Dateline Rice for March 10, 2014 (Weekend Edition)

FEATURED ITEM

Ancient Egyptian soldier’s letter deciphered after 1,800 years
Doctoral candidate Grant Adamson translated a letter found outside a temple in the Egyptian town of Tebtunis using infrared images to read the centuries-old text.
Huffington Post (This article also appeared in FOXNews.com, Yahoo! Maktoob, Yahoo! UK and Ireland, Yahoo! Canada, Yahoo! Philippines, Frontier Post, Daily Mail and MSNBC.com.)
http://huff.to/1np7Z4p

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

University student goes missing while on spring break
Martel College senior Reny Jose has been reported missing in Panama City Beach, Fla., where he has been spending spring break with fellow students at a rented beachfront home.
NBCDFW.com
http://bit.ly/PjtMPI
Missing spring breaker from New York
WEAR-TV (Pensacola, Fla.)
http://bit.ly/1dHVH42
Reny Jose: Rice University student missing from Panama City spring break
NewsMax
http://nws.mx/1loErTj
Vigil for missing Colonie man as search continues
Albany Times Union
http://bit.ly/1gkQbla
Vigil planned for missing student Reny Jose
Albany Times Union
http://bit.ly/1kHibqo
Family and friends of missing Shaker High grad gather for vigil
WNYT-TV (Albany, N.Y.)
http://bit.ly/1h6Ot8J
Search continues for missing spring breaker Reny Jose
WTSP.com
http://on.wtsp.com/1fjKDGI
St. Patrick’s Day starts early at McGuire’s, search continues for missing spring-breaker
AL.com
http://bit.ly/1g0TTj7
Spring break: A human trafficker’s paradise?
Mint Press News
http://bit.ly/1gekiyw
KHOU-TV (Similar broadcasts also appeared on WPEC-TV and 22 other affiliates.)
http://bit.ly/1cqxb99
KTRK-TV
http://bit.ly/1itABux
WABC-NY (New York)
http://bit.ly/1oFtdd8
WXXA-TV (Albany, N.Y.)
http://bit.ly/OdDou7
WEAR-TV (Mobile, Ala.)
http://bit.ly/1cOXmkO

Now, even nature inspiring growth of robots?
James McLurkin, assistant professor of computer science, is featured for his research on nature being a model for the growth of swarm robotics.
NDTV.com
http://bit.ly/1fjj4SA
Movie robots are not about robotics: Expert
Times of India
http://bit.ly/1i4J7gZ
James McLurkin and his robots come to Kolkata
TMCnet.com
http://bit.ly/1h6XRsV

Should scientists believe in miracles?
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 Daily Beast
http://thebea.st/1cJhFFU

HOUSTON/TEXAS

March 9 Newsmakers: Primaries set stage for political showdowns
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, was a guest on KPRC’s “Houston Newsmakers” with Khambrel Marshall to discuss the Texas primary. He is also quoted in articles about the March primaries and the formal start of the general election campaign in Texas.
KPRC-TV
http://bit.ly/1kahLWU
Davis releases public-sector law-firm clients
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1ir4LKx
Does lackluster primary turnout signal soured dreams for Dems?
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article also appeared in San Antonio Express News)
http://bit.ly/1geuaZ7
Talking points: The week’s best quotes
Dallas Morning News
http://dallasne.ws/1qpaZ3j
Wendy Davis will not be governor of Texas.
Standard-Examiner
http://bit.ly/1loJ3IS
American digest
Austin-American Statesman
http://bit.ly/1lO60Ix
Rangel: Canon might have waited too long to enter race
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
http://bit.ly/1cJ08h1
Texas Tribune: Davis’ primary losses in border counties encourage GOP
KTSM-TV
http://bit.ly/1kajefR
Davis’ primary losses in border counties encourage GOP
KETR-FM
http://bit.ly/1ir5NpW
Davis and South Texas
Off the Kuff
http://offthekuff.com/wp/?p=59322
Abbott holds the advantage
Caller.com
http://bit.ly/1cJ0PXP
Analysis: Governor’s race set for high gear and big spending
San Angelo Standard-Times (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1i4n89L
Voters grade parties’ politics
San Angelo Standard-Times (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1cOFl65
Rangel: Here’s how to beat an incumbent
Amarillo Globe-News
http://bit.ly/1fjCsKN

Study to review hurricane protection ideas
Rice developed an affordable and environmentally friendly competing plan to protect the Houston area from hurricane storm surges.
KPRC-TV (This article also appeared in Fort Mill Times, Abilene Reporter News, NewsDaily and Daily Journal.)
http://bit.ly/1cqvrNh
Hurricane protection study finally underway
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1fQdU1E

Tiger Ball a success for Asia Society
Rice President David Leebron and University Representative Y. Ping Sun attended the Asia Society Texas Center’s 2014 Tiger Ball.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1cqovjc

US monetary policy and the debate about the other Indian IT
Russell Green, the Will Clayton Fellow in International Economics at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, authored a blog post about India’s powerhouse information technology.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1ger5YV

Forensic expert urges HPD to restore services lacking in crime lab
Former Texas Rep. Scott Hochberg ’75, a lecturer at the Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies, is quoted about the Houston Police Department’s crime lab.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1i4OYCU

