Dateline Rice for March 14, 2013

FEATURED ITEMS

In China, social media censors are quick
The operator of a Twitter-like social media site in China tracks individual users and key topics and deletes 90 percent of offending posts within 24 hours, new research shows. Dan Wallach, associate professor of computer science and in electrical and computer engineering, is quoted.
Futurity.org
http://www.futurity.org/society-culture/in-china-social-media-censors-are-quick/
Weibo censors move with great speed
Voice of America News (This article also appeared on SriLankanNews.net, SouthKoreaNews.net, NCRumors.com, ArgentinaStar.com, BeijingNews.net, PakistanNews.net and AustraliaNews.net.)
http://bit.ly/Ya5zvl

Exxon sees North America exporting 15 percent gas, 5 percent oil by 2040
William Colton of Exxon Mobil unveiled the company’s 30-year energy economic outlook report at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Businessweek (This article also appeared on Bloomberg.com.)
http://buswk.co/Wf1M0p
Exxon Mobil sees technology’s windfall
Houston Chronicle (subscription required) (This article appeared on the front of the Business section.)
http://bit.ly/150S7do
Exxon sees North America exporting 15 percent gas, 5 percent oil by 2040
Oil & Gas Eurasia
http://bit.ly/Zqg8cj
US oil, gas production to climb while US energy consumption declines
RigZone.com
http://bit.ly/1516mPc

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

How Bibi beat Barack
Edward Djerejian, founding director of Rice University Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted in an article about U.S. foreign policy in regards to Israel and Palestine.
National Journal
http://www.nationaljournal.com/magazine/how-bibi-beat-barack-20130307

Biomedicine: The new gold standard
Research by 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 cited in an article about the medicinal properties of gold nanoparticles.
Nature
http://bit.ly/WnNjhy

SXSW: ‘The Retrieval’ filmmaker talks slavery, Civil War re-enactors and tackling the ‘N-word’
Alumnus Chris Eska ’98 is interviewed about his film "The Retrieval."
Hollywood Reporter
http://bit.ly/10OpyD6

George P. Bush’s political future: How far can he go?
Alumnus George P. Bush ’98 filed paperwork in Texas to run for land commissioner.
Yahoo.com (This article also appeared in the Week.)
http://news.yahoo.com/george-p-bushs-political-future-far-105000049.html

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Harris County gained more residents than any other in US
Steve Murdock, the Allyn and Gladys Cline Professor of Sociology and a former director of the U.S. Census Bureau, is quoted in articles about census reports on population growth in Texas.
Houston Chronicle (subscription required) (This front-page article also appeared in the Greater New Milford Spectrum, the Darien News and the Westport News.)
http://bit.ly/16ukVOS
91,000 new residents flocked to San Antonio in 2 years
San Antonio Express-News
http://bit.ly/WoNuZX
Explosive growth continues in Dallas-Fort Worth
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
http://bit.ly/X8YJTw

Chairman’s higher calling: Anadarko’s Hackett heads for divinity school
Rice trustee James Hackett, adjunct professor of management at the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business, plans to attend Harvard Divinity School following his retirement from Anadarko Petroleum.
San Antonio Express-News
http://bit.ly/13Y1VsT

Culture Scene: March 14-20
Rice’s Shepherd School of Music will perform Handel’s "Ariodante" March 15, 17 and 19.
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
http://bit.ly/ZP8IBx

Artificial lift pioneer honored by R&D Council
The Artificial Lift R&D Council honored alumnus Sam Gibbs ’68 with the Artificial Lift Award for Exemplary Service and Contribution for 2012.
Midland Reporter-Telegram
http://bit.ly/ZILNW9

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Obama, top CEOs meet on cybersecurity
Chris Bronk, fellow in information technology policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about President Barack Obama’s cybersecurity policy.
GovtInfoSecurity.com (This article also appeared on BankInfoSecurity.com.)
http://bit.ly/13XQFMZ
Business News Network (Canada)
http://watch.bnn.ca/wednesday/ShowAllClips/#clip883823

Houston think tank recommends role for China in ISS
New recommendations from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy would fold China into the 15-nation International Space Station partnership, while examining spacecraft reusability and on-orbit assembly options in lieu of the Space Launch System/Orion combination that NASA is currently developing for future U.S. human deep space missions. George Abbey, the Baker Botts Senior Fellow in Space Policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Aviation Week
http://bit.ly/16svpOM

Growing a family alongside a science career
Almost half of female scientists say they have had fewer children than they desired in order to maintain their career, according to 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.
NewScientist
http://bit.ly/ZP0Vn6

