Dateline Rice for Aug. 18, 2015

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

How college students can save money on pricey textbooks
Rice’s OpenStax College is mentioned as an example of a successful initiative that provides alternatives to expensive textbooks.
The Washington Post (This article also appeared in Washington Times and over 60 other media outlets.)
http://wapo.st/1WzCkje

What to do about the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU)
Jonathan Ludwig, senior lecturer of Russian, authored an op-ed about Russia’s latest attempt at full Eurasian integration.
Sage International (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1LiY7bn

Declining peso is putting pinch on shoppers
The Mexican peso has fallen more than 20 percent against the U.S. dollar and will continue to fall despite support. Tony Payan, the Baker Institute for Public Policy’s Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies and director of the institute’s Mexico Center, is quoted.
The Gulf Today
http://bit.ly/1Jowz4j

HOUSTON/TEXAS

A Texas voter ID ruling won’t have much effect in Houston
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor of political science and fellow in political science at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, comments on the confusion over Texas’ voter photo identification requirement.
KTRH-AM (This also appeared in Sunny 99.1.)
http://bit.ly/1EAbE6U
Some proof of Texas voter suppression
San Antonio Express-News
http://bit.ly/1UOuLUb
Voter ID confusion may have turned an election, researchers say
Mineral Wells Index
http://bit.ly/1E3b4DG
Study: Texas’s voter ID law confused registered voters, likely decided 2014 congressional race
America Blog
http://bit.ly/1fmYQKi

On the line: Will the Houston/Dallas bullet train revolutionize Texas or divide it forever?
Kyle Shelton, postdoctoral research fellow at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is quoted in an article about the proposed bullet train that will connect Houston to Dallas to combat traffic.
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/1PjQJdN

Tantalizing discovery may boost memory technology
Scientists at Rice University have created a solid-state memory technology that allows for high-density storage with a minimum of errors. James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering, is quoted. Tour also commented on Rice’s collaboration with Universal Laser Systems for advanced research on laser-induced graphene synthesis and refinement.
KTRK-TV
http://abc13.co/1WBSZCR
Universal Laser and Rice University partner for advanced research on laser induced graphene
AZO Nano
http://bit.ly/1TRnaSi

Free concert introduces Temple Beth Torah’s new cantor
Graduate student Yvonne Chen will accompany Cantor Vadim Tunitsky and Rabbi Dan Gordon for Holy Day Services at the Temple Beth Torah.
Humble Observer (This article also appeared in Kingwood Observer, Lake Houston Observer and Atascocita Observer.)
http://bit.ly/1J1qPrB

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Nanotubes repair damaged heart tissue
Rice University and Texas Heart Institute researchers are studying the use of soft, flexible fibers made of carbon nanotubes to restore electrical conductivity to damaged heart tissue. Matteo Pasquali, the A.J. Hartsook Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, chair of the Department of Chemistry and a professor of materials science and nanoengineering and of chemistry, is quoted.
Controlled Environments (This article also appeared in Medical Design Technology.)
http://bit.ly/1MvjvJl
Nanotube fibers bridge electrical gaps in scarred heart tissue
AZO Nano
http://bit.ly/1JosMnr

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

$100,000 competition to stimulate innovative clean technology
Rice is mentioned as a U.S. Department of Energy Cleantech UP Collegiate Competition host.
Berkeley News
http://bit.ly/1gTRsHt

SPORTS

The hidden, prized possession of Rice University football
The autographed Coaches’ Table at Rice Stadium is featured. Head football coach David Bailiff is quoted.
USA Today
http://usat.ly/1TPgolb

UH cross country team releases 2015 competition schedule
The University of Houston men’s and women’s cross country teams will compete in the 2015 Rice Invitational Sept. 11.
Fort Bend Sun (This article also appeared in Bellaire Examiner, Sugar Land Sun and Memorial Examiner.)
http://bit.ly/1Pxot8g

NEWS RELEASE

OpenStax College expects to save students $25 million this year 
Rice University-based nonprofit OpenStax College today unveiled three new textbooks and said its growing catalog of free textbooks will save students an estimated $25 million in the 2015-16 academic year.
http://bit.ly/1ND28oJ