Dateline Rice for Dec. 15, 2016

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Research: More evangelicals believe climate change than evolution
Evangelicals are more skeptical of evolution than of climate change, according to new research from Rice. The study examines the larger “anti-science” tendency that some see as related to membership in conservative religious groups such as evangelical Protestants. Elaine Howard Ecklund, the Herbert S. Autrey Chair and Professor of Sociology and director of the Religion and Public Life Program, is quoted.
Relevant
http://bit.ly/2hoPOkX
Evangelicals are more skeptical of evolution than of climate change
Technology.org
http://bit.ly/2gFdjC9

Shell replaces finance chief Simon Henry with Jessica Uhl
A Rice profile on Jessica Uhl is mentioned.
Bloomberg
http://bloom.bg/2hxFPdz
Shell replaces chief financial officer, no reason given
Times-Picayune
http://bit.ly/2gP6q4L

Buzz Aldrin: John Glenn was a hero. We owe it to him to keep exploring space.
President John F. Kennedy’s famous “Moon Speech” delivered at Rice Sept. 12, 1962, is discussed.
The Washington Post
http://wapo.st/2gFcs4p

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Layoffs, research cutbacks on the table as MD Anderson moves to improve its financial health
Vivian Ho, the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics at the Baker Institute and professor of economics, is quoted about the effects of the Affordable Care Act on the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front page of the Dec. 15 print edition with a different headline, “MD Anderson battles $111M deficit.”)
http://bit.ly/2hRIBqx
MD Anderson Cancer Center facing layoffs, research cutbacks
San Antonio Express-News
http://bit.ly/2hJQjXH

Through the eyes of children
Geoff Winningham, the Lynette S. Autrey Professor of Humanities and professor of visual arts, is featured. Martel College senior Abbi Gutierrez is mentioned. The article was authored by David Medina ’83, director of multicultural community relations in Rice’s Office of Public Affairs.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2hoAcOr

Advocates vow to fight broad deportation of immigrants
A letter from President David Leebron to the campus about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2hRNrUJ

Here’s how to determine if college is worth the cost
Rice is mentioned in a slideshow of Texas schools with the highest paid alumni.
Houston Chronicle (This also appeared in My San Antonio.)
http://bit.ly/2h4etYV

Perry’s Texas track record gave him edge with Trump
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 President-elect Donald Trump. Jones also authored an op-ed about Texas politics.
Mineral Wells Index
http://bit.ly/2h4d04Q
The decline of Democratic influence in the Texas House
San Marcos Corridor News
http://bit.ly/2hxY8zs
Por qué la idea de Trump de mudar a Jerusalén la embajada de EEUU en Israel puede tener peligrosas consecuencias
Univision (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2hzZuHw
Canciller de Trump defiende tratado comercial
Hoy (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2h4yDlP

Texan of the Year finalist: Rice’s genius grant winner Rebecca Richards-Kortum
An article mentions that 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, was nominated for Dallas Morning News’ “Texan of the Year.”
Dallas Morning News
http://bit.ly/2h4w6YR
Texan of the Year 2016 nominees
Dallas Morning News
http://bit.ly/2hxCdZe

Diversity on display: Mayor Turner making City Hall look like its citizens
A study by Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research is mentioned.
Houston Forward Times
http://bit.ly/2hzOU3d

UAlbany plays SMU in protest over HB2
Rice is mentioned.
Dallas Voice
http://bit.ly/2hAOh9a

1 day, Star Trek will come true
Devika Subramanian, professor of computer science and of electrical and computer engineering, discusses voice-recognition technology.
KTRH
http://bit.ly/2hoYEiw

BROADCAST

Houston doctors are preparing for a post-antibiotic world
Yousif Shamoo, professor of biochemistry and cell biology and Rice’s vice provost for research, discusses the dangers posed by antibiotic resistance.
Houston Public Media’s “Houston Matters”
http://bit.ly/2gEQcI8

Houston music highlights: Week of Dec. 12
A performance recorded at Rice’s Shepherd School of Music is featured.
Houston Public Media
http://bit.ly/2hRMmMT

‘Imus in the Morning’
Douglas Brinkley, professor of history, is mentioned.
WABC (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast. This also aired on 66 other stations.)
http://bit.ly/2hKh8LC

‘Al Jazeera’
Edward Djerejian, director of Rice University’s Baker Institute and former ambassador to Israel and to Syria, discusses the fall of Aleppo to Syrian forces.
https://youtu.be/ZIkvsEaQ3xE (An English translation is not available.)