Heartfelt news for breast cancer survivors
An article about radiation risks and heart disease notes that alumnus Benjamin Smith ’96 served as a contributing expert for the story.
DailyRX.com
http://bit.ly/X7PcfF

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Unlikely partners create innovative product for college biology
In a sign of continuing evolution in the college textbook market, an unlikely partnership was announced between Wiley, an industry leader, and Rice University-based OpenStax College, a newcomer from the "open education resources" movement.
Against-The-Grain.com
http://www.against-the-grain.com/2013/03/news-announcements-31313/

Harder isn’t better
A quote by Linda McSpadden McNeil, director of Rice’s Center for Education and professor of education, is cited in a letter to the editor about school testing.
Fresno Bee (Calif.)
http://bit.ly/13UVbeM

Newton resident Gloria Tan faces confirmation hearing before governor’s council
Alumna Gloria Tan ’95 has been nominated for judge of the Middlesex County Juvenile Court.
WickedLocal.com
http://bit.ly/Yd7b4r

SPORTS

Rice’s Guercy named to C-USA all-freshman team
Wiess College freshman Max Guercy was named to the Conference USA all-freshman team.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/Zq1rGd

Louisiana Tech falls at Rice again
An article recaps a baseball game between Rice and Louisiana Tech University.
Shreveport Times (La.) (Coverage of this game also appeared in the Monroe News-Star, KSLA.com [Shreveport, La.] and SportsNOLA.com.)
http://bit.ly/Z1uiOC

UH men oust Rice in C-USA tourney
Articles recap a men’s basketball game between Rice and the University of Houston.
Houston Chronicle (subscription required) (This article appeared on the front of the Sports section.)
http://bit.ly/Yd258h
Houston advances with 72-67 win over Rice
Houston Chronicle (subscription required) (Coverage of this game also appeared on CBSSports.com, the Bradenton Herald and nearly 60 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/YsaZB2

C-USA women’s games get away from UH, Rice
A news brief recaps a women’s basketball game between Rice and the University of Tulsa.
Houston Chronicle (subscription required) (Coverage of this game also appeared on NewsOn6.com [Tulsa, Okla.] and the Tulsa World.)
http://bit.ly/WJvwnt

Rice men’s basketball heading to Canada for summer tour
Rice is making plans for a summer exhibition tour to Canada, according to sources.
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
http://bit.ly/X9QerA

Casey: This was a ‘pretty easy decision’
Alumnus James Casey ’11 signed to play with the Philadelphia Eagles.
PhiladelphiaEagles.com
http://bit.ly/YbAzrW
After stint in baseball, James Casey finds his true calling
Wilmington News-Journal (Del.) (This article also appeared in the Courier-Post. A similar story appeared on Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia.)
http://delonline.us/Wf2gUe
Capsules of Eagles’ free-agent signings Tuesday
Press of Atlantic City (N.J.)
http://bit.ly/10RxBPv

Washington Nationals’ GM Mike Rizzo talks Anthony Rendon; plans for 2011 1st round pick in 2013
Articles discuss the performance of former Rice standout Anthony Rendon at a game between the Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros.
SBNation.com
http://bit.ly/10IZPs5
Biggio begins spring stint as special instructor
Houston Chronicle (subscription required)
http://bit.ly/12SCUj5

NEWS RELEASES

Researchers divide enzyme to conquer genetic puzzle
Rice University researchers have found a way to divide and modify enzymes to create what amounts to a genetic logic gate.
https://news2.rice.edu/?p=41817

US needs to play key role in re-engaging Israelis and Palestinians
A new report from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy lays out specific recommendations for the U.S. administration to advance prospects for a two-state solution. Titled “U.S. Engagement in Israeli-Palestinian Peace Negotiations,” the report is the result of a year-long project involving Israeli and Palestinian working groups chaired by Edward Djerejian, the Baker Institute’s founding director and former U.S. ambassador to Syria and Israel. The report was issued a week before President Barack Obama’s visit to Israel, the West Bank and Jordan.
https://news2.rice.edu/?p=41819

Testing can improve learning among young and old people
Testing can improve learning among young and old people alike, according to new research from Rice University.
https://news2.rice.edu/?p=41810

Obama administration must work hand in hand with industry to ensure cybersecurity, Baker Institute expert says
President Obama’s meeting Wednesday with U.S. business leaders to discuss cybersecurity came soon after reports that Obama’s own family, including First Lady Michelle Obama, has been hit by cyber hacking. With cybersecurity a top national concern, the administration must develop deeper collaborations with industry in the protection of key intellectual property and systems against efforts to steal data via cyber means, according to a cybersecurity expert at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
https://news2.rice.edu/?p=41799