Dateline Rice for Jan. 8, 2019

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Texas’ wind and sunlight complement each other exceptionally well. That’s huge for its grid.
An article features the research of Daniel Cohan, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, which determined that Texas is uniquely positioned to possibly replace coal with wind and solar energy.
Vox (Similar articles also appeared in 10 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/2AAXr0x
Just say no to coal
Houston Chronicle (This San Antonio Express-News editorial also appeared in more than 25 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/2AzUzAQ

Laser-cooled neutral plasma created by scientists
Rice researchers who have created laser-cooled neutral plasma that cools to about a millionth of a degree above absolute zero are featured. Tom Killian, professor of physics and astronomy, is quoted. Graduate students Thomas Langin and Grant Gorman are mentioned.
MSN
http://bit.ly/2SIbwAl
Simulating super-dense stars: The 1st laser-cooled neutral plasma
SciTech Europa (This article also appeared in Physics World, Optics & Photonics, Science Springs, F3News, US Weekly, Sci News and Space.com.)
http://bit.ly/2SHxkMv

NASA uninvites Russian Roscosmos head Rogozin
Rice is mentioned.
Deutsche Welle
http://bit.ly/2SPIWNe
Russia angry after US snubs top space official
ECNS.cn
http://bit.ly/2SKlHEj

CRISPR baby scientist could face death penalty, colleague fears 
An article about gene editing in humans mentions Michael Deem, the John W. Cox Professor of Biochemical and Genetic Engineering and a professor of physics and astronomy, and that He Jiankui, the Chinese scientist who claimed he produced the first genetically engineered twins, attended Rice.
Popular Mechanics (This article also appeared in Infosurhoy.)
http://bit.ly/2SJcSuz
A question of ethics
World Magazine
http://bit.ly/2SJvE54

Watch Hyundai’s bizarre walking-car concept crawl like a lizard 
Alumnus Joey Capparella authored an article.
Popular Mechanics
http://bit.ly/2ABkrfT

Mikulska: Próbuj mocniej, Gazpromie. Dlaczego Polska może wybrać LNG
Anna Mikulska, nonresident fellow in energy studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, authored an op-ed.
BizNes Alert (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2SHfr07

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Here’s how Harris County can improve voter turnout and save money [Opinion]
Bob Stein, the Lena Gohlman Fox Professor of Political Science at Rice, authored an op-ed arguing for Election Day vote centers.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article also appeared in the Jan. 8 print edition with a different headline, “Bring voting centers to Harris County.”)
http://bit.ly/2AAUpJz

Harris County’s 1st Latina county judge takes the helm
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 in an article about Texas politics.
Texas Tribune
http://bit.ly/2AA8M0E
What the 2018 electorate tells us about 2020 and beyond
Dallas Observer
http://bit.ly/2SFxfsw
Indian-American K.P. George sworn in as Fort Bend County judge in Texas
India West
http://bit.ly/2AAGkvD

In latest reboot, startup hub Station Houston becomes nonprofit
An article mentions Rice’s plan to redevelop the historic Midtown Sears building and its surrounding area into an innovation district in collaboration with other Houston agencies and institutions. Ed Egan, the former director of the McNair Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (now the McNair Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Growth) at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article also appeared in the Jan. 8 print edition.”)
http://bit.ly/2AAswRY

Can Houston cars finally learn to share the road?
Kyle Shelton, director of strategic partnerships at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is quoted in an article about how to increase biker safety in Houston. The article also mentions the late Marjorie Corcoran, a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice who was killed in a train-cyclist accident in 2017.
Houstonia
http://bit.ly/2SFvgo4

Lufkin High School accounting team recognized with state banner
Rice is mentioned.
Lufkin Daily News
http://bit.ly/2ADq50S

BROADCAST

Scientists to Abbott: ‘Climate change is happening’
An article mentions that Sylvia Dee, assistant professor of Earth, environmental and planetary sciences, signed an open letter to Gov. Greg Abbott on climate change and its impact on Texas.
Houston Public Media
http://bit.ly/2SItHG6

Government shutdown brings a stop to new alcohol production
Paul Brace, the Clarence L. Carter Professor of Political Science, is interviewed about how the government shutdown has affected disparate industries from rum to home loans.
KTRK Online
https://abc13.co/2SIQamv

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Q&A: Professor Rouzbeh Shahsavari, civil and environmental engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX
Rice researcher Rouzbeh Shahsavari, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering and of materials science and nanoengineering and creator of “programmable cement,” is featured in a Q&A from TechBriefs and quoted in Show House News.
TechBriefs
http://bit.ly/2SID60m
Smart building materials to watch in 2019
Show House News
http://bit.ly/2SE49tr

‘Power/Performance Bits’: Jan. 8
Jun Lou, professor of materials science and nanoengineering, is quoted in an engineering roundup.
SemiEngineering
http://bit.ly/2SGVO8p (Scroll down to “2D sensor transfer.”)

