Dateline Rice for Dec. 17, 2012 (Weekend Edition)

FEATURED ITEM

Rice University publisher offers students free textbooks
Richard Baraniuk, the Victor E. Cameron Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering and founder of Rice’s OpenStax College open-education project, is quoted in a front-page article about OpenStax.
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
http://bit.ly/SFdBw3

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Is ‘The Hobbit’ a ‘Christian’ film? Yes and no
Jane Chance, the Andrew W. Mellon Distinguished Professor Emerita of English, is quoted in an article about Christian themes in the works of J.R.R. Tolkien.
Washington Post (This article also appeared in the Birmingham News.)
http://wapo.st/UGvBlY

Herbs could be used as electric car battery cathodes
Researchers say a plant extract can be turned into a highly effective, natural cathode for lithium-ion batteries. Arava Leela Mohana Reddy, a postdoctoral research associate in mechanical engineering and materials science, and Pulickel Ajayan, the Benjamin M. and Mary Greenwood Anderson Professor in Engineering, professor of mechanical engineering and materials science, professor in chemistry and professor in chemical and biomolecular engineering, are quoted.
FoxNews.com (This article also appeared on HighGearMedia.com.)
http://fxn.ws/ZqdHtg
Can garden herbs improve your car battery?
Christian Science Monitor
http://bit.ly/UQ61ZH
Will plant-based dyes power a new generation of rechargeable batteries?
EarthTechling.com
http://bit.ly/QYEsRX

It might be worth trusting your gut in decision-making
A new study from researchers at Rice says that you should trust your gut instinct as long as you are an expert. Erik Dane, assistant professor of management at the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business, is quoted.
Yahoo.com (This article also appeared on NetIndia123.com, WebIndia123.com, NewKerala.com and Sify.com.)
http://bit.ly/Tr3asJ
Intuitive decisions are fine — for experts
PsychCentral.com
http://bit.ly/UXbuy5

Meal deals worth it for restaurants? It depends
An article discusses research by Utpal Dholakia, professor of marketing at the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business, about daily deal websites such as Groupon.
Chicago Tribune (This article also appeared in the Orlando Sentinel and the Columbus Dispatch.)
http://trib.in/TWchjK

The will to secede
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 an article about the desire of some citizens to secede from the U.S.
In These Times
http://inthesetimes.com/article/14283/the_will_to_secede/

Education’s Salman Khan is a superstar, too
Rice is mentioned in an article about Khan Academy founder Salman Khan.
Forbes India
http://bit.ly/U4kwgm

Iraq could compete with Saudis for energy supremacy
A report by Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy states that Iraq could significantly increase crude oil and natural gas production over the next 20 years.
WorldTribune.com
http://bit.ly/Tr7esV

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Rice board names Tudor as chair
Trustee Bobby Tudor ’82 was elected the next chair of the Rice Board of Trustees. He will succeed Jim Crownover ’65, whose term expires June 30.
Houston Business Journal
http://bit.ly/ZDrjBC
Tudor elected chairman of Rice Board of Trustees
Seattle Post-Intelligencer (This article also appeared in the New Canaan News, the Connecticut Post, the Danbury News-Times and the Greenwich Time.)
http://bit.ly/Us55M4

Have we reached an age of detente between faith and science?
Some scientists were pleasantly surprised when evangelist Pat Robertson recently defended geology against claims the Earth was only 6,000 years old. Elaine Howard Ecklund, associate professor of sociology, director of the Religion and Public Life Program and Rice Scholar at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (subscription required) (This article also appeared in the San Antonio Express-News.)
http://bit.ly/T1b6Rb

Art lights up the Houston sky; a deal lights up San Antonio
The James Turrell "Twilight Epiphany" Skyspace at Rice is featured in an article about things to do in Houston.
Austin American-Statesman (This article also appeared on Individual.com.)
http://bit.ly/VHI5Je

Young opera singers compete
A news brief discusses the 60th annual auditions of the Metropolitan Opera National Council held at Rice’s Shepherd School of Music. Richard Bado, professor of opera and director of Rice’s Opera Studies Program, is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/T2nDFq

Five things to do in Houston
Rice Gallery is mentioned in an article about things to do in Houston.
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
http://bit.ly/RzHgGH

Henry Meadows one of Midland’s most active community members
An article remembers alumnus Henry Meadows ’39 and his contributions to Midland, Texas, history.
Midland Reporter-Telegram
http://bit.ly/WieTya

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

‘What new piece of the universe did your students touch today?’
Linda McSpadden McNeil, director of Rice’s Center for Education and professor of education, authored this column about the real costs of Texas’ standardized testing/accountability system.
Advocate
https://news2.rice.edu/files/2012/12/Winter-Advocate-Winter.pdf

Rice opens new window on Parkinson’s disease
Rice University scientists have discovered a new way to look inside living cells and see the insoluble fibrillar deposits associated with Parkinson’s disease. Laura Segatori, the T.N. Law Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Angel Martí, assistant professor of chemistry and of bioengineering, are quoted.
MedicalXPress.com
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-12-rice-window-parkinson-disease.html

Not just Christmas: Physicists invoke dreidel metaphor to discuss nanowires
A new material structure predicted at Rice University offers the tantalizing possibility of a signal path smaller than the nanowires for advanced electronics now under development at Rice and elsewhere. Boris Yakobson, the Karl F. Hasselmann Chair of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and professor of chemistry, and Xiaolong Zou, a postdoctoral research associate in mechanical engineering and materials science, are quoted.
Science20.com
http://bit.ly/V0CZv3

