Dateline Rice for Aug. 4, 2017

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

2017 grateful grads index: Top 200 best-loved colleges
Rice is No. 21 on Forbes’ grateful grad index and No. 22 on Forbes’ top 25 universities list. Rice was also featured in the Princeton Review’s “The Best 382 Colleges” and Forbes’ college financial grades list.
Forbes
http://bit.ly/2v5PY5w
2017 Forbes college financial grades: N through Z
Forbes
http://bit.ly/2vp0V4T
Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Princeton and MIT top Forbes’ top 25 best colleges and universities in America, 2017
CEO World Magazine
http://bit.ly/2v3iUN8
ASU listed in the Princeton Review for the 9th straight year
Concho Valley Homepage
http://bit.ly/2v5Jfc4

Glaciers may have kept Earth from freezing
It seems counterintuitive, but over the eons, glaciers may have made Earth warmer, according to Mark Torres, an assistant professor of Earth, environmental and planetary sciences.
Futurity (This article appeared in the Aug. 4 issue of Futurity Today.)
http://bit.ly/2urOPU2

Magnetized viruses attack harmful bacteria
Magnetic nanoparticle clusters have the power to punch through biofilms to reach bacteria that can foul water treatment systems, according to scientists at Rice. The nanoclusters developed through Rice’s Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment Engineering Research Center carry bacteriophages and deliver them to targets that generally resist chemical disinfection. Pedro Alvarez, the George R. Brown Professor of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, is quoted.
Science 360 News (This appeared in the Headlines section on the Science 360 News home page. This also appeared in TMC News and Science & Technology Research News.)
http://bit.ly/2v44Bry
Team uses phage-enhanced nanoparticles to kill bacteria that foul water treatment systems
Controlled Environments
http://bit.ly/2vzT2Kq

Effective climate protection means better policy and harnessing market forces
Daniel Cohan, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, authored an op-ed about climate change.
The Hill
http://bit.ly/2vxaRbZ

EEUU sanciona a ‘dictador’ Maduro y se guarda por ahora la bala petrolera
Francisco Monaldi, a fellow in Latin American energy policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Hoy Los Angeles (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2wsN3U4
US oil sanctions could push Venezuela to the brink
Oil Price
http://bit.ly/2vzKa7G

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Advanced business degrees open doors for students
George Andrews, associate dean of MBA Programs at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business, is quoted about students in advanced business-degree programs.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2u8W1VM
http://bit.ly/2we6qRn

Decoding a treasure trove of data from the brain
The National Science Foundation has awarded a total of $5 million to two Houston-based research teams to develop new tools to better understand the behavior of neural networks. Jacob Robinson, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, and Kresimir Josic, an adjunct professor of biosciences, are mentioned.
TMC News
http://bit.ly/2wsk1Uw
NSF funds Houston-based teams’ quest to better understand the brain
Houston News Info
http://bit.ly/2vwKB1x

Rice 360˚ neonatal technology meets Development Grand Challenge
A Rice-affiliated international team working to end preventable newborn deaths in Africa got a boost when one of its life-saving neonatal technologies won funding support. The winner, BiliSpec, a jaundice diagnostic device, won a validation grant at the seventh annual DevelopmentXChange event. Rebecca Richards-Kortum, the Malcolm Gillis University Professor, professor of bioengineering and of electrical and computer engineering and director of the Rice 360° Institute for Global Health, is mentioned.
TMC News
http://bit.ly/2weCrZC

Why Texas’ most endangered species might be feeling some relief
Scott Egan, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, is quoted about the potential effects of a Mexican border wall.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This also appeared in My San Antonio and LMT Online.)
http://bit.ly/2v3ZY0L
http://bit.ly/2u8sE5W
Expert: Border wall may be death sentence for endangered species
Newsline (This also appeared in Newsmax.)
http://bit.ly/2u8uOlW
Biologist says border wall could threaten wildlife
Houston Public Media
http://bit.ly/2voW5EE

Blue Origin passes over Houston Spaceport in favor of Alabama
David Alexander, director of the Rice Space Institute and professor of physics and astronomy, is quoted about Blue Origin.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2uqU5aC
http://bit.ly/2u87kO5

Weather experts are keeping an eye on 2 tropical systems in Atlantic
A slideshow mentions a Rice study.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2ffqgrs
http://bit.ly/2huwG6I

27 most stunning ‘Texas’ wedding photos on Instagram
A slideshow features a photo taken on Rice’s campus.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This also appeared in LMT Online.)
http://bit.ly/2v3LEWf

This week in Texas energy: Texas big oil comes out against the bathroom bill
A group of Houston-area business leaders signed a letter asking Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to rethink the so-called “bathroom bill” that is under consideration in the Texas Legislature. Rice University is mentioned as a member of the group.
Texas Monthly
http://bit.ly/2v41hgt

Floated for a Cabinet job, Texas Rep. Michael McCaul has a complicated political calculus
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.
Dallas Morning News
http://bit.ly/2ffumzQ
KLBJ-AM (Austin, Texas)
http://bit.ly/2vpA60x (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.) 
http://bit.ly/2uaXfnF (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.) 
http://bit.ly/2vzTMPJ (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.) 
KRLD-AM (Dallas)
http://bit.ly/2huMBBV (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.) 

