A recent study from Rice University reveals that Indian women beyond childbearing age are dying at a higher rate than those in other countries due to poverty and limited access to essential resources such as food and healthcare. The research highlights the critical consequences of gender inequality on women's bargaining power within th...
Researchers have discovered hidden subcompartments within peroxisomes, long thought to be simple granular matrices. These subcompartments may play a crucial role in the metabolism of fatty molecules and could hold key to understanding diseases like obesity and neurodegeneration.
Rice University scientists have discovered a novel phenomenon in carbon nanotubes, where a delayed secondary fluorescence is emitted when triggered by a multistep process involving dye molecules and dissolved oxygen. The delay, only microseconds long, can be detected with specialized instrumentation.
A new study by Rice University scientists has developed atomic resolution protein models that show frustration is necessary for protein function and can lead to better drug specificity. The models allow for the incorporation of co-factors like drug molecules, providing insight into why ligands bind best with specific proteins.
Researchers propose a two-phase theory for neurodegenerative disorders, with distinct activities of protein signaling pathways in each phase. This understanding could lead to personalized treatment approaches for patients in different stages of the disease.
A new study from Rice University found that racial and gender biases significantly impact American attitudes toward gun ownership. The research revealed that Republicans are more likely to support gun rights for white men, while Democrats are more willing to support white women's right to own firearms. These findings highlight the need...
A new study has created the first high-resolution seismic images of a rocky tectonic plate within Earth's mantle transition zone. The research provides evidence that the slab hasn't completely mixed with the surrounding mantle, shedding light on the processes that shaped Earth's surface over billions of years.
Researchers refine theories on protein interactions with solutions, discovering new factors influencing folding, including thermal expansion and temperature. Atom-scale models reveal complex interactions between solvents and peptides, potentially changing our understanding of hydrophobic and hydrophilic effects.
Researchers create a thin coating of hexagonal boron nitride to improve efficiency in desalination technology. The coating allows for exponential improvements in freshwater production, making it a key ingredient in a cost-effective solution for treating hypersaline water.
Researchers created a test device using protein biomarkers in dermal interstitial fluid, detecting malaria in 20 minutes and requiring no medical expertise or equipment. The patches could cost around $1 each and be adapted for other diseases with biomarkers in interstitial fluid.
Rice University scientists have developed a novel 'green' method for producing pharmaceutical intermediates using the cooperative hydrogen atom transfer (cHAT) technique. This approach employs earth-abundant iron and sulfur as catalysts, reducing costs and environmental impact compared to traditional methods.
Researchers at Rice University have created a new method to convert plastic waste into high-quality graphene, offering a potential solution to the global plastic waste crisis. The flash graphene process eliminates much of the expense associated with recycling plastic, making it an economically viable alternative.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method to create nanodiamond from graphene by applying pinpoint pressure, overcoming the energetic barrier to nucleation. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of single-crystal diamond films for electronics and optical applications.
Researchers at Rice University and UNAM have discovered four new wasp species, including Allorhogas gallifolia, which may interact with other species on galls in complex ways. The discovery adds to the lab's 'ghoulish insect menagerie' and expands understanding of ecosystem interactions.
Researchers at Rice University have designed new nanocars with permanent dipole moments to increase their speed and drivability on a gold surface. The cars, weighing 114 atoms, will be driven via the internet by teams worldwide, competing in the 2022 international Nanocar Race.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a unique 2D material that enables the valleytronics phenomenon, touted as a possible platform for information processing and storage. The material has been found to be scalable and less susceptible to environmental degradation.
A new method called SPOTlight allows for the isolation of single live cells with unique profiles from heterogenous populations. The platform uses a digital micromirror device to give individual cells a long-lasting tag, enabling researchers to observe cellular dynamics and subcellular structures over time.
Researchers identify 'dumbbell-like' structures in DNA that link to genes with flexible domains, suggesting a connection between chromosome structure and gene expression. The discovery promises new avenues for research into the secrets of chromosomes.
A new study from Rice University shows that biochar can help farmers save money by retaining water in sandy soils, with potential irrigation savings of over 50%. The research provides formulas for farmers to estimate water-holding capacity and irrigation cost savings.
Researchers at Rice University and Politecnico University have demonstrated the first nanophotonic platform capable of manipulating polarized light 1 trillion times per second. The platform uses plasmonic metasurfaces to exploit ultrafast electronic mechanisms, enabling faster data transmission rates.
Haotian Wang, a researcher at Rice University, has received a $875,000 five-year grant from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation to pursue his work on converting carbon dioxide into fuels. The award supports his technology that uses renewable electricity to convert greenhouse gases into valuable chemical fuels.
A new study from Rice University finds that well-educated bisexual adults experience less health benefit from education compared to heterosexual and gay/lesbian adults. This effect is especially true for women, with social stigma and gender discrimination potentially contributing to the disparity.
The Nanotechnology Enabled Water Treatment Center (NEWT) at Rice University has been renewed for five years with a $16.5 million NSF award. The center will focus on developing multifunctional nanomaterials and low-energy desalination technologies to address global water needs.
Scientists compiled new evidence that atolls are formed by cyclic changes in sea level, contradicting Darwin's 1842 theory. Researchers found that atolls were created by flat-topped banks built over 5 million years ago, driven by fluctuations in the Earth's climate.
Researchers aim to improve weather and climate prediction by modeling atmospheric gravity waves using Loon LLC's internet-connected balloon data. The project will help scientists better understand the impact of these wave phenomena on jet streams, polar vortex, and extreme weather.