Co-pay accumulators: A force to be reckoned with in 2019
Marah Short, associate director of the Center for Health and Biosciences at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Medical Marketing and Media
http://bit.ly/2SITnlI

Researchers make shape-shifting face
The research of Rafael Verduzco, an associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, and graduate student Morgan Barnes, who created a rubbery, shape-shifting material that morphs from one sophisticated form to another on demand, is featured. A Rice video is also included.
Industrial Equipment News
http://bit.ly/2ACEudJ

Barack Obama shares his favorite books, music and movies of 2018
An article mentions that Carlos Jiménez, professor of architecture, designed the personal library of Melba Whatley.
Book Riot
http://bit.ly/2AACd2F

A self-driving cloud platform for OpenShift
Alumnus Ajay Gulati authored an article.
The New Stack
http://bit.ly/2SJ87RE

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Cancer cells steer a jagged path
A jagged little protein appears to be key to how cancer stem cells differentiate and enable metastasis, according to researchers at Rice’s Center for Theoretical Biological Physics and the Duke University School of Medicine. José Nelson Onuchic, the Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor of Physics and Astronomy, and graduate student Federico Bocci are quoted. Herbert Levine, the Karl F. Hasselmann Professor of Bioengineering, co-director of the Center for Theoretical Biological Physics and professor of physics and astronomy, and alumnus Marcelo Boareto are mentioned.
Duke Health News
http://bit.ly/2SNBu5C

What lies beneath: To manage toxic contamination in cities, study their industrial histories
Jim Elliott, professor of sociology, co-authored an article about the possible hazards associated with the remediation of former hazardous industrial sites for residential or commercial use.
Route Fifty
http://bit.ly/2SHHEnJ

City students win Infosys Science Foundation Nutrition Challenge Prize 2018
An article featuring Prithve Shekar mentions he has received a scholarship to attend Rice next year.
Star of Mysore
http://bit.ly/2SIbN6d

Il Prof. Vincenzo Spagnolo del Poliba insignito della Fellowship dalla ‘Società Internazionale di Ottica e Fotonica’
An article mentions that Vincenzo Spagnolo del Poliba is a former visiting professor at Rice.
Manfredonia News (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2SE53pP

SPORTS

MBB: Jan. 7 Players of the Week
An article mentions that Rice basketball player Jack Williams was named Conference USA Player of the Week.
ConferenceUSA.com
http://bit.ly/2SKQely

2019 NFL draft order: 1st-round picks from 1-32
Former Rice football player King Hill is featured.
ESPN
https://es.pn/2SE2nst

Hardin-Jefferson freshman already has big-time offers on the table
Former Rice basketball player Nathan Jackson is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (This article also appeared in more than 25 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/2SKkmh4

Charley Walters: Vikings might have competition for Mike Mularkey as offensive coordinator
Rice football player Antonio Montero is featured.
TwinCities.com
http://bit.ly/2SJrom6

Cincinnati Bengals coaching candidate profile: Tom Herman
Former assistant football coach Tom Herman is featured and pictured.
SB Nation
http://bit.ly/2AyQZas

Ranking college football’s national champions since 1998
A 2000 football game between Rice and the University of Oklahoma is mentioned.
Athlon Sports
http://bit.ly/2SKqq9k

Most important Bears set to become free agents
Former Rice football player Bryce Callahan is featured.
247Sports.com
http://bit.ly/2SNxX7m

Report: Miami Hurricanes to hire Major Applewhite as offensive coordinator
Former Rice assistant football coach Major Applewhite is featured.
MSN (This article also appeared in Yardbarker.)
http://bit.ly/2SK1M8w
Major Applewhite emerges as strong contender to become Hurricanes offensive coordinator
Miami Herald (This article also appeared in the Telegraph, Lexington Herald-Leader, Sun Herald and Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.)
https://hrld.us/2SK2vqg
Former Houston coach Major Applewhite emerging as target for Hurricanes OC job
Orlando Sentinel (This article also appeared in the San Diego Union-Tribune, Baltimore Sun and South Florida Sun Sentinel.)
http://bit.ly/2SJ1fUD
Recently fired head coach a candidate for Miami OC job
The Spun
http://bit.ly/2SJ3xD1
Report: Miami to hire Major Applewhite as offensive coordinator
Larry Brown Sports
http://bit.ly/2SJ007V