Dateline Rice for March 27, 2015

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Soft nanotube fibers may improve brain electrodes
Microscopic carbon nanotube fibers invented at Rice University may provide the best way to communicate directly with the brain. The research could enable new strategies for treating neurological disorders like Parkinson’s. Matteo Pasquali, professor and chair of chemistry and professor of chemical and bimolecular engineering, and Caleb Kemere, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, are quoted.
Futurity
http://bit.ly/19pILRc
Technology designed for aerospace could improve Parkinson’s therapy
Engadget (This article also appeared in Netkafa.com, Gadgets Addict and Aivanet.)
http://engt.co/1EIJgOT
Carbon nanotube brain implants could enhance Parkinson’s treatments
The Science Times
http://bit.ly/19Ypjw7
Biocompatible carbon nanotube fibers may enable best way to communicate with the brain
AZoNano (This article also appeared in Terra Daily, Space Daily, Tech Investor News and Hardware.info.)
http://bit.ly/1D6x4g5

A Texas take on Ted Cruz’s presidential bid
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, authored an op-ed about the difference between Sen. Ted Cruz’s 2012 Senate and 2016 presidential campaigns. Jones is also mentioned in a discussion on the diversity of political voices in Texas.
The Hill
http://bit.ly/1HVYm6C
KUT 90.5
http://bit.ly/1FS91Cb

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Rich and poor beginning to integrate in Houston
The Center for Houston’s Future released a new report that found increased integration among Houston’s rich and poor in recent years. Stephen Klineberg, professor of sociology and founding director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is quoted. Klineberg is also mentioned as a past honoree of Young Audiences Houston and will speak at the Asia Society about Chinese and Mexican-American immigrants in America.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1CsZgYs
Authors and Asia: (Re)Imagining America
AsiaSociety.org
http://bit.ly/1FSeQiV
Young Audience of Houston will honor the Boeing Company, Dr. William Cohn in May
Broadway World
http://bit.ly/19YRPxz

Great weather for a bike ride, run or walk
Rice is hosting the Flying Owls 5K April 12.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1F1laSh

UT-Austin picks from inside for president
The University of Texas System Board of Regents named UT-Austin’s provost, Gregory Fenves, as the replacement for President Bill Powers. Rice is included in a slideshow of local graduate school rankings.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1H6hApT

Dallas has another cool thing that Houston doesn’t
Rice is included in a slideshow comparing Houston and Dallas.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/194AKBl

Massimino: Europe’s anti-Semitism can be ignored no more
Milton Boniuk, benefactor to Rice’s Boniuk Institute for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance, is quoted in an op-ed about Europe’s rising anti-Semitism and how it affects America as its ally.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1F0WBoy

Electricity industry resists legislation limiting fees
Rep. Sylvester Turner is pictured speaking at the 2013 Youth Leadership Forum at Rice. Turner introduced a bill that would prohibit electric providers from charging minimum use fees.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/19ZdwO5

Census shows steady growth
Houston is at the forefront of population growth in the nation. Steve Murdock, the Allyn and Gladys Cline Professor of Sociology and director of Rice’s Hobby Center for the Study of Texas, is quoted.
DentonRC.com
http://bit.ly/1yiHQZn
Dallas y Houston, las áreas de mayor crecimiento en EU
AldiaTX.com (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1BtOwUF
How green is your theater?
Alumnus Ian Garrett ’04 spoke at Rice about “Arts, the Environment and Sustainability in the Near Future.”
Houstonia
http://bit.ly/1GxjphM

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

‘Robogerms’ spawned by combo of graphene and bacterial spores
The size of graphene quantum dots made from coal can be finely tuned in a single step for electronic and fluorescent properties, according to scientists at Rice. James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering, is mentioned.
IEEE Spectrum
http://bit.ly/19pzx7l
Rice fine-tunes quantum dots from coal
4-Traders
http://bit.ly/194yNVz

Homebound US crude missing out, even in this market, study finds
Lifting the 40-year-old export ban on U.S. crude oil would have far-reaching effects on pricing, energy security and energy sector investment, according to new research from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. Kenneth Medlock III, the James A. Baker III and Susan Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics and lecturer of economics, is quoted about the study.
NGI’s Shale Daily
http://bit.ly/1BtNNCZ

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Bjork’s art proves to be better in print than in person
This month the Museum of Modern Art in New York City opened the doors on a new retrospective exploring singer and artist Björk’s work and her impact on modern culture. Rice’s Timothy Morton, a philosopher and the Rita Shea Guffey Chair in English, spent the past year collaborating with Björk on “Björk: Archives,” a book and visual tribute to the enigmatic Icelander.
ArtNet.com
http://artnt.cm/1xFiPN8

Finalists selected for Baylor’s $250,000 Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching
Michelle Hebl, professor of psychology and management, is one of 3 finalists for Baylor University’s 2016 Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching. The winner of this national teaching award will be announced by Baylor in spring 2016.
Baylor.edu
http://bit.ly/1EITAqa

SPORTS

The big 2015 Rice football guide: Exciting, glitchy and pretty good (again)
Head coach David Bailiff is featured for his success as Rice’s football coach.
SBNation.com
http://bit.ly/1FZsWgN

Owls host Southern Miss in 3-game C-USA series
Rice baseball is hosting a three-game series against Southern Mississippi University this weekend at Reckling Park. Head coach Wayne Graham is mentioned.
Conference USA
http://bit.ly/1MbYlBV

Jim Nantz likes UH, and Rice too
CBS Sportscaster Jim Nantz mentions that Rice football player Robby Wells is his cousin.
My Fox Houston
http://bit.ly/1BQ43hs

NEWS RELEASES

Two Rice University students awarded Watson Fellowships
Two seniors from Rice University have been awarded a 2015 Thomas J. Watson Fellowship. This highly competitive award will provide $30,000 each to Zach Bielak and Lydia Smith for a year of international travel to do research projects after they graduate from Rice.
http://tinyurl.com/pywr9ae

Saudi Arabia’s role in global energy markets is changing, new Baker Institute paper finds
Saudi Arabia’s role in global energy markets is changing, according to a new paper from an energy expert at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. The researcher found that the kingdom is reshaping itself as a supplier of refined petroleum products while moving beyond its long-held role as a simple exporter of crude oil.
http://bit.ly/1CgQLye