Remotely activating chemical processes using light
Researchers at Rice University are turning light into heat at the point of need, on the nanoscale, to trigger biochemical reactions remotely on demand. Michael Wong, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, and Matthew Blankschien, the Peter and Ruth Nicholas Fellow in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, are quoted.
TechFragments.com
http://bit.ly/Wig14Y
Using light to remotely trigger biochemical reactions
KurzweilAI.net
http://bit.ly/U6M8Cr

Bioscaffold patch can help heal defective hearts in infants
Jeffrey Jacot, assistant professor of bioengineering, and colleagues produced a material called a bioscaffold that could be sutured into the hearts of infants suffering from birth defects.
MedIndia.net
http://bit.ly/VLITg6

The 10 most popular eCN stories of the year
An article about OpenStax college appears on a list of the 10 most popular eCampusNews.com stories of 2012.
eCampusNews.com
http://bit.ly/ZDUwfM

Thomas Beeby named 2013 Driehaus Prize Laureate
Architect Thomas Beeby received the 2013 Richard H. Driehaus Prize from the University of Notre Dame. The article mentions that he served as design director for Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Residential Architect
http://bit.ly/U7gGny

Rice students design an offshore oilfield city of tomorrow
An article discusses a Rice student architecture design project.
Rigzone.com
http://bit.ly/VGtAoB

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Rice scientists develop nanoparticles that let off some steam
Rice University scientists have unveiled a revolutionary new technology that uses nanoparticles to convert solar energy directly into steam. Naomi Halas, the Stanley C. Moore Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering, director of Rice’s Laboratory for Nanophotonics and professor of physics and astronomy, chemistry and biomedical engineering, is quoted.
JustMeans.com
http://bit.ly/SpTmlP

How to achieve a sustainable fiscal path
Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy is mentioned in an article about the Strengthening of America — Our Children’s Future initiative to raise public consciousness of the country’s growing debt.
Examiner.com
http://exm.nr/Yc49BS

Top 20 US colleges of 2013
Rice University is ranked No. 17 in U.S. News & World Report’s guide to America’s best colleges for the ninth consecutive year. Rice is also 10th on the list of best-value schools.
WPBF.com (Tequesta, Fla.) (This slide show also appeared on WLWT.com [Cincinnati] and KMBC.com [Kansas City, Mo.].)
http://m.wpbf.com/education/-/17441586/1405332/-/60cuqsz/-/index.html

Hip-hop artists are becoming colleges’ most sought after lecturers
An article about hip-hop artists who lecture at colleges mentions that Houston rapper Bun B co-taught a class on religion and hip-hop culture at Rice.
ColorLines.com
http://bit.ly/ZpSAYa

Hiding who you are at work
Hiding your true social identity at work can result in decreased job satisfaction and increased turnover, a new study shows. Mikki Hebl, professor of psychology and management, is quoted.
1047PopsterFM.com (Hope, N.D.)
http://bit.ly/U7uxKu

Boston Brass brings educational outreach to Albany
Rice is mentioned in an article about a performance by the Boston Brass.
WALB.com (Albany, Ga.) (A similar article appeared on WTVM.com [Albany, Ga.].)
http://bit.ly/SWs17N

NJIT architecture students to design first ever Habitat for Humanity homes in East Orange
Rice is mentioned in an article about an architecture project at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
New Jersey Star-Ledger
http://bit.ly/ZyulXI

SPORTS

Rice falls to Hartford’s rally
Articles recap a men’s basketball game between Rice and the University of Hartford.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/U4qDRI
Hartford 58, Rice 51
CBSSports.com
http://cbsprt.co/SZpKbW
College Park High grad Cooper contributes to University of Hartford victory
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/U4gNPR
A few plays late in game boost Hawks
Hartford Courant (A similar article appeared on HartfordHawks.com.)
http://bit.ly/Wi22MH
Worthing High grad Herndon plays in Rice University loss
UltimatePearland.com
http://bit.ly/U72ivt
The Woodlands High grad Cole contributes to University of Hartford victory
UltimateWoodlands.com
http://bit.ly/RzC069

Jim Bevan to be inducted into Center Hall of Fame
Head women’s track-and-field coach Jim Bevan will be inducted into the Center High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
Center Post Dispatch (Colo.)
http://bit.ly/Tr4QCp

SFA women fall to Rice
An article recaps a women’s basketball game between Rice and Stephen F. Austin State University.
Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel (Texas)
http://bit.ly/T2Dkve

College Park grad Shafer contributes to Rice University victory over Chicago State
Articles recap a women’s basketball game between Rice and Chicago State University.
UltimateWoodlands.com
http://bit.ly/UXX7hk
Cinco Ranch grad Palmer leads Rice University to victory over Chicago State
UltimateKaty.com
http://bit.ly/ZcMxar

Drone leads Gallatin County to great start
Rice is mentioned in an article recapping a Gallatin County High School boys’ basketball game.
Southern Illinoisan
http://bit.ly/Wi9WWk

San Jacinto College pitchers sign letters of intent
A San Jacinto College student-athlete has signed to play at Rice.
Deer Park Broadcaster (Texas)
http://bit.ly/V36qwv

NEWS RELEASE

Rice University opens new window on Parkinson’s disease 
Rice University scientists have discovered a new way to look inside living cells and see the insoluble fibrillar deposits associated with Parkinson’s disease.
https://news2.rice.edu/?p=38524