Dateline Rice for April 3, 2014

FEATURED ITEM

As Texas gets more diverse, educators grab the bull by the horns
Steve Murdock, the Allyn and Gladys Cline Professor of Sociology and director of Rice’s Hobby Center for the Study of Texas, is interviewed about Texas becoming a majority minority state.
NPR’s “All Things Considered”
http://n.pr/1dLBzAN
GPB News
http://bit.ly/1mDwGt8

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Designing smarter homework
A study from Rice University and Duke University found that making a few changes to homework assignments in an upper-level undergraduate engineering course at Rice led to improved scores on exams.
TIME (This article also appeared in Computer Magazine.)
http://ti.me/1pW4lAn

Move over Heathrow. Now Dubai International is the world’s No. 1 airport
Dubai International airport has surpassed Heathrow for the largest number of international passengers in the world. Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
The Guardian (This article also appeared in Luxury Travel Advisor.)
http://bit.ly/1edZW4s

World Health Day
Peter Hotez, a fellow in disease and poverty at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, authored a blog post about World Health Day and its emphasis on the prevention and control of vector-borne diseases.
Huffington Post
http://huff.to/1jF5Tg0

A tale of 2 air quality programs: China vs. the US
Rice researchers studied state implementation plans to reduce particulate matter and found efforts to reduce dangerous pollution have been successful. Daniel Cohan, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, and research assistant Ran Chen are mentioned.
Huffington Post
http://huff.to/1i4aOTB

How to double your savings this month
Utpal Dholakia, professor of marketing at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business, is mentioned in an article about the way people think about time and how it affects their financial planning.
Yahoo! Canada
http://yhoo.it/1hEzxkW

Beach body perfect. Where art meets science.
Alumnus Thomas Su ’90 is featured in an article about liposuction.
Examiner.com
http://exm.nr/1kvarUO

Scienza e fede, uno studio e un evento alla Rice University
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, is featured.
Science and Religion in Media (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/PpS2ip

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Energy industry leaders clash over oil exports
Lifting the 39-year-old crude export ban presents financial risks. Kenneth Medlock III, the James A. Baker III and Susan Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Fuel Fix
http://bit.ly/1eelbn1

Pratt says she definitely has stopped campaigning
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, is quoted about Judge Denise Pratt’s campaign strategy and Wendy Davis’ chance at becoming governor of Texas.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1pVc1kw
Pratt says she is not running for re-election, despite rumors
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1fAGD9q
The Pratt Saga goes on…
Texpatriate
http://bit.ly/1mEcgQP
Can Wendy Davis become the first Democratic governor of Texas in 20 years?
New Statesman
http://bit.ly/1jFisYK
Two key staffers leave Dewhurst campaign in strategy dispute
Express News (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1ouxbdQ
Race for energy regulatory role attracts industry dollars
Express News (Subscription required. This article also appeared in Energy Central and Eagle Ford Texas.)
http://bit.ly/1mN4Z44

Countdown to Counter Current Festival: Steve Rowell
Filmmaker Steve Rowell mentions learning how to make films at Rice.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1pWhfhH

Facebook scammers get you to give up private info
Internet criminals are using Facebook ads to obtain personal information from users. Christopher Bronk, fellow in information technology policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
KODA-FM
http://bit.ly/1lE2gcZ

Trotter lecture to explore crossroads of faith, science
James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Chair in Chemistry and professor of mechanical engineering and materials science and of computer science, will visit the Texas A&M University campus to present his views on faith, science and society at the 13th annual Trotter Endowed Lecture Series.
TAMU.edu
http://bit.ly/1kv8ZSk

Deadline for Wonderworks Houston applications is May 5
Rice and University of Houston will host Wonderworks Houston college-level workshops for high school students this summer.
Katy News
http://bit.ly/1pVGDCk

BROADCAST

Study: Booking vacations at work shown to have negative effects
According to a new study from Rice University and Iowa State University, consumers who traveled farther and made reservations during business hours were more likely to select higher quality hotels but were less satisfied after their stay. Ajay Kalra, the Herbert S. Autrey Chair in Business and professor of marketing, is quoted.
Cbs42.com
http://bit.ly/1gRyVZm
A simple way to get more enjoyment out of your vacation
Inc.
http://bit.ly/1lDYaBy
WIAT-TV (Birmingham, Ala.)
http://bit.ly/1dQsKph
KOLN-TV (Lincoln, Neb.)
http://bit.ly/1gqOe6s
WAGT-TV (Augusta, Ga.)
http://bit.ly/1pX2Q4O
KWTV-TV (Oklahoma)
http://bit.ly/PnkEZS

YNN-TV (Albany, N.Y.)
The family of missing Martel College senior Reny Jose is pleading for any information that may lead to his recovery.
http://bit.ly/1lE0855

