Dateline Rice for May 16, 2014

FEATURED ITEMS

Swarm and fuzzy
James McLurkin, assistant professor of computer science, is quoted about translating nature to math in an article about the development of small robots based on insects through an organizing principle called “swarming.”
Newsweek
http://bit.ly/Tb98TP

Despite strong economy, budget troubles loom for Houston
Houston Mayor Annise Parker ’78 presented Houston’s budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 and may result in hundreds of layoffs. Bob Stein, the Lena Gohlman Fox Professor of Political Science, is quoted about his research on the public’s attitude about government.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This was the top story on the front page.)
http://bit.ly/1sVYufT

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Stick insect genomes show how evolution repeats
A team of evolutionary biologists at Rice, the University of Sheffield and eight other universities studied how natural selection is playing out across the genome of the stick insect.
Futurity (This article also appeared in Phys.org, ScienceNewsline, University of Sheffield and Science Daily.)
http://bit.ly/1nS7zGI

Grassroots group backs candidate in quest to turn Texas blue
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 political campaign strategies and Brazil’s preparation for the World Cup.
New York Times (This appeared on the home page.)
http://nyti.ms/Tb1w3H
Despite mishaps, World Cup raises safety bar in Brazil
Monitor Global Outlook
http://bit.ly/1vf3dv6
Pro-Wendy Davis group exploits cancer deaths to attack Abbott
Texas GOP Vote
http://bit.ly/1jCJUCy
The political inevitability of Eva Longoria
La Opinion (This article also appeared in El Diario and La Raza.)
http://bit.ly/1nX5jvp

Why Texas is so good at the death penalty
David Dow, the Rorschach Visiting Professor of History, authored an op-ed about the modern era of executions in Texas.
Politico
http://politi.co/1jlXW1c

Column – money to burn: OPEC’s wasteful energy subsidies: Kemp
Oil consumption has risen among exporting countries, which has led to a need for reform. Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies at the Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Reuters
http://reut.rs/QPYLma

HOUSTON/TEXAS

The 3rd National Climate Assessment: Sound science, not policy
Ron Sass, the Harry C. and Olga Keith Wiess Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, authored a blog post about climate change.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1nS6f6E

Rice University picks Trademark to manage the Village Arcade
Trademark Property Co. will begin managing and leasing the Village Arcade retail center owned by Rice later this year.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1lwpHzR
Residential developer seeks to join the downtown rush
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This appeared on the front of the Business section.)
http://bit.ly/1hQNdq5

Who will be Rice University’s next famous former student?
A slideshow features well-known Rice alumni.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/RH1sqS

Youth Symphony violinist has her moment in the spotlight
The Houston Youth Symphony will perform at Rice’s Alice Pratt Brown Hall May 18.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/RZKMLV

Those smart bacteria and the smart physicist
Eshel Ben-Jacob, a senior investigator at Rice’s Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, adjunct professor of biochemistry and cell biology, is featured.
Jewish Herald-Voice
http://bit.ly/TbnoM7

The 5 best things to do in Houston this weekend: The best of Fringe, Feeling Alright, Hitchcock Silents and more
The Apollo Chamber Players will perform at Rice’s Alice Pratt Brown Hall.
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/1n1e5eX

Rice U baseball raising money for March of Dimes at home finale
Rice is donating proceeds from ticket sales of the last home baseball game to the March of Dimes in memory of McKenzie Reese, who died six years ago just 19 days after her birth. Reese was the daughter of former Rice baseball player Vincent Sinisi.
News 92 FM
http://bit.ly/1j24pwT

Lone Star College System celebrates student success with commencement ceremonies
Stephen Klineberg, professor of sociology and co-director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, and Houston Mayor Annise Parker ’78 will be the commencement speakers for Lone Star College System.
Cypress Creek Mirror
http://bit.ly/1gNncru

Spiritual music: Composer transforms her 30-year quest into a special Houston premiere
Composer Ann K. Gebuhr penned “Triptych,” a nine-minute piece written for the late Jeanette Lombard, a former Shepherd School faculty member.
CultureMap
http://bit.ly/1oWXwNW

Waco ISD considers pre-K STEM partnership with Rice University
Waco Independent School District is going to test the use of Rice’s STEMscopes for hands-on learning.
WacoTrib.com
http://bit.ly/RYY4rW

BROADCAST

KPRC-TV
Stephen Klineberg, professor of sociology and co-director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, was interviewed about the results from the Kinder Institute Houston Area Survey on “Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall,” which will air May 18 at 10 p.m.
http://bit.ly/1gNCOLG
 
Segregation in US schools is making a comeback
Stephen Klineberg, professor of sociology and co-director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is interviewed about the growing segregation among students based on their family’s income rather than race.
NewsFix
http://bit.ly/1sWjPpi

