Dateline Rice for Dec. 15, 2015

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Religion and science: Global survey explores academia’s views
Elaine Howard Ecklund’s comprehensive cross-national study of scientists’ attitudes toward religion and spirituality is featured. Ecklund is founding director of Rice University’s Religion and Public Life Program and the Herbert S. Autrey Chair in Social Sciences.
Times Higher Education (This also appeared in World Wide Religious News.)
http://bit.ly/224q5y2

Opinion: Yet another Trump insult — to the US military this time
An article from the February issue of Harvard Business Review by Tom Kolditz, executive director of Rice’s Doerr Institute for New Leaders, is cited in an op-ed on Donald Trump’s comments about U.S. military troops.
MSNBC
http://on.msnbc.com/1SU3DS2

Forget Nascar, scientists to compete in first nanocar race with all competitors measuring just a nanometer 
Rice University will send an entry to the first international NanoCar Race. James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Chair in Chemistry and a professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering, is quoted.
Daily Mail
http://dailym.ai/1NRogOM
Rice to enter first international nanocar race: 5 teams will participate in October 2016 event in France
Nanotechnology Now 
http://bit.ly/1Nnf6YO

5 things you’ll hear from Christie at Tuesday’s GOP debate
An article predicts what New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is likely to say during tonight’s debate among Republican presidential candidates. Douglas Brinkley, professor of history, is quoted.
NJ.com
http://bit.ly/1O2T2Qq

How to tell when your body needs a break
Strength and conditioning specialist Noam Tamir cites Rice research on how to tell if your body needs a break from working out.
CNN
http://cnn.it/1RmgFde

Postponement casts doubt on Nicaraguan canal
Two recent events have strengthened the doubts of experts on the viability of the proposed canal through Nicaragua. Pedro Alvarez, the George R. Brown Professor and chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is quoted.
The Bulletin Panama
http://bit.ly/1QJNBLc

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Rice University to expand parking, building facilities
Preparations for construction of the office building and parking garage south of Allen Center will begin Dec. 21. 
Houston Business Journal
http://bit.ly/1m40Iv9

These are the 25 richest schools in America
Rice is one of three Texas universities ranked among the 25 richest schools in America by TheBestSchools.org., which notes that schools with more financial resources are more likely to attract professors from around the world and have state-of-the art research facilities. The rankings are based on endowment, research budget and average salary of full-time employees.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1O36uns

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, is quoted in articles about Houston’s mayoral runoff election, Donald Trump’s presidential bid, the Texas House races, the Texas Railroad Commission and the race for comptroller of Houston.
Experts: King’s close race not a sign of GOP resurgence in Houston
Houston Chronicle (This appeared on the front of the City & State section. Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1IS2DNT 
Adrian Garcia to campaign for Congress
KRIV-TV
http://bit.ly/1SZr8ce
Tea party and GOP establishment battling again in Texas House races
Dallas Morning News
http://bit.ly/1I6C9bq
Railroad Commission race loses luster, challenges emerge elsewhere
Austin American-Statesman
http://atxne.ws/1YhKNpo
Trump en la Casa Blanca es misión casi imposible
El Dia (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1O6WGPA
Chris Brown derrota a Bill Fraser en la contienda para contralor de Houston
LaVoz (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1Za5tSr

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

CM’s top 10 colleges for health and wellness
College Magazine ranks Rice No. 2 in the U.S. for going “above and beyond” when considering students’ health and wellness needs.
College Magazine
http://bit.ly/1NRqMV2

The 100 highest-paid university presidents
Rice President David Leebron is included in a slideshow of the 100 highest-paid university presidents for the 2013 higher education fiscal year.
MSN
http://bit.ly/1NvcDcH

Local Muslims react to growing anti-Muslim opinion in the country
David Cook, associate professor of religion, contends that part of Americans’ fear of Middle Eastern refugees stems from being unable to identify those who may be inclined toward religious extremism and terrorist activity, compared to regular Muslims who are just practicing their faith.
Daily Comet (This also appeared in the Houma Courier Online.)
http://bit.ly/1k0hDgM

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Soon we could have displays and windows that change color with the flick of a switch
A new method for building “drawbridges” between metal nanoparticles could open new paths for electronics makers who wish to build full-color displays from opto-electric components. The research by plasmonics experts at Rice University is described in a new study in Science Advances. Christy Landes, assistant professor of chemistry, is quoted.
Gizmodo Australia (This also appeared in Gizmodo India.)
http://bit.ly/1Mf4KpJ
Nanoparticle-based windows could switch colors on demand
Engadget (This also appeared in LatestNigerianNews.com, Social Dashboard, MSN News US, Tech Investor News, MSN Money Canada and MyInforms.)
http://engt.co/1IS6oD4

Created: A material for water-proof surfaces
A new superhydrophobic material developed by scientists at Rice University and the University of Swansea is nontoxic, economical and shows promise to replace more expensive and hazardous materials used for waterproofing. Andrew Barron, the Charles W. Duncan Jr.-Welch Professor of Chemistry and a professor of materials science and nanoengineering, is quoted.
Times of India (This also appeared in MyInforms and ZeeNews.com.)
http://bit.ly/1YbVuiw

Your college is dropping its FCC license
An article examines what it means when colleges decide to sell the FCC licenses of student radio stations and move to online platforms. Rice’s KTRU is mentioned.
Radio World
http://bit.ly/224pzjw

San Diego, Calif., only US city to take meaningful climate action
Andrew Keatts, content editor for Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, authored an op-ed about U.S. cities’ fight against climate change.
Future Structure
http://bit.ly/1NRue1X

SPORTS

With Rice basketball, it’s all about believing in the process
The Rice basketball team is profiled. Head coach Mike Rhoades is quoted.
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/1P50tdg

Heather Van Norman, Odell Beckham Jr.’s mom: 5 fast facts you need to know
Former Rice track coach Heather Van Norman is profiled.
Heavy.com
http://bit.ly/1O2UEtw