Dateline Rice for Nov. 14, 2017

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Should the US limit exports of natural gas?
Anna Mikulska, senior research analyst for energy studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, argues that increasing natural gas exports would have a positive impact on the U.S. economy.
Wall Street Journal (This article also appeared at CentUSNews.)
http://on.wsj.com/2mplryV

‘Super invader’ tree hits South, but flea beetle may be hero
Research on Chinese tallow trees by Evan Siemann, the Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, is mentioned.
Washington Post (This Associated Press article appeared in more than 100 other media outlets.)
http://wapo.st/2igNxrC

A superior alternative to the Greek system
A letter to the editor mentions there are no fraternities or sororities at Rice.
Chronicle of Higher Education
http://bit.ly/2zIo4Pw

Former US diplomat: Hariri resignation a threat to Lebanon’s ‘delicate balance’
Edward Djerejian, director of Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, participated in a Q&A on the impact of the resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri on the Middle East.
The National
http://bit.ly/2zWOvUx

Saudi Arabia’s Prince Al-Waleed ‘puts 2 luxury Lebanese hotels up for sale’ a week after he was detained in ‘anti-corruption’ roundup … so will he also sell London’s Savoy?
Kristian Ulrichsen, fellow for the Middle East at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted in an article on Saudi Arabia’s Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, who was arrested in an anti-corruption sweep.
Daily Mail
http://dailym.ai/2zGi1Ne

How the zombie fungus takes over ants’ bodies to control their minds
Kelly Weinersmith, adjunct faculty member and the former Huxley Fellow in Ecology and Evolution, is quoted in an article about parasites that control their hosts’ brains.
The Atlantic
http://theatln.tc/2zCKOCR

Designing better ballots
Michael Byrne, professor of psychology, wrote an op-ed on improving voting systems.
Arizona Daily Star (This article originally appeared at The Conversation and more than 10 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/2zXUl8e

The birth of a ‘space kingdom’: Asgardia launches its 1st satellite into space in bid to become a virtual nation (although it’s only the size of a loaf of bread)
David Alexander, director of the Rice Space Institute and professor of physics and astronomy, is quoted.
Daily Mail
http://dailym.ai/2joAIyR

Mysteries of the Mayan ‘snake god’ could be revealed after secret passageway to an underground cave is discovered beneath 1,000-year-old Mexican pyramid
A study co-authored by Rice marine geologist André Droxler, professor of Earth, environmental and planetary sciences, that found drought to be a likely cause of the decline of Mayan civilization is mentioned.
Daily Mail
http://dailym.ai/2jr28nW

Britain’s beautiful but little-known skyspaces
A photo of James Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace on the Suzanne Deal Booth Centennial Pavilion at Rice is featured.
Telegraph
http://bit.ly/2ifAUND

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Some Latinos believe science may negatively impact their kids’ faith
More than one-third of Latinos interviewed in a recent study believe science education may have a negative impact on the religious faith of their children, according to new research from sociologists at Rice. The study examined the relationship between STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education and religious faith from the perspective of blacks and Latinos, two groups that are among the most religious in the U.S. Study authors Daniel Bolger, a Rice Ph.D. student, and Elaine Howard Ecklund, founding director of the Religion and Public Life Program and the Herbert S. Autrey Chair in Social Sciences, are mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. A similar article appeared at Scienmag, Science Newsline, Gears of Biz, News Medical Life Sciences, One News Page and Eurasia Review.)
http://bit.ly/2AJasmW
http://bit.ly/2zIFXh8

UH, Rice student leaders condemn racism in statement
Student Association President Justin Onwenu was among a group of campus leaders across the country to call on elected officials to combat hatred at colleges and universities.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2zHhkU9
http://bit.ly/2ieJufl

Abbott endorses Sarah Davis’ GOP challenger
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott endorsed attorney Susanna Dokupil, who is challenging state Rep. Sarah Davis, R-Houston. 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. Jones also comments on Texas politics in several other stories.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article also appeared in the San Antonio Express-News and on the front page of the Nov. 14 print edition of the Chronicle with a different headline, “Abbott backs GOP legislator’s rival.”)
http://bit.ly/2hpnWvY
Abbott endorses Republican Sara Davis’ challenger
Austin American-Staesman
https://atxne.ws/2hsz6zW
KUT-FM (Austin, Texas)
http://bit.ly/2ifYv0F (Click the audio button to listen to the broadcast.)
Candidate filing kicks off in 2018 election season in Texas
Texas Public Radio
http://bit.ly/2hsJUhH
KRLD-AM (Dallas)
http://bit.ly/2zJG38d (Click the audio button to listen to the broadcast, which also aired on KLBJ-AM in Austin.)
Texas Democrats take aim at congressional seats
KTRH.com
http://bit.ly/2AEcoNI
KPRC-TV (Houston)
http://bit.ly/2igVk98 (Click the video button to watch the broadcast.)
Could ‘bathroom’ legislation put N.C. ahead of Texas for Amazon’s HQ2?
Triangle Business Journal
http://bit.ly/2hyxJU5
Episode No. 43: Dr. Mark Jones
The Trey Blocker Show
http://bit.ly/2AHAu9v

