Dateline Rice for Oct. 19, 2017

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Trump kicks issues to Congress, is erratic trading partner
Rice Professor of History Douglas Brinkley is quoted in a story on President Donald Trump sending conflicting signals about his position on several issues.
Los Angeles Times (Subscription is required. This Associated Press story also appeared in more than 100 other media outlets.)
http://lat.ms/2yBOjsu

Melting glaciers could raise sea levels in sharp bursts, reef fossils show
Scientists from Rice University and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies have discovered that Earth’s sea level did not rise steadily but rather in sharp, punctuated bursts when the planet’s glaciers melted during the period of global warming at the close of the last ice age. Rice marine geologist André Droxler, professor of Earth science; coastal geologist Jeffrey Nittrouer, assistant professor of Earth science; and graduate student Pankaj Khanna are quoted.
Futurity (A similar article also appeared in International Business Times, Science Daily, Science Codex and Phys.org.)
http://bit.ly/2yCoJU0

Discovery lights path for Alzheimer’s research
A probe invented at Rice University that lights up when it binds to a misfolded amyloid beta peptide — the kind suspected of causing Alzheimer’s disease — has identified a specific binding site on the protein that could facilitate better drugs to treat the disease. Even better, the lab has discovered that when the metallic probe is illuminated, it catalyzes oxidation of the protein in a way they believe might keep it from aggregating in the brains of patients. Angel Martí-Arbona, associate professor of chemistry, of bioengineering and of materials science and nanoengineering, is quoted.
Daily Mail (A similar article also appeared in Phys.org.)
http://dailym.ai/2xR9W3Q

Bipartisan tax bill more durable, GOP says after White House meeting
A story on tax reform mentioned that House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, discussed the issue Oct. 18 at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Roll Call
http://bit.ly/2gPEyge
Tax reform needs economic growth, says Ways and Means chair
Law360 (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2zjQBJS
KTRH-AM (Houston)
http://bit.ly/2yCiSOI (Click the audio button to listen to the broadcast.)

Custom-printed cocktails on the moon? ‘Soonish’ shows us how
“Soonish,” a new book by Kelly Weinersmith, adjunct faculty member and the former Huxley Fellow in Ecology and Evolution, and her husband, Zach, is reviewed.
NPR.org (This article also appeared in more than 10 other media outlets.)
http://n.pr/2gT9qge

Everyone knew Houston’s reservoirs would flood — except for the people who bought homes inside them
Phil Bedient, the Herman Brown Professor of Engineering and director of Rice’s Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disasters Center, is quoted in this article, which originally appeared in the Texas Tribune.
UK Progressive
http://bit.ly/2x79Xks

Portland-raised James Blue helped pave the way for independent filmmaking, but his legacy is little-known
Alumnus James Blue ’50 is featured in a story on a new documentary about his life and career.
Willamette Week
http://bit.ly/2gumDPi

Orchestral composition ‘Lo’ is truly something to behold
Composer and violinist Caroline Shaw ’04 is featured ahead of her Oct. 20 performance of “Lo” with the Columbus Symphony.
Columbus Dispatch
http://bit.ly/2gTayR0

No culpes al ‘fracking’, ¿Será que son las placas?
Miriam Grunstein, contributing expert and scholar in the Mexico Center at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, wrote an op-ed on fracking and its impact on the environment.
Expansión (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2gR3q7E

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Experts offer ideas on flood mitigation for northwest Houston after Harvey
Matt Festa, a Kinder Institute for Urban Research Scholar, is quoted in a story examining ways to improve drainage in nowthwest Harris County after Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey.
Houston Chronicle (This story also appeared in the Courier of Montgomery County.)
http://bit.ly/2ywPIyc

Expert: Private sector should play bigger role in flood management
Jim Blackburn, a professor in the practice of environmental law and the co-director of Rice’s Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disasters Center, discusses Houston’s planning for future storms.
Houston Public Media
http://bit.ly/2hPcSrD

Here’s the beef
The Oct. 22 opening celebration for Rice University’s Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Lilie), which features new and expanded entrepreneurship courses as well as a variety of co-curricular activities and resources with the goal of supporting Rice students in entrepreneurial endeavors, is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2gnEfZP
http://bit.ly/2gSpjDn

