Dateline Rice for Dec. 17, 2014

FEATURED ITEM

8 scientists who are changing the world
Yahoo’s feature on eight scientists who are changing the world includes James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering.
Yahoo! UK & Ireland
http://yhoo.it/1AFc7mA

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

How to return to the moon part 4: Selling it to the public
John F. Kennedy’s speech given at Rice in 1962 is mentioned.
Examiner.com
http://exm.nr/1J2JTbs

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Jewish community on move in Houston
Houston’s job market and suburbs are attracting the Jewish community. A Rice study totaling the number of Jews living in Greater Houston is cited.
Houston Chronicle (This appeared on the front page. Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1wYXopi

Casi 2.5 millones de personas se han inscrito en Obamacare
The second registration period for the Affordable Care Act will pay more attention to Texas Latinos, since they were the least covered by the end of the first year of implementation. Elena Marks, scholar in health policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
La Voz de Houston (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1wFvOeT

Rice University looking for a director for its new big art center
Rice is seeking a director for the Moody Center for the Arts, its new multi-use art space, which is set to open in early 2016.
Glasstire
http://bit.ly/1sA3IMZ

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Big-data analysis reveals gene sharing in mice
Rice researchers have detected at least three potential hybridization events that likely shaped the evolutionary paths of “old world” mice, two in recent times and one in the ancient past. Michael Kohn, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, and Luay Nakhleh, associate professor of computer science and assistant professor of biochemistry and cell biology, are quoted.
Phys.org (This article also appeared in Science Codex, Science Daily, ScienceNewsline and e! Science News.)
http://bit.ly/1yYgBmg

Uptake of quantum dot nanoparticles traced from water to plant roots, leaves and caterpillars
In one of the most comprehensive studies of its kind, Rice University scientists tracked uptake and accumulation of quantum dot nanoparticles from water to plant roots, plant leaves and leaf-eating caterpillars. The research is available online in Environmental Science Technology. Janet Braam, professor and chair of biochemistry and cell biology; postdoctoral researcher Yeonjong Koo; and Pedro Alvarez, the George R. Brown Professor and chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, are quoted.
AZoNano (This article also appeared in Science Daily, Press-news.org, Phys.org, e! Science News, Science Codex, Science Newsline, Science Daily and Nanotechnology Now.)
http://bit.ly/1sF3mu1

3-D maps find loops in human genome
In a triumph for cell biology, researchers have assembled the first high-resolution, 3-D maps of entire folded genomes and found a structural basis for gene regulation — a kind of “genomic origami” that allows the same genome to produce different types of cells. Erez Lieberman Aiden, adjunct assistant professor in computational and applied mathematics and in computer science, is quoted.
BioScholar
http://bit.ly/1xritZ8

Laser-induced graphene created
Researchers at Rice University have created flexible, patterned sheets of multilayer graphene from a cheap polymer by burning it with a computer-controlled laser.
Overclockers Club
http://bit.ly/1BY9KfT

NFL players travel abroad for unapproved stem cell therapies, according to Rice University paper
Some National Football League players have been seeking out unproven stem cell therapies to help accelerate recoveries from injuries, according to a new paper from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. While most players seem to receive treatment within the United States, several have traveled abroad for therapies unavailable domestically and may be unaware of the risks involved, the paper found. Kirstin Matthews, an adjunct lecturer of sociology and a fellow in science and technology policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
BioNews-TX
http://bit.ly/1AFrYBD

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Lab researchers awarded time on top computers to advance science
Researchers Todd Gamblin and Bronis de Supinkski were awarded 800 million core hours on three of America’s fastest computers dedicated to open science by the Department of Energy’s Innovative and Novel Computational Impact on Theory and Experiment program. Rice researchers are part of their investigative team.
Patch.com
http://aol.it/1AbI3Rj

The 100 greatest college traditions
Rice’s Beer Bike relay race is included in a list of the best college traditions.
Campus Grotto
http://bit.ly/1AoWQq7

Navigant appoints Ed Keller as chief marketing officer
Alumnus Ed Keller ’83 was announced as chief marketing officer at Navigant.
Navigant (This article also appeared in Education Technology, TMCnet, MoneyShow.com, Townhall, Industrialinfo.com, MinyanVille, BioSpace.com and 4-Traders.)
http://bit.ly/1AbUm00

SPORTS

School House Mania returns to Tudor Fieldhouse
Rice men’s basketball will host the second annual School House Mania Dec. 18 at Tudor Fieldhouse.
Conference USA
http://bit.ly/1sF4Gx8

UH makes it official, names new head football coach
University of Houston announced Tom Herman, former Rice Owls offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, as its new head football coach.
Houston Business Journal
http://bit.ly/13bJYbN
Herman confirmed as new Houston head coach
The Cougar
http://bit.ly/1wFuit2

NEWS RELEASES

Baker Institute ‘Viewpoints’ series explores current emphasis on treatment in drug policy
Five leading experts on drug policy reform are sharing their perspectives on whether the current emphasis on treatment in drug policy is a short-term trend or is here to stay in a new “Viewpoints” blog series this week from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
http://bit.ly/1AFX6Ry

Big-data analysis reveals gene sharing in mice
Rice researchers have detected at least three potential hybridization events that likely shaped the evolutionary paths of “old world” mice, two in recent times and one in the ancient past.
http://bit.ly/1GsGyjy