Dateline Rice for July 29, 2013 (Weekend Edition)

FEATURED ITEMS

Ms. Mayor: Annise Parker talks about herself, her family, her job
Alumna Annise Parker ’78 talks about being mayor of Houston. This article appeared on the front of the Star section.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/19sQNqx

East Jerusalem thorniest of issues ahead of peace talks
Edward Djerejian, founding director of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted in an article about the upcoming Israeli and Palestinian peace talks.
USA Today (This article appeared on the homepage of USA Today. It also appeared in the Asheville Citizen-Times, the Springfield News-Leader, the Detroit Free Press, the Des Moines Register, Codewit World News and in more than 40 other outlets.)
http://usat.ly/1e62RM4
Israeli and Palestinian negotiators prepare for preliminary talks
KSDK.com
http://on.ksdk.com/13To0aG

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Liberals, smaller tribes win seats in Kuwait vote
Kristian Ulrichsen, fellow for Kuwait at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted an article about Kuwaiti politics. Ulrichsen also authored the Public Policy.com article.
Arab News (This article also appeared in the Ya Libnan, the Oman Tribune, Yahoo!News and over 10 other outlets.)
http://arabnews.com/news/459523
Kuwait’s ruling emir puts diplomacy first
Trade Arabia (This article also appeared in Gulf Business.)
http://www.tradearabia.com/news/REAL_240174.html
Cabinet resigns, new Assembly meets Aug. 6
The Kuwait Times
http://news.kuwaittimes.net/cabinet-resigns-new-assembly-meets-aug-6/
Kuwait votes, again
ForeignPolicy.com
http://mideast.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/07/25/kuwait_votes_again

Eric Holder takes the fight for voting rights to Texas
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor and chair of political science and fellow in political science at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted in articles about the U.S. attorney general’s decision to enforce the Voting Rights Act in Texas, Sen. Wendy Jones and the upcoming state wide elections.
Time.com (This article also appeared in the Voting News.)
http://ti.me/1cgJqlv
Feds, state officials spar over pre-clearance of voting laws
Amarillo Globe-News
http://bit.ly/152ynLe
Commentary: Obama plays Texas hold ’em on voting laws
Savannah Now.com
http://bit.ly/17bj92k
Holder adds to voting rights debate for Texans
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
http://bit.ly/15r5SVn
Lamar Smith to Holder on Voting Rights Act: ‘Don’t mess with Texas’
GOPUSA.com
http://bit.ly/17OZPdC
Lawmakers, leaders at the intersection of politics and policy
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/14dINZx
Feds try new Voting Rights tactic
Topeka Capital-Journal
http://cjonline.com/news/2013-07-28/feds-try-new-voting-rights-tactic
Wendy Davis hits D. fundraising trail
Hispanic Business.com
http://bit.ly/1aSKMkP

Fire breaks out on evacuated Gulf gas well
Ken Medlock, the James A. Baker III and Susan Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics at Rice University’s Baker Institute, senior director of the Center for Energy Studies and adjunct assistant professor in economics, is quoted in an article about the Gulf natural gas well fire.
KPHO-TV
http://bit.ly/1aSPZZ

A growing role for the president: America’s consoler in chief
Douglas Brinkley, professor of history and fellow in history at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted in an article about how presidents console the nation during times of tragedy.
The Washington Post (This story also appeared in the Denver Post, San Gabriel Valley Tribune and more than 10 other outlets.)
http://wapo.st/1c6Bmp8

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Engineering futures are always bright
Nicole Van Den Heuvel, director of the Center for Career Development, is quoted in an article about engineering jobs.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/16eOtjI

Pulitzer winners among writers at reading series
An article about the Margarett Root Brown Reading Series mentions that two authors will speak at Rice on March 24, 2014. The article appeared on the front of the Star section.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/17PAsbq

New toll road expected to bring growth to Cleburne
Steve Murdock, the Allyn and Gladys Cline Professor of Sociology and a former director of the U.S. Census Bureau, is quoted in an article about the impact toll roads have on local economies.
Star-Telegram (Fort Worth)
http://bit.ly/15ZF8dH

Family, friends hold vigil for Rice student killed in METRO train accident
A vigil was held at the METRORail station near last week’s fatal accident involving Rice student Vivian Ziwei Guan. Alumnus Scott Ziegler ’76 is quoted in the KHOU-TV story; Jacki Schaefer, lecturer in architecture, and Danny Samuels ’71, professor in the practice of architecture, are quoted in the Houston Press article.
KHOU-TV
http://bit.ly/13pd4ya
Rice student struck by METRO Light Rail memorialized in noon vigil
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/17bvqUB

Local NCJW hires its first director
Rice alumna Bari Herzstein Fishel ’08 has been appointed director of the Greater Houston Section of the National Council for Jewish Women.
Jewish Herald-Voice
http://jhvonline.com/local-ncjw-hires-its-first-director-p15502-89.htm

BROADCAST/WEBCAST

KXAL-TV
Rice is mentioned in a news story about Forbes’ list of top U.S. universities.
http://bit.ly/16uDjp8

Comcast SportsNet Bay Area
Former Rice athlete Vance MacDonald is interviewed.
http://bit.ly/13THOux

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Wet-spun graphene oxide flakes create a more robust carbon fiber
James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Chair in Chemistry and professor of mechanical engineering and materials science and of computer science, and graduate student Changsheng Xiang are quoted in an article about how graphene oxide flakes can be used to increase the strength of carbon fiber.
Rob Aid.com
http://bit.ly/152kVqO

