Dateline Rice for Jan. 5, 2017

FEATURED ITEM

Academic science isn’t friendly to fathers, either
Elaine Howard Ecklund, the Herbert S. Autrey Chair and Professor of Sociology and director of the Religion and Public Life Program, authored an article about the family friendliness of academic science.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
http://bit.ly/2ieZegq

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Rice University probes ways to turn cement’s weakness to strength
Concrete isn’t thought of as a plastic, but plasticity at small scales boosts concrete’s utility as the world’s most-used material by letting it constantly adjust to stress, decades and sometimes even centuries after hardening. Rice researchers are a step closer to understanding why. Rouzbeh Shahsavari, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, is quoted, and graduate student Ning Zhang is mentioned.
National Science Foundation
http://bit.ly/2hV6ahZ
Concrete Defects Could Become Strengths
Scientific American
http://bit.ly/2hWuRxM
Defects explain why Roman concrete was so tough
Futurity Today (This appeared in the Jan. 4 edition.)
http://bit.ly/2hV4ZE0
Ways to turn cement’s weakness to strength
Chem Europe
http://bit.ly/2jejaV0
Rice U probes ways to turn cement’s weakness to strength
Product Design & Development
http://bit.ly/2if6NUg
Rice University researchers 1 step closer to developing stronger, tougher concrete
AZO Build
http://bit.ly/2jeuNLC

Could tiny chimneys vent heat from nano-electronics?
A few nanoscale adjustments may be all that is required to make graphene-nanotube junctions excel at transferring heat, according to Rice scientists. Boris Yakobson, the Karl F. Hasselmann Professor of Materials Science and NanoEngineering and professor of chemistry, and postdoctoral research associate Alex Kutana are quoted and graduate student Ziang Zhang is mentioned.
Futurity (This article appeared in the Jan. 5 issue of Futurity Today.)
http://bit.ly/2ifiGtq
Nano-chimneys can cool circuits
R&D (Similar articles appeared in 10 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/2hWiCBg

Obama’s energy legacy in the west could outlast the Trump administration
Douglas Brinkley, professor of history, discusses President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump.
Wired
http://bit.ly/2iM11Ny
‘Connect the World’
CNNI
http://bit.ly/2hQVZee
‘Quest Means Business’
CNNI
http://bit.ly/2iflrel

Rhae Adams: 30 under 30 — manufacturing and industry
Alumnus Rhae Adams ’12 is on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in Manufacturing and Industry list.
Forbes
http://bit.ly/2jeAFo8

What does the Trump administration mean for Power Africa?
Todd Moss, nonresident scholar at the Center for Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, authored an op-ed about Power Africa, President Barack Obama’s African electrification initiative.
Forbes
http://bit.ly/2hWiG47

69 viral images from 2016 that were totally fake
An op-ed by Caleb McDaniel, associate professor of history, about a fake Harriet Tubman quote is mentioned.
MSN UAE (This also appeared in Gizmodo UK.)
http://bit.ly/2ibK77w

Austin’s most beautiful photos of 2016
An article mentions rumors that a Rice graduate designed the Frost building in Austin, Texas.
Thrillist
http://bit.ly/2ifefPn

Videgaray es un intento desesperado por salvar el TLCAN: Tony Payán
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.
Newsweek en Espanol (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2hWm3rD
No es Trump, o Ford: es el modelo de México el que hace crisis, dicen académicos aquí y en el exterior
Sin Embargo (An English translation is not available. This also appeared in Yancuic.)
http://bit.ly/2jeC4uH

Mysterious brightening of hundreds of newly found stars could signal the birth of entire solar systems 
An article features a photo of a forming star taken by Rice astronomers.
Daily Mail
http://dailym.ai/2ifne3e

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Environmentalists skeptical of Ike Dike
Plans for building a massive storm-surge protection system for the Houston area are rushing ahead before officials determine whether the project could harm Galveston Bay, environmental groups say. Rice’s Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disasters Center and Rice’s Shell Center for Sustainability are mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2hUZz7h

The BBC visits Houston and dives into our complex diversity
An article discusses a BBC broadcast which features Stephen Klineberg, founding director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research and a professor of sociology, discussing the results of the Houston Area Survey.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2j7YCJQ
http://bit.ly/2hUWNP6
Talkative group
The Buzz Magazines
http://bit.ly/2iQD6Kb

California congressman reportedly spent $600 in campaign funds to fly the family rabbit
Rice is tied for No. 21 on a list of colleges that produce the most active members of Congress. Rep. Jim Bridenstine ’97, R-Okla.; Rep. John Kline ’69, R-Minn.; and Rep. Pete Olson ’85, R-Texas, are mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (This also appeared in SF Gate.)
http://bit.ly/2j80NNg

Chronicle critics offer entertainment suggestions
An article notes that a piano performance that will take place at James Turrell’s Skyspace at Live Oak Friends Meeting House, not the skyspace at Rice.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This also appeared in LMT Online.)
http://bit.ly/2j8eFal
http://bit.ly/2iFlpPV

