Dateline Rice for July 8, 2015

FEATURED ITEM

My smartphone is making me dumb
A yearlong study of first-time smartphone users by researchers at Rice University and the U.S. Air Force found that users felt smartphones were actually detrimental to their ability to learn. Philip Kortum, assistant professor of psychology, is quoted. Graduate student Clayton Shepard and Lin Zhong, assistant professor in electrical and computer engineering and of computer science, are mentioned.
The Washington Post
http://wapo.st/1CnRXUr
Study of first-time smartphone users reveals devices may be detrimental to learning process
Science 360 (This appeared on the home page.)
http://1.usa.gov/1D0YNK5
New users say iPhones hinder learning
Futurity (This article is featured in today’s newsletter.)
http://bit.ly/1JPaono
http://bit.ly/1dM8BAU
Is your smartphone making you dumb?
Business Standard (This article also appeared in Economic Times and 27 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/1S8sorX
Study: Smartphones don’t help college students learn
Politico Pro (Subscription required.)
http://politico.pro/1NSJpGb
Smartphone may not aid learning
PsychCentral
http://bit.ly/1UAaQca
Study: Smartphones detrimental to learning for first-time users
Campus Technology (This article also appeared in Science Daily, University Herald and Scicasts.)
http://bit.ly/1TlkJJl
New smartphone users say that the devices can be detrimental to the learning process
Consumer Affairs
http://bit.ly/1KSRUkv
Rice University study: Smartphones may be detrimental to learning
The Stewardship Report
http://bit.ly/1LWg5QN

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

How to interpret Iran’s Islamic rhetoric
Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, fellow for the Middle East at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, authored an op-ed about Islamic rhetoric.
The Washington Post
http://wapo.st/1flnqw9

To see the legacy of slavery, look at present-day school systems
Slavery was abolished more than 150 years ago, but its effects are still felt today in K-12 education in the South. Heather O’Connell, postdoctoral fellow at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, authored an op-ed about this research.
The Conversation
http://bit.ly/1HMVr4O

How weed became a legitimate cause for candidates: Anti-pot taboo shrinks in politics as 2016 hopefuls now open up about their experiences with the drug
Both political parties are discussing legalizing marijuana and easing drug sentences, a topic that was once politically controversial. William Martin, the Harry and Hazel Chavanne Senior Fellow in Religion and Public Policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Daily Mail
http://dailym.ai/1Hgs1Wn
How pot politics are changing the game for Election 2016
The Cannabist
http://dpo.st/1LR2sRU
Presidential hopefuls talking about pot
The Leaf-Chronicle (This article also appeared in Courier-Journal, Daily Journal, Columbus Dispatch Online, KPLC-TV, Telegraph Herald, Media Awareness Project, World Online and WZZM-TV.)
http://leafne.ws/1NOHFNn

A canal to nowhere? Weighing the risks in Nicaragua
An article explains Chinese investors’ interest in building a canal across Nicaragua, a controversial project that Nicaraguans and scientists have spoken out against. Pedro Alvarez, the George R. Brown Professor and chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is quoted from his speech at a public hearing of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
University of Pennsylvania’s “Knowledge@Wharton”
http://whr.tn/1KOpUAb

Why Silicon Valley is failing miserable at diversity, and what should be done about it
Tech companies are embracing diversity, though race representation graphs for several top companies suggest otherwise. The article recommends that tech companies should hire from diverse schools, like Rice.
International Business Times
http://bit.ly/1Hcv81f

Study: Bisexuals have worse health than gay, lesbian or straight people
Bisexual males and females report poorer health than gays, lesbians and heterosexuals, according to a new study from sociologists at Rice University. Bridget Gorman, professor of sociology, and Justin Denney, assistant professor of sociology, are quoted.
Advocate
http://bit.ly/1NPY5Wh

Texas colleges are preparing for concealed weapons
Texas universities are determining how to comply with the new Texas legislation that allows concealed handguns on college campuses. Rice plans to consult members of its community and update the university’s current policy, if needed, by the law’s effective date.
Business Insider (This article also appeared in Reuters UK and over 50 other media outlets.)
http://read.bi/1JU48Ie

Austin: My time in Texas’ liberal haven
Travel writer Adam Williams reflects on his time in Austin and was told that the Frost Bank Tower building was designed by a Rice alum, which is a myth.
Huffington Post
http://huff.to/1LWnH5K

7 things you may not know about Howard Hughes
Howard Hughes, who attended Rice but left before earning a degree, is featured.
History
http://bit.ly/1flmVCm

Why land on the moon? To see if we can
President John F. Kennedy’s famous “Moon Speech” delivered at Rice Sept. 12, 1962, is mentioned.
The Atlantic (This article also appeared in Yahoo! Finance.)
http://theatln.tc/1RkGjjH
Despite failure, keep reaching for stars
Daytona Beach News-Journal
http://bit.ly/1UApRL3

