A new statistical tool has been validated for assessing epilepsy seizure risk, allowing for more accurate treatment decisions. The Epilepsy Seizure Assessment Tool (EpiSAT) correctly identified changes in seizure risk in over 87% of cases.
A study by Rice ecologists found that termites lose their dominance in hunted areas of an African forest, with a 170-fold decrease in abundance. Termites play crucial roles as ecosystem engineers and food sources for other organisms, highlighting the cascading impacts of megafauna loss.
A new study suggests that volcanic eruptions triggered by tectonics led to the Great Oxidation Event, a significant increase in oxygen in Earth's atmosphere about 2.5 billion years ago. The research proposes that this event was also linked to a change in the composition of carbon isotopes in carbonate rock record.
Rice University scientists create inorganic catalyst from molybdenum disulfide that mimics natural bacterial process to produce ammonia on demand under ambient conditions. The method uses electricity and can be used for small-scale production or even in space applications.
Researchers at Rice University developed bottlebrush copolymers to refine surface coatings, making them more waterproof or conductive. The polymers' migration to top and bottom of thin films can effectively decouple properties of bulk coating from exposed surfaces.
Researchers at Rice University have created a new type of polymer that is nearly as hard as diamond and can deflect bullets more effectively than solid materials. The polymers are inspired by theoretical structures called tubulanes, which were predicted to have extraordinary strength.
A Rice University study found that climate change will increase the size of stalled high-pressure weather systems, leading to larger heat waves and more severe droughts. The research used climate model simulations to predict a 17% increase in blocking events in the northern hemisphere.
Rice University scientists have overcome a major hurdle keeping perovskite-based solar cells from achieving mainstream use by engineering defects and retaining efficiency. They replaced lead with indium, resulting in cells that can be made in open air and last for months.
Researchers at Rice University and MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered a combination of drugs that target mitochondria can selectively kill leukemia cells while leaving healthy blood cells unaffected. This breakthrough could lead to more effective personalized treatment for patients with leukemia.
Astronomers refine search for potentially habitable planets by modeling stellar activity and its effect on planetary magnetic fields. Researchers estimate that some exoplanets could lose their atmospheres in as little as 100 million years due to intense radiation from their stars.
Rice University scientists have developed a strategy to make polymer membrane-based separation of proteins more efficient using salt. The researchers identified competing forces at the nylon surface that could be tuned by salt concentration, allowing for improved separation efficiencies.
Scientists at Rice University have created a unique nanoscale material called soft double gyroids, which exhibits a maze-like structure. However, their analysis reveals that the material's structure is not perfectly cubic, but rather distorted due to grain boundaries and directional stress.
Researchers at Rice University discovered dynamic molecular signaling waves that prompt cell differentiation and trigger the formation of germ layers in human embryos. The study counters previous theories by showing gradients do not exist in stem-cell colonies and the process is more dynamic than previously appreciated.
A new study from Rice University found that college leadership training programs teach students about leadership, but additional measures are needed to evaluate their impact on real-life leadership skills. The analysis suggests a 19% increase in knowledge and better leadership outcomes for program participants.
A new study by Rice University experts found that freestanding emergency departments increased average emergency department spending by 3.6% per insured beneficiary in Texas, Florida, and North Carolina. In contrast, entry of a freestanding emergency department resulted in higher out-of-pocket payments for emergency care in three states.
Bioscientists at Rice University have created a system to form all major cell types of ectoderm in a culture dish, allowing for the most comprehensive analysis yet of signaling pathways that drive patterning. The balance between two signaling pathways, BMP and Wnt, is critical, and cells can take more than one road to get there.
Engineered E. coli bacteria using transcriptional circuits from Rice lab researchers can synchronize gene expression across large distances, enabling collective action in community settings. The discovery could lead to treatment of gut microbiome conditions and interaction with bioelectronics.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a method to amplify the light emitted by molecules using plasmonic nanoparticles. By optimizing the spectral frequency overlap between the molecule and nanoparticle, they can enhance signal detection up to 10 times. This technique has potential applications in analyzing catalysts and improv...
The Rice reactor produces valuable chemical in desired concentration and high purity, eliminating the need for hazardous transportation and purification. The low-cost carbon black catalyst enables point-of-use production of pure hydrogen peroxide solutions.
A new study by Rice University found that freshly appointed CEOs can improve their job security through strategic social interaction. By ingratiating themselves with their predecessors and engaging in self-promotion, new CEOs can mitigate the negative impact of poor stock market reactions and maintain stability.
A graphene filter developed by Rice University scientists can capture and sanitize airborne pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The filter uses Joule heating to kill trapped microbes and their toxic byproducts, potentially reducing hospital infections.
A new global health initiative, NEST360°, aims to reduce newborn mortality in sub-Saharan Africa by 50% through improved hospital care. The $68M program will focus on developing affordable technologies and training for hospitals in four initial countries, with plans to expand to the rest of the continent.
New research from Rice University found that helping pregnant women at work can ultimately make them feel worse about themselves and their workplace abilities. The study surveyed 105 women on a weekly basis during their pregnancies and for nine months postpartum, revealing a long-lasting negative impact of subtle sexist behaviors.
Physicists at Rice University have created a new alloy that exhibits unusual electronic properties when traversing the final frontier of quantum criticality. The cerium palladium aluminum alloy behaves like a spin liquid, a metallic system with exotic properties that can be found in other strongly correlated materials.
Researchers have successfully grown elongated hexagon-shaped flakes of borophene on a silver substrate, overcoming a major hurdle in its production. The discovery could enable the creation of atom-width conductive wires for nanoelectronics devices.
