Dateline Rice for July 31, 2017 (Weekend Edition)

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

As Venezuelan election nears, more upheaval and cries of fraud
Francisco Monaldi, a fellow in Latin American energy policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about Venezuela.
Los Angeles Times (This also appeared in Morningstar, The Gazette and Sacramento Bee.)
http://lat.ms/2wduvXQ
9 reported dead, including 1 candidate, as violence erupts over Venezuela’s constitutional vote
Los Angeles Times (This also appeared in the Gazette and the Sentinel Source.)
http://lat.ms/2vfaGSM
US weighs sanctions against Venezuela’s oil industry
Fox Business
http://fxn.ws/2hgzZ1f
US weighs sanctions against Venezuela’s oil industry
Wall Street Journal (Subscription required.)
http://on.wsj.com/2tVhqpx

‘Reliable Sources’
Douglas Brinkley, professor of history, is quoted.
CNN
http://bit.ly/2veZPbw
Douglas Brinkley: Trump is ‘unfit for command’ — like ‘Mussolini’
Breitbart (This also appeared in True Viral News and ValuBit.)
http://bit.ly/2vb8SKV
History professor says Trump is ‘unfit for command’
Washington Examiner
http://washex.am/2vluSTT
Presidential historian on CNN: Trump is ‘unfit for command’
Media ITE (This also appeared in True Viral News.)
http://bit.ly/2uceHDa

Why Sun Belt cities need unique solutions to common problems
Bill Fulton, director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, authored an op-ed.
Governing
http://bit.ly/2uNfRsd

US elections are an easier target for hackers than once thought
Dan Wallach, professor of computer science and of electrical and computer engineering and a Rice Faculty Scholar at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Chicago Tribune (This also appeared in the Baltimore Sun, Morning Call, Orlando Sentinel, Hartford Courant, Sun Sentinel, Daily Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, Carroll County Times and Los Angeles Times.)
http://trib.in/2vlx7qf

The search for Zealandia
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.
National Geographic AU
http://bit.ly/2uceEap
ANU research ship searches for lost continent Zealandia
Brisbane Times (This also appeared in Canberra Times, Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.)
http://bit.ly/2vXUBif
Scientists embark on mission to find lost continent east of New Zealand
News Talk ZB
http://bit.ly/2tR2nci
Zealandia, once lost, now about to be rediscovered by scientists
Utah People’s Post
http://bit.ly/2tWY1Er
‘Lost continent’ of Zealandia: Scientists are trying to uncover a huge landmass lying underwater
Science Times
http://bit.ly/2vfdkrp
Secrets of ‘lost 8th continent’ Zealandia to be unlocked as scientists explore underwater landmass
Herald Sun (This also appeared in the Daily Telegraph, Courier Mail and news.com.au.)
http://bit.ly/2f1iql5
Scientists set sail to study ‘lost continent’ Zealandia
Taipei Times
http://bit.ly/2uQjkVG
Scientists set sail to study Zealandia, world’s ‘8th continent’
Laboratory Equipment
http://bit.ly/2uQlc0h

New treatments to combat flu
Suffering through a cold is annoying enough, but if you’re lonely, you’re likely to feel even worse, according to Rice researchers.
Trinidad Express
http://bit.ly/2vfeljB

Isolated Qatar hires firm founded by Trump aides amid crisis
Kristian Ulrichsen, fellow for the Middle East at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
NBC San Diego (This also appeared in NBC Washington.)
http://bit.ly/2uQjVXh
Qatar hires for DC ‘pull’
MenaFN
http://bit.ly/2vYoAGS
Qatar hires influence firm founded by Trump aide
Dawn
http://bit.ly/2hgIOYT

 Weekend wrap: Trump pushes Republicans to go nuclear as North Korea missile threat looms
An unnamed Rice professor is mentioned.
Washington Examiner
http://washex.am/2tWq86T

Cost-conscious families choosing in-state colleges
An article mentions a student who decided to go to an in-state college rather than Rice.
U.S. News & World Report
http://bit.ly/2tQY80q

