Dateline Rice for July 11, 2017

FEATURED ITEM

OpenStax launches learning platform
Rice-based nonprofit OpenStax, which is already changing the economics of higher education by providing free textbooks to more than 1 million college students per year, has launched a low-cost, personalized learning system called OpenStax Tutor Beta that studies how students learn to offer them individualized homework and tutoring. Richard Baraniuk, the Victor E. Cameron Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and founder of OpenStax, and Daniel Williamson, managing director of OpenStax, are quoted.
Inside Higher Ed
http://bit.ly/2tE9Bmk

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Tiny pockets of liquid make this polymer stiffer
Materials scientists at Rice found they could increase the stiffness, or “elastic modulus,” of a soft silicon-based polymer by infusing it with tiny pockets of liquid gallium. Graduate student Peter Owuor; research scientist Chandra Sekhar Tiwary; Pulickel Ajayan, the Benjamin M. and Mary Greenwood Anderson Professor in Engineering and professor of materials science and nanoengineering, of chemistry and of chemical and biomolecular engineering and department chair of materials science and nanoengineering; and Jun Lou, professor and associate department chair of materials science and nanoengineering, are mentioned.
Futurity
http://bit.ly/2uel9hH
Nature-inspired material uses liquid reinforcement
Controlled Environments (This also appeared in Science Daily, Scienmag, Nanowerk, R&D and Chem Europe.)
http://bit.ly/2tJCWKk

Dragonflies reveal how biodiversity changes in time and space
An ecological filter in a pond, such as voracious fish that feed on dragonflies and damselflies, can help ecologists predict how biodiversity loss may impact specific habitats, according to Rice researchers who spent four years studying seasonal changes in ponds across East Texas. Volker Rudolf, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, and graduate student Shannon Carter are featured in the video.
Science 360 News (This is the featured video on the Science 360 News home page. This also appeared in Science & Technology Research News.)
http://bit.ly/2ua81t9

A crisis without end? Gulf states settle in for long haul
Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, fellow for the Middle East at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
MSN News CA (This also appeared in Manila Times.)
http://bit.ly/2v8psXX

3-D organ printing gets boost with capillary printing using patient specific cells
In their work toward 3-D printing transplantable tissues and organs, bioengineers and scientists from Rice and Baylor College of Medicine have demonstrated a key step on the path to generate implantable tissues with functioning capillaries. Jordan Miller, assistant professor of bioengineering; Mary Dickinson, adjunct professor of bioengineering; graduate student Gisele Calderon; and Brown College senior Patricia Thai are mentioned.
IBT
http://bit.ly/2v8pKy1
Researchers are closer to working capillaries in 3-D-printed organs
Engadget
http://engt.co/2tE95EI
1 step closer to growing capillaries
Science Daily
http://bit.ly/2u9Md0u
A step closer to growing capillaries
Technology Networks
http://bit.ly/2sM7UjE
3-D printing longer life
Innovators Magazine
http://bit.ly/2u4OSsQ
Rice University and Baylor College of medicine researchers 3-D print functional capillaries
3D Print
http://bit.ly/2uMZNVm
Houston team 1 step closer to growing capillaries
Health News Digest (This also appeared in Scienmag and Medical Design Technology.)
http://bit.ly/2ues7Dj
Houston team 1 step closer to 3-D bioprinting capillaries
Medical Product Outsourcing
http://bit.ly/2ueD33Q

US researchers find new way to stop disease spread
Cannibalism may be just what the doctor ordered, according to a new study that will be published in American Naturalist which featured researchers from Volker Rudolf’s lab at Rice. Rudolf is an associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.
XinhuaNet
http://bit.ly/2t0ukli
Cannibalism: A new way to stop the spread of disease
Phys Org
http://bit.ly/2u4isPe
Cannibalism may decrease disease spread in some species
News Medical
http://bit.ly/2ua8TxS

On Russia, White House struggles to stick to a script
Douglas Brinkley, professor of history, is quoted.
Politico (This also appeared in Politico EU.)
http://politi.co/2t9XIkD
The big issue raised with the latest Trump/Russia bombshell
Refinery 29 UK (This also appeared in Yahoo Style UK and Refinery29.)
http://bit.ly/2tacyYc

US LNG in Central and Eastern Europe — taking diversification seriously
Anna Mikulska, senior research analyst for energy studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, co-authored an op-ed about U.S. LNG exports.
Forbes
http://bit.ly/2taoOYN