Are voters ready to elect a gay judge to the Texas Supreme Court?
Brian Riedel, professor in the practice of humanities and assistant director of Rice’s Center for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality, is quoted in an article on Harris County District Judge alumnus Steven Kirkland ’82 and his candidacy to replace Don Willett on the Texas Supreme Court. Alumna Annise Parker ’78, a fellow at Rice’s Doerr Institute for New Leaders and former mayor of Houston, is also quoted.
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/2zGSMut

Virtual conversation: Has Houston’s tech community reached ‘critical mass’?
The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship is mentioned in a Q&A.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://bit.ly/2jr7rDY

The death of the alt weekly and the science of creativity
Anthony Brandt, professor of composition and theory at Rice’s Shepherd School of Music, and alumnus David Eagleman ’93, a neuroscientist at Stanford University, discuss their book “The Runaway Species: How Human Creativity Remakes the World.” They also will speak Nov. 16 at Houston’s Christ Church Cathedral.
Houston Public Media
http://bit.ly/2z16ych
Texas literary calendar Nov. 13-19      
Texas Book Lover
http://bit.ly/2jq8Jio

5 ways to get your art fix this week in Houston: Art crawl and ugly sweaters
Following a monthslong Rice Public Art residency in the Weisman research laboratory of Rice’s Department of Chemistry, Houston-based artist Joseph Cohen will present his findings and resulting artworks in a solo presentation, “Looking at a flower,” at the BioScience Research Collaborative. An opening reception with the artist will be held Nov. 16. “Looking at a flower” will run through April 8. The reception and exhibition hosted by Rice Public Art are both free and open to the public.
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/2zCHt6W

‘Engineering Cellular Degradation: From Targeted Control of Protein Depletion to Design of Synthetic’
Rice chemical and biomolecular engineer Laura Segatori will speak Nov. 14 at the BioScience Research Collaborative.
TMC News
http://bit.ly/2zDO28S

Tuloso-Midway High School English teacher celebrated for teaching humanities
Alumna Sarah Walker ’95 was one of 17 recipients of the Outstanding Teacher of the Humanities Award given by Humanities Texas.
Corpus Christi Caller-Times
http://bit.ly/2hr8yz6

BROADCAST

‘Good Morning Iowa’
Professor of History Douglas Brinkley will speak Nov. 14 at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
WOI-TV (Des Moines, Iowa)
http://bit.ly/2z1HNMY (Click the video button to watch the broadcast.)

WBEN-AM (Buffalo, N.Y.)
Rice is mentioned in a discussion on streaking on college campuses.
http://bit.ly/2zCMOeo (Click the audio button to listen to the broadcast.)

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

OpenStax textbooks now available through bookstore digital access programs
Rice-based publisher OpenStax announced that its textbooks are now available through VitalSource and RedShelf, the digital textbook providers for the majority of campus bookstores in the U.S. Colleges and universities participating in inclusive access programs — programs where students are billed for all their digital textbooks and resources at registration — will include OpenStax content for free or for no additional cost beyond a marginal platform fee.
Converter News (A similar article appeared at What They Think.)
http://bit.ly/2AEeTPm

2 common myths around mass shootings in America
Ryan P. Brown, managing director for measurement at Rice’s Doerr Institute for New Leaders, authored an op-ed following a mass shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Psychology Today
http://bit.ly/2hyEx4e

EE Times Silicon 60: Startups to watch
An article on Weebit Nano mentions the company has a research and development agreement with Rice and has licensed seven patents on Resistive Random Access Memory technology researched by James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Chair in Chemistry and a professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering.
EE Times
http://ubm.io/2iVXV7Z

Nov. 10, 2017 Capitol update
Todd Moss, nonresident scholar at the Center for Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, testified Nov. 1 at a Senate Subcommittee on Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions and International Economic, Energy and Environmental Policy hearing entitled “Energy and International Development.”
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
http://bit.ly/2iV2dMA

CIO announces Consultant of the Year finalists
Alumnus Rich Nuzum ’90 is a finalist for Chief Investment Officer’s Consultant of the Year award.
Chief Investment Officer
http://bit.ly/2AG4KS3

The Graham Foundation announces 2017 Carter Manny Awards for architectural scholarship
Graduate student Nikki Moore received a citation in the Graham Foundation’s Carter Manny Awards.
The Architect’s Newspaper
http://bit.ly/2jqzHGG

