Dateline Rice for Jan. 26, 2016

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

National universities where students are eager to enroll
U.S. News & World Report compares the percentages of accepted students who are enrolled by research-oriented national universities. For fall 2014, Rice enrolled 35.5 percent of accepted students.
U.S. News & World Report
http://bit.ly/1ZQq2Sm

Can’t find a new job? Race matters when it comes to job leads
The racial composition of a labor market plays a significant role in whether workers find out about job leads — regardless of the race of the worker, according to new research from Rice University and North Carolina State. James Elliott, associate professor of sociology, is quoted.
MSN Money (This broadcast was also featured in 12 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/1KCjm3b

Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders battle for party’s future
Douglas Brinkley, professor of history, is quoted about the challenges Hillary Clinton is facing in her presidential campaign.
MSN News
http://bit.ly/1lLAixN

What it’s like to cross the Mexican-American border, every day
Tony Payan, the Baker Institute for Public Policy’s Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies and director of the institute’s Mexico Center, is quoted about the difficulties of living on the U.S.-Mexico border.
MSN News (This article also appeared in MSN UK and City Lab.)
http://bit.ly/1JBBaAI

The 30 most selective colleges in America
With an acceptance rate of 15.1 percent, Rice is ranked No. 29 among the most selective colleges in America based on data from the National Center for Education Statistics.
MSN Money
http://bit.ly/1NxZi26

US university to offer postdoctoral fellowship in Jain studies
Rice University representatives and leaders of the local Jain community signed a memorandum of understanding Jan. 17 to mark the community’s gift of $80,000 to support a new postdoctoral fellowship at Rice. The fellowship will help deepen the global understanding of Jainism as a religion and culture and will contribute to the Transnational Asia Research Initiative at Rice’s Chao Center for Asian Studies.
NDTV (This article also appeared in News Nation and the Siasat Daily.)
http://bit.ly/1KCzv8N

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Presidential race has Texans considering what it means to be Republican
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor of political science and fellow in political science at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, discusses his predications for primary voter turnout and Sen. Ted Cruz’s and Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaigns.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front of the Jan. 26 print edition with a different headline, “Tight race has Texans reassessing Republicanism.”)
http://bit.ly/1PPy0pH
State conservatives reassessing Republican Party
San Antonio Express-News
http://bit.ly/1nlm0VL
Perry backs Cruz for president
KTSA
http://bit.ly/201u67K
WOAI-AM
http://bit.ly/1Pi2wwb (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast. This broadcast also aired on KTSA.)
WOAI-AM
http://bit.ly/1ZQlTxR (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.)
They say I could ‘shoot somebody’ and still have support
Ecommerce-Journal (A similar article was featured in Pasion Noticias.)
http://bit.ly/1NxPvZD

In a self-driving Tesla, cruising down Westheimer
Raj Mankad, editor of the Rice Design Alliance’s Cite Magazine, authored an op-ed discussing the impact self-driving cars may have on Houston.
Houston Chronicle (This appeared in the Chronicle’s “Gray Matters” online magazine. Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1JBDUxV

Then and now: Capitan Theater
A photo from the Rice Design Alliance of the former Magic Island building taken by Paul Hester, lecturer of visual and dramatic arts, is included in a slideshow.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1Pi1WP3
http://bit.ly/1QzbLsT

Rice University tops list of best in the country
Rice is No. 5 on Niche’s list of the best colleges in the U.S. The list is based on academics, cost, student surveys, diversity, student life and safety, among other criteria, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Hispanic Houston
http://bit.ly/20qS49l

Poem: Andrea Sanderson’s ‘A Reason To Be Angry’
Poet Andrea Sanderson has performed at Rice in the past.
Texas Observer
http://bit.ly/1nw2ab8

BROADCAST

2 central Texas finalists announced in Rather Prize competition
The finalists for the Rather Prize, which will be awarded for the best idea to innovate Texas education, were announced Jan. 25 in Austin. Lovett College sophomore Martin Rather is quoted.
KVUE
http://bit.ly/1OVEROz

Rice University student sexually assaulted by fellow Rice student
The Rice University Police Department investigated the sexual assault of a female student at a private party on campus. Rice Chief of Police Johnny Whitehead, Jones College senior Matt Roorda and Wiess College junior Kendahl Walz are quoted.
Fox 26
http://bit.ly/1lOdAoJ

WABC-AM
A radio host discusses his son’s early acceptance to Rice.
http://bit.ly/20qOonR (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.)