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Rumors foment about future of Tillerson
Joe Barnes, the Bonner Means Baker Fellow at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted in an article on U.S. Foreign Secretary Rex Tillerson.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front page of the July 30 print edition with a different headline, “Rumors foment about future of Tillerson.”)
http://bit.ly/2vaTZrX

Warm winter makes for early wine harvest in Texas Hill Country
Alumnus David Kuhlken ’95 is mentioned in an article about his family vineyard.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front of the Business section in the July 29 print edition.)
http://bit.ly/2vaZVRU

Choreographer takes modern dance away from traditional stage
Rice’s Shepherd School of music is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front of the Zest section in the July 30 print edition with a different headline, “Outside the comfort zone.”)
http://bit.ly/2vb6oMn

Million-dollar campaign checks grow more common in Texas, other no-limit states
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.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2vXOFWi
http://bit.ly/2vaOv0n
Newsmakers for July 30: Turbulent politics in Austin and DC sorted out
KPRC
http://bit.ly/2uc26Qt
http://bit.ly/2wdW7fr

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. Yizhi Jane Tao, associate professor of biochemistry and cell biology, is quoted.
TMC News (This also appeared in Science Newsline and Scienmag and Technology.org.)
http://bit.ly/2uNxAzM

Oil industry continues to recover, but focused on Texas
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 in a slideshow.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2f0ZYco

Senators push back against Trump energy research cuts
An article mentions that the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy has funded research projects at Rice.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2wdner0

High-end seniors community planned near Texas Medical Center
Rice is mentioned as an amenity of the West University area.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2tW63O9

Listen: Deconstructing the Houston farmers market
A slideshow mentions the Rice Farmers Market.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2vY7yZx

UTRGV professor immersed in local watersheds
Alumnus Jude Benavides ’01 is mentioned.
Brownsville Herald
http://bit.ly/2uQxFkI

Getting to know Linda Livingstone: Family, basketball and leading Baylor
Will Rice College senior Shelby Livingstone is mentioned.
KWTX
http://bit.ly/2tWOeOG

Houston mirrors national trends on gay marriage attitudes
Leah Binkovitz, staff writer for Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, authored an op-ed.
Rivard Report (A correction on Binkovitz’s last name has been requested.)
http://bit.ly/2wdLklB

Baylor officials seek growth of $1.23B endowment
Rice is mentioned.
Waco Tribune-Herald
http://bit.ly/2tRoPSH

Houston’s best bets this weekend: Meteor showers then ‘The Wizard of Oz’
An article mentions that portions of QFest 2017 was hosted at Rice. Christopher Johns-Krull, associate professor of physics and astronomy, is mentioned.
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/2vlsSeb

Fort Bend sheriff hosts diversity and cultural awareness session
Zahra Jamal, associate director for community engagement at Rice’s Boniuk Institute for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance, is quoted. Research by Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research is also mentioned.
Community Impact
http://bit.ly/2f1AGLo

BROADCAST

Rice scientists seek better, safer cell batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are popular power sources for cellphones and other electronics, but problematic in extreme heat or cold. A Rice 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.
KTRH (This also appeared in 1190-AM.)
http://bit.ly/2uNgr9I
Scientists map ways forward for lithium-ion batteries for extreme environments
Energy Daily
http://bit.ly/2tRbuJX
Building better batteries
Electronics 360
http://bit.ly/2wdVTF2
New guideline for lithium-ion batteries
Controlled Environments
http://bit.ly/2wdJyk4
Creating lithium-ion batteries for extreme environments
Science Daily
http://bit.ly/2hfD7dY

‘Biochar’ could help scrub Fort Bend smog
Biochar from recycled waste may both enhance crop growth and save health costs by helping clear the air of pollutants, according to Rice researchers. Ghasideh Pourhashem, 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, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, are quoted.
KTRH-AM (This also appeared in 1190-AM.)
http://bit.ly/2f0Otlh

WTAG-AM (Springfield, Mass.)
Lovett College freshman Wyatt Imus is mentioned.
http://bit.ly/2vlFBO0 (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.) 

