Dateline Rice for Feb. 14, 2014

FEATURED ITEMS

Inspired by swarming termites, robots can build without supervision
A Harvard research team has created small robots that can independently create simple structures. James McLurkin, assistant professor of computer science, who does research with robots at Rice, is quoted.
National Geographic
http://bit.ly/1hh5WjD

Educators ponder how to define success in massive online courses
An article discusses the completion rates of massive open online courses. Caroline Levander, vice provost for interdisciplinary initiatives, the Carlson Chair in the School of Humanities and professor of English, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (This appeared on the front page.)
http://bit.ly/1dsw9It

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

The future of online education
Richard Baraniuk, the Victor E. Cameron Professor of Engineering and founding director of Rice’s OpenStax College, is interviewed about Connexions.
Forbes
http://onforb.es/1g4dP6y

Do women prefer taller men? Houston study investigates
According to new research from Rice and the University of North Texas, the height of a potential partner matters more to women than to men, and mostly for femininity and protection. Michael Emerson, the Allyn and Gladys Cline Professor of Sociology and co-director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is quoted.
NewsFix
http://bit.ly/1gvXAkJ
Men prefer shorter women, short women prefer taller men
Metro.us
http://bit.ly/1jCSczT
Women attracted to taller partners (but men don’t care)
Tech Times
http://bit.ly/MPnbdV
Study: Women want to date taller men
CBS Houston
http://cbsloc.al/MRtAp1
Height and romance
Patheos
http://bit.ly/1ouiCV2
How important is height for romantic attraction
WFTV.com
http://bit.ly/1f0PH6N
Is your hubby taller than you? What research says about height and love
Brides.com
http://bit.ly/1jETiLy
Men prefer shorter women, short women prefer taller men
Metro
http://bit.ly/MRLibG
Study: When it comes to dating, size matters for women and men
iVillage
http://ivill.ag/1hiH0bm
Why women prefer taller men
Cambodian Times (This article also appeared in Jam!.)
http://bit.ly/1ouA2AY
Women are attracted to taller man: Study
The Korea Herald (This article also appeared in Naver, WIS-TV, MedicineNet.com and Grazia Daily.)
http://bit.ly/1gfUfqr
WTVM-TV (Columbus)
http://bit.ly/1f10ii6
Vrouwen willen een lange partner
Glamour Netherlands
http://bit.ly/1hh6K87

Paper: China builds barriers to digital media competition
Aynne Kokas, a fellow in Chinese media at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and a postdoctoral fellow at Rice’s Chao Center for Asian Studies, is referenced for her paper about Chinese media protectionism.
Global Trade
http://bit.ly/1eVSy2G

10 surprising ways marriage makes you healthier
A Rice study about the differences in death rates among married and divorced men is referenced.
Women’s Day
http://bit.ly/1gzxjC3

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Key adviser to leave Parker administration next month
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, is quoted about the retirement of Houston Mayor Annise Parker’s chief of staff and Wendy Davis’ campaign strategy.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1eVDdis
Wendy Davis spends big to hire Obama campaign veterans
Dallas Morning News
http://dallasne.ws/MjcSP6
The brief: Davis for guv effort turns to Obama hands for help
The Texas Tribune
http://bit.ly/M04xPR
Abbott brings Perry into the fold on campaign trail
KETR-FM (Texas A&M)
http://bit.ly/1b2i4Ch

Friday letters: Minimum wage, Andy Warhol, hard work
A letter in the Houston Chronicle recalls the history of the tree planted in front of Rice’s Martel Center.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1jgAoXX

York names Fey and Brockschmidt co-presidents of York Pooling
Alumnus Francis Fey ’79 has been named co-president of the York Pooling division of York Risk Services Group.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1b2hjsJ

3-D printing may help create new organs
Jordan Miller, assistant professor of bioengineering, comments on the medical applications of 3-D printing.
KODA-FM (This article also appeared in KTRH-AM.)
http://bit.ly/1b2iUPm

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Carbon nanotube fibers outperform copper
According to new research, carbon nanotube-based fibers invented at Rice have greater capacity to carry electrical current than copper cables of the same mass.
Phys.org (This article also appeared in R&D.)
http://bit.ly/1cDBd8R
Wet-spun carbon nanotube fiber beats copper in carrying electrical current
AZonano.com
http://bit.ly/1dsdT21
Rice’s carbon nanotube fibers outperform copper
Hispanic Business
http://bit.ly/1g4h5ik

Renewable energy won’t fix Abu Dhabi’s consumption problem, research finds
A new paper from Rice discusses the negative ramifications of Abu Dhabi’s recent expensive renewable energy venture.
Phys.org
http://bit.ly/NK1fSt

Computer model simulates complex chemical dissolution
Rice scientists have discovered a new way to predict how water dissolves crystalline structures with experimental techniques and computer simulations.
Science World Report
http://bit.ly/1kH8LLj

Live chat: Can science and religion coexist?
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, will participate in a live video chat to discuss uniting science and religious communities.
Science News
http://bit.ly/1nyz3MF

Are you a generalist who dreams of being an expert? Read this
John Alford, associate professor of political science, is quoted about the correlation between biology and politics.
Justmeans.com
http://www.justmeans.com/node/59083

Miller Energy appoints Brawley as CFO
Alumnus John Brawley ’04 is now the chief communications officer for Miller Energy Resources.
Oil and Gas Investor
http://bit.ly/1eVNxan

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Plano teen overcomes deafness, wins scholarship to dream college
Rice student Lesley Miller is featured.
PlanoStar Courier
http://bit.ly/1bvtO0E

Alpine Christian announces two new teachers
Alumna Zella Spiers ’83 is the new English composition teacher at Alpine Christian School.
Alpine Avalanche
http://bit.ly/MPn5Tz

SPORTS

Unproven Cardinal baseball squad opens 2014 against Rice University
Rice men’s baseball will play Stanford University Feb. 14-16 in California.
The Stanford Daily
http://bit.ly/1nyBm2j

NEWS RELEASE

Rice’s carbon nanotube fibers outperform copper
According to new research, carbon nanotube-based fibers invented at Rice have greater capacity to carry electrical current than copper cables of the same mass.
http://bit.ly/1eyTsMl