KBFX-TV (Bakersfield, Calif.)
A Rice alum was arrested and charged with two counts of burglary with intent to commit sexual assault on campus. Rice University Police Chief Johnny Whitehead is quoted.
http://bit.ly/1mDWXYp
KFDA-TV (Amarillo, Texas)
http://bit.ly/OfhZAf
KAMC-TV (Lubbock, Texas)
http://bit.ly/1kve0dS
KLTV-TV (Tyler, Texas)
http://bit.ly/1dQsnen
KXXV-TV (Waco, Texas)
http://bit.ly/1dVdJCn
KRGV-TV (Harlingen, Texas)
http://bit.ly/1j51sKw
KWES-TV (Odessa, Texas)
http://bit.ly/PnlbLA

KTRK-TV
Rice is mentioned in a report about Houston restaurant violations.
http://bit.ly/1ouDMVr

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

How Houston reinvented itself as a cultural powerhouse
James Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace and other works of art on the Rice campus are mentioned in an article about Houston becoming an artistic and culinary center.
Architectural Digest
http://archdg.st/1fORj0J

White House taps ARPA-E to boost methane detection
Frank Tittel, the J.S. Abercrombie Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering and professor of bioengineering, and his group have created a highly sensitive portable sensor that tests the air for damaging greenhouse gases. The sensor is mentioned as a possible solution to the EPA’s missing methane problem.
IEEE Spectrum
http://bit.ly/1scmV9x

Here are 10 open education resources you should know
Rice’s OpenStax College is included in a list of 10 open education resources. Richard Baraniuk, the Victor E. Cameron Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and founding director of Rice’s OpenStax College, is mentioned.
EFY Times
http://bit.ly/1hEJi2A
50 Ted Talks every educator should check out (2014 edition)
Innovation Excellence
http://bit.ly/1i4q1Ef

Startup plans CO2 converter on brewer’s roof
Superior Ecotech LLC will compete in the Rice Business Plan Competition.
Boulder County Business Report
http://bit.ly/1mDtgqq

Researchers at Rice University have reported new data on ecology research
Rice’s research on selective harvesting is featured.
4-Traders
http://bit.ly/1gRJrQC

Why Micron Technology might be able to continue its absurd growth
A Rice stock market study is referenced.
Investing.com
http://bit.ly/1j4xxCc

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Douglas Brinkley gives speech on Neil Armstrong’s importance to Purdue
Douglas Brinkley, professor of history and fellow in history at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, delivered a presentation about Neil Armstrong at Purdue University. He is also quoted about the Affordable Care Act.
The Exponent
http://bit.ly/1hktiOP
‘This guy who campaigned on hope and change has delivered the mail. Period.’
Daily Kos
http://bit.ly/1h83J9B

Reductionism & the radio in your head
Jeffrey Kripal, the J. Newton Rayzor Professor of Religious Studies, is featured for his personal religious testimony in the Chronicle of Higher Education.
The American Conservative
http://bit.ly/1dV8aUr

New findings call biochar potential into question
Rice’s research on biochar is referenced.
Farming Online
http://bit.ly/1lrdqz5

SLPS plan draws criticism
Rice’s partnership with the Houston Independent School District is mentioned.
St. Louis American
http://bit.ly/1lDV28O

Harp trio caps Friends of Music anniversary concert season
Alumna Ann Weaver ’97 will perform as part of the Mosaic Harp Trio for a free concert.
Your West Valley
http://bit.ly/1kv26AJ

SPORTS

A&M soccer falls in spring showdown
Rice women’s soccer will play Texas A&M April 5 at Rice Soccer Stadium.
The Battalion
http://bit.ly/1dUXzZN

Pirates still need signature win
Rice baseball will play East Carolina University April 4-6 at Reckling Park.
The East Carolinian
http://theeastcarolinian.com/?p=32789
ECU’s rally falls short at NC State, 3-2
WNCT.com
http://bit.ly/1lqXD3e

Villanova basketball report cards: Dylan Ennis
Dylan Ennis, a transfer from Rice’s basketball program, is featured.
VU Hoops
http://bit.ly/Pn8oZy

Cards hope Wacha relies on strengths in first start of season
Former Rice athlete Tony Cingrani is featured.
Fresno Bee (This article also appeared in News & Observer and Tri-City Herald.)
http://bit.ly/1kvenoD

NEWS RELEASE

Rice University business experts available to comment on Alibaba IPO
Two experts on IPOs and Chinese entrepreneurship at Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business can weigh in on the dynamics surrounding the Alibaba IPO: Yan Anthea Zhang, a professor of strategic management, and Robert Hoskisson, the George R. Brown Professor of Management.
http://bit.ly/1gRVZay