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Open-source laser fabrication lowers costs for cancer research
In a move that slashes 90 percent of the cost of mass-producing metastatic microtumors and therapeutic microtissues for screening and research, Rice University bioengineers have adapted techniques from the open-source “maker” movement to reprogram a commercial laser cutter to etch up to 50,000 tiny “microwells” per hour into sheets of silicone. Jordan Miller, assistant professor of bioengineering, and graduate student Jacob Albritton are quoted.
PhysOrg (Similar articles were featured in Science Codex and eCancer.)
http://bit.ly/1OMDK5I
Engineers reprogram commercial laser instrument using open-source techniques, cutting down costs of cancer research
Scicasts
http://bit.ly/1nw3tXx

Graphene composite may keep wings ice-free
A composite of graphene nanoribbons and epoxy proves effective at de-icing a helicopter blade in an experiment at Rice University. The new material may be suitable for keeping aircraft, wind turbines and transmission lines free of ice. James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering, is quoted. Will Rice College sophomore Tanvi Varadhachary, postdoctoral researchers Jian Lin and Yongsung Ji, graduate students Tuo Wang and Abdul-Rahman Raji and alumnus Kewang Nan ’14 are mentioned in the Vertical Mag, Nanotechnology Now and Controlled Environments articles.
PhysOrg (Similar articles were featured in 15 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/1Tkizv7
New graphene coating can de-ice surfaces in extreme winter
Business Standard
http://bit.ly/1PyZfnT
Graphene could help keep planes flying in freezing conditions: ‘Ribbons’ of hi-tech material can keep wings ice-free
The Daily Mail (A similar article was featured in News Grio.)
http://dailym.ai/1PyZorB
Graphene nanoribbons effective at melting ice
Net News Ledger
http://bit.ly/20qDMp2
Grafen ersätter flygplatsens avisning
NyTeknik (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1OMIQPp
Displaytechnik: Reversible Farbänderung mithilfe metallischer Nanopartikel
Elektronik Informationen (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1PPMRAl

Scientists use microwave to help clean carbon nanotubes
Researchers use a household microwave oven to enhance the purification of carbon nanotubes. The work could help in the preparation of nanotubes for drug delivery or photovoltaic applications. Andrew Barron, the Charles W. Duncan Jr.-Welch Professor of Chemistry and a professor of materials science and nanoengineering, is quoted. Robert Hauge, distinguished faculty fellow in chemistry and in materials science and nanoengineering, and Wade Adams, senior faculty fellow in materials science and nanoengineering, are mentioned.
AZO Nano
http://bit.ly/1RJkFFh
Microwaved nanotubes come clean
Fresh Ghana
http://bit.ly/1nwafMT
Microwaved nanotubes come up clean
IConnect007 (This article was also featured in Lab Manager.)
http://bit.ly/1TlJerm

Graphene oxide ‘paper’ changes with strain
Rice scientists have found that the same slip-and-stick mechanism that leads to earthquakes is at work on the molecular level, where it determines the shear plasticity of nanoscale materials. Postdoctoral researcher Chandra Sekhar Tiwary is quoted. Pulickel Ajayan, the Benjamin M. and Mary Greenwood Anderson Professor in Materials Science and NanoEngineering and of chemistry, is also mentioned.
Space Daily
http://bit.ly/1nNaCT1

Self-adaptive material heals itself, stays tough
Rice scientists have invented an adaptive material that heals itself and bounces back from extraordinary compression. The material may be useful for tissue engineering or lightweight structural applications. Postdoctoral researcher Pei Dong; Jun Lou, associate professor of materials science and nanoengineering; and Pulickel Ajayan, the Benjamin M. and Mary Greenwood Anderson Professor in Materials Science and NanoEngineering and of chemistry, are quoted. Also mentioned are postdoctoral researchers Bo Li, Yingchao Yang, Hua Guo, Liehui Ge and Liang Hong; graduate student Sidong Lei; undergraduate students Bilan Yang and Qizhong Wang; alumnus Phillip Loya ’14; Emilie Ringe, assistant professor of materials science and nanoengineering and of chemistry; Robert Vajtai, senior faculty fellow in materials science and nanoengineering; and Ming Tang, assistant professor of materials science and nanoengineering.
Paint and Coatings Industry
http://bit.ly/1VofrwB

Converted milk proteins clean pollution, strike gold
Tenacious proteins similar to those implicated in Alzheimer’s disease could help purify polluted water. Qilin Li, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering and of materials science and nanoengineering, is quoted.
Science News
http://bit.ly/1nKTuNI
Researchers find converted milk proteins can remove lead from water
Water Technology
http://bit.ly/1KCd6II

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

OpenStax already saved students $39M this academic year
Free textbooks from Rice University-based publisher OpenStax are now in use at one-in-five degree-granting U.S. colleges and universities and have already saved college students $39 million in the 2015-16 academic year. Richard Baraniuk, the Victor E. Cameron Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is quoted.
University Business
http://bit.ly/1WMLc42