KHOU-TV
On Friday night, Rice undergraduates will cross the stage to receive diploma tubes and be congratulated; the commencement address will be presented Saturday morning and degrees will be conferred to the group as a whole.
http://bit.ly/1oxAPmf

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

ICORS to put spotlight on Raman spectroscopy
Peter Nordlander, professor of physics and astronomy and in electrical and computer engineering, will give a keynote lecture at the XXIV International Conference on Raman Spectroscopy at Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, Germany.
Biophotonics
http://bit.ly/1n4rGh1

Material profit
Rice is mentioned for creating high-quality graphene via carbon deposition on copper foil from dog feces.
Investor’s Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1gNArs4

Opinion: It’s time to invest in innovation the right way
Steven Currall, the former William and Stephanie Sick Professor of Entrepreneurship and associate professor of management, psychology and statistics, authored an op-ed about the necessity of innovation to keep up with the increasingly competitive global economy.
Sacramento Business Journal
http://bit.ly/1jClEAg

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

10 scientific facts from the Bible
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 referenced for her survey on religious understandings of science.
Indianapolis Recorder
http://bit.ly/1k8CETC

Promoting diversity in our churches
The percentage of multiracial churches has doubled in the last decade. Michael Emerson, the Allyn and Gladys Cline Professor of Sociology and co-director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is quoted.
Rejuvenate
http://bit.ly/RIrz0N

Texas Latinos have made huge strides in health care coverage
A new study from the Baker Institute for Public Policy reports that Texas Latinos were more likely to enroll in health insurance through the federal marketplace. Elena Marks, scholar in health policy at the Baker Institute, is quoted.
Burnt Orange Report
http://bit.ly/1sWEqde

Architect and author to speak in Nahant
Architect and author Ethan Anthony will speak about architect Ralph Adams Cram and his legacy. Rice is mentioned.
Item Live
http://bit.ly/1jCv52K

Review: ‘An Average Joe’s Pursuit For Financial Freedom’
A book by alumnus Michael Munsey ’07 is reviewed.
Earthformed
http://bit.ly/1gwcCuo

Westminster Catawba to recognize 48 grads on Friday
Catawba Christian School salutatorian Benjamin Joel Johnson plans to attend Rice.
Herald Online
http://bit.ly/1jmfhqS

SPORTS

McSwain, Barker lead UAB track on first day at C-USA Championships
An article reports the results from the beginning of the 2014 Conference USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
AL.com
http://bit.ly/RZvGWD
Hayes, Garrett lead UTSA into C-USA outdoor track meet
San Antonio Express-News
http://bit.ly/1nX2339

Sports briefs: Hagerty golf alumnus recognized, CFYFL spring champs crowned
Rice golfer Kevin Reilly was named the Conference USA Freshman of the Year for leading the Owls in seven of its 11 tournaments.
Seminole Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1jQx8FB

The helmet helper: Fly by night
SB Nation’s Eric Murtaugh “designed” a football helmet for the Rice football team.
One Foot Down
http://bit.ly/1lIKPpt

Houston Texans: Overview of recently signed undrafted free agents
Senior kicker Chris Boswell is mentioned.
Fansided
http://bit.ly/1mACQMi

Chiefs sign 3rd-round pick Phillip Gaines
The Kansas City Chiefs signed senior cornerback Phillip Gaines.
KCChiefs.com
http://bit.ly/1gNgIst
The crowded secondary of the Kansas City Chiefs
Arrow Head Pride
http://bit.ly/1lwxlKu
Chiefs sign CB Phillip Gaines
Chiefs Spin
http://bit.ly/1qGAJup
KMBC-TV (Kansas City, Mo.)
http://bit.ly/1jmj9YU
KCTV-TV (Kansas City, Mo.)
http://bit.ly/1n4xlnr
KSMO-TV (Kansas City, Mo.)
http://bit.ly/1iSVZmW

NEWS RELEASES

Baker Institute expert available to comment on outcome of Indian elections
The outcome of India’s national election this week shows a landslide victory for opposition leader Narendra Modi. While Modi’s election may be interpreted as a big win for India’s economy, reality is more sober, according to Russell Green, the Will Clayton Fellow in International Economics at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and an adjunct assistant professor of economics at Rice.
http://bit.ly/1gNJf15

Rice physicist will search for ‘quark-gluon plasma’ at the LHC
Rice University physicist Wei Li is searching for the smallest and hottest drop of soup in the universe, and thanks to a coveted Early Career Award from the Department of Energy (DOE), he’ll have a chance to look for it beneath the Swiss Alps.
http://bit.ly/1n1yrEG

Caught in the act: Study probes evolution of California insect
A first-of-its-kind study this week suggests that the genomes of new species may evolve in a similar, repeatable fashion — even in cases where populations are evolving in parallel at separate locations. The research is featured on the cover of the May 16 issue of Science.
http://bit.ly/1lwCFxx