Dateline Rice for Oct. 11, 2017

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

To make 2-D alloy magnetic, replace a few atoms
Rice researchers have discovered that substituting atoms in the process of making two-dimensional alloys makes them customizable and magnetic. The lab of Pulickel Ajayan, the Benjamin M. and Mary Greenwood Anderson Professor in Engineering and founding chair of the Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, is mentioned. Graduate student Amey Apte is quoted.
Futurity
http://bit.ly/2ygSNEI
Researchers create atom-thick alloys with unanticipated magnetic properties
Phys.org
http://bit.ly/2wOozFg

Is Harvey recovery changing the way Texas defines fiscal responsibility?
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, discusses Hurricane Harvey recovery in Houston.
Christian Science Monitor (This article also appeared in Yahoo!)
http://bit.ly/2gbZJfD

Trump’s bold declarations don’t always lead to the results he promises
Rice Professor of History Douglas Brinkley discusses Trump Administration policy.
Washington Post (This also appeared in the San Antonio Express-News, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and three other publications.)
http://wapo.st/2zfFIJz
Trump won’t give up this false tax claim
Politico
http://politi.co/2yeeqoV

NSF awards $5.3 million in 59 grants to study effects of recent hurricanes
To help scientists understand how disasters like flooding happen and how we can best respond, the National Science Foundation has awarded 59 new grants totaling $5.3 million. Lauren Stadler, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, is named among the grant recipients.
National Science Foundation
http://bit.ly/2yDoqci

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Sears to close iconic Midtown location
Sears is closing its location on Main Street in Midtown. The story mentions that Rice Management Co. owns the land. Rice President David Leebron is quoted and Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (This article in San Antonio Express News and LMTonline.com.)
http://bit.ly/2yDeGPg
Sears in Midtown Houston to close, property owner to begin planning future use
Houston Business Journal
http://bit.ly/2gcAp94
KPRC-TV
http://bit.ly/2kGY0jQ
http://bit.ly/2yc3LsX
KTRK-TV
http://bit.ly/2xyqhPy
Midtown Sears closure nets Rice 9 acres near the Wheeler Transit Center
Swamplot
http://bit.ly/2gcp1KD
Sears to close iconic Midtown location
True Viral News
http://bit.ly/2z0aZzA

Home buyouts part of Houston-area flood mitigation efforts
Officials decided Tuesday to proceed with two additional programs that would buy out more than 100 Houston-area homes that have repeatedly flooded in recent years, as the region continues its efforts to recover from Hurricane Harvey. A policy paper by Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy is cited.
Associated Press (This Associated Press article appeared in more than 10 publications.)
http://bit.ly/2g2rbsB

What the EPA’s repeal of the Clean Power Plan means for Texas
A new air pollution rule finalized by the EPA will allow Texas coal plants to emit almost twice as much sulfur dioxide as an earlier proposal by the Obama administration. Daniel Cohan, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, is quoted.
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/2xzsQfg

Owner of Dallas gay bar says he’s the change Texans are looking for in governor’s mansion
A Dallas bar owner believes he can find the support he needs to become governor. 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.
Dallas Morning News
http://bit.ly/2xxjlxo

Board mulls Westlake graduates’ success, prospects during study session
Rice is included in a list of schools that Westlake High School graduates decided to attend.
Austin American-Statesman
https://atxne.ws/2zeqo01

Houston gets its 1st Chinese bank
The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China opened a branch in Houston this week. Yan “Anthea” Zhang, the Fayez Sarofim Vanguard Professor of Management at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business, is quoted.
Houston Public Media
http://bit.ly/2xzl05q

Green infrastructure: How roof gardens and planting trees could reduce flooding
A photo of a “green roof” at Rice is featured.
Houston Public Media
http://bit.ly/2y9P1xb

How to avoid gentrifying a neighborhood
Quianta Moore, fellow in child health policy at the Baker Institute, outlines recommendations to create revitalization, not displacement, in neighborhoods.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This appeared in the Chronicle’s “Gray Matters” online magazine.)
http://bit.ly/2gdddb5

Moody Center gets a ‘Prime-Time’ art exhibit
“Waiting on a Prime-Time Star,” an exhibit by artist Mickalene Thomas at Rice’s Moody Center for the Arts, is featured.
Houston Chronicle (This also appeared in the San Francisco Gate.)
http://bit.ly/2y97ud5

Escape endless summer at this interactive nature simulation
An article features teamLab’s “Flowers and People, Cannot Be Controlled But Live Together — A Whole Year Per Hour,” an interactive installation at Rice’s Moody Center for the Arts.
Houstonia
http://bit.ly/2hzDFrP

Arts guide: What’s in Houston museum and galleries
Trenton Doyle Hancock’s “Texas: 1997-2017” opened Sept. 29 at the former Rice University Gallery. “Mickalene Thomas: Waiting on a Prime-Time Star” is on exhibit through Jan. 13 at Rice’s Moody Center for the Arts.
Houston Chronicle (This also ran in the San Antonio Express-News.)
http://bit.ly/2xzw5Ub

Houston’s best art galleries and museums
Rice’s Moody Center for the Arts and James Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace on the Suzanne Deal Booth Centennial Pavilion on the Rice campus are highlighted. Kimberly Davenport, chief curator of the Moody Center, is mentioned.
Paper City
http://bit.ly/2gc4XYX

