Dateline Rice for Dec. 20, 2013

FEATURED ITEMS

Deadly superbugs are breeding like crazy in Chinese sewage plants
Tests at two wastewater treatment plants in northern China revealed antibiotic-resistant bacteria were not only escaping purification but also breeding and spreading their dangerous cargo. Rice research is cited.
Gizmodo
http://bit.ly/1bg3UHb

Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor and chair of political science and fellow in political science at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted in a front-page Houston Chronicle article about Rep. John Culberson (R-Texas) being the likely candidate to become chairman of an appropriations subcommittee that oversees NASA. Jones is also quoted in other articles about state politics.
Johnson Space Center might soon gain a powerful ally in Congress
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front page.)
http://bit.ly/1gKGfGM
Senator Cornyn expected to survive Stockman challenge
News 92 FM
http://bit.ly/1i7jyNw
George P. Bush presenta oficialmente su candidatura a puesto estatal
LaVoz (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1fLj2S0
Perry names Houston lawyer secretary of state
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/J1BDh6
Houston attorney succeeds Steen as secretary of state
San Antonio Express News
http://bit.ly/1dWbuKj
Friday letters: Looking at City Council’s makeup
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1cWozEE
The Brief: Texas political news for Dec. 20, 2013
Texas Tribune
http://bit.ly/JKDjfc

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Can an app change how students prep for college admissions?
Tamara Siler ’86, senior associate director for admission and minority recruitment coordinator, is quoted in an article on SAT prep classes.
Mashable (This article also appeared on India Everyday.)
http://mashable.com/2013/12/19/prepify-app/

We went to the Amazon to find out what makes these weird web-tower things
Spider-hunting scientists led by Rice graduate student Phil Torres traveled into the Amazon to uncover the mystery behind the builders of tiny silk towers.
Wired
http://wrd.cm/1bg4nJl

With its increased oil and gas production, US ties with Arabian Gulf changing
Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted in an article on U.S.-Mideast ties.
The National
http://bit.ly/1c73Fmr

Attack drones, a smelly smartphone app and a smart paper airplane-jet
For parts of the world where electricity and other infrastructure are hard to come by, researchers at Rice have developed a solar-powered steam system that can sterilize some of the dirtiest places.
Entrepreneur
http://bit.ly/1c7jidl

Stephen Klineberg, professor of sociology and co-director of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is quoted in articles on income inequality and Houston oil booms.
Bader: Income inequality grows
Iowa State Daily
http://bit.ly/1cFJf04
Through boom and bust, ‘invisible Houston’ persists
Texas Tribune
http://bit.ly/JKUop8

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Engineering school curricula evolves
To keep pace with the more diverse job of today’s engineers, area universities are tweaking engineering curricula to make sure grads have the skills to make an immediate contribution once they’re ready for their first real-world jobs. Edwin “Ned” Thomas, the William and Stephanie Sick Dean of the George R. Brown School of Engineering, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1dr7WPN

Remarkable documentary on James Baker III draws giant names to Houston
About 250 people joined former Secretary of State James A. Baker III for a private preview at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy of the documentary “James Baker: The Man Who Made Washington Work.”
Culture Map
http://bit.ly/1chcFH6

Business students compete at UH Sugar Land conference, hear from marketing expert
Christine Hollinden, who teaches social media for business at Rice’s Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies, spoke at the University of Houston’s Fall Bachelor of Business Administration Conference.
Fort Bend News
http://bit.ly/1et7be2

BROADCAST

St. Luke’s and Baylor Medical School edge closer to partnership
The Federal Trade Commission has cleared the way for Baylor College of Medicine to partner with St. Luke’s Hospital. 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.
KUHF-FM
http://bit.ly/1kpZ6ag

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Higher ethanol blends create health, safety risks, says Big Oil-funded study
A Rice study finds that spills of fuel with more ethanol could endanger people and buildings. Pedro Alvarez, the George R. Brown Professor and chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is quoted.
Auto Blog Green
http://aol.it/1cWiQPp

American’s Cornelius Kerwin among highest-paid college execs
Rice President David Leebron is mentioned in an article on the compensation of university administrators.
Citybizlist
http://bit.ly/1hranoo

Archinect’s top 13 Schools for ’13
Rice is listed as one of Archinect’s top 13 schools for 2013.
Archinect
http://bit.ly/JKQYD3

Research overview: Graphene for oil exploration
James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Chair in Chemistry and professor of mechanical engineering and materials science and of computer science, is quoted in an article about the use of graphene in oil exploration.
Science World Report
http://bit.ly/1bV5CkI

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

The 100 greatest college traditions
Rice is mentioned in an article on the greatest college traditions.
Campus Grotto
http://bit.ly/1fJzvWI

SPORTS

Wade’s long road to marathon win
Alumna Becky Wade ’12 won the California International Marathon in Sacramento Dec. 8, becoming the fifth-fastest female American marathoner of 2013.
ESPN
http://es.pn/1jplP8l

Luke Willson becoming valued contributor for Seahawks
Alumnus Luke Willson ’12 is profiled for his career with the Seattle Seahawks.
Houston Chronicle (This Associated Press article also appeared on KEPR-TV, KLEW-TV, KIMA-TV and more than 25 other publications.)
http://bit.ly/1cFRNUX
Seahawks rookie Luke Willson is learning from Zach Miller
The News Tribune (This article also appeared in the Bellingham Herald.)
http://bit.ly/19XBdiD
Seahawks: Willson emerging as top tight end prospect
Katsip Sun
http://bit.ly/1cFHS1G
Seahawks’ Willson makes most of NFL opportunity
The Spokesman Review
http://bit.ly/1hr6qjp

Preparations are underway for the Rice-Mississippi State Liberty Bowl Dec. 31.
WTVA-TV (Columbus, Miss.)
http://tinyurl.com/mxjw6x5
WABG-TV (Greenville, Miss.)
http://tinyurl.com/mrqextu
WXVT-TV (Greenville, Miss.)
http://tinyurl.com/po4bvto
Liberty Bowl could turn into a road game or Rice
Examiner
http://exm.nr/19XRmVh

Military Bowl 2013 UMD vs. Marshall
Rice’s victory over Marshall to clinch the Conference USA Championship is mentioned.
On Tap Online
http://bit.ly/19hegN1