Dateline Rice for Feb. 4, 2020

dateline rice

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Gram-scale bottom-up flash graphene synthesis
James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Chair in Chemistry and a professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering, authored an article about his pioneering research on developing flash graphene from any carbon source. Lead author and graduate student Duy Luong is quoted. This research is also featured in a news roundup from Science Friday.
Nature
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-tour


A close call collision in near-Earth orbit and more
Science Friday (This segment also aired on 375 affiliate stations across the U.S., and the podcast also appeared on NPR and Soundcloud.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-tour


Coal to concrete? Scientists report chemical breakthrough

EnergyWire
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-tour

New technique turns junk into valuable graphene
Big Think (Similar articles appeared in 10 other media outlets.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-tour


Transformer plastiques et déchets alimentaires en graphène 'vert': Une piste en béton!?
Clubic (An English translation is not available.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-tour


Trasformare spazzatura in grafene
Il Blog di Beppe Grillo (An English translation is not available.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-tour

Nested hybrid nanotubes
Collaborative Rice research into nesting nanotubes to create 1D heterostructures is featured. Boris Yakobson, the Karl F. Hasselmann Professor of Materials Science and NanoEngineering and a professor of chemistry, is cited. An illustration is attributed to research administrator Ksenia Bets.
Science (This article also appeared in the digital and print editions of the Jan. 31 issue.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-yakobson

Simulations sort Alzheimer's tau: Fibrils and 'tumbleweeds'

New simulations by Rice scientists suggests tau proteins take either of two paths to form aggregates suspected of promoting, and perhaps causing, Alzheimer's and Pick's diseases. Co-author Peter Wolynes, the D.R. Bullard-Welch Foundation Professor of Science, professor of chemistry, of biochemistry and cell biology, of physics and astronomy and of materials science and nanoengineering, is cited.

Futurity (This article also appeared in Science Codex.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-wolynes

Bush scion’s House race tests value of family name in Trump era
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.
Bloomberg Government
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-jones

Does China burn seven to eight times as much coal as the US?

Anna Mikulska, nonresident fellow in energy studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
PolitiFact
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-mikulska

Are VA doctors barred from recommending medical marijuana to veterans?
An article cites Katharine Neill Harris, the Alfred C. Glassell, III, Fellow in Drug Policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
PolitiFact
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-harris

Trump takes on 50 years of environmental regulations, one by one
Douglas Brinkley, the Katherine Tsanoff Brown Professor in Humanities, is quoted.
The Christian Science Monitor (This article will appear in the Feb. 10 print edition, and it appeared in a previous edition of Dateline when it was first posted online.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-brinkley

Mitch McConnell’s new legacy: Impeachment trial rigger for Donald Trump

Yahoo! News (This Huffington Post article also appeared in a previous edition of Dateline when it was first posted online.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-brinkley

Midcentury office landmark checks into hotel use in Texas Medical Center
An article mentions that Rice's tree-lined campus is part of the poolside terrace views from the Westin Houston Medical Center.
Forbes
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-forbes


PHOTOS: Renovation transforms medical landmark into midcentury modern hotel
Community Impact Newspaper (This article also appeared in Lady Click.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-cin


New Medical Center hotel books eye-catching local art with dazzling debut
CultureMap Houston (This article also appeared in Lady Click.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-cm


Westin flag flies over historic Medical Towers rehabilitation
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article appeared in the Feb. 4 print edition and a previous edition of Dateline when it was first posted online.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-hc

Patrick Mahomes’s high school classmate predicted this Super Bowl win. His yearbook proves it.

Alumnus Jack Terrell is mentioned.

The Washington Post
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-terrell

Epic photo surfaces from Patrick Mahomes’ high school yearbook

The Spun
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-spun


Mahomes’ high school classmate predicted he’d get a Super Bowl ring in their yearbook
Fox Sports Australia
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-fox-au

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Houston survey shows why San Antonio needs one, too
An article about modeling a survey of San Antonians after the annual Kinder Houston Area Survey by Rice's Kinder Institute for Urban Research cites Stephen Klineberg, founding director of the Kinder Institute and an emeritus professor of sociology. The article mentions Klineberg's forthcoming book "Prophetic City: Houston on the Cusp of a Changing America."
Rivard Report
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-klineberg

20 candidates vie for US Congress District 22 seat as voter results trend toward blue in a typically red area of Fort Bend County
Bob Stein, the Lena Gohlman Fox Professor of Political Science at Rice, is quoted.
Community Impact Newspaper (This article also appeared on the front page of the digital and print editions of the Feb. 3-March 2 Sugar Land / Missouri City issue.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-stein

Dell Foundation donates $100 million to UT Austin to increase graduation rates among low-income students
Rice Board of Trustees member Ann Doerr '75 and her husband John Doerr '73 are mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (This article also appeared in the Feb. 3 print edition.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-doerr

