Dateline Rice for Feb. 26, 2014

FEATURED ITEMS

Djerejian: Energy security should be policymaking goal
“The Geopolitics of Natural Gas,” a multiyear study directed by the Center for Energy Studies at Rice University’s Baker Institute and the Geopolitics of Energy Project at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, is referenced. Edward Djerejian, founding director of Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and former U.S. ambassador to Syria and Israel, is quoted.
Oil and Gas Investor
http://bit.ly/1dzfEGK
Global energy outlook becoming redefined by natural gas
Hydrocarbon Processing
http://bit.ly/1hQ9j1l

Fostering a love of music in the Woodlands
Alumni Jonathan Godfrey ’00 and Ana Trevino-Godfrey ’00 have embarked on a mission to teach melody and rhythm to the youngest students possible through the program they founded, Prelude Music Classes for Children.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1fDoibx

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Leishmaniasis: The neglected disease of war, conflict and human misery
Peter Hotez, a fellow in disease and poverty at Rice University’s Baker Institute, authored this blog post about the devastating tropical infection leishmaniasis.
Huffington Post
http://huff.to/1mx769x

Why the plan to dig a canal across Nicaragua is so risky
Scientists and experts are warning against digging a canal through Nicaragua to unite the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Pedro Alvarez, the George R. Brown Professor and chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is quoted.
Wired
http://wrd.cm/N2u383

Study looks at possibility of election voting via smartphone
A team of researchers has designed a mobile voting system for use on smart phones. Michael Byrne, professor of psychology, is quoted.
United Press International
http://bit.ly/1psVw1y
Move over EVMs, smart phone-based voting technology is here
Business Standard (This article also appeared in MF Monitor and 10 other publications.)
http://bit.ly/1fGUYkh
Smartphone-based voting technology may lead to fewer user errors
Phys.org (This article also appeared in Science Codex, Cellular-News, Science Newsline, Newswise, Science Daily and Wireless Design & Development.)
http://bit.ly/1k8Rxqe

County input valued in election commission report
Rice has formed an alliance with Travis County to design a cheaper adaptable voting system from scratch called STAR-Vote.
County News
http://bit.ly/1pt2cNl

HOUSTON/TEXAS

The Ted Cruz effect: Political gold?
Republican Texas primary candidates are using Ted Cruz’s words and endorsements to reach voters. 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 is quoted.
Star-Telegram (This article also appeared in the Sacramento Bee and 28 other publications.)
http://bit.ly/1hvvHIz
Emmett raises his stake to oust GOP chairman
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1cmNwGP
Nugent gaffe shows need to vet supporters
Caller.com
http://bit.ly/1mB36oC
Campaign money floods El Paso races
El Paso Times
http://bit.ly/1c7YHIJ
Joe Straus marks his stragglers again
Agenda Wise
http://bit.ly/1fr4bZI
Argentina remains risky investment despite $5B Repsol, YPF deal
ICIS.com
http://bit.ly/1jA6UFo

Education, quality of life paramount to Houston’s future, says Klineberg
Stephen Klineberg, professor of sociology and co-director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, spoke at Chapelwood United Methodist Church about his study of Houston and its economic future.
Memorial Examiner
http://bit.ly/1mBcmJa

Stockman’s campaign for John Cornyn’s seat
U.S. congressman Steve Stockman has made few campaign appearances during his run for John Cornyn’s U.S. Senate seat. Bob Stein, the Lena Gohlman Fox Professor of Political Science, is quoted.
KFDM-TV (Beaumont)
http://bit.ly/1k7CNaY

BROADCAST

Local 2 Investigates looks at pricing between urgent cares, free-standing ERs
Houston is leading the nation in emergency care facilities, but the cost for immediate care can be overwhelming. Vivian Ho, the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics at Rice University’s Baker Institute and professor of economics, is quoted.
KPRC-TV
http://bit.ly/1jA8VRN

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Student-designed floating islands could house Brazil’s offshore oil workers
A story focuses on a 2012 award-winning research project by Rice architecture students. They won the inaugural Odebrecht Award for their design of an industrial floating city that would accommodate families in the oil industry. Neeraj Bhatia, a former Visiting Wortham Fellow and professor of architecture at Rice, and Weijia Song ’12 are mentioned.
Archinect (This article also appeared in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.)
http://bit.ly/1mHgPxD
A college project that imagines a floating city for oil workers
Alabama Public Radio (This article also appeared in Alaska Public Radio Network and 10 other affiliates.)
http://bit.ly/1ewbdMD

