Dateline Rice for April 30, 2018 (Weekend Edition)

FEATURED ITEM

Prairie restoration projects take on new significance after Hurricane Harvey
A one-acre “pocket prairie” was planted at the Harris Gully Natural Area at Rice. Martel College senior Cindy Ryoo is quoted. A slideshow pictures alumna Jennifer Drummond ’98 (image 2), Baker College senior Anu Dwarumpudi (image 4 and 8), Tom Miller, the James and Deborah Godwin Assistant Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, (image 6) and alumna Shannon Wang ’18 (image 8).
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article also appeared in the April 30 print edition with a different headline, “Prairie preservation taking root.”)
http://bit.ly/2raKUeH
http://bit.ly/2rbpOwE

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Meet the hippotherapy robot horse named Stewie
Equine-assisted therapy, also known as hippotherapy, can help patients develop coordination, balance and posture. Seniors at Rice’s Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen developed an open-sourced app that will be available to those without access to a real horse. Students Kelsi Wicker, James Phillips, Matthew O’Gorman, Wesley Yee, Sebastian Jia and Jijie Zhou are mentioned. O’Gorman and Yee are quoted. A Rice video is included.
CNET (This article also appeared in Horsetalk, IEEE Spectrum and The Hill.)
https://cnet.co/2raMI7A

James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Chair in Chemistry and a professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering, is quoted in an article about the Syrian chemical weapons attack April 4. Tour is also mentioned in a Fox News program.
Syrian war: The boy at the center of conflicting tales about alleged Douma chemical attack
ABC Online
https://ab.co/2HDDZFM
‘Life, Liberty and Levin’
Fox News
http://bit.ly/2raLUzo (Click the video button to watch the broadcast.)

HOUSTON/TEXAS

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, in interviewed by Texas Standard to answer listeners’ questions about the special election to replace U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Texas. Jones is also quoted in an article about redistricting efforts for the 27th Congressional District.
Can Gov. Greg Abbott force Blake Farenthold to pay for a special election?
Texas Standard (This segment was broadcast on 27 other radio stations.) 
http://bit.ly/2rbVzG5
Q&A: After years of legal battles, voting rights groups want Texas’ electoral maps drawn by citizens
The Eagle (This article appeared in more than 10 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/2HC74Si

What will happen to the Sears sign in Midtown?
Recent renovations to the iconic Sears building as part of Rice’s Midtown innovation district reveals the original art-deco façade.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article appeared in the Chronicle’s Gray Matters online magazine.)
http://bit.ly/2ra7STg

Savoring Houston’s Nigerian cuisine
An article mentions that the 2018 Kinder Houston Area Survey issued by Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research determined that Nigerian youth are the most-educated immigrants in the U.S.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.) 
http://bit.ly/2HEGg3K

Local Korean-Americans ‘cautiously optimistic’ after historic summit
As historic peace talks between South Korean President Moon Jae-In and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un continue, experts remain cautious. Richard Stoll, the Albert Thomas Chair in Political Science and scholar at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is interviewed in a broadcast.
KHOU.com
http://bit.ly/2HGX6z6

US health care system costs too much, fails too often
Americans oftentimes think of health as the absence of disease rather than a holistic approach to wellness. Elena Marks, a nonresident health policy fellow at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and president and CEO of the Episcopal Health Foundation, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.) 
http://bit.ly/2rbeiBl

Astrodome 2.0 will revolutionize Houston [Opinion]
An op-ed explores the possible events that can be held at the Astrodome once it is renovated. The list includes a two-day music festival with a light show spanning the dome’s five-acre ceiling that was proposed by Rice alums.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2rbxkYm

Please stop giving absolutely everything a standing ovation
Constance Elise Porter, visiting assistant professor of marketing at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business, is quoted in an op-ed about the changing meaning of the standing ovation.
Houstonia Magazine
http://bit.ly/2raH858

Business calendar
A roundup of the week’s business events mentions the “Workplace Health Symposium” that will be hosted by Rice’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies May 1.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article also appeared in the San Antonio Express-News and the Laredo Morning Times.)
http://bit.ly/2r9XgUw
http://bit.ly/2ra4Le2

BARK for BARC Walk set for April 28
An article and broadcast mention that the Third Annual BARK for BARC Pet Walk was held at Rice April 28.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2r9U7nG
‘Fox 26 Morning News Weekends’
KRIV-TV (Houston)
http://bit.ly/2HBZZku

Chucho Valdés, Dr. Lonnie Smith in 2018-2019 Da Camera lineup
A roundup of upcoming performances mentions Stude Concert Hall at Rice’s Shepherd School of Music.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article also appeared in the Laredo Morning Times.)
http://bit.ly/2rbqemI

BROADCAST

History Professor Douglas Brinkley appeared in two segments discussing President Donald Trump’s administration and possible impeachment.
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner 2018
CNN
http://bit.ly/2r5sKLk (Click the video button to watch the broadcast.)
‘Fareed Zakaria GPS’
CNN International
http://bit.ly/2rfmhOb (Click the video button to watch the broadcast.)

Bob Stein, the Lena Gohlman Fox Professor of Political Science at Rice, is quoted about the candidates in a local special election. Stein is also quoted in a Houston Chronicle article about the possibility of voters passing a property tax referendum to pay for new flood control measures.
Special election for Houston City Council District K coming May 5
Houston Public Media
http://bit.ly/2r9Op5a
Harris County to consider August 25 for flood control bond referendum
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2r5x658

KPRC-TV (Houston)
Stephen Klineberg, professor of sociology and founding director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is mentioned.
http://bit.ly/2HFfUP6 (Click the video button to watch the broadcast.)