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Who decides the future of work?
A report on the De Lange Conference at Rice University quotes Moshe Vardi, director of Rice’s Ken Kennedy Institute for Information Technology, the Karen Ostrum George Distinguished Service Professor of Computational Engineering and professor of computer science, and Rice President David Leebron.
ACM News
http://bit.ly/2hSbnHy

Emergency in Mali as looters are plundering ancient treasures
Susan McIntosh, the Herbert S. Autrey Professor in Anthropology, is quoted.
New Scientist
http://bit.ly/2gNy6so

Light provides pull for future nanocatalyst measurement
Isabell Thomann, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and of materials science and nanoengineering, uses lasers, light-activated materials and light-measuring nanoscale tips to push the boundaries of experimental nanoscience, but light is providing the pull in her latest study. Graduate student Xiao Yang; Peter Nordlander, professor of physics and astronomy; postdoctoral research associate Thejaswi Tumkur; and Naomi Halas, the Stanley C. Moore Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and a professor of chemistry, bioengineering, physics and astronomy, and materials science and nanoengineering, are also mentioned.
Nanotechnology Now (This also appeared in Phys Org and Photonics Online.)
http://bit.ly/2hoKHRG
Rice university researcher uses light to push boundaries of experimental nanoscience
AZO Nano
http://bit.ly/2hoOqPr

Mexico’s energy reform calls for new water policy
As the Mexican government oversees the implementation of the country’s energy reform, it must consider how best to prioritize water use in accordance with the law and allocate supplies thoughtfully, according to a paper from the Mexico Center at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. The paper is co-authored by Regina Buono, a nonresident scholar in the institute’s Center for Energy Studies.
R&D (This also appeared in Science Newsline.)
http://bit.ly/2hRMCLP

Evidence of 2 newborn planets discovered around young star
Rice astronomers and their colleagues have for the first time mapped gases in three dark rings around a distant star. The rings mark spaces where planets are thought to have formed from dust and gas around the star. Andrea Isella, assistant professor of physics and astronomy, is quoted.
Science World Report
http://bit.ly/2gP1DjP
Astronomers say there may be 2 newborn planets in space
Morning News USA
http://bit.ly/2h4efB5
Planet in the making? Rings around young distant star hint at planetary formation in progress
Tech Times
http://bit.ly/2h4xPgx

IBM Research, Rice University unveil Watson-powered robot for elderly care
IBM Research and Rice University have collaborated to create the prototype IBM Multi-Purpose Eldercare Robot Assistant, a first-of-its-kind Watson-enabled application designed to aid the elderly and assist caregivers.
Healthcare Innovation
http://bit.ly/2gP1QU3
IBM and Rice University develop home assistance robot for elderly
Med Gadget
http://bit.ly/2hAxnHE

Energy players
Alumnus Adam Peakes ’95 is mentioned.
Oil & Gas Financial Journal
http://bit.ly/2hAte6r

Jones full-time MBA named top 10 program in the US
The Master of Business Administration program at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business is ranked No. 8 (up from No. 19 in 2015) in Bloomberg Businessweek’s new analysis of the best full-time MBA programs in the nation. This marks the MBA program’s first top 10 ranking.
Metro MBA
http://bit.ly/2hRVctK

Breakthrough tech could add billions of barrels to Permian reserves
Ken Medlock, the James A. Baker III and Susan Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics and senior director of the Center for Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and lecturer of economics, is quoted about the Permian Basin.
Oil Price (This also appeared in Yahoo 7 Finance, Yahoo Finance India and Yahoo Finance Singapore.)
http://bit.ly/2hp5eWy