America’s next energy crisis
Charles McConnell, executive director of Rice’s Energy and Environment Initiative, authored an op-ed.
Forbes
http://bit.ly/2tJFZlL

The 14 best colleges for your money
Rice is No. 12 on Money’s list of “best colleges for your money.”
Business Insider (This also appeared in Houston Chronicle, Insider, MY San Antonio, The Hour, Business Insider Nederland and Stamford Advocate.)
http://read.bi/2tJatV3
Report: The 14 best colleges for your money
Houston Chronicle (This also appeared in CT Post.)
http://bit.ly/2tE40w6

La grieta que el sistema fiscal mexicano no consigue suturar
Moramay López-Alonso, associate professor of history, is mentioned.
El Pais (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2uNbD1K

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Where should Houston’s innovation district be?
Edward Egan, fellow and director of Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy’s McNair Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, is quoted about innovation in Houston.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front of the Business section in the July 11 print edition with a different headline, “Innovation district seeks home,” and previously appeared in Dateline July 10.)
http://bit.ly/2tG0xeY

Foundation hopes to improve undergrads’ classroom readiness
Rice’s Teacher Education program, part of the university’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies, has been selected as a partner university in the Raise Your Hand Texas Foundation’s Raising Texas Teachers program. The program will provide $50 million over the next 10 years in scholarship funding for students committed to a career in teaching and technical support for premier Texas teacher preparation programs. Judy Radigan, lecturer of education, is quoted in the Houston Chronicle article.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2tJByHF
HEB boss Charles Butt gives $50M to train Texas teachers
Austin Business Journal
http://bit.ly/2uN4ZbM
Rice, UH to join new scholarship program for future teachers
Houston Public Media
http://bit.ly/2ta3O4t
Charles Butt’s public education legacy grows by $50M with Raising Texas Teachers
Rivard Report
http://bit.ly/2v8F91r
UTRGV among 10 universities selected for Raising Texas Teachers program
The Monitor
http://bit.ly/2uN4jDn
Texas A&M gets share of grant to help retain special education teachers
The Eagle
http://bit.ly/2tJEHak
Raise Your Hand Texas Foundation gives $50M to future teachers
Austin American-Statesman
https://atxne.ws/2u4AS28
Trinity, OLLU selected for teacher scholarship program
San Antonio Express-News (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2v8nczZ
Teaching foundation names UTRGV 1 of 10 recipients of scholarship initiative
Valley Morning Star
http://bit.ly/2u424yg
Rice, UH get pieces of $50M pledge for teacher training
My San Antonio
http://bit.ly/2tJRlGn

What did Houston look like in 1997?
A slideshow includes photos from events at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This also appeared in My San Antonio.)
http://bit.ly/2uMRadD
http://bit.ly/2u4yTuR
Here’s what Houston looked like in 1997
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2u9FUdr

Another survey shows Republican support fading from higher education
Stephen Klineberg, founding director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research and a professor of sociology, is quoted about the findings of the 2017 Kinder Houston Area Survey.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2ue6OBP
http://bit.ly/2sLsukp

Voting rights battle in Pasadena could have Texas-wide legal ramifications
Bob Stein, the Lena Gohlman Fox Professor of Political Science, is quoted.
Texas Tribune (This also appeared in The Eagle.)
http://bit.ly/2t9XU36

2 West University residents making a difference at the Katy Prairie Conservancy
Alumna Elisa Donovan ’92 is mentioned.
The Katy News
http://bit.ly/2tHoLoY

Project Row Houses announces Summer Studios residents
Lovett College senior Heather Wright was selected for Project Row Houses’ Summer Studios residency.
Glasstire
http://bit.ly/2u4Bzsa

1 step closer to Arcadia?
Lars Lerup, the Harry K. and Albert K. Smith Professor of Architecture, and Scott Colman, assistant professor of architecture, co-authored an op-ed. Albert Pope, the Gus Sessions Wortham Professor of Architecture, is mentioned.
Texas Architect
http://bit.ly/2uelS2p

BROADCAST

WUNC
Rice is mentioned.
http://bit.ly/2tJAKTd (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.) 
http://bit.ly/2ua5orc (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.) 

