Dateline Rice for April 1, 2013

FEATURED ITEM

Proteins link blood clot trouble, immune system
There’s an unexpected connection between a protein that triggers the formation of blood clots and other proteins that are key to the immune system, according to Rice researchers. Joel Moake, senior research scientist in bioengineering, and Nancy Turner, research technician in bioengineering, are quoted.
Futurity.org
http://bit.ly/126rFCR

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Genetically modified bacteria created by Ka-Yiu San could turn waste into fuel
Engineers at Rice University have developed new strains of Escherichia coli bacteria that efficiently convert sugars into fatty acids, which can be converted into synthetic diesel and lubricants. Ka-Yiu San, the E.D. Butcher Professor of Bioengineering and professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, is quoted. Xiujun Zhang and Mai Li, postdoctoral researchers in bioengineering, are mentioned.
HuffingtonPost.com
http://huff.to/14ruA9y

Thomas McEvilley, critic and defender of non-Western art, dies at 73
An article remembers Thomas McEvilley, distinguished lecturer emeritus of art history.
New York Times
http://nyti.ms/X8nBhv

No longer the elephant in the room
Rainer Ebert, a graduate student in philosophy, is mentioned in an article about atheism in Bangladesh.
Daily Star (Bangladesh)
http://bit.ly/XAQEf1

The best White House petitions that probably won’t make it to the White House
An article about humorous White House petitions includes one requesting the demolition of Martel College.
Salon.com
http://bit.ly/YPg0Se

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Ozone level predictions sometimes inflated, study says
While dangerous ozone levels have fallen in places that clamp down on emissions from vehicles and industry, a new study from Rice University suggests that a model widely used to predict the impact of remediation efforts has been too conservative. Daniel Cohan, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, is quoted. Wei Zhou, a graduate student in civil and environmental engineering, is mentioned.
Texas Medical Center News
http://bit.ly/16rycH7

Dewhurst using legislative session to rebuild image
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor and chair of political science and fellow in political science at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted in articles about Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and the Texas legislative session.
Houston Chronicle (subscription required) (This article also appeared on the front of the City & State section and also in the San Antonio Express-News.)
http://bit.ly/10oKxYX
Limit on growth of state budget may imperil plan to use Texas rainy day fund for water, transportation, education
Dallas Morning News (subscription required)
http://dallasne.ws/10g78rr
Texans try their luck again on poker laws
Fort Worth Star-Telegram (This article also appeared in the Chicago Tribune.)
http://bit.ly/14GhZzG

UT opens its first four edX courses to registration
An article about online education at the University of Texas at Austin notes that Rice University is one of six global higher education institutions that were announced as new members of the online education provider edX.
DailyTexanOnline.com
http://bit.ly/10fWpNS

Bush — where have we heard that name?
An op-ed discusses alumnus George P. Bush’s ’98 decision to run for land commissioner.
San Angelo Standard-Times
http://bit.ly/16rt19Y

Respecting teachers is a tradition
A column about the Jewish tradition of respecting teachers notes that the columnist’s son attended Rice.
Texas Jewish Post
http://tjpnews.com/?p=6614

Midtown church has much to celebrate on Easter
Rice is mentioned in an article about the First Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
http://bit.ly/X8oK8C

BROADCAST/WEBCAST

KTRK-TV
Ric Stoll, the Albert Thomas Professor of Political Science and scholar at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted in stories about the escalation of tensions between North and South Korea.
http://bit.ly/YYUS21
KPRC-TV
http://bit.ly/10svuwZ

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Rice team develops more efficient method to capture carbon dioxide
In some of the first results from a federally funded initiative to find new ways of capturing carbon dioxide from coal-fired power plants, Rice University scientists have found that CO2 can be removed more economically using "waste" heat — low-grade steam that cannot be used to produce electricity. George Hirasaki, the A.J. Hartsook Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, is quoted.
RedOrbit.com (This article also appeared on CoalGuru.com.)
http://bit.ly/YRhn2Q
Waste heat used to capture emitted carbon dioxide
GreenOptimistic.com
http://bit.ly/Z3CLRE
Using waste heat to capture carbon dioxide before it goes up in smoke
HomelandSecurityNewsWire.com
http://bit.ly/ZXc8kU

