A study from Rice University and colleagues found that evolutionary changes in a native North American fruit fly are driving the emergence of three new wasp species, which exploit new habitats created by the changing fruit fly populations.
Rice University scientists have developed a nanofiber hydrogel infused with snake venom that can stop bleeding within seconds, even in the presence of anti-coagulants. The material, called SB50, has great potential to treat surgical bleeding in patients taking heparin or other anti-coagulant drugs.
A new study aims to determine the mechanisms that cause some grieving survivors to suffer unanticipated and potentially fatal heart attacks. The researcher hopes to understand how stress, depression, and anxiety contribute to inflammation, a driver of cardiovascular disease.
Randy Hulet, a leading expert in ultracold atomic gases, has won the American Physical Society's Davisson-Germer Prize for his groundbreaking investigations of quantum degenerate gases. His research group uses lasers to cool lithium gas to near absolute zero, unlocking the mysteries of quantum mechanics.
Researchers at Rice University have created a novel, solid-state catalyst that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen, promising lower-cost alternatives to expensive platinum catalysts. The catalyst, made from nitrogen-doped graphene and cobalt atoms, shows high efficiency and durability in generating clean energy.
The study, which analyzed data from 3,320 CEO successions in China's Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges, found that male-to-female succession tends to have lower postsuccession performance than same-gender succession. Companies with female CEOs also experienced higher early departure rates.
A team of researchers has found that proteins forming loops in human chromosomes work like a sliding plastic adjuster on a backpack. This discovery could provide new clues about genetic diseases and allow for reprogramming cells by directly modifying the loops in genomes.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new tool to identify DNA and RNA sequences, which will help detect diseases and design therapies. The method allows for the simultaneous observation of multiple biomarkers by adjusting the brightness of fluorescent probes.
Researchers detected carbon nanotubes in Parisian children's lung cells and exhaust pipes, suggesting widespread exposure to the pollutants. The findings prompt further investigation into the potential health effects of nanotubes, which are found naturally but also produced by human activities.
A Rice University study found that customer feedback helps spur employee creativity and improves customer satisfaction by enabling employees to think outside the box and solve problems in novel ways. The research suggests that service organizations can benefit from strategically marketing to customers to encourage them to empower their...
A new study suggests that public policies should account for individuals' varying levels of self-control when assessing their effectiveness. The researchers recommend using domain-specific measures to better understand consumer behavior and decision-making. This approach can facilitate the development of more effective interventions, p...
A 15-year study discovered 61 new strains of fungal parasites in leaf-cutter ant nests, which could lead to new control strategies. The findings suggest that a single form of the parasite could be used to target multiple species of ants.
A new survey from Rice University's Kinder Institute for Urban Research reveals that Copenhagen residents are less welcoming to immigrants, with only 29.5% rating relations between Danes and non-Western immigrants as 'excellent' or 'good'. In contrast, 48% of Houstonians said the same about their city.
Rice University researchers are combining experiments and computational analysis to learn how the brain organizes itself after injury. They aim to direct the growth of new neurons to treat stroke and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method for analyzing carbon nanotubes in solution using variance spectroscopy. This technique allows for the rapid analysis of small regions in dilute nanotube solutions, providing insights into the types, numbers, and properties of nanoparticles in the solution. By zooming in on thes...
Researchers at Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine have successfully mapped the structural details of leiomodin 2, a protein critical to muscle cell function. The discovery offers a path forward for studying and treating nemaline myopathy, a hereditary disorder that weakens muscles.
Researchers found that deep-diving whales have ultra-stable versions of myoglobin, a protein that holds oxygen in muscle cells. This stability allows them to pack more myoglobin into their cells, enabling them to remain active while holding their breath. The discovery could lead to creating synthetic blood for human trauma patients.
A review of dozens of ecological studies found little proof of cheating among cooperating species, challenging a commonly held belief. The study's authors provided a scientific definition of cheating that ecologists can use to determine whether one species is cheating its mutualist partner.
Rice University researchers have developed a new technique to characterize the space within porous materials, allowing them to measure dimensions and dynamics at the nanoscale. This breakthrough could improve protein separation processes for the pharmaceutical industry.
Researchers have discovered a new molecule that can target the STAT3 protein, which interferes with chemotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. The molecule, MM-206, locates and attacks a previously unknown binding site on STAT3, disrupting its disease-promoting effects.
Researchers have developed a system that captures energy from 'hot electrons' to split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen, offering a promising means of harnessing renewable energy. The process uses light-activated gold nanoparticles and efficiently increases solar-to-electric power-conversion efficiencies.
Researchers found that 2D boron properties vary based on interactions with metal substrates. Copper is identified as a suitable substrate to guide the formation of flat boron sheets. The discovery opens up new avenues for creating highly conductive 2D boron and exploring its potential applications in fuel cells and other fields.
Rice University scientists have created a multicellular bacterial circuit that allows bacteria to cooperate and control protein expression. This breakthrough enables the development of biological computers that can be programmed through diet, with potential applications in treating diseases and manipulating the gut microbiome.
A new study by Rice University and Australian National University found that employees who build nonredundant ties in their social networks are more creative. These ties connect to indirect networks beyond an individual's direct network, offering the greatest efficiency for gathering novel information.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a way to embed metallic nanoparticles into laser-induced graphene, creating a useful catalyst for fuel cells and other applications. The material, called metal oxide-laser induced graphene (MO-LIG), has shown promise as a potential substitute for expensive metals like platinum.