The ACTX top 10: February 2020
A Texas arts roundup features the exhibit “Radical Revisionists: Contemporary African Artists Confronting Past and Present,” on view through May 16 at Rice's Moody Center for the Arts.
Arts and Culture Texas
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-moody-center

10+ can't-miss Houston business and innovation events for February
A roundup mentions that a Houston Angel Network biannual summit will be held Feb. 19 at Rice's Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
InnovationMap
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-im

Five TJC students named semifinalists for Jack Kent Cooke scholarships
An article mentions that Sofia Quintero Argentin hopes to attend Rice.
Tyler Morning Telegraph
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-tmt

What to do in San Antonio today: Feb. 4
An article features alumnus Rafael Moras.
San Antonio Magazine
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-moras

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Fertilizer may confuse microbial 'butlers'
An article features collaborative research from Rice's Systems, Synthetic and Physical Biology program into how plants have evolved to use bacteria to deliver nutrients. Graduate student Ilenne Del Valle is quoted. Carrie Masiello, professor of Earth, environmental and planetary sciences, is quoted. Joff Silberg, professor of biosciences and bioengineering and director of Rice’s Systems Biology graduate program, is mentioned in Noticias de la Ciencia y la Tecnologia.
Technology Networks
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-masiello


¿Pedido a domicilio? Las plantas ya te llevan la delantera
Noticias de la Ciencia y la Tecnologia
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-silberg

Study: The difference between helping, hurting male allies
Rice research into how "male allies" may unintentionally contribute to sexism is featured. Eden King, associate professor of psychological science, is quoted.
Becker's Hospital Review
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-king

An alumina lining for silicon in storage
An article features collaborative Rice research into lithium-ion batteries developed with silicon anodes. Co-authors Sibani Lisa Biswal, an associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, and postdoctoral fellow Anulekha Haridas are quoted.
PV Magazine (This article also appeared in Focus Technica, Finanz Nachtrichten and Materials Today.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-biswal

Cells' springy coils pump bursts of RNA
A new theoretical study by Rice scientists aims to better explain how chromosomes express their protein products. Anatoly Kolomeisky, professor of chemistry and of chemical and biomolecular engineering and the department chair of chemistry, is quoted.
Mindzilla
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-kolomeisky

Houston Symphony to present two-week Schumann festival
An article mentions that the Houston Symphony's "Schumann Festival: Angels and Demons," will include a performance Feb. 3 at the Shepherd School of Music's Duncan Recital Hall.
Broadway World (This article also appeared in The Katy News.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-shepherd-school

The big splash
Alumna Abeer Alshaali is featured.
Trade Only Today
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-tot

Sustainable construction: The answers from tomorrow’s world
An article mentions that Rice researchers have developed a "programmable" cement.
Architects Data File (This article also appeared in NetMag Media and Building Construction Design.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-adf

A design lover’s guide to Houston
An article features James Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace on the Suzanne Deal Booth Centennial Pavilion.
Architectural Digest (This article also appeared in MSN Travel Canada.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-turrell-skyspace

Chicago Booth’s 'Frack to the Future' brings home gold from the National Energy Finance Challenge in Texas
An article mentions that a team from Rice competed in the National Energy Finance Challenge at the University of Texas’ McCombs School of Business in October 2019.
Chicago Business
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-cb

Graphene won't crack under pressure
An article mentions that Rice collaborated on graphene stress test research.
IEN
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-ien

Second harmonic generation technique finds defects in 2D materials
An article features collaborative Rice research into the development of a technique that quickly and sensitively characterizes defects in 2D materials.
eeDesignIT
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-eed

Why is the University of Michigan financing the billionaire oilman who’s bankrolling the Texas far right?
Rice is mentioned.
Eyes on the Ties
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-et

University of South Carolina sports programs took in $140.1 million in 2018
Rice is mentioned.
Palmetto Business Daily
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-pbd

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

'Arts at the Rocks' hosts Philadelphia’s Jasper String Quartet
An article mentions that the Jasper String Quartet is a former Rice Graduate Quartet-in-Residence. Shepherd School of Music faculty members mentioned include Norman Fischer, the Herbert S. Autrey Professor of Cello; James Dunham, professor of viola; and Kenneth Goldsmith, chamber music coach.
Sonoran News
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-fischer-dunham-goldsmith

Mark Bennett: What if 2020 elections included Hoosier cities' races?
An article cites the 2017 study "Who Runs for Mayor in America?" co-authored by Melissa Marschall, professor of political science.
The Lebanon Reporter (This article also appeared in 10 other media outlets.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-3-marschall

Beyond the classroom: How early should we prep for college?
An article mentions Rice's student outreach efforts.
Teen Kids News
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-kid-news

