Dateline Rice for Jan. 26, 2015 (Weekend Edition)

FEATURED ITEMS

When oil prices plummet, common sense tends to follow
Anna Mikulska, research analyst at the Center for Energy Studies, and Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, authored an op-ed on the changes that have occurred since the price of crude oil dramatically decreased.
Forbes
http://onforb.es/15CjpxJ

The biggest Super Bowl ad winner could be a viewer
Doritos’ Super Bowl commercial contest attracts amateur talent every year. David Tobin, senior lecturer of communications for the Jones Graduate School of Business, discusses why commercials that involve the public can be successful.
NBC News
http://nbcnews.to/1GZtANX
KSNF-TV (Joplin, Mo.)
http://bit.ly/15LLMKI

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

What is on the agenda for Obama’s visit to India
Russell Green, the Will Clayton Fellow in International Economics at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and an adjunct assistant professor of economics, explains that President Barack Obama’s and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meetings with business leaders from India and the U.S. will have a positive effect on a broader trade agreement.
The Wall Street Journal
http://on.wsj.com/1CYUOOu
Obama’s India visit must focus on economic ties, Baker Institute expert says
Fort Bend Sun (This article also appeared in Sugar Land Sun.)
http://bit.ly/1BsbnTu

A better citizen
Mahmoud El-Gamal, the Chair of Islamic Economics, Finance and Management, professor of economics and statistics and Rice Scholar at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is featured for his achievements and expertise in foreign affairs.
The Cairo Review of Global Affairs
http://bit.ly/1EMfue0

Sunni versus Shia: The religious rivalry behind the Middle East turmoil
Ussama Makdisi, the Arab-American Educational Foundation Chair of Arab Studies and professor of history, is quoted from his lecture on the links between modern and historical sectarianism. Makdisi will also present a lecture at the Evanston Public Library in Illinois.
Yahoo! Canada
http://yhoo.it/1tefIJF
EPL and MENA present: Professor Ussama Makdisi
Evanston Now
http://bit.ly/1yVDafA

Will the Nicaragua Canal ruin the ‘Galapagos of Central America?’
Pedro Alvarez, the George R. Brown Professor and chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, comments on the likelihood of Lake Cocibolca being contaminated by the construction of the planned grand Canal of Nicaragua.
The Tico Times
http://bit.ly/1z1fNzM

College student turns dorm room into ball pit
Brown College senior David Nichol covered his dorm room floor with 13,000 plastic balls.
Reuters China (Similar articles and broadcasts appeared on 28 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/1JQ6R36
KGW-TV (Portland, Ore.)
http://bit.ly/1thcVzj
Rice U. senior turns dorm into giant ball pit and redefines what it means to be a ‘grownup’
Learn U
http://bit.ly/1z1ymDP

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Students, schools stress over advanced classes
School districts and universities vary in their policies on dual-credit and advanced placement courses. Chris Muñoz, vice president for enrollment, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (This story appeared on the front page. Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1CZ00C2

Houston plugs budget holes with suburban sales tax
Houston’s “limited purpose annexations” are being questioned for their appropriateness. Bob Stein, the Lena Gohlman Fox Professor of Political Science, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/18jXIEi

How does ‘race’ work?
Michael Emerson, the Allyn and Gladys Cline Professor of Sociology, is cited for his use of the term “racialization” rather than racism in an op-ed that defines and explains racialization.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1C7zWrI

WISE luncheon celebrates 3 honorees
Alumna Lynn Elsenhans ’78 was named an honoree by the Women in Science with Excellence.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1CIOUn1

Home built by historic Houston architect hits the market
A historic Houston home designed by alumnus Claude Hooton ’27 is for sale.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/18kUjFs

Bills would allow cannabis compound for epilepsy treatment
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor and chair of political science and fellow in political science at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about the twin bills that would allow children with a certain form of epilepsy to be treated with an extract of the cannabis plant and a new open carry bill that is expected to pass.
Austin American-Statesman
http://bit.ly/15CG1hR
Texas police arrest cop watchers, one for being armed, even though no laws were broken
Photographyisnotacrime.com
http://bit.ly/1C7Erm2

