Dateline Rice for May 12, 2015

FEATURED ITEM

A climate-modeling strategy that won’t hurt the climate
Krishna Palem, the Ken and Audrey Kennedy Professor of Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering and of Statistics, is profiled in the ScienceTimes section for his research on inexact computing as a solution to creating a climate-model strategy.
New York Times (This article also appeared in DailyMe.)
http://nyti.ms/1F9uRzN

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

The GOP’s Hispanic paradox
Republicans are struggling to appeal to Latino voters, despite having several Hispanic candidates in recent elections. 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 Gov. Greg Abbott’s Hispanic campaign strategy. Jones also comments on Mayor Annise Parker’s slowing agenda and the use of social media in politics.
Governing
http://bit.ly/1H0Iazl
Council pushing back against lame duck mayor
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1G2Iz8n
Tips for wading through Texas Capitol swirl
Corpus Christi Caller-Times
http://bit.ly/1ExbfBC

Why the polls got it wrong over the UK general election and why it matters
Rice researchers, in collaboration with University of Nebraska at Omaha and University of Nebraska-Lincoln, determined that stress hormones may affect a person’s voting behavior, which is cited in an article about inaccurate U.K. Election Day polling. John Alford, associate professor of political science, co-authored the study.
Huffington Post
http://huff.to/1FbpJen

Mount St. Helens fast facts
A collection of facts about Mount St. Helens, the most active volcano in the state of Washington, includes Rice’s seismological survey of the volcano last year.
CNN (This article appeared in 23 other media outlets.)
http://cnn.it/1FikxY6

The 50 US colleges with the best food
Rice is ranked No. 6 among 50 U.S. universities with the best food, based on Niche survey ratings from students about the quality of both on-campus and off-campus dining options.
Business Insider Malaysia (This article also appeared in Business Insider Singapore and Business Insider Indonesia.)
http://bit.ly/1G368he

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Montgomery, Fort Bend counties more similar than different, study shows
The 2015 Kinder Houston Area Survey from Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research revealed that Montgomery and Fort Bend County are similar in regard to traffic, development and immigration. Stephen Klineberg, professor of sociology and the institute’s founding director, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (This appeared on the front page. Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1QFxQ6O

BROADCAST

State legislative update: Monday’s show (May 11, 2015)
Raj Mankad, editor of the Rice Design Alliance’s Cite Magazine, appeared on “Houston Matters” to discuss future projects of the Menil Collection and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and their role in Houston’s museum scene.
Houston Public Media’s “Houston Matters”
http://bit.ly/1QFBSMp

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Is it time to ditch annual performance reviews?
Psychologists at Rice reinforce the importance of continuous feedback on employee performance. Doctoral candidate and lead author of the study Jisoo Ock is quoted.
Phys.org (This article also appeared in ScienceNewsline, e! Science News, BrightSurf.com and Lab Manager Magazine.)
http://bit.ly/1FbkFGK

Photosynthesis has unique isotopic signature
Photosynthesis leaves behind a unique calling card, a chemical signature that is spelled out with stable oxygen isotopes, according to a new study in Science. The findings suggest isotopic signatures could exist for many biological and geological processes, including some that are difficult to observe with current tools. Laurence Yeung, assistant professor of Earth science, is quoted.
Science Codex
http://bit.ly/1PEr4fh
New isotopic biosignature of photosynthesis discovered
Science 2.0
http://bit.ly/1J9v4o5

How haptics make holograms you can touch
An article about haptics mentions a tactile feedback glove for virtual-reality environments created by Rice University engineering students.
Motherboard
http://bit.ly/1PgqNnR

Energy from movement of leg brace
Rice University students designed a method to charge a battery while walking. A modified knee brace produces energy that the researchers hope may someday be used to power artificial hearts. Steven Rickman, adjunct professor of mechanical engineering; Gary Woods, professor in the practice of computer technology and electrical and computer engineering; Fathi Ghorbel, professor of mechanical engineering and bioengineering; and Eric Richardson, lecturer in bioengineering, served as advisers to the team. The article includes a video produced by Rice’s Brandon Martin.
Today’s Medical Developments
http://bit.ly/1F4Chmn
Sporten om je kunsthart aan de praat te houden
Apparata.nl (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1ATYtfb

Biofuels from algae in wastewater
In one of the first studies to examine the potential for using municipal wastewater as a feedstock for algae-based biofuels, Rice University scientists found they could grow high-value strains of oil-rich algae while simultaneously removing more than 90 percent of nitrates and more than 50 percent of phosphorous from wastewater. Meenakshi Bhattacharjee, faculty fellow and executive director of applied algal research, and Evan Siemann, the Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor of BioSciences, are quoted.
Asian Scientist
http://bit.ly/1Fide2D

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Professor to speak at Humanists meeting in Worcester
Anthony Pinn, the Agnes Cullen Arnold Professor of Humanities and professor of religion, will be the featured speaker at Universalist Unitarian Church in Massachusetts.
Telegram.com (This article also appeared in Worcester Mag.)
http://bit.ly/1J9nhGN

Cristina Villalobos elected to national STEM diversity organization’s board of directors
Alumna Cristina Villalobos ’00 was elected to the board of directors of the Society for Advancement of Hispanics/Chicanos and Native Americans in Science.
Your Valley Voice
http://bit.ly/1QFvEw8

Another feather to Anatsui’s cap
African artist El Anatsui, who has exhibited his work at Rice Gallery, won the prestigious 56th Venice Biennale.
The News Nigeria
http://bit.ly/1IyPuGG

SPORTS

Boise State to renew a pair of old WAC ‘rivalries’
Rice football announced a future home-and-home game against Boise State University in September 2023 and 2024.
NBC Sports (Similar articles appeared in over 10 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/1HbKciE
Boise state adds future football series versus UTEP and Rice
FB Schedules
http://bit.ly/1QFvd51
Boise State schedules home-and-home with UTEP, Rice
MWC Connection
http://bit.ly/1PgnoFE
Boise State adds C-USA teams to future nonconference schedule
Best College Sports News Network
http://bit.ly/1E3KQKj
KTVB-TV (Boise, Idaho)
http://bit.ly/1KFhAyD

James Casey has got fullback covered
Alumnus James Casey ’11 is featured.
Denver Broncos
http://bit.ly/1ATNG4v
James Casey turned baseball failure into successful NFL career
The Denver Post (This article also appeared in Longmont Times-Call, Loveland Reporter-Herald, Daily Camera and Broomfield Enterprise.)
http://dpo.st/1cNinDx

Brampton’s Dylan Ennis heading to Oregon
Former Rice basketball player Dylan Ennis transferred to Oregon University for his senior year of basketball.
Brampton Guardian
http://bit.ly/1dZaScS

Argos hope to repeat success at CFL draft
The Houston Texans drafted Rice football player Christian Covington.
Our Windsor (This article also appeared in Toronto Star, Inside Brockville and Belleville EMC.)
http://bit.ly/1Fiduyt

NEWS RELEASE

Mexico-US migration, labor flow is topic at Rice’s Baker Institute May 21
A panel of experts will explore the U.S.-Mexico education-migration nexus with a focus on the circulation of skilled human capital and subsequent trade-offs at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy May 21.
http://bit.ly/1HeSPM5