Nanotracer tester tells about wells
A device created at Rice gathers data on how tracers move through deep rock formations that have been opened by hydraulic fracturing. Andrew Barron, the Charles M. Duncan Jr., the Welch Professor of Chemistry and professor of materials science, is quoted. Alumnus Samuel Maguire-Boyle ’12 is mentioned.
RedOrbit (This article also appeared in ChemEurope.com.)
http://bit.ly/1hQ1A3g

Despite shale, Middle East remains key to oil demand
Fatih Birol, chief economist for the International Energy Agency in Paris, spoke at Rice University’s Baker Institute about oil production predictions.
Rigzone
http://bit.ly/1hoA6hK

Lowe’s expected to narrow the gap with Home Depot
A Rice stock market study is referenced.
Investing.com
http://bit.ly/1hfNtl0

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

US farmer visits Lismore to say why fracking for gas is foul
Peter Hartley, professor of economics, is quoted in an article about coal seam gas and activist opposition.
Northern Star (This article also appeared in Echo News and the Age.)
http://bit.ly/1kbVqrc
CSG debate: No place for scare campaigns
Illawarra Mercury
http://bit.ly/1fGTsPa

Science and God: Compatible or antagonists?
Elaine Howard Ecklund, the Herbert S. Autrey Chair and Professor of Sociology, co-director of the Boniuk Institute for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance and director of Rice’s Religion and Public Life Program, conducted a study that supported coexistence and introduced similarities among science and religious communities.
The Bellingham Herald (This article also appeared in the Sacramento Bee.)
http://bit.ly/MtzI67

Welcoming Soo Sunny Park’s ‘Boundary Conditions’
Installation artist Soo Sunny Park’s ‘Boundary Conditions’ will be on display at the New Britain Museum of American Art. Her installation “Unwoven Light” at Rice Gallery is mentioned.
New Britain Museum of Art
http://bit.ly/N3eywG

Lafayette Habitat for Humanity hosts students for alternative spring break
Rice is partnering with Habitat for Humanity for students to participate in an alternative spring break building homes for families in need of affordable housing.
KLFY (Lafayette, La.)
http://bit.ly/1bLLZPp

Astronaut gives Hacienda Heights students 1st-hand account of living in space
Alumna Peggy Whitson ’85 visited St. Mark’s Lutheran School and shared stories from her journey to the International Space Station.
San Gabriel Valley Tribune
http://bit.ly/NwUNNS

SPORTS

Astros to hold 2014 Houston College Classic
Rice baseball will compete in the Battle for Texas in the 2014 Houston College Classic at Minute Maid Park Feb. 28-March 2.
CSN Houston
http://bit.ly/1o40XjZ

College baseball: SHSU tops No. 10 Rice
Rice baseball fell to Sam Houston State University 3-1 at Reckling Park.
Atascocita Observer (This article also appeared in Lake Houston Observer and Humble Observer.)
http://bit.ly/MtA8cM

College baseball: Houston Community Newspapers to throw 1st pitch at Rice game
Houston firefighter Richard Ponce threw the first pitch at the Rice baseball game against Sam Houston State University.
Spring Observer (This article also appeared in Bellaire Examiner and the Villager.)
http://bit.ly/MtArEr

Mean Green swimming and diving gears up for Conference USA championship meet
Rice’s swim team is mentioned as the favorite to win the C-USA championship.
NTDaily.com
http://bit.ly/1kgOGbA

Foul shots: An unseen drama
Rice is commended for the management of its baseball team.
Daily Free Press
http://bit.ly/1fTz1Ln

Major leaguer Lance Berkman impressed with Marble Falls baseball
Alumnus Lance Berkman ’98 is featured.
River Cities Sunday Tribune
http://bit.ly/1cMQdob

Brandin Cooks cooking at NFL combine
Alumnus Phillip Gaines ’13 is mentioned.
Building the Dam
http://bit.ly/1dw232U
Brandin Cooks wins $100,000 for fastest NFL Combine 40-yard dash in Adidas cleats
The Oregonian
http://bit.ly/1hQ4GEt
KXL-FM (Portland, Ore.)
http://bit.ly/1gCfDEb