Ironically, government planners don’t have plans for autonomous vehicles
Ryan Holeywell, senior editor at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, authored an op-ed discussing the failure of metropolitan planning organizations to plan for autonomous vehicles.
GovTech
http://bit.ly/1JBAc7E

Donald Trump gets a programming language, doesn’t follow logic
Duncan College juniors Sam Shadwell and Chris Brown are mentioned in an article about the programming language “TrumpScript” they created during HackRice. Jones College senior Cannon Lewis is also mentioned in the Bladen Journal article.
Tweak Town
http://bit.ly/1QoogFw
Coders create script language based on Trump
Bladen Journal (Editor’s note: The article misidentifies Dan Korn as a Rice student.)
http://bit.ly/1PAuGV1
Estudantes criam linguagem de programação inspirada em Trump
Canal Superior (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1OVJGXS
Fast Forward: Zend-service manager 3.0.2, Web Speech API in Firefox and ‘TrumpScript’
Entwickler.de (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1NxZYo9

Houston Symphony announces 2016-17 season
The Houston Symphony announced there are two “Musically Speaking” series planned for this season at Rice’s Stude Concert Hall, and the 41st annual Ima Hogg Competition semifinals and finals will be held at the Shepherd School of Music.
Broadway World
http://bit.ly/1S8GLl4

Texas Wesleyan says no to concealed handguns on campus
Texas Wesleyan University opted out of the Texas “campus carry” law Jan. 22. Rice is mentioned for also opting out of the law.
Indiana Statesman (This article was also featured in Security Info Watch.)
http://bit.ly/1VlHmxl

Academy for Healthcare Infrastructure formed to advance health care construction
Joe Powell, executive director of the Rice University Building Institute, will oversee a select group of health care facility professionals who are researching how hospital infrastructure can serve patients and staff better.
Healthcare Facilities Management
http://bit.ly/23qUxD9

Bulletin Board: Robotics in the news
Rebecca Liu was awarded a full four-year academic scholarship to Rice through the QuestBridge program.
West News Magazine
http://bit.ly/1PPMx4I

‘Koç Holding yeni yönetim kurulu başkanı kim olacak?’ Tahminler sürüyor
Alumnus Ali Koc ’90 is expected to take over Koc Holding after the death of his brother.
Mynet Finans (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1UoyYwN

SPORTS

County to consider under-the-Dome options
A slideshow mentions Rice for hosting the Houston Oilers during their first four years as an AFL-NFL football team.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/23qQIha

Alumni Corner: A weekly review of local athletes in college
Sid Richardson College junior Andrew Drone is highlighted for playing on the Rice men’s basketball team.
Daily Register
http://bit.ly/1Pz5MyY

Commentary: Women’s basketball picking up steam under Hughey
The University of Houston women’s basketball team is showing improvement after their 6-24 season last year. Rice is mentioned.
The Daily Cougar
http://bit.ly/1Pz1XKb

Marshall women’s basketball team downs Old Dominion in snow-delayed game
A photo from the 2016 Rice-Marshall University women’s basketball game is included.
The Parthenon
http://bit.ly/1PPA7JV

Baseball America ranks UL No. 13 in preseason poll
A photo from the 2015 Rice-University of Louisiana at Lafayette game in the NCAA Baseball Regional Final is included.
KLFY News (This article also appeared on the Daily World and the Advertiser.)
http://bit.ly/1lLuh4l

San Jacinto College to honor MLB players, baseball standouts at Legends ceremony
Former assistant baseball coach Chris Rupp will be honored at the San Jacinto College Legends ceremony Feb. 5.
Deer Park Broadcaster (This article was also featured in the Pasadena Citizen.)
http://bit.ly/1UoA8IQ

A conversation with Miami Marlins prospect Stone Garrett
Stone Garrett had committed to play baseball at Rice, until the Miami Marlins drafted him straight out of high school.
Baseball Essential
http://bit.ly/1nKU9yS

NEWS RELEASES

Open-source laser fabrication lowers costs for cancer research
In a move that slashes 90 percent of the cost of mass-producing metastatic microtumors and therapeutic microtissues for screening and research, Rice University bioengineers have adapted techniques from the open-source “maker” movement to reprogram a commercial laser cutter to etch up to 50,000 tiny “microwells” per hour into sheets of silicone.
http://news.rice.edu/?p=86213

Feds back new heart patch for infants
Bioengineers at Rice University and Texas Children’s Hospital have won a National Institutes of Health grant to develop a new generation of patches to repair the damaged hearts of infants.
http://news.rice.edu/?p=86285