Dateline Rice for Feb. 1, 2024

dateline rice

FEATURED NEWS

Rice University launches synthetic biology, water institutes in boost for graduate program
An article features news that Rice has opened five new institutes and increased funding for existing ones in recent months as part of an effort to boost its graduate programs. Rice community members mentioned or quoted include President Reginald Desroches; Ramamoorthy Ramesh, executive vice president for research and professor of materials science, nanoengineering, physics and astronomy; Pedro Alvarez, the George R. Brown Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, co-director of the Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment and director of the WaTER Institute; Caroline Ajo-Franklin, professor of biosciences and director of the Rice Synthetic Biology Institute; and August Staubus, a Ph.D. student in biochemistry. The article also mentions the Rice Sustainability Institute, Rice Advanced Materials Institute, Medical Humanities Research Institute, Smalley-Curl Institute, Rice360 Institute for Global Health Technologies, Ken Kennedy Institute, Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Ion.
Houston Chronicle
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-institutes

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Funding for refugees has long been politicized — punitive action against UNRWA and Palestinians fits that pattern
Kelsey Norman, fellow for the Middle East and director of the Baker Institute for Public Policy's Women's Rights, Human Rights and Refugees Program, co-authored an article. 
The Conversation (This article also appeared in more than 30 other media outlets.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-norman

Saudi Arabia's head-scratching oil production move
Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies at the Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Axios (This article also appeared in MSN Money.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-krane

Weird anglerfish mating strategy may have helped them evolve
Kory Evans, assistant professor of biosciences, is quoted.
MSN (This article originally appeared in New Scientist.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-evans

Ecuadorian president anticipates he won't recognize the results of the Venezuelan elections
Francisco Monaldi, fellow in Latin American energy policy at the Center for Energy Studies, fellow at the Center for the United States and Mexico, director of the Latin America Energy Program at the Baker Institute for Public Policy and a lecturer in energy economics at Rice, is quoted.
The Latin Times
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-monaldi

The road to 1948
An article mentions that historian Leena Dallasheh previously held an academic position at Rice.
The New York Times Magazine
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-nyt

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Rice University, Houston Methodist open new Center for Neural Systems Restoration
An article features the launch of the Center for Neural Systems Restoration, a joint interdisciplinary center between Rice and Houston Methodist for neuroscience research and treatment innovation. The article quotes or mentions President Reginal DesRoches; Behnaam Aazhang, the J.S. Abercrombie Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering; and Ramamoorthy Ramesh, executive vice president for research and professor of materials science, nanoengineering, physics and astronomy. 
Houston Business Journal (An excerpt of this article also appeared in Texas Region Biotech Networks.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-neural-center

Boulder strengthens rules against plastic bags — but do bans and fines actually reduce waste?
Eleanor Putnam-Farr, assistant professor of marketing at Rice's Jones Graduate School of Business, authored an article.
Houston Chronicle (This article originally appeared in The Conversation, and it appeared in a previous edition of Dateline.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-putnam-farr

Meet the candidates for Texas House District 15
An article mentions Rice's Lib-Con Scores of members of the Texas House of Representatives.
Community Impact
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-lib-con

YES Prep celebrates 25 years of impact at inaugural YES Fest
An article mentions Rice hosted YES Fest Jan. 27. Alumna Nella Garcia Urban is quoted, and Rice Stadium and Rice's men's basketball team are mentioned.
YesPrep.org
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-yes-fest

City workers union urges Whitmire to rehire laid-off housing employees to boost affordable housing
An article cites a housing survey conducted by Rice's Kinder Institute for Urban Research.
Houston Chronicle (This article appeared on the front page of the Feb. 1 print edition and was in yesterday's Dateline.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-kinder

'Argylle,' 'Promised Land,' 'Scrambled' among the major films hitting our screens this week
An article mentions Rice Cinema will screen "Fish and Cat" Feb. 2 and "Invasion" Feb. 3.
Houston Chronicle
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-rice-cinema

BROADCAST

Poll: Colin Allred leads Roland Gutierrez in Democratic primary, but both trail Republican Ted Cruz
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor of political science and fellow in political science at the Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Houston Public Media
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-jones
UH Survey: Colin Allred holds commanding lead in Senate Democratic Primary, Ted Cruz well positioned for third term
KHOU Online
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-jones
Q&A: Meet the Republican candidates running for Harris County sheriff
Community Impact
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-jones
'Texas Public Radio'
KSTX-FM (San Antonio; this segment aired over 10 times on multiple affiliates including KERA-FM in Dallas and KUT-FM in Austin.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-jones
'TWC News All Night'
Spectrum News Austin (This segment aired four times.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-jones

Houston-area law enforcement agencies rally behind Whitmire's call for greater coordination to fight crime
Clemente Rodriguez, Rice University Police Chief, is quoted by Houston Public Media and interviewed for a segment that aired on multiple radio stations.
Houston Public Media (This article also appeared in Texas Standard.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-rodriguez
Texas Standard for Jan. 31, 2024: Exploring SpaceX’s potential land swap with Texas
Texas Standard (This segment also aired on more than 40 affiliated stations.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-rodriguez
KTRH-AM (Houston)
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-rodriguez