Pennsylvania Cable Network (Harrisburg, Pa.)
Alumnus Richard Sommers ’70 discusses his time at Rice. The late professor Frank Vandiver is mentioned.
http://bit.ly/2tWY2Z5

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Illegal immigrants at risk of mental health distress
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. Postdoctoral research fellow Luz Garcini is quoted.
Med India
http://bit.ly/2wdNFwx
Study: DREAMers at higher risk for ‘mental distress’
KTSA
http://bit.ly/2uN1Cnq
DREAMers at greater risk for psychological distress, reduced quality of life
Psych Central
http://bit.ly/2vlyYeI
People living illegally in a country face higher risk of mental distress
Zee News
http://bit.ly/2uchcWe
DREAMers at greater risk for mental health distress
Science Daily
http://bit.ly/2vfeLX9

Chemists make laser-induced graphene from wood
Rice scientists have made wood into an electrical conductor by turning its surface into graphene. James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering; and graduate students Ruquan Ye and Yieu Chyan are mentioned.
Phys Org
http://bit.ly/2f1G0Oz
Rice University chemists make laser-induced graphene from wood
Nanotechnology Now
http://bit.ly/2vaWjPR

Material with both flexibility and stiffness inspired by nature
Materials scientists at Rice found they could increase the stiffness, or “elastic modulus,” of a soft silicon-based polymer by infusing it with tiny pockets of liquid gallium. Research scientist Chandra Sekhar Tiwary; Pulickel Ajayan, the Benjamin M. and Mary Greenwood Anderson Professor in Engineering and professor of materials science and nanoengineering, of chemistry and of chemical and biomolecular engineering and department chair of materials science and nanoengineering; and Jun Lou, professor and associate department chair of materials science and nanoengineering, are mentioned.
Materials Today
http://bit.ly/2wdSvdk
Nature inspires — materials with enhanced mechanical properties
Advanced Science News
http://bit.ly/2vl1ZHj

Best free MOOCs in business for August
An article mentions massive open online courses offered by Rice.
Poets & Quants
http://bit.ly/2hgKCB4

Cash out: Is currency on the brink of extinction?
Utpal Dholakia, the George R. Brown Professor of Marketing at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business and a marketing and consumer behavior expert, is quoted.
Financial Brand
http://bit.ly/2uNlved

Carbon nanotubes immobilized in a tuft of quartz fiber have the power to remove toxic heavy 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.
Innovation Toronto
http://bit.ly/2we8IPE
Heavy metals in water meet their match
Materialsgate (This also appeared in Terra Daily.)
http://bit.ly/2hfsgke
This reusable water filter can remove 99 percent of the impurities
ProPakistani
http://bit.ly/2tQYkwD
New filter removes 99 percent of heavy metal toxins from water
The Engineer
http://bit.ly/2vbprGF
Newly developed filter can absorb over 99 percent of heavy metal toxins in water
Blasting News
http://bit.ly/2vfc73w
An incredible new filter can remove almost 100 percent of toxic materials from water
True Viral News
http://bit.ly/2tWnWfI

GGP: As Trump rolls back methane rules, what should the oil and gas industry do?
Michael Maher, senior program adviser for the Center for Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, co-authored an op-ed.
Natural Gas World
http://bit.ly/2f1aikt

Rice, University of Houston produce robust catalyst to split water into hydrogen, oxygen
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.
Fuel Cell Works
http://bit.ly/2tWxo2t
Triple-layer catalyst does double duty
Technology.org
http://bit.ly/2vb29QU
Researchers develop catalyst to help get energy by splitting water
Famagusta Gazette
http://bit.ly/2tQT3oD

For the Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth’s 30th season, a new work from composer Pierre Jalbert has been commissioned. Artists include Georgian pianist Elisso Bolkvadze.
Pierre Jalbert, professor of composition and theory at Rice’s Shepherd School of Music, is featured.
Theater Jones
http://bit.ly/2vlB2TW

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Big publishing wants to co-opt the open textbook revolution
Rice-based publisher OpenStax is mentioned.
Fast Company
http://bit.ly/2ucB6A9

Lyon College welcomes new president to Batesville
An article mentions that Joseph King worked at Rice.
Three Rivers Edition
http://bit.ly/2uclPQ3