Quebec Graphite Discovery
James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Chair in Chemistry and professor of mechanical engineering and materials science and of computer science, is mentioned in an article about the discovery of a new graphite occurrence in Canada.
Net News Ledger (Canada)
http://www.netnewsledger.com/2013/07/26/quebec-graphite-discovery/

Breakthrough in detecting DNA mutations could help treat tuberculosis, cancer
David Zhang, the Ted Law Jr. Assistant Professor of Bioengineering, is quoted in an article about a new method of detecting specific mutations in a segment of DNA.
Science Daily (This article also appeared in MedicalXpress.com, EurekAlert!, Nanowerk.com, Health Canal.com, the Dublin News and more than10 other outlets.)
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130728133857.htm
DNA advance could help treat tuberculosis, cancer
Science Blog (This article also appeared in the Odd Onion, newKerala.com and the Siasat Daily.)
http://bit.ly/17OQW3E

This solar sanitiser will bring safer surgery to the developing world
Naomi Halas, the Stanley C. Moore Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering and director of Rice’s Laboratory for Nanophotonics and professor of physics and astronomy, chemistry and biomedical engineering, is quoted in an article about a solar-powered autoclave.
Gizmodo.com (This article also appeared in Gixmodo.uk.com and Gizmodo.au.com.)
http://bit.ly/19sWd4P
New solar steam system could help 2.5 billion
WND Health.com
http://www.wnd.com/2013/07/new-solar-steam-system-could-help-2-5-billion/
Inhabitat’s Week in Green: GO pop-up camper, coconut carbon water filter and all-electric superbikes
Endgadget.com
http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/28/pop-up-camper-coconut-filter-superbike/

Exploring the warp factor in space
Alumni Harold G. White ’08 talks about his NASA team’s research on faster than light travel.
PostGazette.com (Pittsburgh)
http://bit.ly/13s1pO9

Rice researchers part of new LHC discovery
Paul Padley, professor of physics and astronomy, is quoted in an article about a discovery facilitated by Rice University’s contribution to the Large Hadron Collider that will impact scientists’ search for dark matter in the universe.
Space Daily
http://bit.ly/1aSGOsu

Dover String Quartet set for Music Mountain today
The Graduate String Quartet-in-Residence at the Shepherd School of Music, the Dover String Quartet is mentioned as one of the performers at the Music Mountain Music Festival.
Classical.broadway.world.com
http://bit.ly/17bdHwn

Joseph R. Wilson named executive director of Musiqa; two new board members appointed
Alumnus David D. Medina ’83, director of Rice’s Multicultural Community Relations; Barbara Ostdiek, associate professor of finance at Rice’s Jones School of Business; and alumna Kathleen A. Boyd ’80 have been appointed to the board of local chamber music group Musica.
Classical.broadwayworld.com
http://bit.ly/1bBRKOU

OICMF music lovers’ seminars
Jon Kimura Parker, professor of piano, will teach a seminar at the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival.
Island Sounders.com
http://www.islandssounder.com/entertainment/216970361.html

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Social media use by universities: Good or bad?
Rice President David Leebron is mentioned in article about universities’ use of social media.
CollegeFinder.org
http://bit.ly/18IFN5F

Prison reform results in strain on welfare system
Richard Boylan, professor of economics, is mentioned in an article about research on the effects of prison reform.
Noodls.com
http://bit.ly/19sJy1V

9 Texas A&M graduates honored with Distinguished Alumnus Award for 2013
Ray M. Bowen, lecturer and visiting distinguished professor of mechanical engineering, is mentioned in an article about Texas A&M’s Distinguished Alumnus Award for 2013.
Bryan/College Station Eagle
http://bit.ly/13TPcpN

Texas oilman created the fracking boom, ignited energy startups
Rice is mentioned in an obituary for Texas billionaire oilman George Mitchell.
Xconomy.com
http://bit.ly/12Y3xhA

SPORTS

Ex-Rice star Rendon right where he belongs
An article discusses former Rice athlete Anthony Rendon.
Houston Chronicle (This article appears on the front of the Sports section.)
http://bit.ly/13pNR6P

Rice QB Taylor McHargue looking to stay healthy, take Owls to new heights
McMurtry College senior Taylor McHargue and football coach David Baliff are interviewed.
All Alabama.com
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/07/reckless_competitive_taylor_mc.html

Odds to win the 2013 ACC Football Championship
The Rice Owls are mentioned in an article predicting the odds of various teams winning an
ACC Football Championship.
Statesman.com
http://bit.ly/17ORW7S

Puig homer has whiff-prone Dodgers smelling like a rose in 1-0 win over Reds
Former Rice athlete Tony Cingrani is mentioned in an article about the Dodgers versus Reds game played July 28.
Los Angeles Times (This article also appeared in the American News, Merced Sun Star, Fresno Bee and more than 10 other outlets.)
http://lat.ms/13TZIgI
Dodgers 1, Reds 0: Puig homers in 11th for win
The Columbus Dispatch
http://bit.ly/15ZP5rx

The Woodlands lands 6 on TSWA Class 5A all-state baseball teams
Future Rice baseball player Charlie Warren is mentioned in an article about the Woodlands High School Highlanders.
TheVillager.com
http://bit.ly/1cgWWFM

NEWS RELEASES

Quadratic leap in detecting smallest unit of genetic change
Scientists at Rice University and the University of Washington this week unveiled a groundbreaking new method for detecting minute changes known as single nucleotide polymorphisms in the human genome.
http://bit.ly/13pAmnC

Prison reform results in strain on welfare system
The burden of improved conditions in state prisons may be borne by welfare recipients, according to new research from Rice University and Louisiana State University.
http://bit.ly/16f86bv