Dateline Rice for Nov. 2, 2016

FEATURED ITEMS

Houston native’s Syria confinement spotlighted on Newseum building in D.C.
Ambassador Edward Djerejian, director of Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about returning captive Americans.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2fdMGWu

Philosophy is cool again
Comments about philosophy are made by Gwen Bradford, assistant professor of philosophy; Donald Morrison, professor and chair of philosophy; and graduate student Peter Zuk.
Houston Chronicle (This appeared in the Chronicle’s “Gray Matters” online magazine. Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2enpiXt

Note to capitalists: Cuba is still communist
Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front of the Business section of the Nov. 2 print edition with a different headline, “Communist-ruled island is not yet Cuba Libre for business.”)
http://bit.ly/2f0xoDH

Rice basketball adds 7-year-old to squad through Team IMPACT
Rice men’s basketball head coach Mike Rhoades, with the help of Team IMPACT, announced the addition of 7-year old Luis Arcaya of Houston to the men’s basketball team Nov. 1.
KHOU
http://bit.ly/2ezLtHj
KPRC
http://bit.ly/2edCXgc

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Using science to understand how ballot design impacts voter behavior
In an article forthcoming in the December issue of Current Directions in Psychological Science, Philip Kortum, assistant professor of psychology, and Michael Byrne, professor of psychology, examine the process of voting through the lens of behavioral science, drawing on available research to show how the design of voting interfaces can have significant impact on voter behavior.
Eurasia Review
http://bit.ly/2ezzoC3
How to make sure you don’t screw up your ballot
New York
http://sciof.us/2edvtKn
How ballot design impacts voter behavior
Neuroscience News
http://bit.ly/2fv4JuE

Langley scientist makes breakthrough discovery that could help people walk again
The combination of graphene nanoribbons made with a process developed at Rice University and a common polymer could someday be of critical importance to healing damaged spinal cords in people. James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering, and graduate student William Sikkema are mentioned.
Aldergrove Star (This also appeared in the Langley Times and BC Local News.)
http://bit.ly/2fdJVnZ

Richard Dawkins gives science a bad name: Top 10 most controversial scientists
Controversial British evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins is well-known for his criticism of religion, but a new Rice study of British scientists reveals that a majority who mentioned Dawkins’ work during research interviews reject his approach to public engagement and said his work misrepresents science and scientists because he conveys the wrong impression about what science can do and the norms that scientists observe in their work. Elaine Howard Ecklund, the Herbert S. Autrey Chair and Professor of Sociology and director of the Religion and Public Life Program, is quoted.
Sputnik
http://bit.ly/2e1VO2R
Most British scientists don’t agree with atheist Richard Dawkins on this very important point
BCN
http://bit.ly/2fv5lk0

Vice President Joe Biden’s inspirational message to health transformers
An article mentions that Vice President Joe Biden spoke at Rice Sept. 16.
Medium
http://bit.ly/2fEaDsz

For the Clintons, 2 investigations, 1 protective reflex
Douglas Brinkley, professor of history, discusses the 2016 presidential election.
Boston Globe
http://bit.ly/2fhEzGJ

Wettrennen der allerkleinsten autos
James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering, is mentioned.
Der Standard
http://bit.ly/2fe7Wve (An English translation is not available.)

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Democrat primary voters outnumber Republicans in Harris County early voting
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor of political science, fellow in political science at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and fellow at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is quoted about the 2016 elections.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front of the Spring Observer section of the Nov. 2 print edition with a different headline, “Early voting continues to be brisk throughout the county.”)
http://bit.ly/2edr6Pd
Texas take: Nov. 2
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This also appeared in San Antonio Express-News and My San Antonio.)
http://bit.ly/2eUoGZS
http://bit.ly/2eUlFc8
Texas voters weigh $4.76B of local bonds
Fidelity
http://bit.ly/2edFK9g
Politycznie niepoprawny Trump vs skompromitowana Clinton
Gazeta Polska (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2eUHBUy

HPU Student Speaker Bureau competes in Houston and Colorado, prepares for Oxford
A Rice debate tournament is mentioned.
Brownwood News
http://bit.ly/2edx2YC

Veterans face uncertainty as Texas Politicians and universities take aim at tuition aid
A Rice study on the Hazlewood Act is mentioned.
Dallas Observer
http://bit.ly/2fv4gZe

LETU computer science students take 1st in regional ICPC
Rice is mentioned.
The Gilmer Mirror
http://bit.ly/2f0LDrM

Evan Garza moves from Blanton to Rice University
Evan Garza has been named the new director of public art at Rice. Rice’s Moody Center for the Arts is mentioned.
Glasstire
http://bit.ly/2fhsTnd

Chao Center’s Liu Distinguished Visitor Series to feature American Buddhist scholar-monk Bhikkhu Bodhi
American Buddhist scholar-monk Bhikkhu Bodhi will explore the deep connections within the web of problems ranging from poverty to climate change that confront the global community today as part of the Chao Center for Asian Studies’ Liu Distinguished Visitor Series at Rice Nov. 14.
Houston Style Magazine
http://bit.ly/2fvcz7C