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

What can past glacier behavior tell us about future sea level rise?
A team of scientists from Rice, the University of Houston, the University of Alabama and Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory will participate in an ambitious $25 million study aimed at determining how quickly Antarctica’s massive Thwaites Glacier could collapse.
Science Magazine
http://bit.ly/2HBEP69

Why oil sanctions against Venezuela no longer make sense
David Mares, nonresident scholar for Latin American Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker
Institute for Public Policy, authored an article on Venezuela’s collapsing oil industry.
Council on Foreign Relations
https://on.cfr.org/2rbfPHB

Medical uses of snake venom
An article mentions research from Rice scientists that showed that a nanofiber hydrogel infused with snake venom could be the best material to quickly stop bleeding.
Reports Healthcare
http://bit.ly/2HAte7c

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Refineries on the Gulf Coast are accidents waiting to happen
At least 200 petrochemical storage tanks with an estimated 100 million gallons of petrochemicals are stored in the Houston Ship Channel. A Category 4 hurricane would send a 25-to-30-foot wall of water crashing over the levees and create an environmental catastrophe, according to Rice’s Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disasters Center.
Sierra Club Magazine
http://bit.ly/2raNjWL

Photographer highlights Brownsville architecture in new book
Stephen Fox, lecturer of architecture, is mentioned.
Brownsville Herald
http://bit.ly/2HCnlGF

Meet the top graduating seniors in St. Landry Parish
An article featuring August Pitre III mentions that he will attend Rice.
Opelousas Daily (This article also appeared in World Daily.) 
http://bit.ly/2rai51P

Summit Symphony Concert showcases young artists May 20
Paul Kantor, the Sallie Shepherd Perkins Professor of Violin, and
Frank Huang, former artist teacher of violin at Rice’s Shepherd School of Music, are mentioned.
TAPinto.net
http://bit.ly/2raeSzw

Alumnus Conor Beck ’17 authored two articles in the Washington Free Beacon.
White House releases records disputing allegations against Ronny Jackson
Washington Free Beacon
http://bit.ly/2r9qFOs
Continetti: Bolton and Pompeo will be voices of caution in North Korea deal
Washington Free Beacon
http://bit.ly/2rcxsXF

SPORTS

Rice keeping mind on baseball season despite coaching turmoil
A report on the Owls’ weekend series against Charlotte includes quotes from head baseball coach Wayne Graham, players Trei Cruz, Dominic DiCaprio and Ryan Chandler.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article appeared in the April 29 print edition with a different headline, “Owls soldier on despite coaching turmoil.”)
https://bit.ly/2Ft92hV

‘Texans 360’
Former Rice football player and current Houston Texans Christian Covington is featured.
KTRK-TV (Houston) 
http://bit.ly/2HBbjND (Click the video button to watch the broadcast. This segment also aired on KDBC-TV El Paso and KPEJ-TV Odessa.)

Breaking down 2018 Texas football: Offensive line
Former Rice football player Calvin Anderson is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2rbgEjF

Grading the Texans’ 2018 draft picks
Rice football player Justin Bickham is pictured.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2r8BOyU

Houston Baptist CB Chris Hardeman invited to Bills minicamp
An article mentions NFL Pro Day held at Rice March 27.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2rcvuXh

HS GOLF: MCS boys, Trinity teams aim to defend state titles
Austin Escamilla, who will play golf at Rice, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article also appeared in the Midland Reporter-Telegram.) 
http://bit.ly/2r9G9SI

National Mounted Warfare Foundation hosts 4th Homecoming for Heroes
Former Rice head coach David Bailiff is mentioned.
The Killeen Daily Herald
http://bit.ly/2HCQy4v

NEWS RELEASES

Barack Obama to be guest of honor at Baker Institute’s 25th Anniversary Gala at Rice Nov. 27
The 44th president of the United States, the Honorable Barack Obama, will take part in a moderated conversation at the 25th anniversary gala of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy Nov. 27.
http://bit.ly/2rc9z2m

‘Exceptional’ research points way toward quantum discoveries
Rice University scientists are known for exceptional research, but a new paper led by physicist Junichiro Kono makes that point most literally. The discovery of exceptional points in a unique material created by Kono’s lab is one of several revelations in a paper that appears in Nature Photonics. These spectral singularities are central to another phenomenon, the team’s newfound ability to continuously tune the transition between the weak and ultra-strong coupling of light and matter confined in a vacuum. That ability may give researchers the opportunity to explore novel quantum technologies like advanced information storage or one-dimensional lasers.
http://bit.ly/2raR4vo

Rice, UH team preps for massive Antarctic glacier study
A team of scientists from Rice University, the University of Houston, the University of Alabama and Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory will participate in an ambitious $25 million study aimed at determining how quickly Antarctica’s massive Thwaites Glacier could collapse. The Thwaites research program, a joint undertaking of the National Science Foundation and the United Kingdom’s Natural Environment Research Council, was announced today. U.S. and U.K. officials say the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC) is the largest joint project undertaken by their nations in Antarctica since the mapping of the Antarctic Peninsula more than 70 years ago.
http://bit.ly/2rbhCg6

AbbVie and Rice University establish K.C. Nicolaou Research Accelerator to advance therapies in oncology
AbbVie, a research-based global biopharmaceutical company, and Rice University today announced they have entered into a joint research collaboration to establish the K.C. Nicolaou Research Accelerator. The research at the accelerator will focus on synthesizing novel cytotoxic agents for use in the fight against cancer.
http://bit.ly/2raWC93

Risk factors developed after loss of spouse could make one more likely to ‘die of a broken heart’
Widowed individuals are more likely to exhibit risk factors linked to cardiovascular illness and death in the three-month period following a spouse’s death, according to a new study from Rice University. This could make a bereaved spouse more likely to “die of a broken heart,” the researchers said.
http://bit.ly/2rbpQET