Bankers Petroleum welcomes CEO
Alumnus David French ’91 was appointed president and CEO of Bankers Petroleum.
Neftegaz.ru (This article also appeared on BigNewsNetwork.com.)
http://neftegaz.ru/en/news/view/108492

Researchers focus on biomass as leader in biofuel efficiency and bio-products quality
An article about biofuels research at Kansas State University mentions Rice.
Virginia Engineer
http://bit.ly/XAYpll

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Vanderbilt group performs impossible ‘Ballet mécanique’
Gordon Hughes, assistant professor of art history, will participate in events dedicated to remembering composer George Antheil.
Tennessean
http://tnne.ws/10ss6SN

Slurs, slips, ethics probes — Rep. Don Young’s colorful political life
Douglas Brinkley, professor of history and fellow in history at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is mentioned in an article about Alaska Rep. Don Young.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
http://bit.ly/173rmZr

‘Christ is risen! … He sure is!’
Alumnus Roger Olson ’82 authored this op-ed about Easter.
Patheos.com
http://bit.ly/YYNgg4

Future maestros and mezzos at the Seattle Opera
Alumna Sarah Larsen ’09 is featured in an article about the Seattle Opera’s Young Artist Program.
Seattle Times
http://bit.ly/ZSz3hp

Six make house call at Chelmsford High
Rice is mentioned in an article about Chelmsford High School students.
Lowell Sun (Mass.)
http://bit.ly/10srUD1

SPORTS

Tulane hangs on at Rice to avoid sweep
Articles recap a baseball series between Rice and Tulane University.
SportsNOLA.com
http://bit.ly/16eGoZ9
Tulane loses lead in sixth, falls again at Rice, 6-3
SportsNOLA.com
http://bit.ly/14zSBv7

Saturday results from the Texas Relays
Will Rice College senior Sharae Robinson and Sid Richardson College sophomore Claire Uke appear in an article listing the results from the Texas Relays.
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
http://bit.ly/YYKJCv

Breaking down the Astros’ roster
Former Rice baseball player Philip Humber is mentioned in an article about the Houston Astros.
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
http://bit.ly/10s90es

Lynx veteran takes New York coaching job
Articles report that Minnesota Lynx player Taj McWilliams-Franklin will join the New York Liberty women’s basketball team as assistant coach and note that she served as assistant women’s basketball coach at Rice.
Rochester Post-Bulletin (Minn.)
http://bit.ly/10sqUyP

Recruiting strategies — offensive line
An article discusses the Rice Owls football team’s preparations for the upcoming season.
Rivals.com (subscription required)
http://bit.ly/11bW005

Rangers winning Texas
Former Rice standout Lance Berkman discusses the rivalry between the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers.
MLB.com
http://atmlb.com/13Ld9Sk
Lance Berkman opens up on Rangers-Astros rivalry
ESPN.com
http://es.pn/10qy6tW

Coulter, Haniger highlight Timber Rattlers roster
Former Rice baseball player Taylor Wall is mentioned in an article about the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers baseball team.
Green Bay Press-Gazette (Wis.) (This article also appeared in the Marshfield News-Herald, the Oshkosh Northwestern, the Appleton Post Crescent, the Wausau Daily Herald and Fox11Online.com [Green Bay, Wis.].)
http://gbpg.net/16rxF7T

NEWS RELEASES

Models will enable safer deepwater oil production
Rice University researchers are developing a comprehensive model that will predict how brine, oil and gas drawn from ultra-deep wells react to everything encountered on the way up to the surface and to suggest strategies to maintain the flow.
https://news2.rice.edu/?p=42637

Researchers find link between blood clotting, immune response
Rice University researchers have found an unexpected link between a protein that triggers the formation of blood clots and other proteins that are essential for the body’s immune system. The find could lead to new treatments for thousands of patients who suffer from inflammatory diseases and disorders that cause abnormal blood clotting.
https://news2.rice.edu/?p=42534