Photos: Look inside international law firm’s sleek new space in 609 Main
An image of Austin’s Town Lake taken by Geoff Winningham ’65, the Lynette S. Autrey Professor of Humanities and professor of visual arts, is mentioned.
Houston Business Journal
http://bit.ly/2gvErGC

A guide to Houston’s parks
Rice’s Lynn R. Lowrey Arboretum is highlighted.
Houston Chronicle (This also ran in the San Antonio Express-News.)
http://bit.ly/2yEHd7g

21 best things to do in Houston this week: A ‘Battle of the Sexes’ and Italian Fest fun
A film premiere held at Rice in April is mentioned.
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/2wLBt7c

Remembering Vern Ehlers, physicist, congressperson and champion for science
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, writes about Vernon James “Vern” Ehlers, the first research physicist elected to Congress.
Houston Chronicle (This appeared in the Chronicle’s Baker Institute Blog.)
http://bit.ly/2ybS1qq

BROADCAST

KTRH
David Alexander, director of the Rice Space Institute and professor of physics and astronomy, comments on NASA’s efforts to protect astronauts from the threat of radiation.
http://bit.ly/2yfaioJ (Click the audio button to listen to the broadcast.)

KUT-FM
http://bit.ly/2yfaioJ (Click the audio button to listen to the broadcast.)

Univision
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 interviewed.
http://bit.ly/2zfyVj8 (Click the video button to watch the broadcast.) 

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

3 words: Synthetic gene circuit. Self-assembling bacteria build pressure sensor
Beware, 3-D printers. Self-assembling bacteria are coming for your jobs. Specially designed bacteria can organize themselves to make a three-dimensional pressure sensor, new research shows. Matthew Bennett, associate professor of biochemistry and cell biology, is quoted.
Gears of Biz
http://bit.ly/2xvNBgL

Nerve cells’ gatekeepers take many forms
The ability to track the movements of single molecules has revealed how proteins on the surface of nerve cells control gates that turn chemical signals into electrical signals. The finding is a step forward in detailing mechanisms involved in neurological disease, according to researchers at Rice University and the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Christy Landes, professor of chemistry and of electrical and computer engineering, is quoted.
Science Daily
http://bit.ly/2zgRNyj

Looking for an academic job? Here are 11 exciting new opportunities at architecture schools around the country
A position at Rice’s School of Architecture is mentioned.
Archinect
http://bit.ly/2xzFBGT

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Exercise and healthy diet help William Byrd as he fights leukemia
An article about high school senior William Byrd mentions Rice is on a list of colleges he would like to attend.
The News Review
http://bit.ly/2xuBO2t

New professor has a knack for translating biomedical inventions into commercial treatments
Former faculty member Kyriacos Athanasiou is profiled.
UCI News
http://bit.ly/2y7TYGS

Trump’s pick to lead NASA is a politician, not a scientist
The White House announced alumnus Jim Bridenstine ’97 as the president’s choice for the 13th NASA administrator.
The Hill Top
http://bit.ly/2yDKYK4

Ars Lyrica Houston presents 2nd Artful Women Concert
Alumna Alexandra Smither ’16 is featured.
Broadway World
http://bit.ly/2zg5FJ6

Ask the pros | Violist James Dunham – ‘What Does Chamber Music Really Do For a Student’s Playing?’
James Dunham, professor of viola and chamber music, discusses the importance of chamber music.
The Violin Channel
http://bit.ly/2gwDRs8

Belton: High school senior aces ACT
An article mentions that Rice is a potential top choice for high school senior.
KWTX
http://bit.ly/2z0qE1w

‘Bright New Leaders’: Inside the Ohio program that’s offering aspiring principals training and mentorship — and an MBA
An article about Bright New Leaders for Ohio Schools, an initiative that aims to recruit leaders from a range of backgrounds to run high-poverty schools across the state, mentions that Rice has a similar program.
The 74 Million
http://bit.ly/2gvY55y

SPORTS

UH Cougar Ed Oliver shines as a dominant defender
Former Rice football player N.D. Kalu is quoted.
Houston Defender
http://bit.ly/2ygOXeP

KTRK-TV
Former Rice football player Christian Covington is mentioned.
http://bit.ly/2yFhKdO

Egor Koulechov adjusting to life as a Florida Gator
An article on former Rice player Egor Koulechov ’17, who is playing for the Florida Gators as a graduate transfer.
WRUF-AM
http://bit.ly/2xxzKBI

NEWS RELEASES

Harvey and K-12 education focus of Rice events Oct. 14, 16
Two events hosted by Rice University’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies Oct. 14 and 16 will focus on the Houston K-12 education community’s response to Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey and how to move forward.
http://bit.ly/2gdfzGX

New York real estate agents favor wealthy, white and Asian neighborhoods
Real estate agents in New York tend to work in white and Asian neighborhoods, in addition to neighborhoods with higher home values, according to new research from a Rice University sociologist.
http://bit.ly/2yftnaq

Rice U. lab surprised by ultraflat magnets
Substituting atoms in the process of making two-dimensional alloys not only allows them to be customized for applications but also can make them magnetic, according to Rice University scientists and their collaborators.
http://bit.ly/2xyyEuy