Topic: University of Texas at Austin

Jeremiah Wright, white births: Time to talk race with kids

Jeremiah Wright – and the racial controversy he and his foes tend to kick up –  is back in the news in the same week the Census bureau reports white births in the US are no longer a majority. Studies show we don't like to talk race with our kids, but it's about time we do.

Brazil, Venezuela, and Mexico: three ways to nationalize oil

Argentina's renationalization of its biggest oil company, YPF, recently caused an outcry. But the cases of oil nationalization in Brazil, Mexico, and Venezuela show that outcomes can vary widely.

End of days near? Mayan find pushes calendar way beyond 2012.

A set of symbols found in an uncovered workroom where Mayan scribes or priests performed calculations suggests the Mayan calendar extends nearly 1,600 years beyond 2012.

Was Tyrannosaurus rex actually fuzzy? (+video)

The unearthing of a fuzzy ancestor of Tyrannosaurus rex in China casts doubt on the image of the king of dinosaurs as a scaly beast. 

Law school rankings: The results are out, but do they really matter?

US News & World Report released its annual law school rankings Tuesday, reviewing about 200 schools. The rankings can have a powerful impact on universities, experts say. 

What would happen if Iran had the bomb? (+video)

Even as Tehran signals an interest in nuclear talks, many experts have already envisioned what the world would look like if the country got nuclear weapons. It wouldn't be as dire as many fear, but it would unleash new uncertainties - and perhaps a regional arms race.

Invisibility cloak uses 'metamaterial' to hide three-dimensional objects

Mitch Daniels State of the Union rebuttal makes GOP wonder: 'What if?'

Mitch Daniels was seen as a potential challenger to President Obama until he opted out of running last year. After his rebuttal of Obama's State of the Union address Tuesday, some GOP elites are openly longing for a Mitch Daniels candidacy.

Where did the tea party go? Into the trenches

National polls show tea party support withering among some Americans, but don't count the 'taxed enough already' crowd out just yet. They are crafting a from-the-ground-up strategy for 2012.

Europa: secret lakes could fuel life on Jupiter moon

New research suggests that lakes of liquid water could be buried in the icy crust of Europa, a moon of Jupiter. The processes that create the lakes could also provide nutrients crucial for life on Europa, the scientists say.

Occupy Wall Street: Can it ever match tea party clout?

Economic conditions have seemed ripe for a popular uprising from the left, and now 'Occupy Wall Street' protests are marshaling those forces. But so far the tea party has greater focus and intensity.

Texas's record as death penalty capital: a help for Rick Perry?

Gov. Rick Perry, a top-tier GOP presidential candidate, has public opinion on his side on the death penalty. With another execution set for Thursday night in Texas, the danger may be if moderate voters perceive him to be cavalier about taking human life.

Texas wildfires: Is Rick Perry being hypocritical asking for federal aid?

Texas wildfires are forcing Gov. Rick Perry to walk a philosophical tightrope. A strong advocate for a smaller federal government, he's chiding the Obama administration for not helping more during the Texas wildfires.

More Western towns adopt 'toilet to tap' strategy to water conservation

Steady triple-digit temperatures and perennial dry weather across the West have forced environmentalists, politicians, and citizens to find new freshwater resources.

What next for Harry Potter fans? More Harry Potter, of course.

There won't be any more books or films after 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2,' so Potterheads are set to fill the void by reading Harry Potter again and again, as well as participating in the thriving online community.

'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2': The bookend of a generation

Since 1997, the adventures of Harry Potter have not only entertained, but also shaped the morals and attitudes of a generation. Will Harry Potter's impact remain afloat after tomorrow's release of the final movie, 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2'?

With 'Courage, New Hampshire,' tea party movement enters world of entertainment

Shot on a shoestring budget, "Courage, New Hampshire" is intended to depict traditional American values espoused by the tea party movement. But the show is yet to win a TV distribution deal, so it will premier Sunday night in a movie theater then come out on DVD.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry for president? Why he could have a hard time.

Rick Perry might jump into the presidential race after all. While he would bring formidable strengths to the race, his record isn’t all sweetness and light.

Can the University of Texas put a number on professors' worth?

The University of Texas at Austin has published a spreadsheet that shows the cost-effectiveness of its faculty members

What the world learned about Obama from bin Laden raid

Obama took office amid questions about whether he could be a credible commander in chief – and showed personal fortitude and command capability in the bin Laden raid. How long will glow last?

NFL in 'chaos' after lockout ruling. What happens now?

A federal judge's ruling to lift the lockout prompted a flurry of legal action and lots of confusion as players reported to empty practice facilities Tuesday. What it means for NFL football could become clearer in the days ahead, but for now, the league is in 'uncharted territory.'

Tea party: Libertarian revolt or religious right in disguise?

In Texas and some other states, the tea party has focused on abortion as much as the state deficit. Five months after its successes in Election 2010, the tea party faces a reckoning: What does it stand for?

Obama maintains trademark calm amid rising shutdown storm

As the government shutdown deadline approaches, President Obama has remained calm and on-message.

Is 'Check it out, bro, I'm in prison!' an appropriate Facebook status update?

Prisoners aren't allowed smart phones, but that doesn't keep at least a few enterprising inmates from using Facebook and Twitter. South Carolina is considering a ban on prison Facebook updates.

Is honesty waning in American business?

US slips from 19 to 22 in latest ranking of perceived public corruption.