Dateline Rice for Nov. 20, 2013

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

‘Convert or die,’ Nigerian terrorist group Boko Haram tells Christian women
David Cook, associate professor of religious studies, is quoted in an article about the Boko Haram’s attacks against Christians in Nigeria.
FoxNews.com
http://fxn.ws/187UMJY

Mexico bolsters science funding
Tony Payan, a fellow in Mexico studies at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and director of the institute’s Mexico Center, is quoted in an article about efforts by the Mexican government to grow the country’s science and technological infrastructure.
Nature.com
http://bit.ly/1bCYer9

Shell still exploring huge Pa. natural gas plant
Charles McConnell, executive director of Rice’s Energy and Environment Initiative, is quoted in an article about Shell’s plans to build a natural gas processing plant in western Pennsylvania.
Associated Press (This article also appeared in the Miami Herald, the Fort Mills Times, CBS Money Watch, PhillyBurbs.com and more than five other sites.)
http://cbsn.ws/17LyVHT

Glitzy Dubai eyes profit in setting Islamic standards
Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted in an article about Dubai’s plans to profit from the production of “halal” goods and services.
CNBC (This article also appeared in the Times of Onan, the Malaysian Insider and the Malay Mail.)
http://cnb.cx/1ei8sRI

African-Americans are the most likely to value postsecondary education, according to first-ever Houston Education Survey
A study by Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research found that blacks and Hispanics are more likely than whites to believe that a college education is key to future success. Stephen Klineberg, professor of sociology and co-director of the Kinder Institute, is quoted.
African-American Lifestyle Magazine
http://bit.ly/1dYH5vk

HOUSTON/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 Rice alumnus George P. Bush ’98 and the Texas Voter ID laws.
George P. Bush makes state candidacy official
The Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/17MrxGP
George P. Bush makes it official
The San Antonio Express-News (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1dYPw9K
George P. Bush files to run for Texas land commissioner
The Washington Post
http://bit.ly/1dYQGC5
There were a few problems with voter ID law during early voting in Texas
Austin American-Statesman 
http://bit.ly/1atLMxd

These shops can roll to customers
Rice is noted for hosting Sarah Platt’s “Urban Izzy” mobile boutique.
The Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1jmrBCo

Equality for Kuwaiti women is more than changing a law — it’s changing expectations
Baker College junior Ellen Trinklein wrote this article about women and politics in Kuwait as a research intern at the Baker Institute for Public Policy..
The Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/17p3MYh

Rice No. 7 on list of America’s smartest universities
Rice is ranked No. 7 among the “Top 10 Smartest Colleges,” according to Luminosity.com.
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/19Gz21E

Doris Lessing leaves her mark on Texas
Richard Bado, director and professor of opera studies, is quoted in an article about the late author Doris Lessing.
San Antonio Express-News
http://bit.ly/HZlKqE

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Shale gas group brings heavy hitters together to pitch for manufacturing
Rice is mentioned as one of the charter members of the American Shale and Manufacturing Partnership.
EENews.net
http://bit.ly/I3wIvM

US, Chinese scientists’ discovery may help find new superconductors
Rice physicist Qimiao Si, the Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor of Physics and Astronomy, is quoted in an article about his recent experiments investigating the superconducting properties of iron-based compounds.
The People’s Daily
http://bit.ly/IgjbR7
Researchers step closer to creating practical superconductors
HNGN.com
http://bit.ly/1b7SniD
Optimizing electronic correlations for superconductivity
Product Design and Development
http://bit.ly/1dhujM1

Verizon to guard smart meters from hackers
Christopher Bronk, fellow in information technology policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted in an article about Verizon’s new smart meters, designed to prevent hacking.
Fuelfix.com
http://bit.ly/1cGzbFp
Verizon helps defend smart meters from hackers
EENews.net
http://bit.ly/1c2Bi6x

Columbia, military academy among 20 best college campuses
Rice is ranked No. 4 on a list of the “20 Best College Campuses in the U.S.,” according to Business Insider.
NewYork.CityBizList.com
http://bit.ly/I3jvTL

UT-Austin researchers grow large graphene crystals that hold great promise for electrical energy storage advances
Rice is mentioned in an article about graphene crystal research at the University of Texas-Austin.
BioNews-Texas
http://bit.ly/1bCYZAH

Divorce may raise risk of accidental death
Divorce may have another downside: a higher chance of meeting up with a fatal accident. That’s the finding of a new study that also finds higher rates of accidental death for people with low levels of education. Justin Denney, assistant professor of sociology and study author, is quoted.
KLKN-TV
http://bit.ly/IggRth

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

At 110, Pewabic Pottery still burns brightly
Rice is mentioned in an article about the 110th anniversary of Pewabic Pottery.
CandgNews.com
http://bit.ly/18PCgR9

SPORTS

KZTV
A segment previews tonight’s Rice vs. University of Texas-Corpus Christi men’s basketball game.
http://bit.ly/17pHGox

Rice (7-3) at UAB (2-8)
An article previews tomorrow’s Rice vs. University of Alabama-Birmingham football game.
Islandpacket.com
http://bit.ly/1b85yQO

St. Thomas senior Rodgers inks scholarship to Rice
St. Thomas High School senior Michael Rodgers has signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Rice.
The Potpourri (Magnolia edition)
http://bit.ly/1ehXxHO
Bigger, better St. Thomas hoopsters ready to break out season
The Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1atsfwJ

With no Griner, Sims must become team leader
An article recaps the Rice vs. Baylor University women’s basketball game.
Baylor Lariat
http://bit.ly/1eidsG4

UAB encouraging fans to sit on one side of the stadium for TV purposes
Tomorrow’s Rice vs. University of Alabama-Birmingham football game is mentioned in an article about the UAB’s strategy to make it appear that the stands are filled.
Fansided.com
http://bit.ly/1bQWfmE

Mid-major Report: Toledo looking to play spoiler against unbeaten Northern Illinois
Rice running back Charles Ross is mentioned in an article about the upcoming University of Toledo vs. North Illinois University football game.
College-Football.SportsIllustrated.com
http://bit.ly/1fi7U19

NEWS RELEASES

Beethoven Festival and Handel’s ‘Messiah’ headline Shepherd School’s December events
Rice Chorale’s holiday concerts and an all-Beethoven festival are among several events scheduled in December at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music.
http://bit.ly/1iuX9rW

Engineering education may diminish concern for public welfare issues, sociologist says
Collegiate engineering education may foster a “culture of disengagement” regarding issues of public welfare, according to new research by a sociologist at Rice University.
http://bit.ly/1aGu3ld