What it means for Texas colleges if Trump targets affirmative action
An article about affirmative action policies mentions Rice.
Houston Defender
http://bit.ly/2vzDuGn

1st-generation born Indian revolutionizing college admissions in the USA
Alumna Neha Gupta ’08 is featured.
Indo American News
http://bit.ly/2uaWISl

Bond survey team reports findings to board
Rice is mentioned.
Hill Country News
http://bit.ly/2uaQz8Y

Permian grad named National AP Scholar
An article mentions a student who was accepted to Rice.
OA Online
http://bit.ly/2weGbdC

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Whirling particles are fastest ever detected
The spin of the strongest tornado is a pale shadow of the vortex seen at the heart of matter colliding into a nearly perfect fluid, according to researchers at Rice and their colleagues at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Frank Geurts, associate professor of physics and astronomy, is quoted.
Science & Technology Research News
http://bit.ly/2wsCNuZ

2 sides to this energy story
Rice chemists have produced a catalyst based on laser-induced graphene that splits water into hydrogen on one side and oxygen on the other side. They said the inexpensive material may be a practical component in generating the hydrogen for use in future fuel cells. James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering, is quoted.
ECN (This also appeared in Domain-B.)
http://bit.ly/2v42Evz
Lab develops dual-surface graphene electrode to split water into hydrogen and oxygen
Phys Org (This also appeared in Green Car Congress.)
http://bit.ly/2v690ZP
A dual-surface graphene electrode to split water into hydrogen and oxygen
Nanowerk
http://bit.ly/2vzPBmY

Biochar could clear the air in more ways than 1
Biochar from recycled waste may both enhance crop growth and save health costs by helping clear the air of pollutants, according to Rice researchers. Ghasideh Pourhashem, postdoctoral fellow at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Carrie Masiello, professor of Earth, environmental and planetary sciences, of chemistry and of biosciences; and Daniel Cohan, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, are quoted.
Environmental Research Web
http://bit.ly/2v3Y0h6

Laser-induced graphene from wood
Rice scientists have made wood into an electrical conductor by turning its surface into graphene. James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering, and graduate students Ruquan Ye and Yieu Chyan are mentioned.
Printed Electronics World
http://bit.ly/2v66QcF
This week in tech: IKEA enters solar arena
Architectural Lighting
http://bit.ly/2vwZwc8

Flat microscope will be used in implantable neural interface
Rice engineers are building a flat microscope, called FlatScope, and developing software that can decode and trigger neurons on the surface of the brain. Jacob Robinson, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, is quoted.
Photonics Media
http://bit.ly/2v3ZTuc

A crescendo of activism for science, climate and justice
An article mentions an expert panel that was held at Rice. André Droxler, professor of Earth science, is mentioned.
Union of Concerned Scientists
http://bit.ly/2feBInk

Single-photon emitter has promise for quantum info-processing
Rice research is mentioned.
Opli
http://bit.ly/2v4164B

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Faust met with Pence on D.C. trip
A delegation of presidents from universities across the country – including Rice – visited the White House to advocate for supporting scientific research and student aid and to discuss the importance of international students and faculty to American universities.
Harvard Crimson
http://bit.ly/2vxaUER

Why energy companies will be major users of blockchain technology
An article mentions a conference that took place at Rice.
Denver Business Journal
http://bit.ly/2urSb9A

Lebanon teacher attends NASA LiftOff Institute
Patricia Reiff, professor of physics and astronomy, is mentioned.
Lebanon Democrat
http://bit.ly/2ub3Iid

Qatar to offer permanent residency to some foreigners
Kristian Coats Ulrichsen, fellow for the Middle East at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about the reasoning behind Qatar extending residency to foreign expats.
Riyadh Vision
http://bit.ly/2ur2BX5

Pre-eminent Israeli artists to lecture at US universities
An article mentions that Hana Ajiashvili will lecture at Rice.
Jewish Philanthropy
http://bit.ly/2htNcDX

Pope Francis urges revolution to save Earth from climate change ‘before it’s too late’
Douglas Brinkley, professor of history, is quoted.
Salt Lake Tribune
http://bit.ly/2ffvKm1

11 innovative and modern schools where creativity and good design rule
Rice’s Brochstein Pavilion is featured.
Dwell
http://bit.ly/2vx4Axh