Bacteria remain roughly the same size and shape due to a theoretical model that links random processes of growth and division, canceling each other out. This discovery may provide new insights into disease mechanisms, including cancer proliferation.
Research from Rice University found that certain cooling magmas can grow large crystals in just hours or days, defying traditional understanding of crystal growth. The study used advanced techniques to measure the chemical composition and growth rates of sample crystals, revealing surprisingly fast growth rates.
A new computational tool, Metabolite Translator, uses deep learning to predict metabolites in the human body, providing a broader understanding of how drugs interact with enzymes. The method has been shown to perform as well as existing rule-based methods and identified novel enzymes involved in drug metabolism.
Astronomers using Gemini South's adaptive optics system have captured detailed images of the Carina Nebula with a resolution comparable to the Webb Space Telescope. The high-def images reveal intricate structures within the nebula, including parallel ridges and fragments being sheared off by strong winds.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a compact Hyperspectral Stripe Projector that combines depth and spectral information, enabling real-time 3D spectroscopy. This technology has potential applications in self-driving cars, machine vision, crop monitoring, and surface wear and corrosion detection.
A team led by Lydia Kavraki used machine learning to predict scaffold material quality, controlling print speed is critical in making high-quality implants. The collaboration could lead to better ways to quickly print customized implants.
A study by Rice University's Laboratory for Nanophotonics found that aluminum nanocatalysts with sharply pointed corners, dubbed 'octopods,' have a higher reaction rate and lower activation energy than similar shapes. The research builds on previous efforts to develop commercially viable light-activated nanocatalysts.
A simpler analytical model developed by Rice University researchers can quickly evaluate the rate capability of batteries and identify optimal electrode materials. The model's accuracy is within 10% of more computationally intensive algorithms, making it a game-changer for battery optimization.
The Rice University project aims to optimize the use of flexible nanoelectronic thread (NET) probes to record neuronal activity in different brain regions. The biocompatible probes can be implanted in various areas of the brain, enabling researchers to analyze complex patterns of neural dynamics over time.
Researchers analyzed over 4,200 camera trap photos in Costa Rica's Braulio Carrillo National Park, finding that trait diversity within the park did not decline despite deforestation. The study suggests national parks can be more resilient than expected, particularly in terms of functional redundancy.
Researchers at Rice University found that electricity generated by temperature differences in gold nanowires is not affected by grain boundaries, contrary to previous assumptions. This discovery could enable the detection of crystalline defects using a novel optical detection system.
CEOs with uncommon names tend to implement distinctive strategies, deviating from industry norms to achieve competitive advantage and superior performance. This study provides insight into the relationship between a CEO's name and their strategic decisions, highlighting potential benefits for firms seeking enhanced distinctiveness.
Rice University engineer Haotian Wang has been awarded a four-year, $2 million collaborative grant by the National Science Foundation to explore converting waste carbon dioxide into pure liquid fuels. The project aims to develop a modular electrochemical system that can provide a sustainable and negative-carbon manufacturing path.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method for calculating the upper bound of speed limits in quantum matter, which produces more accurate results in some cases. This breakthrough could lead to improved understanding of quantum computing and materials science, as well as more precise numerical algorithms.
Scientists at Rice University have created a two-dimensional material with unique optical characteristics that can be controlled by ambient light. This innovation has the potential to aid the development of 3D displays, virtual reality, and lidar systems for self-driving vehicles.
A team of engineers and computer scientists are developing a theory of deep learning based on rigorous mathematical principles to improve reliability and predictability in AI systems. They will use three perspectives: local to global understanding, statistical analysis, and formal verification.
Rice University researchers are developing an open-source platform to turbo-charge the research process of inventing novel machine-learning based techniques for intelligent wireless network management and optimization. The 3DML platform will provide agile and flexible tools to manage and protect complex wireless networks.
RAMBO-II will produce stronger magnetic fields and probe samples with an even broader spectrum of intense laser pulses. This upgrade enables researchers to study materials under extreme conditions, advancing the frontiers of materials physics and chemistry.
Researchers at Rice University and UTHealth have discovered how a chameleon-like protein, CPEB3, interacts with actin filaments in neurons. This interaction enables the protein to adapt its binding sites to either SUMO or actin, allowing it to form long-lived aggregates that store memories.
Researchers used data gathered before a 2017 deadly landslide in Greenland to demonstrate the effectiveness of deep learning in predicting seismic events. The study found weak but repetitive rumblings that accelerated over time, leading to the landslide, which could be detected by AI.
Researchers from Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine have shown that shielding stem cells with a novel biomaterial can significantly enhance the healing process in rodents after heart attacks. The study demonstrated that shielded stem cells resulted in 2.5 times greater heart function recovery compared to non-shielded cells ...
Researchers at Rice University have developed carbon nanotube fibers that are stronger than Kevlar and conductive like copper. The fibers have doubled in strength and conductivity every three years, a trend spanning nearly two decades.
In the African Serengeti, lion presence leads to mixed-species grazing groups, where species congregate to minimize predation risk. These groups are more likely to form in areas with high predator stress, such as woodland habitats and near rocky outcroppings.
Researchers successfully engineered bacteria to produce a synthetic building block, a 21st amino acid, which prompts the bacteria to produce a protein that fluoresces under metabolic stress. This breakthrough enables the design of novel proteins and organisms with useful functions.
Rice University scientists have won a $1.9 million NIH grant to explore the use of CRISPR-Cas genome editing in natural fungi to discover new drugs that stay ahead of disease resistance. By understanding how fungi synthesize useful compounds, they aim to create novel drug development toolkits.