Art gallery and museum listings: Oct. 19-25
Trenton Doyle Hancock’s “Texas: 1997-2017” at the former Rice University Gallery and “Mickalene Thomas: Waiting on a Prime-Time Star” at Rice’s Moody Center for the Arts are mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article also appeared in MSN.com and the San Antonio Express-News.)
http://bit.ly/2yyA73i
http://bit.ly/2xRhMzd

FPH picks of the week: Into the groove
“Could Be Loved,” an exhibition by artist Lindsea Varisco and Duncan College senior Huidi Xiang, will be on display Oct. 20 at Rice’s juiceBOX units.
Free Press Houston
http://bit.ly/2xQizAp

Performing Asia: Artists from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music
Qi Yao and Hua Yifei will perform Oct. 20 at the Asia Society Texas Center in collaboration with Rice’s Shepherd School of Music. Shepherd School students will perform traditional Chinese works Oct. 21 at Duncan Recital Hall.
Asia Society
http://bit.ly/2uqyr9C

Around the world in Houston: Discovering Egypt
Arabic courses at Rice’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies are mentioned.
365 Things To Do in Houston
http://bit.ly/2xQn0Xl

BROADCAST

InterBrews 142: Sarah and Adam at Baileson Brewing Company
Baileson Brewing Company, founded by alumnus Adam Cryer ’01 and Sarah Pope, is featured in a podcast.
InterBrews
http://bit.ly/2yzin7n

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Researchers find shifting relationship between flexibility, modularity in the brain
A new study by Rice University researchers takes a step toward what they see as key to the advance of neuroscience: a better understanding of the relationship between the brain’s flexibility and its modularity. Simon Fischer-Baum, assistant professor of psychology, is quoted.
Medical Xpress
http://bit.ly/2zz28pz

Industry-led effort designed to cut costs through digital oilfield innovation
An article mentions that Rice is a partner of the Subsea Systems Institute.
World Oil
http://bit.ly/2zlsOsX

Ike Kligerman Barkley announces a travel fellowship
Rice students are among a select group eligible for the IKB Traveling Fellowship, a grant program that will fund two graduate students for travel and research.
Architectural Digest
http://bit.ly/2xOC9Za

A fouling-free filter for produced water
A new filter produced by Rice University scientists that has proven able to remove more than 90 percent of hydrocarbons, bacteria and particulates from contaminated water produced by hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations at shale oil and gas wells is featured. Andrew Barron, the Charles W. Duncan Jr.-Welch Professor of Chemistry and professor of materials science and nanoengineering, is quoted.
Water Online
http://bit.ly/2ysNEda

Obverse Apollo 11 candidate designs unveiled
One of the contending designs for Apollo 11 commemorative coins to be produced by the U.S. Mint in 2019 features a quote from President John F. Kennedy’s “Moon Speech,” given at Rice Sept. 12, 1962.
Coin News
http://bit.ly/2yrHuKc
Your 1st look at design candidates for the 2019 Apollo 11 50th-anniversary coins
Coin World
http://bit.ly/2yusCIt

‘Love, Cecil,’ ‘Bodied,’ ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ event and more set for 2017 Houston Cinema Arts Festival; lineup announced!
The Houston Cinema Arts Festival will include a screening of “Bodied,” a satire by filmmaker Joseph Kahn set in the world of battle rap. Rapper Bernard “Bun B” Freeman, former distinguished lecturer at Rice, will discuss the film with Kahn.
Broadway World Houston
http://bit.ly/2ytsWcQ

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Blockchain: Is government shackling itself to the wrong technology?
Dan Wallach’s testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space and Technology at the hearing “Protecting the 2016 Elections from Cyber and Voting Machine Attacks” is mentioned. Wallach, Rice professor of computer science and of electrical and computer engineering, is quoted in a blog post on the e-voting system in Orange County, Calif.
Federal Times
http://bit.ly/2xQH0sE
Orange County, Calif., Hart Intercivic e-vote system fails during my demo at Orange County Fair
The Brad Blog
http://bit.ly/2hQu1Be

