJJxnv

Triple-layer catalyst does double duty
Splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen to produce clean energy can be simplified with a single catalyst developed by scientists at Rice University and the University of Houston. Kenton Whitmire, associate dean of the Wiess School of Natural Sciences and professor of chemistry, and graduate student Desmond Schipper are quoted.
ChemEurope (This also appears in EIN Newsdesk, Nanotechnology Now, World of Chemicals and Materialsgate.)
http://bit.ly/2w6AM7t

Photon upconversion technique utilizes plasmonics, quantum wells
A Rice professor’s method to “upconvert” light could make solar cells more efficient and disease-targeting nanoparticles more effective. Experiments led by Gururaj Naik, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, combined plasmonic metals and semiconducting quantum wells to boost the frequency of light, changing its color.
Photonics Media
http://bit.ly/2w6QfVl

Isolated Qatar hires firm founded by Trump aide
Kristian Ulrichsen, fellow for the Middle East at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted in articles on Qatar.
Index-Journal Online (This also appears in Newsdog and USA Breaking News Online.)
http://bit.ly/2veq2aV
World in brief: July 27, 2017
The Daily Astorian
http://bit.ly/2tKcobh

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

‘A New World: Intimate Music from Final Fantasy’ revisits Houston in August
“A New World: Intimate Music from Final Fantasy” will be performed at Rice’s Stude Concert Hall.
VG Tribune
http://bit.ly/2veAIpV

New wonder material will allow you to charge devices in minutes
Simulated 1D boron, a material created at Rice, is mentioned.
True Viral News (This also appears in Futurism and Newscaf.)
http://bit.ly/2w6MJK

SPORTS

Toughest 3-game stretch: UAB
Rice football is mentioned.
Underdog Dynasty
http://bit.ly/2h8Y4at

Fantasy 5: How high should McCaffrey’s stock be?
Rice football is mentioned.
Pro Football Focus
http://bit.ly/2tJmYPz

Sanford credits assistants, Taggart for recent recruiting surge
Rice football is mentioned.
WKBO-TV
http://bit.ly/2w6CtlC

Volleyball tickets now on sale
Rice volleyball is mentioned.
UTSA Roadrunners
http://bit.ly/2uJedqd

The best college baseball programs in America
Rice is mentioned as having one of the top 10 baseball programs In America.
The Cheat Sheet
http://bit.ly/2v4whO6

Action news rewind: Fresno State 2008 NCAA College World Series
Rice is mentioned.
ABC30
http://abc30.tv/2uFF0Fo

NEWS RELEASES

Rice U. scientists reel in structure of salmon virus
The structure of a protein key to the survival and spread of a virus that affects salmon could inform strategies to treat the flu in humans, according to scientists at Rice University.
http://bit.ly/2u4NLFi

Rice University experts available to discuss Sunday’s Venezuelan election
Rice University has two experts available to discuss political and energy industry implications of Venezuela’s nationwide vote Sunday to elect a 545-member assembly. The plan, which is being pushed by President Nicolas Maduro, would strengthen presidential power and likely move the government quickly toward rewriting the country’s constitution and creating a Cuban-style authoritarianism, all but ending democracy.
http://bit.ly/2eUkDPp