A desıgn for life
President John F. Kennedy’s famous “Moon Speech” delivered at Rice Sept. 12, 1962, is discussed.
Tes
http://bit.ly/2vp3KCR

2 Wheat City artists named to Manitoba Arts Council
Alumna Leanne Zacharias ’04 is mentioned.
Westman Journal
http://bit.ly/2u89XPL

Waco lawyer discusses serving 9/11 families
An article mentions that Gail Peek attended Rice.
Temple Daily Telegram
http://bit.ly/2urgwfu

US elections are an easier target for Russian hackers than once thought
Dan Wallach, professor of computer science and of electrical and computer engineering and a Rice Faculty Scholar at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about vulnerabilities in voter registration databases.
The Star
http://bit.ly/2vpf9CM

Sacred Heart Academy students earn International Baccalaureate diploma
An article mentions a student who plans to attend Rice.
The Record
http://bit.ly/2urdHLv

SPORTS

Rice to start season healthier, but still adjusting to changes
Articles discuss Rice football’s upcoming season. Head football coach David Bailiff and a number of players are featured.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This also appeared in My San Antonio.)
http://bit.ly/2vp7GDL
http://bit.ly/2ub8oVs
Rice transforming its defense
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This also appeared in LMT Online.)
http://bit.ly/2vxbwdC
http://bit.ly/2feQiLt
Rice still has open competition at quarterback spot
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2urbW0M
http://bit.ly/2urB4o9
Rice coach David Bailiff has somehow managed to average 5-7 records for a decade
SB Nation
http://bit.ly/2v3RFlK
Rice HC David Bailiff details the Owls’ summer recruiting surge
Texas HS Football
http://bit.ly/2vxgBCA
What to watch for as Texas college football returns
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/2hvm1sm
Outlooks for the Top 25 college football teams in the preseason Amway Coaches Poll
USA Today
https://usat.ly/2vxlnQH
KTRK-TV (Houston)
http://bit.ly/2huFhGE

Best in Texas: Are Longhorns or Aggies more dominant right now? See which team beat both
Rice football is mentioned.
Dallas Morning News
http://bit.ly/2wekz10
What college football scholarship letters look like these days
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2uryIWt
http://bit.ly/2hurdNp
Daily Longhorn football history: The 1986 season
Austin American-Statesman
https://atxne.ws/2weaktL
Kiffin on FAU QBs: ‘Best players will play,’ including maybe Daniel Parr
Sun Sentinel
http://bit.ly/2voUjmY

UofL football: Cards No. 17 in Coaches Poll
An article mentions that Rice head football coach David Bailiff is one of the voters on the Amway Board of Coaches.
Spectrum News
http://bit.ly/2ubhZLV
Longhorns only Texas school to make preseason Top 25
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2v5y9nk

Dale Robertson’s tweets and takes: Aug. 3
Former Rice football player James Casey is mentioned.
My San Antonio (This also appeared in LMT Online.)
http://bit.ly/2v5VeWQ

Jon Duplantier named Diamondbacks Minor League Pitcher of the Month
Former Rice baseball player Jon Duplantier is mentioned.
Our Sports Central
http://bit.ly/2v4jWc0
Jon Duplantier named Diamondbacks Minor League Pitcher of the Month
Our Valley Voice
http://bit.ly/2vprLdc

Blue Sox shut out the Swamp Bats to advance to the Northern Division Championship Series
Rice baseball player Kendall Jefferies is mentioned.
Mass Live
http://bit.ly/2vpwyva

UCSB men’s basketball signs 2nd graduate student-athlete
A Rice transfer is mentioned.
Noozhawk
http://bit.ly/2ub63Kc
Carrier expects WRs to prove they’re ready for prime time
Metro News
http://bit.ly/2ur0rGX
Notebook: Bailey, Battle and Daniels making impressions at corner
Blue Gold Sports
http://bit.ly/2vx3PnX

Dodgers activate LHP Tony Cingrani and option RHP Brock Stewart
Former Rice baseball player Tony Cingrani is mentioned.
Fanrag Sports
http://bit.ly/2v5YWzX

Texan dropped the bomb that ended the war
Former Rice football player Kermit Beahan is featured.
Copperas Cove Leader-Press
http://bit.ly/2uaJUvD

Major upgrades, including a video board even bigger than Godzillatron, in store at DKR
An article mentions upgrades to Rice Stadium.
Austin American-Statesman
https://atxne.ws/2ffqC1l
https://atxne.ws/2v6fesg

NEWS RELEASE

Two sides to this energy story
Rice University chemists have produced a catalyst based on laser-induced graphene that splits water into hydrogen on one side and oxygen on the other side. They said the inexpensive material may be a practical component in generating the hydrogen for use in future fuel cells.
http://bit.ly/2wefUw9