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Required reading: Research funding, testing opt-out and more
With grants totaling $2.2 million from Houston Endowment and the Laura and John Arnold Foundation, Rice’s Houston Education Research Consortium plans to explore new areas of education research in the Houston Independent School District.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1LVbePR

Latest price drop brings slap-in-the-face reality to oil industry
Crude oil prices have fallen below $60 a barrel, which is less than the benchmark for producers to maintain production growth. Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow in Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (This appeared on the front of the Business section. Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1ConiG7

3 DFW-area senators sent fewest bills to Abbott
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor of political science and fellow in political science at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, comments on the success a senator can have without passing many bills and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is under investigation for securities fraud.
The Texas Tribune
http://bit.ly/1HaGxQ7
Texas Attorney General Paxton facing securities fraud probe
WOAI-FM (San Antonio)
http://bit.ly/1gnRaZq

10 best sunsets in Houston
James Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace on the Rice campus is featured as a top place to see a sunset in Houston.
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/1TiXWhk

BROADCAST

Al Jazeera
Ted Temzelides, professor of economics, explains Greece’s current economic standing and shares his predictions for a solution.
http://bit.ly/1D0YiQf
Euro mess: Inside the fight between Greece and EU leaders
ABC 13 (This article also appeared in WTVD-TV and 14 other media outlets.)
http://abc13.co/1fnKhXX

Do coaches make the cut as teachers?
Daniel Bowen, a postdoctoral fellow at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is interviewed about his study of coaches and their effectiveness as teachers.
Houston Public Media’s “Houston Matters”
http://bit.ly/1fnHTAt

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Researchers discover twisting graphene alters electrical properties
Flexing graphene may be the most basic way to control its electrical properties, according to calculations by theoretical physicists led by Rice University. Boris Yakobson, the Karl F. Hasselmann Professor of Materials Science and NanoEngineering and professor of chemistry, is quoted.
Tech Times
http://bit.ly/1LWpA2r

Customer commitment has many faces, differs globally
Companies that want to increase customers’ loyalty and get their repeat business would do well to understand the nuanced ways in which and reasons why a customer is committed to that company, according to a recent study by marketing experts at Rice University and Fordham University. The research provides a strategic blueprint for developing customer commitment. Vikas Mittal, the J. Hugh Liedtke Professor of Marketing at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business, is quoted.
Phys.org (This article also appeared in e! Science News and Science Newsline.)
http://bit.ly/1G70QMG

Recent agricultural pest stems from one fly generation’s big genetic shift, evolution study finds
Researchers from Rice, Kansas State University and University of Notre Dame discovered a new species of fly that is infesting apples and hurting the industry. Scott Egan, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and co-lead author of the study, is quoted.
Science Daily (This article also appeared in Fox 28.)
http://bit.ly/1Rkx173
KULR-TV (Billings, Mont.)
http://bit.ly/1RkAUsX
KWYB-TV (Butte, Mont.)
http://bit.ly/1KTi5HO
KFBB-TV (Great Falls, Mont.)
http://bit.ly/1HOfo9E
KTMF-TV (Missoula, Mont.)
http://bit.ly/1NOCPQm
KTVO-TV (Ottumwa, Iowa)
http://bit.ly/1UAz9GV

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

UCF among top 30 worldwide for patents granted
University of Central Florida ranks No. 30 out of 100 universities, including Rice, that were granted U.S. utility patents in 2014.
Central Florida Future
http://bit.ly/1HfzfwP

Odigia comes to market with OpenStax College
Odigia, a NextGen Learning company focused on developing revolutionary teaching and learning tools, partnered with Rice’s OpenStax College.
University Business
http://bit.ly/1J4moLZ

Riverside students place among nation’s best
Brown College senior Kevin Lee’s sister, Carol, placed 12th in the nation at the National Speech & Debate Association National Tournament in Dallas.
Greenville Online
http://grnol.co/1eFJHUq

Welcoming the challenge: Fernandez eyes airline as top priority for Del Rio economy
Alumna Oriana Fernandez ’05 was named the new economic development director of Del Rio, Texas.
Del Rio News-Herald
http://bit.ly/1D0QFtb

SPORTS

Women’s football clinic set for July 27
Head football coach David Bailiff announced that members of the Rice Owls coaching staff will host their fifth Women’s Football Clinic July 27 at Rice Stadium.
Conference USA
http://bit.ly/1CoGYtA

Royals complete perfect homestand with another narrow victory
Former Rice baseball player Matt Ditman, who was drafted by the Kansas City Royals, is featured.
The Times News
http://bit.ly/1Tlxsvt

NEWS RELEASE

Hybrid cells cause chaos around cancers
Rice researchers have built a simulation to understand how cancerous tumors manipulate blood-vessel growth.
http://bit.ly/1HfKCEU