Dateline Rice for June 13, 2013

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Argentina or Venezuela — who has a better chance for a reset with Washington?
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 an article about U.S. relations with Venezuela and Argentina.
WorldCrunch.com
http://bit.ly/196cSbz

China’s manned space mission marks ‘great first step’
The Shenzhou-9 manned space mission is a "great first step" for the future development of China’s space program, according to Carolyn Sumners, adjunct professor of physics and astronomy.
GlobalTimes.cn
http://bit.ly/13CoIYN

Northwestern nanotech startup lands $2 million
The Rice Business Plan Competition is mentioned in an article about business startup NuMat Technologies.
Crain’s Chicago Business
http://bit.ly/14yEJA1

Mobile Summit 2013: Camera tweaks should boost gadget battery life
Researchers at Microsoft Research and Rice University have developed a way to make digital camera sensors far more energy-efficient.
MIT Technology Review
http://bit.ly/12GvxeZ

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Minority gains fueling growth of area
Texas saw rapid growth of its Hispanic population between 2010 and 2012, continuing robust increases during the past decade, according to census estimates. Steve Murdock, the Allyn and Gladys Cline Professor of Sociology and a former director of the U.S. Census Bureau, is quoted.
San Antonio Express-News
http://bit.ly/17IxZm8
Hispanic population growth continues to outpace growth of white population in Central Texas
Austin American-Statesman (subscription required)
http://bit.ly/11b1Yzw

Do hospital mergers contribute to the high cost of care?
A recent article in the New York Times suggests hospital mergers decrease market competition and, as a result, increase fees they charge to insurers — with the price inevitably passing down to companies and their employees. Vivian Ho, the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and professor of economics, is quoted.
Houston Business Journal
http://bit.ly/1bzqPOB

A roadmap for oil and gas young professionals pursuing graduate education
A column about graduate education for young oil and gas professionals mentions Rice’s MBA program.
FuelFix.com
http://bit.ly/19svdlz

Don’t rule out Saudis’ reign as oil royalty
An article discusses an energy forum hosted by Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Houston Chronicle (subscription required) (This article also appeared on FuelFix.com.)
http://bit.ly/11BDege

A top research university for San Antonio
An editorial about the University of Texas at San Antonio’s effort to become a Tier One research university notes that Rice is one of Texas’ three Tier One universities.
San Antonio Express-News
http://bit.ly/17JrzTQ

A $1.89 billion architectural heist? Houston black architects believe HISD has given them the cold shoulder on contracts
An article about a letter from the Houston chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects accusing the Houston Independent School District of purposely bypassing qualified African-American architecture firms in their selections for contracts mentions that HISD consulted professors from various schools of architecture, including Rice.
Houston Forward Times
http://bit.ly/15ZFrWf

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Corn growers question study on climate and crop yields
A Rice study suggests that demands for water will make it harder for the United States to meet current biofuel goals if the climate continues to evolve as predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
AgriMarketing.com
http://agrimarketing.com/s/82481

Social TV and the network approach
Alumnus Dilip Venkatachari ’84 authored this op-ed about social television programming.
ClickZ.com
http://bit.ly/16cZMYS

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Atom-thick semiconductor grown at useable size
Scientists at Rice University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have advanced on the goal of two-dimensional electronics with a method to control the growth of uniform atomic layers of molybdenum disulfide.
OverclockersClub.com
http://www.overclockersclub.com/news/34256/

Fire ants are the cure for Caribbean crazy ant advance
Research from Rice and Texas A&M University shows that fire ants may be key in controlling Caribbean crazy ant infestations in coastal areas.
Examiner.com (This article also appeared on RR.com.)
http://exm.nr/11BE9gt

Academic news and notes
News briefs report on students who graduated from Rice May 11.
Cranston Herald (R.I.)
http://bit.ly/19r8AOC
Concord’s local scholars
WickedLocal.com
http://bit.ly/14ZWTYg

Houston Marathon and Half Marathon get course changes
The new course for the Houston Marathon will pass by Rice University along Rice Boulevard and Greenbriar Drive.
Runner’s World
http://bit.ly/1a4S6KH

Local retiree helped a fledging NASA land in southwest
An article about Joe Piland, former director of operations with the Johnson Space Center, notes that the land for the complex was donated by Rice.
Hendersonville Times-News (N.C.)
http://bit.ly/13ElaoI

SPORTS

Healthy advice from Houston nutritionalist Roberta Anding
Roberta Anding, lecturer in kinesiology, is interviewed about nutrition.
Greater Houston Weekly
http://bit.ly/18xaxcR

Rice to host C-USA women’s soccer championship
Rice will host the 2013 Conference USA soccer championship.
Examiner.com
http://exm.nr/12Itt6u

82 times a former SwampDogs player drafted; only 6 thus far have played in the major leagues
Former Rice baseball player David Aardsma is mentioned in an article about the Fayetteville SwampDogs baseball team.
Fayetteville Observer (N.C.)
http://bit.ly/1a7tu4a

WTXL-TV (Tallahassee, Fla.)
Rice is mentioned in a story about a Tallahassee, Fla., student-athlete.
http://bit.ly/11hYBmO