Insurance costs up for local employers
Marah Short, associate director of the Baker Institute’s Center for Health and Biosciences, is quoted about the insurance exchange.
Community Impact
http://bit.ly/2eUuXEQ

BROADCAST

Getting health care technology to impoverished areas: Meet Houston’s latest MacArthur ‘genius’
Rebecca Richards-Kortum, the Malcolm Gillis University Professor, professor of bioengineering and of electrical and computer engineering and director of Rice 360° Institute for Global Health, is featured for the work that earned her the MacArthur Fellowship.
Houston Public Media’s “Houston Matters”
http://bit.ly/2e1QIn3

Hurricane Isaiah: A fictional storm with potentially real consequences
Jim Blackburn, professor in the practice of environmental law and co-director of the Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disasters Center, discusses Hurricane Isaiah.
Houston Public Media’s “Houston Matters”
http://bit.ly/2f0CZd4

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Researchers find evidence for a cold, serpentinized mantle wedge beneath Mt. St. Helens
Alan Levander, the Carey Croneis Professor of Earth Science, and postdoctoral research associate Eric Kiser are mentioned for their research on Mt. St. Helens.
Phys Org
http://bit.ly/2eUsyKj

Model expands landscape for signaling protein mutations
Protein pairs that control stimulus response in bacteria maintain a sensitive balance between interaction specificity and promiscuity, according to Rice University scientists. Jose Onuchic, the Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor of Physics and Astronomy, postdoctoral researcher Ryan Cheng and alumnus Faruck Morcos are mentioned.
Science Daily
http://bit.ly/2edsu4m

Facing the future
Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is mentioned.
JPT
http://bit.ly/2fv8QXK

Mars: How will humans get there
Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy hosted a “Lost in Space 2016” panel Oct. 3.
Mars Daily
http://bit.ly/2f0U0DI

New nanomaterial for fuel cells exceeds benchmarks for hydrogen storage, could see use in next-gen electric vehicles
Layers of graphene separated by nanotube pillars of boron nitride may be a suitable material to store hydrogen fuel in cars, according to Rice scientists. Rouzbeh Shahsavari, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, is quoted.
Electronic Products
http://bit.ly/2faYQBm

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Astrological aesthetics: November 2016 horoscopes
Jonathan Schipper’s exhibit “Cubicle” is open at Rice Gallery through Dec. 4.
Hyperallergic
http://bit.ly/2fEjzhQ

Watch: Jake Gyllenhaal and Ryan Reynolds in space thriller ‘Life’
President John F. Kennedy’s famous “Moon Speech” delivered at Rice Sept. 12, 1962, is discussed.
Backstage OL
http://bit.ly/2fcGdL9

The 2016 USAA Veterans Day ceremony
Rice is mentioned.
The Military Guide
http://bit.ly/2edBpmr

Utah opera resident artists to perform in southeastern Utah
Alumnus Christian Sanders ’15 is mentioned.
Global Travel Media
http://bit.ly/2fhDTB7

SPORTS

Rice Owls versus Florida Atlantic Owls — Nov. 5 college football pick, odds and prediction
Rice football will play Florida Atlantic University Nov. 5.
Sports Chat Place
http://bit.ly/2fdRScZ

Childhood friends, teammates reunite
An athlete who was going to attend Rice is mentioned.
The Nevada Sagebrush
http://bit.ly/2fuYKG6

College men’s basketball notebook on area players
Brown College sophomore Marcus Evans is mentioned.
The Virginian-Pilot
http://bit.ly/2e1Wntm

Texas DB Dylan Haines nominated for walk-on award
Will Rice College senior Zach Wright is one of the 51 nominees for the 2016 Burlsworth Trophy.
Hook ’em
http://bit.ly/2fvcErR

SMU’s Cunningham, Lamb sweep AAC’s weekly awards
Rice swimming is mentioned.
Swim Swam
http://bit.ly/2f0IM2k

Samford men’s golf places 3rd at Samford Intercollegiate
The Rice All-American is mentioned.
AL.com
http://bit.ly/2edzjTu

Volleyball bi-district playoffs: Defending state champ Hebron sweeps area power Plano West; SL Carroll gets revenge against Boyd; Byron Nelson shocks Plano
A Rice pledge is mentioned.
Dallas Morning News
http://bit.ly/2fhDJJU

NEWS RELEASE

Chao Center’s Liu Distinguished Visitor Series to feature American Buddhist scholar-monk Bhikkhu Bodhi
American Buddhist scholar-monk Bhikkhu Bodhi will explore the deep connections within the web of problems ranging from poverty to climate change that confront the global community today as part of the Chao Center for Asian Studies’ Liu Distinguished Visitor Series at Rice University Nov. 14.
http://bit.ly/2fvlfuq