Rice University researchers develop a new method to clean contaminated soil at oil spills, reducing energy consumption and enhancing soil fertility. The process uses pyrolysis to heat the soil in the absence of oxygen, removing toxic pollutants and retaining beneficial carbon.
Researchers aim to develop multifunctional coatings that protect surfaces while adding value through sensing capabilities. The new ATOMIC center will focus on creating atom-thin materials for various industries, including energy and manufacturing.
Researchers at Rice University and UTHealth aim to develop wireless implants that can help patients regain communication skills after speech impairments. The three-year project will analyze data from intracranial recordings in patients with epilepsy, with the ultimate goal of creating a prosthetic system to reconstruct speech.
Rice University bioengineers have developed a technique called progeny clustering that clarifies big data clusters, enabling doctors to design personalized treatments. The algorithm increases the size of data sets and reveals distinct patterns, allowing for more accurate cluster grouping.
A Rice University-led consortium has been chosen to establish a new NSF Engineering Research Center to develop compact, mobile, off-grid water-treatment systems. The NEWT Center aims to provide clean water to millions of people who lack it and make U.S. energy production more sustainable and cost-effective.
Scientists at Rice University have developed a solid-state memory technology that allows for high-density storage with minimal computer errors. The memories use tantalum oxide and can store up to 162 gigabits, much higher than other oxide-based memory systems.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a way to mimic the conditions under which cancer tumors grow in bones, enabling more accurate testing of cancer-fighting drugs. The study found that bone tumors exposed to normal forces express more of a protein called IGF-1 than detected in static cultures.
Researchers at Rice University have identified a genetic mechanism that enables bacteria to become more resistant to antibiotics while also spreading their resistance rapidly. The discovery highlights the need for new strategies to predict and prevent the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, potentially halting or slowing down t...
A new study from Rice University finds that living in areas with lower socio-economic resources but higher social acceptability of smoking increases the likelihood of pregnant women smoking. Counties with higher socio-economic status have lower odds of women smoking during pregnancy, while neighboring counties' smoking prevalence signi...
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method to incorporate light-capturing nanomaterials into solar panels, increasing efficiency and reducing costs. This breakthrough could help meet the US goal of reducing solar electricity costs to 6 cents per kilowatt-hour.
Researchers at Rice University deciphered how individual neurons predict behavior in perceptual tests, finding that neurons often share the same information. The study explains a long-standing paradox in neural activity and has implications for understanding neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Rice University have found that three-dimensional boron nitride structures can efficiently control heat flow in electronics by slowing down phonon transfer between layers. These structures, composed of hexagonal boron nitride sheets and boron nitride nanotubes, can be tuned to create thermal switches or rectifiers.
Researchers created the material by combining titanium and gold, resulting in an unusual magnetic property. The discovery of TiAu has significant implications for understanding magnetism and its applications, particularly in studying phase transitions at absolute zero.
Researchers at Rice University found that consistent superior e-service quality is key to winning the e-commerce battle between Amazon and Wal-Mart. The study identified four core dimensions of e-service quality, including website design, fulfilment, customer service, and security/privacy, which strongly impact overall e-service quality.
Researchers at Rice University have made a breakthrough in developing tunable carbon-capture materials by heating buckyballs to alter their properties. This process enables the creation of materials that can selectively capture carbon dioxide from various sources, including industrial flue gases and natural-gas wells.
Researchers developed a technology called WATCH, which allows wireless data transmissions over UHF channels without interfering with TV broadcasts. The system can provide at least six times more wireless data compared to traditional white-space spectrum.
Researchers discovered that bacteria time their sporulation decision with their cell-division cycle, using the location of genes on the circular chromosome. This timing allows for accurate determination of whether to reproduce or form spores.
Rice University researchers created a detailed model of cell signaling in blood vessels that feed tumors. The study found that jagged ligands play a major role in the chaotic vessel growth observed around tumors, suggesting that suppressing notch-jagged signaling may disrupt tumor angiogenesis.
A Rice University study found that smartphone users believed smartphones would improve their academic performance but ultimately reported detrimental effects on their ability to learn. The study suggests that providing access to smartphones without specific directed learning activities can be counterproductive to the learning process.
Researchers tested a five-dimensional commitment model, finding that affective commitment is the single largest contributor to customer loyalty. Habitual commitment also plays a significant role, with increased usage leading to developed habits and regimes that build commitment. The study provides insights into the nuanced ways custome...
Researchers at Rice University are developing gas-releasing microbial sensors to study microbe-driven processes that regulate Earth's environment. The sensors will allow researchers to test hypotheses about how microbes control environmental processes and build model ecosystems in the lab.
Rice University's HERC will explore new areas of education research in HISD, linking data with other sectors like early childcare and the workforce. The funding supports HERC's connection between research and policy/practice to improve educational services.
A recent study found that bisexual men and women experience poorer health outcomes compared to gay, lesbian, and heterosexual adults. The study discovered that bisexual individuals are more likely to be disadvantaged on socio-economic factors strongly linked to well-being, such as educational attainment and income levels.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered that graphene can be controlled by twisting it, creating an electronic flexoelectric effect. This property can be manipulated to vary the work function and engineer the band-structure stacking in bilayers or multiple layers.
The Transparency and Openness Promotion (TOP) Committee has outlined new guidelines to strengthen transparency and reproducibility practices in science research. The guidelines aim to increase openness and confidence in findings by promoting the sharing of data, code, and research materials. By adopting these standards, researchers can...