Catholic Charities to host first Poverty Awareness Summit Jan. 29
Stephen Klineberg, professor of sociology and founding director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, will give a keynote presentation at the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston’s Poverty Summit at St. Thomas Jan. 29.
Cypress Creek Mirror (This article also appeared in Friendswood Journal, Spring Observer, Magnolia Potpourri, Pasadena Citizen, Pearland Journal, Deer Park Broadcaster and Bay Area Citizen.)
http://bit.ly/1yVWcT3

The men in blue
Stephen Fox, lecturer of architecture, is quoted about the renovation of the Houston Light Guard Armory.
Texas Highways
http://bit.ly/1CsBYkF

Few Texas hospitals reap federal bonuses
More than 7 million people selected a plan or were automatically re-enrolled in coverage in the federal health insurance marketplace under the Affordable Care Act, according to recent data. Vivian Ho, the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and professor of economics, is quoted.
Amarillo Globe-News
http://bit.ly/1Bf1xBN

Study recommends earlier screenings for young cervical cancer survivors
Rice researchers helped conduct a study on cervical cancer in collaboration with the Comparative Effectiveness Research on Cancer in Texas Project.
Tyler Morning Telegraph
http://bit.ly/1EMgy1H

Houston Symphony announces 2015-16 season
Colombian violinist and conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada and the Houston Symphony will perform the second of a three-concert English commentary series called “Musically Speaking with Andrés” at Rice’s Stude Concert Hall.
Bellaire Examiner (This article also appeared in Fort Bend Sun, Memorial Examiner and Bellaire Examiner.)
http://bit.ly/1CYHARX
Houston Symphony announces 2015-16 season
Broadway World
http://bit.ly/1CssN3E

BROADCAST

Al Jazeera English
Edward Djerejian, founding director of Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, discusses the passing of Saudi King Abdullah.
http://bit.ly/1zPqOHb

KTRK-TV
Paul Brace, the Clarence L. Carter Professor of Political Science, discusses President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address.
http://bit.ly/1ziZyBk

KUT 90.5
Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, discusses the varieties of crude on State Impact Texas.
http://bit.ly/1uSSbyW

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

The latest fashion: Graphene edges can be tailor-made
Rice University theorists show it may be possible to tune graphene edges by varying heat and force as graphene is fractured. Edge configurations affect graphene’s electronic and mechanical properties, which are important for applications. Boris Yakobson, the Karl F. Hasselmann Professor of Materials Science and NanoEngineering and professor of chemistry, and graduate student Zi-Ang Zhang are quoted. Postdoctoral researcher Alex Kutana is mentioned.
Science Daily (This article also appeared in R&D Magazine, Science Newsline, Machines Like Us, DailyMe, Bellaire Examiner and Nanotechnology Now.)
http://bit.ly/1H0chwf
Graphene edges can be tailored and trimmed, all problems solved
Softpedia
http://bit.ly/1BfJ9Zq

How cancer turns good cells to the dark side
Rice University biophysicists reveal how cancer uses notch-signaling pathways to promote metastasis. Their computer models provide a fresh theoretical framework for scientists who study ways to target cancer progression. Eshel Ben-Jacob, a senior investigator at Rice’s Center for Theoretical Biological Physics; Herbert Levine, the Karl F. Hasselmann Professor of Bioengineering, and José Onuchic, the Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor of Physics and Astronomy, are quoted.
Science Daily (This article also appeared in Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News.)
http://bit.ly/1LbFLac

Mobile test could detect viral DNA without PCR
Graduate student Brittany Rohrman is featured for her research on finding a simple, fast way to test newborns for HIV. Rebecca Richards-Kortum, the Stanley C. Moore Professor of Bioengineering, professor of electrical and computer engineering and director of both Beyond Traditional Borders and Rice 360°: Institute for Global Health Technologies, is mentioned.
Chemical & Engineering News
http://bit.ly/1uvpouA

