Dateline Rice for Nov. 26, 2014

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Kinder Foundation: Grants for parks and gardens
Philanthropists Richard and Nancy Kinder are featured for their generous contributions to Houston and Texas, including their gift to Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research.
Inside Philanthropy
http://bit.ly/1HFYWHx

Cornell professor uses digital techniques to unlock mysteries of paintings
Don H. Johnson, the J.S. Abercrombie Professor Emeritus of Electrical and Computer Engineering and professor of statistics, collaborated with Cornell University Professor Richard Johnson to develop digital weave density maps of canvases to make it easier for scholars to study paintings.
The Washington Post
http://wapo.st/11uFbkX

HOUSTON/TEXAS

US oil interests may observe holiday with one eye on OPEC
If the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries does not curb output, crude could fall to $70 a barrel. Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (This appeared on the front page. Subscription required. This article also appeared in San Antonio Express-News.)
http://bit.ly/1vNMH8y
OPEC ponders production and prices
Voice of America
http://bit.ly/1vlGkqZ

Culture scene listings
The Jupiter String Quartet will perform at Rice’s Alice Pratt Brown Hall Dec. 2.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/15y60XQ

Recent editorials from Texas newspapers
Tony Payan, the Baker Institute’s Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies and director of the institute’s Mexico Center, is cited for his new report about the media’s hyped immigration crisis.
KRIV-TV (This article also appeared in Austin American-Statesman and 30 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/1200XNt

City changing idea? Campaign to build Houston its own perfect swimming hole picks up steam
Three social business entrepreneurs launched a Kickstarter campaign to develop a “natural and beautiful” public swimming spot in Houston. Rice’s Shell Center for Sustainability is mentioned as a supporter of the project.
CultureMap Houston
http://bit.ly/1vNPPBj

This week in Houston’s buzz: Gathering of friends and vital voices: Global partnership
Rabbi Samuel F. Karff of Congregation Beth Israel, former lecturer, received a Caring Heart Award from the Institute for Spirituality and Health.
Houston Forward Times
http://bit.ly/1rtYi5E

Vaughan Williams, Ives and Mozart: A perfect triptych for the DCS
Alumna Chloé Trevor ’11 performed the violin solo for “The Lark Ascending” with the Dallas Chamber Symphony.
D Magazine (This article also appeared in eWallstreeter.)
http://bit.ly/1FrRqvI

BROADCAST

Houston Newsmakers Nov. 16: Hispanic growth in SE Texas
Stephen Klineberg, professor of sociology and founding director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, discusses his research on Houston’s projected growth on “Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall.”
KPRC-TV
http://bit.ly/1rcFopl

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Cell’s skeleton is never still
Computer models developed at Rice University show how microtubules age. The models help explain the dynamic instability seen in microtubules, essential elements in cells’ cytoskeletons. Anatoly Kolomeisky, professor of chemistry and of chemical and biomolecular engineering, is quoted. Postdoctoral researcher Xin Li is mentioned.
Super Computing Online
http://bit.ly/1rk9SWw

Ghitis: Huge Nicaragua canal a win for China?
The plan to build a giant transoceanic canal across Nicaragua is set to move forward despite skepticism. Pedro Alvarez, the George R. Brown Professor and chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is quoted about his worry that the canal will never be completed and the potential damage to Lake Nicaragua.
Hellenic Shipping News
http://bit.ly/15xPNC2

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Middle Easterners crossing border from Mexico? It’s rare
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, and Tony Payan, the Baker Institute’s Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies and director of the institute’s Mexico Center, comment on Jordanian businessman Khaled Mehyar’s claim that he entered the U.S. illegally to escape the Islamic State.
A Breaking News
http://bit.ly/1uHFEae

Oxane Materials to close Van Buren plant, estimated 70 jobs lost
Houston-based Oxane Materials plan to close their Van Buren proppant manufacturing facility in 2015. Rice developed the patented nanotechnology process used to produce ceramic proppants at the facility.
The City Wire (This article also appeared in the Arkansas News Bureau.)
http://bit.ly/15xymS2

Graphene/nanotube hybrid benefits flexible solar cells
Rice scientists created a graphene/nanotube cathode that may make cheap, flexible dye-sensitized solar cells more practical. Jun Lou, associate professor of mechanical engineering and materials science, and postdoctoral researcher Pei Dong are quoted. Alumnus Yu Zhu ’12, postdoctoral researcher Jingjie Wu and graduate students Jing Zhang and Sidong Lei are mentioned.
Next Big Future (This article also appeared in IConnect007.)
http://bit.ly/1zuIynf

‘Day Group’ brings new strategies and hope to tackling chemotherapy
Alumna Emily Day ’11 is featured for her research on cancer cell destruction.
The Review
http://bit.ly/1vlDMZS

Moses and the American Constitution
An op-ed discusses the Texas State Board of Education’s textbook adoptions. Caleb McDaniel, assistant professor of history, is quoted.
Slate
http://slate.me/1pnsRy9

SPORTS

Rice football will play against Louisiana Tech University Nov. 29 at Joe Aillet Stadium in Louisiana. Head football coach David Bailiff is mentioned.
Louisiana Tech coach: ‘You do not forget’ 2013 blowout to Rice
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1yXoaLl

William and Mary’s Tarpey stuffing stat sheet
Rice men’s basketball fell to the College of William & Mary 69-65 at Tudor Fieldhouse.
The Virginia Gazette
http://bit.ly/1ttllNF

Northumberland High School’s Jack Jett commits to Old Dominion University in Norfolk
Rice is mentioned as Conference USA competitor.
Northern Neck News
http://bit.ly/1vlxsS8

Bring Brock Holt home to Texas
Alumnus Brock Holt ’12 is featured.
Fansided
http://bit.ly/1rjyxua

NEWS RELEASE

Rice experts available to comment on EPA’s new ozone standards and the effects on health
Today the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is proposing lowering the standard for ozone in the air people breathe from 75 parts per billion (ppb) to a range of 65-70 ppb and is opening public comment to consider dropping it further to 60 ppb.
http://bit.ly/1ycdzgi