Here are the top 9 things to do in Houston this weekend
The American Institute of Architects Houston chapter will host a tour of Rice Jan. 7.
CultureMap Houston
http://bit.ly/2iTMoFg

GOP legislators take aim at church-state separation
David Brockman, nonresident scholar at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy’s Religion and Public Policy Program, authored an op-ed about the separation of church and state.
Texas Observer
http://bit.ly/2iTSK7B

The local’s guide to Super Bowl Houston
An article mentions that Super Bowl VIII was hosted at Rice Stadium. The Houstonia, Cool Hunting and Art Intern articles mention James Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace on the Suzanne Deal Booth Centennial Pavilion on the Rice campus.
Houstonia (This appeared in the Jan. 2017 issue of Houstonia.)
http://bit.ly/2hTSw1M
Sensory overload: how immersive art took top billing at music festivals
Art Intern
http://bit.ly/2hRJJKu
Best of CH 2016: Instagram
Cool Hunting
http://bit.ly/2ibRmwi
Houston’s Super Bowl history
KHOU
http://bit.ly/2iM9j8d
http://bit.ly/2iFpRy9
http://bit.ly/2hV8gD9
WMAZ
http://bit.ly/2iFfH0o
http://bit.ly/2iI3dDs
KYTX
http://bit.ly/2jeuFvD

Check out the top 15 Houston events happening in January 2017
Urban Harvest’s 17th Annual Fruit Tree Sale will take place at Rice Jan. 14.
365 Things to Do in Houston
http://bit.ly/2hRtD3A
Urban Harvest
KHOU
http://bit.ly/2hVdSNW

Rising piano virtuoso Behzod Abduraimov performs Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto in Houston Symphony debut
Alumnus James Gaffigan ’03 is mentioned.
The Katy News
http://bit.ly/2iF1QFl

‘From Meaning to Desire’ by Douglas Uzzell
An article mentions that Douglas Uzzell taught at Rice.
The Katy News
http://bit.ly/2iI8tHe

El Paso students earn full rides to top colleges
A student who hopes to attend Rice is mentioned.
El Paso Times
http://bit.ly/2iBElPK

Will gas prices rise in Valley?
Miriam Grunstein, contributing expert and scholar in the Mexico Center at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about gas prices.
The Brownsville Herald (This also appeared in Valley Morning Star.)
http://bit.ly/2jejaV0

BROADCAST

‘The Beijing Hour’
Richard Stoll, the Albert Thomas Chair in Political Science and scholar at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, discusses President-elect Donald Trump and Congress.
EZFM
http://bit.ly/2j7ZaPP

Cruz introduces term limits constitutional amendment
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor of political science, fellow in political science at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and fellow at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is quoted about congressional term limits.
WOAI
http://bit.ly/2hV4Al7
http://bit.ly/2ifbHk9

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Rice University plans new music and opera facility
Rice’s Shepherd School of Music plans to break ground on a new music and opera building in September 2017. Robert Yekovich, dean of the Shepherd School and the Elma Schneider Professor of Music, is quoted.
American School & University
http://bit.ly/2iHTKM9
Allen Greenberg architect to design Rice University music and performing arts hall
Contract
http://bit.ly/2hURC1G

Tiny nano-electrodes record brain’s activity without damaging it
Jacob Robinson, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, is quoted about his research on carbon nanotubes.
New Scientist
http://bit.ly/2hWxyz9

Why US universities are investing in their art museums
Rice’s new Moody Center for the Arts is a space for cross-disciplinary teaching and collaborations and a venue for exhibitions and performances. Designed by architect Michael Maltzan, the two-story center is scheduled to open to the public in February. Rice President David Leebron is quoted.
The Art Newspaper
http://bit.ly/2hUYZuP

Smashing silver microcubes toughens up materials
Scientists at Rice are smashing metallic microcubes to make them ultrastrong and tough by rearranging their nanostructures upon impact. Edwin Thomas, the William and Stephanie Sick Dean of the George R. Brown School of Engineering and professor of materials science and nanoengineering and of chemical and biomolecular engineering; postdoctoral research associate Ramathasan Thevamaran; graduate student Olawale Lawal; research scientist Sadegh Yazdi; alumni Seog-Jin Jeon and Jae-Hwang Lee are mentioned.
Advanced Manufacturing
http://bit.ly/2hUW54A

A year after the ban, US oil exports nibble at Asian market share
Ken Medlock, the James A. Baker III and Susan Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics and senior director of the Center for Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and lecturer of economics, is quoted about oil prices.
Bunker Ports News Worldwide
http://bit.ly/2hRJVcP

Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill brings a family legacy to Miami
An article mentions that architect Ricardo Bofill designed Rice’s Alice Pratt Brown Hall.
Art Daily
http://bit.ly/2ibRyf3

WIREs Computational Statistics welcomes new editors
An article mentions that Katherine Ensor, professor of statistics, has been hired as a commissioning editor for WIREs Computational Statistics.
Statistics Views
http://bit.ly/2jevxAo