Atomic placement of elements counts for strong concrete
Clinkers pulverized to make cement should be processed right out of the kiln to save the most energy. The environmentally friendly advice is the result of a computational study by scientists at Rice University. Rouzbeh Shahsavari, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, is quoted. Former Rice graduate student Lu Chen is mentioned.
National Science Foundation
http://1.usa.gov/1wy4s63
Tinkering with clinker makes cement more sustainable
Sourceable.net
http://bit.ly/1uvooqc

‘Normal’ stomach on endoscopy may be anything but
A new study reveals that 30 percent of stomachs that appeared to be normal during endoscopy may have significant gastric pathology. Manoop Bhutani, adjunct professor of bioengineering, is quoted.
GastroEndoNews.com
http://bit.ly/15Ct2w9

How we came to recognize the sun as the center of our solar system
Rice’s Galileo Project is mentioned in an article about the solar system arrangement.
Io9.com
http://bit.ly/1Cskx3N

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Why do Latinos distrust banks?
Studies reveal that many Hispanics living in Arkansas do not use banks. Stephen Klineberg, professor of sociology and founding director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is quoted about a 2014 report that revealed more than half of Hispanic respondents are worried about being a victim of crime.
Hola! Arkansas
http://bit.ly/1GZ4PSh

Bringing back the Schubert ‘house party’
Norman Fischer, the Herbert S. Autrey Professor of Cello, will perform at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Jan. 30.
Wisconsin State Journal
http://bit.ly/18k6G4y

Utah’s Forrest Gump: Man runs 453 miles from Arizona to Idaho in 8 days
John F. Kennedy’s speech given at Rice in 1962 is mentioned.
St. George News
http://bit.ly/1tgSSks

SPORTS

Gearhart named a Senior CLASS Award candidate
Rice basketball player Seth Gearhart was named one of 30 men’s basketball candidates for the 2014-15 Senior CLASS Award.
Conference USA
http://bit.ly/1yJaR3K

Louisiana Tech bounces back, tops Rice 58-45
Rice basketball fell to Louisiana Tech University 58-45 at Tudor Fieldhouse.
CBSSports.com (This article also appeared in the Times and News-Star.)
http://cbsprt.co/1yVL7S0
Louisiana Tech (14-5) at Rice (6-11)
SunHerald.com (This article also appeared in Modesto Bee and 13 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/1z2oZUC
Recap: Rice versus Louisiana Tech
The News Tribune (This article also appeared in News Tribune and 20 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/1EMPeAm

ASU tennis makes statement at ITA Kick-Off Weekend
Rice tennis fell to the University of Kentucky 4-0 at the ITA Kick-Off Weekend.
The State Press
http://bit.ly/15CbNLz

Padres Matt Bush draft pick sets team back for 10 years
Alumni Jeff Niemann ’05 and Philip Humber ’05 are mentioned.
Fansided
http://bit.ly/1BeZWMj

NEWS RELEASES

Rice space physics pioneer recognized by National Academy
The National Academy of Sciences today announced that Rice University Professor Emeritus Alexander Dessler has been awarded the prestigious Arctowski Medal in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the study of solar physics and solar terrestrial relationships.
http://bit.ly/1yVRPri

‘A Critical Look at the LGBT Movement’ topic of Rice lecture Feb. 5
Indian-American LGBT rights activist Urvashi Vaid will discuss the state and future of the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community as part of Rice University’s Gray/Wawro Lecture Series Feb 5.
http://bit.ly/1wy2yCk

How cancer turns good cells to the dark side
Rice University biophysicists reveal how cancer uses notch-signaling pathways to promote metastasis. Their computer models provide a fresh theoretical framework for scientists who study ways to target cancer progression.
http://bit.ly/1yJfB9k