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Greener molecular intermediates may aid drug design
Scientists at Rice have simplified their approach to synthesize a highly versatile family of precursors en route to biologically active compounds. Their method should make drug design and development cheaper and more environmentally friendly. László Kürti, associate professor of chemistry, and postdoctoral researchers Zhiwei Ma and Zhe Zhou are mentioned.
Science Daily
http://bit.ly/2tEeHiv

Are these MBAs best for entrepreneurs?
Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business is No. 35 on Financial Times’ rankings of MBA entrepreneurship.
Poets & Quants
http://bit.ly/2u9VG8i

Cotton candy made of graphene
Nanotechnologists from Rice and China’s Tianjin University have used 3-D laser printing to fabricate centimeter-sized objects of atomically thin graphene. James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering, is quoted.
Chem Europe
http://bit.ly/2uMKwEf
Researchers 3-D print impossibly light graphene in a freezer
All3DP
http://bit.ly/2v8DdGn

ORNL team combines 3-D printing and casting to make stronger, damage-tolerant composite parts
Rice is mentioned.
3ders
http://bit.ly/2uelil4

Could Argentinian politics beat the Vaca Muerta?
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.
RigZone
http://bit.ly/2t9SoxE

OCSiAl expands CNT production with Luxembourg plant
An article mentions that OCSiAl cooperates with Rice.
Composites World
http://bit.ly/2ueIbF9

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Roberto Rossellini’s War trilogy
An article mentions that film director Roberto Rossellini spoke at Rice.
Slant
http://bit.ly/2tEqcGu

1 of these 8 projects is going to win $100M for its world-changing idea
The Rice 360° Institute for Global Health and its partners are among the semifinalists for the MacArthur Foundation’s innovative 100&Change competition. Rebecca Richards-Kortum, the Malcolm Gillis University Professor, professor of bioengineering and of electrical and computer engineering and director of the institute, is featured in the video.
Fast Company
http://bit.ly/2sJ7Px8

Ria Persad
An article mentions that Ria Persad studied at Rice.
SRQ
http://bit.ly/2ueGXK3

Rep. Steve Pearce to seek New Mexico governor’s office
Rice is mentioned.
Deming Headlight (This also appeared in Las Cruces Sun-News and Ruidoso News.)
http://bit.ly/2u9Wrhs

College is the biggest branding decision of your life — here are the best by state
Rice is featured as the most prestigious college and university brand in Texas.
Observer
http://bit.ly/2u6HUD0

The Renminbi: Don’t bet on a big plunge
Alumnus Henry To ’99 authored an op-ed.
CFA Institute
http://cfa.is/2tE6mLv

Imperial Capital hires energy team in Houston
Alumna Irene Haas ’80 is mentioned.
Econo Times
http://bit.ly/2sM9zWy

From trust falls to escape rooms: The evolution of corporate team building
Eduardo Salas, the Allyn R. and Gladys M. Cline Chair of Psychology and professor and department chair of psychology, is quoted.
Tri-City Herald (This also appeared in Kansas City Star, Miami Herald, The State and Bradenton Herald.)
http://bit.ly/2uMGag9

SPORTS

College football countdown: Looking ahead to 2017 season
Rice and Stanford will open the 2017 football season Aug. 26 at the Sydney Cup at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This also appeared in My San Antonio and LMT Online.)
http://bit.ly/2tJ8Zdj
http://bit.ly/2tEdEyI

Volleyball: Strong nucleus to power Clear Brook
A Rice commit is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2uMW2zB
http://bit.ly/2uMQzJ2

Athletes encouraged to hydrate properly, avoid hyponatremia
An article mentions that Nader Ayub is a team physician for Rice Athletics.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2t0ceQq

Number of the beast: 51-60
An article includes a photo from a Rice football game.
FAU Owl Access
http://bit.ly/2u4qVSp

Daily Longhorn football history: The 1962 season
Rice football is mentioned.
Hook ’em
http://bit.ly/2t0sYai
MUNZ: Who will win C-USA crown this year?
Hattiesburg American
http://hatne.ws/2uemNzw
How Nick Fitzgerald became Dak Prescott’s successor and Mississippi State’s next star
Sports Illustrated
http://on.si.com/2tEETcH

Ex-UM player McGuffie discovers new rush in bobsled
Former Rice football player Sam McGuffie is featured.
The Detroit News
http://detne.ws/2t0nvAt

S.A.’s Charlton a ‘Nasty Boy’ no more
Former Rice baseball player Norm Charlton is featured.
San Antonio Express-News
http://bit.ly/2tEe2xk

Packers, Brewers, Bucks, Admirals executives team up with Mayor Barrett to encourage young people to get that 1st job
Mark Murphy mentions that he worked at Rice Stadium.
WITI
http://bit.ly/2v8R2oe
http://bit.ly/2u4PRsM
http://bit.ly/2ueyzKC
http://bit.ly/2sMeW7Y
http://bit.ly/2u4VabS