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Study shows how allyship can combat discrimination in STEM for Blacks, Latinos
An article features Rice research into how allies can help combat racist behavior toward Black and Latino STEM students. Study co-authors quoted include Eden King, the Lynette S. Autrey Professor of Psychological Sciences and a Rice Academy Senior Fellow, and Mikki Hebl, the Martha and Henry Malcolm Lovett Chair of Psychological Sciences, professor at Rice's Jones Graduate School of Business and a Rice Academy Senior Fellow. Graduate student Elisabeth Silver and alumni Isabel Bilotta, Nicole Lennon, Abby Corrington and Jenessa Shapiro are mentioned.
MSN Health (This article originally appeared in Phys.org.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-allyship

Study unveils key dynamics of 2D nanomaterials with view to larger-scale production
An article features Rice research into studying 2D nanomaterials with an aim to produce them on a large scale. Co-authors quoted or mentioned include Angel Marti, professor of chemistry, bioengineering, materials science and nanoengineering and chair of chemistry; Anatoly Kolomeisky, professor of chemistry and chemical and biomolecular engineering; Matteo Pasquali, the A.J. Hartsook Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and professor of chemistry, materials science and nanoengineering; and graduate student Utana Umezaki.
Phys.org
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-nanomaterials

Dotz: Pioneering nanotech company revolutionizing carbon capture for a sustainable future
An article mentions that the technology behind DOTZearth is based on research by James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry and a professor of materials science and nanoengineering.
TechBullion
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-tour

First-of-its-kind crystalline metal revealed in quantum breakthrough
An article features collaborative Rice research into a new 3D crystalline metal. Co-authors quoted or mentioned include Ming Yi, assistant professor of physics and astronomy; Qimiao Si, the Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor of Physics and Astronomy; Pengcheng Dai, the Sam and Helen Worden Professor of Physics and Astronomy; and Boris Yakobson, the Karl F. Hasselmann Professor of Engineering and professor of materials science, nanoengineering and chemistry.
StudyFinds
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-quantum

FEATURE — US wildfire response could force poorest out of Paradise
James Elliott, professor and chair of sociology, is quoted.
Devdiscourse
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-elliott

This one little rule change in 2024 could help you save big on buying an EV
Alumnus Ben Gran authored an article.
MSN Money (This article originally appeared in The Ascent.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-gran

Tickets still available for Acappellooza 2024
Rice is mentioned.
MSN Music (This article originally appeared in KBTX Online.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-kbtx

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Life-changing cancer treatment destroys 99% of cancer cells, study shows
An article features Rice research using molecules that vibrate strongly when stimulated by light to destroy cancer cells. Alumnus and research scientist Ciceron Ayala-Orozco and James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry and a professor of materials science and nanoengineering, are quoted.
Canada Daily
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-tour-ayala.orozco

James Turrell 'Twilight Epiphany' Skyspace at Rice University, Houston, TX
A video features the James Turrell "Twilight Epiphany" Skyspace on Rice's Suzanne Deal Booth Centennial Pavilion.
The Tranquil Walker on YouTube
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-turrell

SPORTS

Mason scores 17 points, Evee hits late 3 to help Rice beat Memphis 74-71
An article mentions that Rice's men's basketball team defeated the University of Memphis 74-71 Jan. 31. Head coach Scott Pera is quoted in the Houston Chronicle. KPRC's broadcast mentions both the men's victory and Rice's women's basketball team defeating Southern Methodist University 69-60 Jan. 31.
The Associated Press (This article also appeared in more than 30 other media outlets.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-mens-basketball
Mekhi Mason, Travis Evee lead Rice to win at Memphis
Houston Chronicle (This Associated Press article appeared in more than 30 other media outlets.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-pera
Tigers stunned by Owls inside FedExForum
GoTigersGo.com
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-mens-basketball
Memphis basketball's losing streak now at four games after loss to lowly Rice
MSN Sports (This article originally appeared in the Commercial Appeal.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-mens-basketball
Memphis Tigers basketball vs. Rice Owls: Our best photos in AAC game
Commercial Appeal
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-mens-basketball
Tigers fall short to Rice to take fourth straight loss
Daily Memphian
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-mens-basketball
'KPRC Channel 2 News'
KPRC-TV (Houston; this segment aired three times.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-mens-womens-basketball
'Wake Up! with SallyMac & Lina'
KRIV-TV (Houston; this segment aired twice.)
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-mens-basketball
'Fox 26 News'
KRIV-TV (Houston)
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-mens-basketball
'ABC24 News'
WATN-TV (Memphis, Tennessee)
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-mens-basketball

Despite an Embry double-double, SMU falls at Rice
An article mentions that Rice's women's basketball team defeated Southern Methodist University 69-60 Jan. 31.
SMUMustangs.com
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-womens-basketball
East's buzzer beater lifts Temple past Wichita State
TheAmerican.org
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-womens-basketball
SMU vs. Rice University women's basketball game Jan. 31, 2024
College Sports Highlights on YouTube
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-womens-basketball

Florida Atlantic's Davis, Tulsa's Haggerty earn weekly honors
An article mentions that Rice's men's basketball team lost to Florida Atlantic Jan. 24 and Tulsa Jan. 27.
TheAmerican.org
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-mens-basketball

North Texas' Kernal, Tulsa's Cartwright earn women's basketball weekly honors
An article mentions Rice's women's basketball team lost to Tulsa Jan. 24 and Memphis Jan. 27.
The American.org
http://dateline.rice/feb-1-womens-basketball

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