Houston’s early-day audacity has survived
Austin writer Jeffrey Stuart wrote a new book about Houston called “Seat of Empire.” Stephen Fox, lecturer of architecture, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1geatQY

In all sizes, shape shifters amuse
El Ultimo Grito’s “Garden Object” installation is featured. It will be on view at Rice University Art Gallery through March 16.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1ncBUju

Turner: All the old Rice ‘Barn’ needs is some tender loving care
Former architecture professor Drexel Turner wrote an op-ed about Rice’s plans for Martel Center; former architecture professor Peter Papademetriou is mentioned. Several letters also address the topic.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1fjffgt
Saturday letters: Opposed to razing the Art Barn
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1nAF4KG

HBJ names 2014 Landmark Lifetime Achievement Award winner
Former member of the advisory board of the Rice School of Architecture Giorgio Borlenghi has been selected to receive Houston Business Journal’s 2014 Landmark Award.
Houston Business Journal
http://bit.ly/1h6OWaS

Quail Valley Middle School students selected to perform at Rice University poetry event
Quail Valley Middle School students were selected to read their poetry and prose during Rice’s “Words & Art” program March 5.
Fort Bend Sun
http://bit.ly/1ge1W0o

BROADCAST

Episode 124: Charles McConnell
Charles McConnell, executive director of Rice University’s Energy and Environment Initiative and former U.S. assistant secretary of energy for fossil energy in the Department of Energy, discusses energy security, affordability and environmental sustainability on “The Energy Makers Show.” He is also quoted about enhanced oil recovery, the topic of Rice’s conference hosted in Mississippi.
TheEnergyMakers.com
http://www.theenergymakers.com/
Mississippi officials promote enhanced oil recovery at conference.
Mississippi PEP
http://bit.ly/1i0g79i
Mississippi awaits way to tap oil, gas reserves
Clarion Ledger
http://on.thec-l.com/1i0g9Ov
Mississippi leaders promote using carbon dioxide in oil output
The Mississippi Link
http://bit.ly/N1i4Hf
Leaders promote using carbon dioxide in oil output
Island Packet
http://bit.ly/1iku0Tg

From space, it’s one Earth even at times of great tensions – NASA legend
George Abbey, the Baker Botts Senior Fellow in Space Policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is interviewed about international cooperation in space.
RT.com
http://bit.ly/1kHtWNF

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Rice synthetic biologists shine light on genetic circuit analysis
In a significant advance for the growing field of synthetic biology, Rice bioengineers have created a toolkit of genes and hardware that uses colored lights and engineered bacteria to bring both mathematical predictability and cut-and-paste simplicity to the world of genetic circuit design. Jeffrey Tabor, assistant professor of bioengineering, is quoted.
Science Codex (This article also appeared in e! Science News and Nano Werk.)
http://bit.ly/1kauJ6S

Many Texans struggling to pay for health service as Affordable Care Act is about to launch
Many Texans were struggling to pay for basic health services before the launch of the Affordable Care Act, according to a new Rice study. Vivian Ho, the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics at the Baker Institute for Public Policy and professor of economics, and Elena Marks, scholar in health policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, are quoted.
Pharmacy Choice
http://bit.ly/1kaJO8o

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Violinist Paul Kantor joins former student on stage with Peoria Symphony Orchestra
Paul Kantor, the Sallie Shepherd Perkins professor of violin, performed with conductor George Stelluto during the Peoria Symphony Orchestra.
PJ Star
http://bit.ly/1i4DKy8

One with his violin: Geneva native excited about his chance to play at Carnegie Hall
Geoffrey Herd, a graduate student in music, is featured.
Finger Lakes Times
http://bit.ly/1cORIzl

SPORTS

Reagan grad Kuster goes 4-for-4 in C-USA all-conference awards
Rice senior basketball player Jessica Kuster became the first player in Conference USA’s women’s basketball history to be named to both the all-conference first team and all-defensive team in four straight seasons.
My San Antonio
http://bit.ly/1cJgnL2

Economou leads Owls in Bandon Dunes opening round
Rice men’s golf tied for seventh in the 15-team field at the Bandon Dunes Championship.
Sugar Land Sun (This article also appeared in the Bellaire Examiner.)
http://bit.ly/1nACHHY

Herd looking for fresh start
Rice men’s basketball will play North Texas March 11 in El Paso.
Herald-Dispatch
http://bit.ly/1gkX9Xj

NEWS RELEASES

Houston must improve education levels to support growing economy
Houston is lauded nationally for its thriving economy, but the staggering disparities in education and income levels may put the city’s economic expansion in jeopardy, according to a new report from Rice’s Shell Center for Sustainability.
http://bit.ly/NS2BKM

Rice synthetic biologists shine light on genetic circuit analysis
In a significant advance for the growing field of synthetic biology, Rice bioengineers have created a toolkit of genes and hardware that uses colored lights and engineered bacteria to bring both mathematical predictability and cut-and-paste simplicity to the world of genetic circuit design. Jeffrey Tabor, assistant professor of bioengineering, is quoted.
http://bit.ly/1h74hbC

Electronic passport expert available for interviews
Christopher Bronk, fellow in information technology at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is available to comment on the passport fraud discovered after the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
http://bit.ly/1dIsDtp