Dateline Rice for May 13, 2015

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Performance reviews are awkward for everyone
Psychologists at Rice reinforce the importance of continuous feedback on employee performance. Doctoral candidate and lead author of the study Jisoo Ock is quoted.
Futurity (This article also appeared in Epoch Times.)
http://bit.ly/1IxOyUq

Why Uruguay took 6 Guantanamo detainees but isn’t considering more
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, comments on Uruguay’s decision to take in six newly released Guantanamo Bay prisoners and how it may make it difficult for other countries to accept detainees in the future.
Christian Science Monitor (This article also appeared in Yahoo! News Canada and Yahoo! News UK and Ireland.)
http://bit.ly/1L1ULGe

187 world famous scholars urge Japan not to distort ‘comfort women’ issue
Sayuri Guthrie Shimizu, professor of history and the Dunlevie Family Chair in History, signed an open letter in support of historians in Japan.
The Seoul Times
http://bit.ly/1bPzSS3

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Dallas suburbs lag in racial parity between officers and their communities
Steve Murdock, the Allyn and Gladys Cline Professor of Sociology and director of Rice’s Hobby Center for the Study of Texas, explains the influx of minorities in suburbs and their interest in high-tech jobs rather than the police force.
Dallas Morning News
http://bit.ly/1L14EUI

Report: UT among 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.
KVUE-TV (Austin, Texas)
http://bit.ly/1PiHcIn

Atascocita High honors top 10 students of 2015 graduating class
Atascocita High School valedictorian James Scanlon plans to attend Rice.
Atascocita Observer
http://bit.ly/1e1A9Dl

BROADCAST

How does Garcia’s announcement affect the Houston mayoral race?
Bob Stein, the Lena Gohlman Fox Professor of Political Science, comments on the timeliness of Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia’s mayoral candidacy announcement.
Houston Public Media
http://bit.ly/1RESLrX

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Animal copies reveal roots of individuality
Researchers at Harvard University studied the behavior of fruit flies that had to choose between entering a dark tunnel or a lighted one. Julia Saltz, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, is quoted.
Quanta Magazine
http://bit.ly/1PiE53i

Chemical sign for photosynthesis allows better productivity measurement
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.
The Crop Site
http://bit.ly/1PiPyQn
Photosynthesis has unique isotopic signature, researchers report
Phys.org
http://bit.ly/1K6g7Va
Photosynthesis has unique isotopic signature
Science Codex
http://bit.ly/1PEr4fh
Photosynthesis has unique isotopic signature, UCLA researchers report
WN.com
http://bit.ly/1K6gcs5

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Rice professor discusses impact of unconscious biases
Michelle Hebl, professor of psychology and management, spoke at Northwestern University about impact of unconscious biases on social minorities.
The Daily Northwestern
http://bit.ly/1HdIUDJ

UC Merced to mark milestone with 10th graduating class
Richard Tapia, University Professor, the Maxfield-Oshman Professor in Engineering and a professor of computational and applied mathematics, will deliver the commencement address at the University of California, Merced.
Sierra Sun Times
http://bit.ly/1e1jW0Q

11 rappers giving lectures at universities
Bernard “Bun B” Freeman, the Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning’s Distinguished Lecturer, is included on a video list of rappers delivering lectures at universities. Anthony Pinn, the Agnes Cullen Arnold Professor of Humanities and professor of religion, is mentioned.
XXL Mag
http://bit.ly/1FkycxL

When are Jefferson Parish public school graduation ceremonies?
Thomas Jefferson High co-valedictorian Tram Bich Thi Nguyen plans to attend Rice.
The Times-Picayune
http://bit.ly/1HgWpFD

Poplar Bluff senior Ben Soeter completes 100-book challenge
Poplar Bluff High School senior Ben Soeter plans to attend Rice.
KFVS12.com
http://bit.ly/1JHu2xD

SPORTS

Cougars stage comeback in bottom of the 9th to beat Owls 2-1
Rice baseball fell to University of Houston 1-2 at Constellation Field. Head coach Wayne Graham is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1FdUPC9
Cougars keep Silver Glove after walk-off win over Owls
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1KJvRdD
Owls meet UH Tuesday night in Sugar Land
Conference USA
http://bit.ly/1F7qILm

Jordan Stephens named C-USA pitcher of the week
Baseball player Jordan Stephens has been named Conference USA Baseball Pitcher of the Week for May 4-10.
Best College Sports News Network
http://bit.ly/1F7ckCJ

Rice Owls preview
Rice’s football team is profiled for its game tactics. Head coach David Bailiff is mentioned.
ESPN (This article also appeared in ESPN UK.)
http://es.pn/1L26wMN

Sarah Livingston added to US Collegiate National Team
McMurtry College sophomore Chelsey Harris was selected to participate in the U.S. Collegiate National Team program.
USCTrojans.com
http://bit.ly/1HdK02p

NEWS RELEASES

Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine sign interinstitutional agreement
Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine have signed an interinstitutional agreement to facilitate research and teaching collaborations between the two private schools.
http://bit.ly/1IBcEMm

Baker Institute paper: Reasons for Arab Gulf states’ uneven integration into world economy are multifaceted
The reasons behind the Arab Gulf states’ uneven record of integration into the global economy are multifaceted and largely driven by oil exports, according to a new paper from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
http://bit.ly/1zZXejf