Dateline Rice for May 20, 2014

FEATURED ITEM

Selfie, unfriend, hashtag: From your teen’s phone to the dictionary
Suzanne Kemmer, associate professor of linguistics and cognitive sciences, is quoted about the progression of words and terminology due to social media.
National Public Radio (This article also appeared in WBUR.org, WNYC-FM, Oregon Public Broadcasting, New Hampshire Public Radio, WESA-FM, WUIS-FM, WUNC-FM, KWGS-FM and Wisconsin Public Radio.)
http://n.pr/SfEacq

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

50 great affordable colleges for computer science and engineering
Rice is ranked as the No. 1 best-rated, most affordable college in the Southwest for computer science and engineering students.
Great Value Colleges
http://bit.ly/1jmErEl

International students are vital to US higher education
International students increase the value of high-quality academic programs for U.S. students. Rice is cited for its percentage of international students in its graduate programs.
NAFSA.org
http://bit.ly/1vzw39J

Peking Univ alumni celebrate in Houston
The Peking University Alumni Association celebrated its alma mater’s 116th anniversary at the third Soluxe International Boya Forum on Ocean Energy and Economic Development at Rice.
China Daily
http://bit.ly/1nbSwZh

Happy 40th birthday Rubik’s Cube! Here’s 5 quick facts you may not know
The Jones Graduate School of Business’ Rice Cube Club’s 600-cube mosaic of Nelson Mandela in honor of Black History Month is featured.
Htxt.Africa
http://bit.ly/R4yqAR

First ad on moon could come from Japan — America must get there first
John F. Kennedy’s speech given at Rice in 1962 is referenced.
Chicago Tribune (This article also appeared in FindLaw.)
http://trib.in/TpYnx1

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Rice University professor offers election predictions
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, spoke at the Cy-Fair Republican Women’s monthly meeting about the upcoming election. He is also quoted about the Texas primary.
Cypress Creek Mirror (This article also appeared in the Tomball Potpourri, Spring Observer and Magnolia Potpourri.)
http://bit.ly/1jmuUNC
Dewhurst says he fought release of Patrick’s records
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front page.)
http://bit.ly/Se7P5z
Texas Senate loses yet another moderate
Texas Observer
http://bit.ly/1nj2h3p
Friedman’s bid could be his last
Amarillo Globe-News
http://bit.ly/1jmwIX3
In Austin, Duncan’s new job could mean a change in political winds
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
http://bit.ly/R4d9rd
Rep. Perry hopes to replace Texas Tech-bound Duncan in Texas Senate
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
http://bit.ly/1jQSYUj
KPFT-FM
http://bit.ly/1j5csEG

Famous Rice University alumni
A slideshow features well-known Rice alumni.
San Antonio Express-News
http://bit.ly/1o2awEN

Lone Star College System celebrates student success with commencement ceremonies
Stephen Klineberg, professor of sociology and co-director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, was a commencement speaker at Lone Star College–Kingwood.
Cypress Creek Mirror
http://bit.ly/1p9eits

Houston-area enforcement officers to escort Flame of Hope to Special Olympics Texas Summer Games
The Rice University Police Department is participating in the kickoff of the annual Flame of Hope Torch Run for the Special Olympics Texas Summer Games.
Spring Observer (This article also appeared in Cypress Creek Mirror and Tomball Potpourri.)
http://bit.ly/1lK8N22

Olson: Seatbelts save lives
Congressman Pete Olson ’85 authored an op-ed about the importance of wearing seatbelts.
Bay Area Citizen (This article also appeared in Friendswood Journal and Deer Park Broadcaster.)
http://bit.ly/RRwrAM

BROADCAST

New security guidelines for Walmart customers
Christopher Bronk, fellow in information technology policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about Walmart’s new checkout security measures.
KPRC-TV
http://bit.ly/SeboZu

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Going deep for dolphins
Architect Jeanne Gang, the former Cullinan Visiting Professor, is featured for her research and design of aquariums. Gang led a group of Rice students on a trip to the Gulf Coast to observe dolphins in the wild.
Phys.org
http://bit.ly/RRqqnq

L’evoluzione prevedibile dell’insetto stecco
A team of evolutionary biologists at Rice, the University of Sheffield and eight other universities studied how natural selection is playing out across the genome of the stick insect.
Le Scienze (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1ob5XW8

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Fuel subsidies rising in emerging markets
Oil consumption has risen among exporting countries, which has led to a need for reform. Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies at the Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Times of Oman (This article also appeared in Hispanic Business.)
http://bit.ly/1giGeej

Scientists wonder about St. Helens: What lies beneath?
Scientists will set off a series of underground explosions across southwest Washington to map the plumbing system beneath Mount St. Helens. Alan Levander, the Carey Croneis Professor of Earth Science, is quoted.
Yakima Herald
http://bit.ly/1oNiKk5
Remembering the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens
Tech Times
http://bit.ly/TpW3pE

The supposed ‘war’ between religion and science and its casualties
Elaine Howard Ecklund, the Herbert S. Autrey Chair and Professor of Sociology, co-director of the Boniuk Institute for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance and director of Rice’s Religion and Public Life Program, is referenced for her survey on religious understandings of science.
NewsOK.com
http://bit.ly/1tfjsGO

SPORTS

Rice baseball played a series against Louisiana Tech, during which Rice baseball won its 19th consecutive Conference USA champion title.
KRIV-TV
http://bit.ly/1jmqLta
http://bit.ly/1oaKeh4
KHOU-TV
http://bit.ly/TpQdVq
http://bit.ly/1p98gce
KTRK-TV
http://bit.ly/1oaKsVH
KTVE-TV
http://bit.ly/1qRNtyw
http://bit.ly/1nbDmTK
KTAL-TV
http://bit.ly/1gKxVIR
http://bit.ly/1sPgNkQ
KSLA-TV
http://bit.ly/1k23GfO

Pirates leave C-USA as champs
Articles report on results from the Conference USA Outdoor Championships held at Rice’s Holloway Field and Ley Track.
Reflector.com
http://bit.ly/1oaQQME
Jarrett LeBlanc runs 4:01.3, fastest full mile by Louisianan on home soil
Times-Picayune
http://bit.ly/1jNDQHw

KPRC-TV
Senior kicker Chris Boswell is mentioned.
http://bit.ly/1o1OxOi

Kansas City Chiefs – TeamReport
The Kansas City Chiefs signed senior cornerback Phillip Gaines.
Global Post
http://bit.ly/1mSyznD
Chiefs shaking up personnel process
Lindy’s Sports
http://bit.ly/1gKW5D5

NEWS RELEASES

Rice political scientist available to discuss May 27 Texas primary runoff election
As the Texas primary runoff election approaches, Rice political scientist Mark Jones is available to comment on four major statewide races up for a vote May 27.
http://bit.ly/TqFb2e

Baker Institute expert available to comment on Chinese hacking indictments
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced today that members of the Chinese military have engaged in the hacking of U.S. businesses and entities, including U.S. Steel Corp., Westinghouse, Alcoa, Allegheny Technologies, the United Steel Workers Union and SolarWorld.
http://bit.ly/1vzASQg