Promising results using silver-releasing scaffolds in MRSA infection of bone
An article mentions that Antonios Mikos, the Louis Calder Professor of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, is a co-editor-in-chief of “Tissue Engineering.”
Scienmag
http://bit.ly/2hVm4xB

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

5 ways to avoid losing money in the new year
Alumnus Dana Blankenhorn ’77 authored an article about saving money.
Kiplinger
http://bit.ly/2iQtHSU

Business in brief (Dec. 26)
An article mentions that Javier Rojo taught at Rice.
Register Guard
http://bit.ly/2iQGUuM

The power of thinking big: IBM Research’s ‘5 in 5’
IBM Research and Rice University have collaborated to create the prototype IBM Multi-Purpose Eldercare Robot Assistant, a first-of-its-kind Watson-enabled application designed to aid the elderly and assist caregivers.
IBM Think Blog
http://ibm.co/2iI2MsN

How to make sure a Q&A with a scientist doesn’t misrepresent science
Postdoctoral research associate Lauren Simkins is quoted about interviewing of scientists.
Climate Feedback
http://bit.ly/2iFiKpk

Omnichannel shoppers more valuable, loyal
Utpal Dholakia, the George R. Brown Professor of Marketing at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business and a marketing and consumer behavior expert, a co-authored an article about omnichannel retailing.
Which-50
http://bit.ly/2hUVxR5

‘Mad Foxes’ visit ROTC in Texas
Rice’s ROTC program is mentioned.
Jax Air News
http://bit.ly/2iTYfmI

People and places to watch in 2017
An article mentions that Stephanie Smith worked at the Rice Art Gallery.
Richmond Magazine
http://bit.ly/2ibS90i

Scientists discover new mechanism of how brain networks form
Scientists have discovered that networks of inhibitory brain cells or neurons develop through a mechanism opposite to the one followed by excitatory networks. Andreas Tolias, adjunct assistant professor of computational and applied mathematics and of electrical and computer engineering, is mentioned.
Scienmag
http://bit.ly/2iQHoB6

Spotlight: Jamer Hunt
Alumnus Jamer Hunt ’95 is profiled.
Canadian Interiors
http://bit.ly/2iBxZzI

Checotah native to perform in Eufaula
Alumna Elizabeth Curtis ’81 is mentioned.
Muskogee Phoenix (This also appeared in The Ham.)
http://bit.ly/2j837UG

LSU chosen as Duke Talent Identification Program site
An article mentions the Duke TIP program at Rice.
The Times-Picayune
http://bit.ly/2iTPoS9
Duke TIP summer studies program extended to LSU
BR Proud
http://bit.ly/2ifeh9Q

Boone and Crockett Club introduces new president
Alumnus Ben Hollingsworth ’64 has been elected president of America’s first conservation organization, the Boone and Crockett Club.
The Outdoor Wire
http://bit.ly/2iFyk4n

SPORTS

MTSU’s Upshaw takes versatility on the road to Rice
Rice men’s basketball will play Middle Tennessee State University Jan. 5.
Daily News Journal
http://on.dnj.com/2jeu3WL
Raiders go on road to face high-scoring Owls
MT Athletics
http://bit.ly/2iHZ5TJ
Nashville sports on TV and radio: Jan. 5
The Tennessean
http://tnne.ws/2hWriHJ
Herd women’s basketball hits the road in C-USA action
BeInSports
http://bit.ly/2iMgqxl
Rice versus Middle Tennessee — Jan. 5 college basketball pick, odds and prediction
Sports Chat Place
http://bit.ly/2jeyLUw

Lady Raiders welcome Rice for C-USA home opener
Rice women’s basketball will play Middle Tennessee State University Jan. 5.
MT Athletics
http://bit.ly/2iI6Lpj

Former Buckeye and Patriot is home in Westerville
Former Rice athletes Andy Katzenmoyer, Luke Willson and Tyler Duffey are mentioned.
City Scene Columbus
http://bit.ly/2ibNOdh
LaSalle’s Willson gets set to face his former favorite team in NFL playoffs
Windsor Star
http://bit.ly/2iM3gk6
Twins enter 2017 ignoring conventional wisdom
Twins Daily
http://bit.ly/2iM5zn7

Texas A&M receiver Speedy Noil to declare for NFL draft
A slideshow includes a photo from a Rice football game.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This also appeared in LMT Online and My San Antonio.)
http://bit.ly/2iHTLji
http://bit.ly/2iLWcUs

Question of the Week: What staff hire jumps out the most?
An article mentions that Craig Naivar coached at Rice.
CBS Sports (This also appeared in 247Sports.)
http://cbsprt.co/2iM5akL

Rio Olympic medalists Lilesa, Rupp and Dibaba lead stacked fields at 2017 Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half
Alumna Becky Wade ’12 will run in the Chevron Houston Marathon.
American Track & Field Athlete (This also appeared in Running Network.)
http://bit.ly/2ifcsK3

NEWS RELEASE

Nano-chimneys can cool circuits
A few nanoscale adjustments may be all that is required to make graphene-nanotube junctions excel at transferring heat, according to Rice University scientists.
http://bit.ly/2hWsye6