Materials research hints at future
“Fuzzy fibers” of silicon carbide that act like Velcro and stand up to the punishment that materials experience in aerospace applications are mentioned. The fibers were developed by the Rice laboratory of Pulickel Ajayan, the Benjamin M. and Mary Greenwood Anderson Professor in Engineering and chair of the Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, in collaboration with NASA.
Process Heating
http://bit.ly/2zBOK6M

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Lancaster City Council needs to pass lead ordinance, and other county municipalities ought to pay heed (opinion)
An editorial supporting an ordinance in Lancaster, Pa., that would require properties built before 1978 to be certified as lead-safe or lead-free before they are rented to families with children ages 6 and younger quotes Provost Marie Lynn Miranda, who spoke about lead poisoning during a presentation in Pennsylvania in September.
Lancaster Online
http://bit.ly/2htokcX

Texas not a legitimate democracy when it hinders black, Latino voters
A 2014 Rice study on the effect of Texas’ voter ID law is mentioned.
UT News
http://bit.ly/2hyEbKT

Student advances particle physics field with research in Switzerland
Karl Ecklund, associate professor of physics and astronomy, is mentioned.
Purdue University Northwest Pioneer
http://bit.ly/2hyUlnu

Expect shocking results in BW’s ranking this week
The Jones Graduate School of Business’ jump in last year’s Bloomberg Businessweek ranking of top MBA programs is mentioned.
Poets & Quants
http://bit.ly/2zHaLyP

Trio set to play McComb
The Deciduous Trio — Amulet Strange ’14, Stephanie Mientka ’13 and Hope Cowan ’15 — will play Nov. 14 at the State Theatre in McComb, Miss.
Enterprise-Journal
http://bit.ly/2zIWJN6

Boles on Jefferson in Boston Nov. 16
John Boles, the William Pettus Hobby Professor of History, will speak Nov. 16 at the Massachusetts Historical Society. He is the author of the Thomas Jefferson biography “Jefferson: Architect of American Liberty.”
Boston 1775
http://bit.ly/2zCvoP2

Beyond the backbone
Douglas Schuler, associate professor of business and public policy in Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business; Balaji Koka, associate professor of strategic management in the Jones School; alumna Rachel Buissereth ’17; and graduate student Charlie Card-Childers co-authored an article on alternatives to backbone organizations in collective impact efforts.
Stanford Social Innovation Review
http://bit.ly/2yANvRx

NOVA Chamber Music Series sets outstanding Utah Symphony soloists for works by CPE Bach, Messiaen
Alumnus Jason Hardink ’01 is quoted in a preview of a Nov. 19 concert.
Utah Review
http://bit.ly/2z0HwtM

River Oaks Chamber Orchestra presents a world premiere with a Houston connection
President John F. Kennedy’s “Moon Speech” given at Rice Sept. 12, 1962 is mentioned in a review of a Nov. 11 performance by the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra.
Texas Classical Review
http://bit.ly/2zKdK9K

SPORTS

With 2 straight wins, ODU still has a chance for the postseason
The Rice football team faces Old Dominion University Nov. 18.
Daily Press
http://bit.ly/2zJ7ezX
Wake up with Wilder — Week 11
Old Dominion University
http://bit.ly/2zJ0L8j

Southern Miss kicker Parker Shaunfield’s post-field goal celebration catches Pat McAfee’s eye
University of Southern Mississippi kicker Parker Shaunfield’s celebration after making a 51-yard field goal in a Nov. 11 victory over Rice is featured.
Clarion Ledger (This article also appeared in the Hattiesburg American.)
http://on.thec-l.com/2zBlq0j

Rice transfer Koulechov shines in debut with No. 8 Florida
Former Rice basketball player Egor Koulechov ’17, who now plays for the University of Florida, scored a school-record 34 points in his debut with the Gators Nov. 13.
Houston Chronicle (This Associated Press article appeared in more than 50 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/2mtD8xA
Column: Koulechov’s performance proves he can lead Gators offense
Independent Florida Alligator
http://bit.ly/2joWJxD

Lecomte 23 points for No. 25 Baylor in 70-46 win over A&M-CC
Former Rice basketball player and coach Willis Wilson, now coaching at Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi, is mentioned.
San Antonio Express-News (This Associated Press article appeared in more than 50 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/2iTYT4g

‘Spectrum News Rochester’
Becca Evans signed a letter of intent to swim for Rice in the fall.
YNN Rochester
http://bit.ly/2zJFrzr

Jackson senior captures 4A state 100-yard breaststroke crown
Rice swimmer Nicole Limberg is mentioned.
The Herald
http://bit.ly/2jq4vas