Corporate media are the real 'Sanders attack machine'
Alumna Julie Hollar authored a blog post.
Plawiuk Blog
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-pb

SPORTS

The LSU Tigers look to keep up their winning ways alongside the nation's best team, the No. 1 Baylor Bears
Rice's men's basketball team is featured. Head coach Scott Pera and Owl Ako Adams are pictured.
SportsMap
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-pera-adams

Lady Tops taking steps midway through C-USA play
An article mentions that Rice's women's basketball team is in first place in Conference USA with a 9-0 record in league play.
Bowling Green Daily News
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-bgdn

School briefs
An article mentions that Jose Acuna signed a letter of intent to join Rice's track and field team.
North Central News
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-ncn

Lions extend 2018 first-round pick, Canadian OL Peter Godber
An article features former Rice football player Peter Godber.
3 Down Nation (This article also appeared in BC Lions, Our Sports Central and CFL.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-godber

Panthers announce 2020 coaching hires
Former Rice assistant football coach Frank Okam is featured.
Panthers.com
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-panthers

Chuck Landon: Status quo for WVU, MU on National Signing Day
An article mentions that Rice's men's basketball team was defeated by Marshall University earlier this season.
Charleston Gazette-Mail
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-cgm

Source: Juwan Mitchell withdraws name from transfer portal
Rice is mentioned.
247Sports.com
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-247

USC makes Craig Naivar, John David Baker hires official
An article features former Rice assistant football coach Craig Naivar.
FanSided (This article also appeared in The Media Times and Whittier Daily News.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-naivar

UNT basketball coaches show notes
An article mentions that Rice's men's and women's basketball teams defeated the University of North Texas Feb. 1.
Denton Record-Chronicle
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-drc

Where LSU's 2020 opponents are ranked
An article mentions that Rice's football team will play Louisiana State University Sept. 19 at NRG Stadium in Houston.
247Sports.com
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-247

The dotted line: Texas, Oklahoma remain atop Big 12 recruiting rankings

Rice's football program is mentioned.
Austin American-Statesman
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-aas

NEWS RELEASES

Rice expert available to discuss ESA Solar Orbiter
Rice solar physicist David Alexander is available to discuss the European Space Agency’s Solar Orbiter, which is scheduled to launch on Sunday. The Solar Orbiter will study the sun with 10 scientific instruments protected by a heatshield capable of enduring temperatures of more than 930 degrees Fahrenheit.
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-news-release-alexander

Governor of key Mexican border state to speak at Rice’s Baker Institute
Francisco Javier García Cabeza de Vaca, the governor of Tamaulipas, Mexico, will visit Rice's Baker Institute for Public Policy Feb. 7 to discuss plans to bolster the border state’s prospects by fighting drug-related violence, improving public safety and increasing shale gas and oil production. He will also address his political future as a major opposition leader to President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-news-release-baker-talk

Deep learning accurately forecasts heat waves, cold spells
Rice engineers have created a deep learning computer system that taught itself to accurately predict extreme weather events, like heat waves, up to five days in advance using minimal information about current weather conditions.
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-news-release-hassanzadeh

Tumbleweeds or fibrils: Tau proteins need to choose
New simulations by Rice biophysicist Peter Wolynes tell a tale of two taus and how they relate to neurological disease. The work suggests tau proteins take either of two paths to form aggregates suspected of promoting, and perhaps causing, Alzheimer’s and Pick’s diseases.
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-news-release-wolynes

Keeping a stiff upper lip can hurt your health following death of a loved one
Some people facing the loss of a loved one try to maintain their composure, but it’s healthier to ditch the stiff upper lip and freely express your emotions, according to a new study by Christopher Fagundes, an associate professor of psychology at Rice.
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-news-release-fagundes

Grooves hold promise for sophisticated healing
The Rice University team led by Antonios Mikos are carving grooves into plastic threads used to seed sophisticated, 3D-printed tissue-engineering scaffolds with living cells to help heal injuries.
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-news-release-mikos

Benefits boost for parents not enough, says Baker Institute expert
Congress recently passed a bill granting 12 weeks of paid parental leave to federal workers the same week it established the SECURE Act, which offers new parents an option for penalty-free withdrawals from retirement accounts. These two pieces of legislation are a step toward parental benefits offered in other countries, but they don’t address all workers and their families.
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-news-release-beebe

The Iowa Debacle: Voting security expert weighs in
The Iowa caucuses debacle raises more questions than answers, and Rice voting security expert Dan Wallach is available to weigh in. The fiasco comes after the Iowa Democratic Party rolled out an app used to gather caucus results. A small company developed the app in just two months and didn’t test it on a large scale before it was deployed to help count the first votes cast in the 2020 presidential election, according to The New York Times.
http://dateline.rice/feb-4-news-release-wallach

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