WCU School of Music concert
Alumnus Milton Laufer ’98 will present his debut concert as director of Western Carolina University’s School of Music Oct. 24 in Cullowhee, N.C.
Smoky Mountain News
http://bit.ly/2gjUBCo

Cello legend Lynn Harrell performs with GU Symphony Orchestra
Former Rice faculty member Lynn Harrell’s Oct. 16 performance with the Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra is reviewed.
The Gonzaga Bulletin
http://bit.ly/2zm6yzd

‘La Settimana della Lingua Italiana a Houston’
“Scialla,” a film by Francesco Bruno, will be screened Oct. 24 at Rice as part of La Settimana della Lingua Italiana (Week of the Italian Language).
Agenzia Internazionale Stampa Estero (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2yUK3VR

SPORTS

Hometown Heroes: Emmanuel Ellerbee is making the most of his last season at Rice University
Rice football player Emmanuel Ellerbee is featured ahead of the Owls’ Oct. 21 game against the University of Texas at San Antonio.
KIAH-TV (Houston)
http://bit.ly/2gQmGBW
Breaking down Rice versus Texas-San Antonio
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2ywCRMq
UTSA/Rice football game fan information
GoUTSA.com
http://bit.ly/2yyHDcv

Custom NCAA concept football helmets show what your favorite college football team should be wearing
A slideshow includes an alternative design for Rice’s football helmets.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2yA9NFK
http://bit.ly/2yAD43m

C-USA bowl projections: As many as 10 teams could reach bowl eligibility
The Rice football team is mentioned.
Sun Herald
http://bit.ly/2glkn9D
Midseason CFB rankings: All 130 teams
Sports on Earth
http://bit.ly/2ipzZ09
2017 C-USA power rankings Week 7
Mean Green Nation
http://bit.ly/2x7TAEv

Texans worked out ex-UH standout DeMarcus Ayers, 6 others
A slideshow includes a photo of former Rice football player Turner Peterson during a 2013 game against the University of Houston.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2xPK7WG
http://bit.ly/2ysxHDH

‘3-gor’ is looking to make big impact
Former Rice basketball player Egor Koulechov ’17, now playing at the University of Florida, is featured.
Fightin’ Gators
http://bit.ly/2zjG7Kv
Notebook: White questions media projection, wants team to ride momentum
UGASports.com (This article also appeared at AuburnSports.com.)
http://rvls.co/2zmqodD

Lady Toppers host pair of Texas teams
The Rice volleyball team’s Oct. 20 match against the University of Texas at San Antonio is mentioned.
College Heights Herald
http://bit.ly/2xR8uhV

NEWS RELEASES

Fossil coral reefs show sea level rose in bursts during last warming
Scientists from Rice University and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies have discovered that Earth’s sea level did not rise steadily but rather in sharp, punctuated bursts when the planet’s glaciers melted during the period of global warming at the close of the last ice age. The researchers found fossil evidence in drowned reefs offshore Texas that showed sea level rose in several bursts ranging in length from a few decades to one century. The findings appear in Nature Communications.
http://bit.ly/2guSuiR

Discovery lights path for Alzheimer’s research
A probe invented at Rice University that lights up when it binds to a misfolded amyloid beta peptide — the kind suspected of causing Alzheimer’s disease — has identified a specific binding site on the protein that could facilitate better drugs to treat the disease. Even better, the lab has discovered that when the metallic probe is illuminated, it catalyzes oxidation of the protein in a way they believe might keep it from aggregating in the brains of patients.
http://bit.ly/2glSSwq

Tangled up in gray
A new study by Rice University researchers takes a step toward what they see as key to the advance of neuroscience: a better understanding of the relationship between the brain’s flexibility and its modularity. Their open-access study appears in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.
http://bit.ly/2gRYTSd

Rice Opera Department and Chamber Orchestra to present ‘Little Women’
The Opera Department and Chamber Orchestra of Rice’s Shepherd School of Music will present Mark Adamo’s “Little Women” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1 and 3 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Wortham Opera Theatre in Alice Pratt Brown Hall.
http://bit.ly/2gSlZZd