Guilt and exculpation in Roberto Rossellini’s ‘War Trilogy’
An article mentions that film director Roberto Rossellini spoke at Rice.
Pop Matters
http://bit.ly/2wdHAR5

Passion of a few visionaries makes UNLV School of Medicine a reality
Rice is mentioned.
Vegas Inc.
http://bit.ly/2vb3pni

Dotz Nano raises $1.5M to commercialize graphene quantum dots
Rice is mentioned.
Before It’s News (This also appeared in Graphene-info.)
http://bit.ly/2hg4STL

Are prosperity preachers destroying the traditional black church? A review of ‘Black Church Inc.’
Anthony Pinn, the Agnes Cullen Arnold Professor of Humanities, professor of religion and fellow at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is quoted.
Christian Post
http://bit.ly/2uc1iLr

Career briefs: KEPRO names Rajeev Mudumba VP of operations
Alumnus Srinivas Akkaraju ’90 is mentioned.
India West
http://bit.ly/2uNxjwK

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.
WAVY
http://bit.ly/2tQNwhR

SPORTS

Focus on Keller Chryst as Stanford camp opens
Rice and Stanford will open the 2017 football season Aug. 26 at the Sydney Cup at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
Houston Chronicle 
http://bit.ly/2uNoqn8
Stanford, Cal coaches talk players’ social media
Houston Chronicle 
http://bit.ly/2uNyrRm

KTRK-TV (Houston)
Former Rice football player Christian Covington is mentioned.
http://bit.ly/2vYkka2 (This also aired on KDBC, KGBT, KFXK, KFDM, KETK, KPEJ, WOAI, KCEN and KVUE.)

Area products contributing as Skeeters climb standings
Former Rice baseball player Mark Haynes is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2vl4n0G

Baylor ordered to provide sex assault reports dating to 2003
A slideshow mentions the Marching Owl Band’s halftime show during the Rice football game against Baylor University.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2tQXFeB

Texas high school’s $48M stadium is impressive, but not close to the most expensive
A slideshow mentions Rice Stadium.
My San Antonio (This also appeared in LMT Online.)
http://bit.ly/2vfqdBM

Best in Texas: Can anyone catch TCU’s Gary Patterson as best coach? 
Rice football head coach David Bailiff is mentioned.
Dallas Morning News
http://bit.ly/2tWFZCm

Rice has QB, defensive issues to resolve
An article discusses Rice football’s preseason camp. Head coach David Bailiff and a number of players are mentioned.
Bastrop Daily Enterprise
http://bit.ly/2uNTIdz

Generals coach leads in more ways than 1
Rice is mentioned.
Victoria Advocate
http://bit.ly/2tR9XDL
LSU football countdown Day 35: Baseball Tigers have played big in NCAA tourney versus Texas foes
Times-Picayune
http://bit.ly/2vlwjS1
LSU football countdown Day 34: Tigers once played a heavy dose of Texas teams
Times-Picayune
http://bit.ly/2uNUkzT

Baylor’s Hasty says he’s ready to step into featured back’s cleats
Rice football is mentioned.
Waco Tribune-Herald
http://bit.ly/2vlb2rX
Baylor’s Hasty to begin season as featured running back
KWTX10
http://bit.ly/2tX1Eu3

Herman believes his receiving unit is 1 of the best he’s seen
An article mentions that Tom Herman coached at Rice.
247 Sports
http://bit.ly/2f1epwU

Solomon Thomas signs onto ‘pretty dangerous’ 49ers defensive line
Rice football is mentioned in a slideshow.
The Mercury News
http://bayareane.ws/2tR09tt

KLAX-TV (Alexandria, La.)
Rice men’s basketball is mentioned.
http://bit.ly/2vlF26X

KPRC-TV (Houston)
Rice football will play the University of Houston Sept. 16.
http://bit.ly/2uccCqS

NEWS RELEASES

Need graphene? Grab a saw
Rice University scientists have made wood into an electrical conductor by turning its surface into graphene.
http://bit.ly/2ucei3O

Bubbles help new catalysts self-optimize
Scientists at Rice University and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have predicted and created new two-dimensional electrocatalysts to extract hydrogen from water with high performance and low cost.
http://bit.ly/2weghps