Rice University chemist Han Xiao is developing a custom-designed 21st amino acid to make life-saving substances and produce novel proteins for therapies. The goal is to create 'unnatural organisms' that can produce multiple designer amino acids, leading to breakthroughs in immunotherapy and cancer treatment.
Rice chemists disentangled the mysterious interactions between bovine serum albumin and gold nanorods, revealing multilevel chirality and a possible way to sense single proteins' handedness. This discovery could lead to the development of drug-sensing tools with improved accuracy.
Pedro Alvarez and Rice's NEWT Center will focus on resilient transport and storage, one of six areas of research for the NAWI alliance. The goal is to advance technologies that make nontraditional water sources cost-competitive within 10 years.
Researchers have developed a way to track the formation of soluble amyloid beta peptide aggregates implicated in the onset of Alzheimer's disease. The ruthenium-based fluorescent complexes bind to these aggregates, allowing researchers to monitor their progress and movements over time.
A study conducted at 26 Malawi government hospitals found that the national adoption of rugged, low-cost neonatal CPAP devices improved survival rates for newborns admitted with breathing problems. The study showed a 10% improvement in survival after CPAP was available for babies with respiratory distress syndrome.
Researchers at Rice University have created a tunable, nanoscale incandescent light source by combining near-nanoscale materials that absorb heat and emit light. The system's unique configuration allows for the emission of light in specific states and wavelengths, including infrared.
Rice astroparticle physicist Christopher Tunnell leads a $1 million NSF-funded project to enhance data science techniques in physical sciences, aiming to push discovery past the tipping point. The study focuses on dark matter searches and employs probabilistic graphical models to improve measurements of particle interactions.
A study has identified a potential new drug target in the fight against cancer by targeting a protein that blocks the primary gateways in mitochondria. The research found that mitoNEET can close voltage-dependent anion channels (VDACs), which normally allow metabolites and signaling molecules to pass through.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a simple method to turn fluorescent tags on and off with visible light by switching one atom. This technique will enable high-resolution imaging and dynamic tracking of biological processes in living cells, tissues, and animals.
Researchers at Rice University discovered that netting trees to deter birds increases the population of Megalopyge opercularis, also known as asps, which are venomous and can cause severe pain. The study found a 7,300% higher abundance of caterpillars on netted versus non-netted trees.
A study by Rice University found that when physicians integrate with hospitals, costs rise, even if care quality doesn't improve. The researchers analyzed insurance claims and found patients treated by doctors in hospital-owned practices incur higher spending on services such as X-rays and MRIs.
Caleb Kemere and his team will investigate how sleep reorganizes information in the brain, aiming to identify critical time windows and neuronal activities involved in storing and stabilizing memories. The researchers hope to gain a better understanding of how sleep impacts lives, including its impact on memory consolidation.
The Rice University lab has developed an efficient electrolyzer that can turn greenhouse gases into pure liquid fuels. The process uses renewable electricity and produces highly purified formic acid with high concentrations.
Rice University researchers have developed a new fluid dynamic model that allows scientists to predict when an eruption will transition from spattering to flowing lava. This tool could help emergency officials prepare for potential hazards by providing early warnings of changing behavior.
Researchers at Rice University found a way to safeguard quantum bit information by studying the behavior of heavy fermions in extreme cold and magnetic fields. The discovery provides a new approach to minimize decoherence, a major concern in qubit design.
A cancer therapy invented at Rice University has shown promising results in clinical trials, destroying tumors without debilitating side effects. Thirteen of the first 15 prostate cancer patients treated with AuroLase Therapy showed no detectable signs of cancer a year after treatment.
Scientists have detailed the structure of calcium-calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII), a key protein involved in encoding memories. The study reveals how CaMKII binds to actin filaments, forming rigid bundles that support dendritic spines and enable cognitive functions.
Researchers developed a fluorescent nano-thermometer that can detect temperature changes inside single cells by monitoring the light-emitting properties of molecular motors. The technique could be useful for identifying cancer cells and measuring the effects of tumor ablation therapy.
Researchers at Rice University discovered electron pairing in ultrapure lanthanum strontium copper oxide (LSCO) samples at temperatures well above the critical threshold for superconductivity. The finding suggests two energy scales exist, one where pairs form and another where they exhibit collective behavior.
A colossal collision between Jupiter and a still-forming planet may have stirred up the core, altering its density and composition. Researchers suggest this event could explain Juno's puzzling gravitational readings, which indicate a less dense and more extended core than expected.
Rice University, Texas Southern University, and the University of Houston have won a $2.66 million NSF grant to enhance training and resources for underrepresented minorities in engineering and science disciplines. The project aims to create a more diverse workforce and address systemic barriers that impede their success.
Researchers at Texas Heart Institute and Rice University have developed biocompatible nanotube fibers that can bridge damaged heart tissues and deliver electrical signals to restore heart function. The fibers were shown to be effective in restoring conduction in preclinical models, even without the presence of a pacemaker.
Rice University scientists develop a unique two-dimensional material with sharp zigzag boundaries, showcasing promise for optoelectronics and advanced computing. The material's band gap can be tuned in a controllable way, opening up new avenues for research and potential applications.
Researchers at Rice University have created a genetic circuit that allows bacteria to differentiate like stem cells, forming genetically distinct communities with complex behaviors. The discovery, called asymmetric plasmid partitioning, enables the creation of diverse populations of microbes that can exhibit non-native behaviors.
Researchers at Rice University and UTHealth have discovered that vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) can develop resistance to daptomycin in more than one way. The study's findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, which could lead to the development of new treatment strategies or 'co-drugs' targetin...