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Aditi Brennan Kapil’s ‘Imogen Says Nothing’ to premiere at Yale Rep this winter
Alumna Amy Boratko ’03 is mentioned.
Broadway World
http://bit.ly/2gETnPR

Opinion: Ozone not just ugly, but deadly
A Rice study is mentioned.
Coloradoan
http://noconow.co/2hxFUy0

Caddo High students earn perfect ACT scores
A student who hopes to attend Rice is mentioned.
ArkLaTex
http://bit.ly/2hoOPBk
3 siblings score honor for clarinet talent
KOIN
http://bit.ly/2hS6xu0

Loudoun School Board tables LGBTQ motion
A Rice study is mentioned.
The Loudoun Tribune
http://bit.ly/2gESUgF

Words Count: Registered dietician uses plant based foods to help clients avoid doctor visits
Alumna Heather Borders ’07 is featured.
Florida Times-Union
http://bit.ly/2hAxCTh

Princeton University joins national initiative to enroll more lower-income students
Rice and 29 other prominent colleges and universities are part of a new initiative committed to making high-quality educational opportunities available to more students from lower-income families.
Planet Princeton
http://bit.ly/2h4BTgT

Archbishop Stepinac High School inducts 51 students into National Honor Society chapter
Daniel Williamson, managing director of Rice-based publisher OpenStax, is quoted.
Ossining Patch
http://bit.ly/2gPaPVg

SPORTS

Rice prepares for early start in 4th annual School House Mania
Rice men’s basketball will play St. Edward’s University Dec. 15 and the University of Pittsburgh Dec. 17.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2gEW7gb
http://bit.ly/2hRMc7V
College basketball weekend preview: Dec. 16
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2hzIBMT

The long goodbye: Revisiting the Oilers’ finale in Houston
Rice Stadium is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2hxGyeK
Football: Former Highlanders rooting for current team to capture state title
Houston Chronicle (This also appeared in My San Antonio.)
http://bit.ly/2h4aRX4

Ottawa product Eli Ankou ranked 3rd for Canadian Football League draft
Former Rice football player Scott Mitchell is mentioned.
Ottawa Sun
http://bit.ly/2h4cT9J
Ottawa’s Eli Ankou pleased with No. 3 ranking by CFL Scouting Bureau
Ottawa Citizen
http://bit.ly/2gOZZ1x

Raigyne Moncrief, LSU Lady Tigers rout Sam Houston State 89-41
Rice women’s basketball is mentioned.
The Advocate
http://bit.ly/2gP1HQA
Lady Tigers win big over Sam Houston State 89-41
Sports NOLA
http://bit.ly/2gP1HQA

Navy and LA Tech set for Armed Forces Bowl showdown
Rice football is mentioned.
Navy Sports
http://bit.ly/2gNwoqW

Golden: Tom Herman’s new hire makes sense due to quarterback mentorship success
An article mentions that Tom Herman, Todd Graham and Major Applewhite coached at Rice. Former football player Drew Mehringer is also mentioned.
Hook ’em
http://bit.ly/2hK2fbX
The pressure’s on for Major Applewhite as Houston takes on San Diego State in Vegas
SB Nation
http://bit.ly/2hK6bJJ
New Texas assistant Drew Mehringer is gambling on himself
CBS Sports
http://cbsprt.co/2hJZOGu

11 Texas A&M baseball games to be televised in 2017
Rice baseball is mentioned.
Aggie Sports
http://bit.ly/2h4rvWq
Aggies selected for 11 games on the SEC Television Package
KBTX
http://bit.ly/2hy1Toj

Taylor Leath earns AVCA 2nd-Team All-America
Rice volleyball players Chelsey Harris and Madison McDaniel are mentioned.
Carolina Athletics
http://bit.ly/2gP81Ys
Volleyball trio earns AVCA All-America honors
Creighton Athletics
http://bit.ly/2gNrbzp

Wilkins, Wrozek receive honorable mention on All-Louisiana Cross-Country teams
Rice cross-country is mentioned.
Northwestern State Athletics
http://bit.ly/2hzVh6r