A new study by Rice University found that the legacy of slavery contributes to black-white education disparities through greater public-private school racial segregation. The research also shows a correlation between historical geographic slave concentration and modern-day K-12 school segregation, with white students being underreprese...
Research from Rice University and West Virginia University found that reading about scientist Francis Collins promotes a collaborative view of religion and science. In contrast, reading about Richard Dawkins had no impact on public perception.
A study on the apple maggot pest discovered a massive genome shift in just one generation, with 32,000 genetic changes occurring within a single year. This significant finding highlights the importance of ecological selection at early stages of divergence and calls for further integration of studies on speciation and genome divergence.
Rice University researchers have developed a new method to create valuable graphene nanoribbons by grinding carbon nanotubes, eliminating the need for harsh chemical solutions. This solid-state process enables strong chemical coupling between nanostructures and produces novel forms of nanostructured products with specific properties.
A new study from Rice University and the University of Colorado at Boulder found that adults living in socio-economically disadvantaged cities are more than two times more likely to die by suicide. The research suggests that broader social climate factors influence suicide risk, rather than individual characteristics alone.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a new way to measure electrical transport properties of nanomaterials and structures at high frequencies. The technique produces unique optical signatures that can be used to identify the conductance of nanowires and other electronic components.
A clinical trial involving women diagnosed with fibromyalgia showed significant improvements in symptoms after undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Brain scans revealed changes in brain activity that may be responsible for the syndrome's chronic pain sensation.
Researchers found that the low-cost, portable device could spare unnecessary biopsies for about 90% of patients with benign lesions. The study involved 147 U.S. and Chinese patients undergoing examination for potentially malignant squamous cell tumors.
Scientists from Rice University, Ohio State and Nebraska discovered diatoms in glacial ice from tropical regions, offering insights into conditions around the Andes when they were deposited. The study's findings suggest freshwater lakes or wetlands existed at high elevations on or near the mountain in earlier times.
A recent study published by Rice University researchers found that individuals generally prefer to locate their sense of self in the brain. This preference is stronger among those with an independent self-construal, who tend to assert autonomous goals and behaviors related to the brain. In contrast, people with an interdependent self-c...
Researchers at Rice University and Indian Institute of Science model seashells' ability to withstand pressure, discovering evolutionary optimization allows fractures to appear only where they're least likely to hurt the animal inside. The team found complex shapes make shells nearly twice as good at bearing loads than nacre alone.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a boron-infused graphene device that quadruples the supercapacitor's ability to store electrical charge while increasing its energy density. The technology has potential for electric vehicles and other heavy-duty applications.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a way to simplify the manufacture of solar cells by employing electrodes as catalysts to create black silicon. The new process enables the production of black silicon with high efficiency and reflects little light, allowing more sunlight to reach the active elements of solar cells.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a method to fine-tune the acoustic response of nanoparticles by varying the thickness of their attachment layer, opening doors for new applications in photonics and wireless communications. This breakthrough uses ultrafast laser pulses to induce atomic vibrations in gold nanodisks.
Researchers at Rice University have found ways to make 2D molybdenum disulfide exhibit superplasticity by manipulating its gas environment, allowing it to deform without breaking. This breakthrough opens the possibility of tailoring the plastic properties of these materials for specific applications.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new theory on chromosome folding, which is crucial for understanding gene regulation and other biological processes. The theory predicts the folding mechanisms and resulting structures of chromosomes using statistical tools and energy landscapes.
A new study finds that photosynthesis imparts a distinct biosignature on oxygen molecules, allowing scientists to trace biological processes. This discovery has the potential to measure productivity in the open ocean and assess the health of oceans.
A new study from Rice University suggests that therapies targeting the insulin signaling pathway in brain tumors may be ineffective if they target the wrong molecules. Researchers found that glioblastomas, the deadliest form of brain cancer, have a complex relationship with insulin and other growth factors.
Rice University researchers discovered that double-walled carbon nanotubes can be tuned for specific electronic properties by controlling their configuration and distance between walls. The study found that combining metallic with semiconducting nanotubes could lead to the creation of nanotube transistors.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a cobalt-based thin film that can produce both hydrogen and oxygen from water to feed fuel cells. The film is highly porous, inexpensive, and scalable, making it a potential alternative to expensive metals like platinum in water-electrolysis devices.
Rice University and Texas Children's Hospital scientists successfully used amniotic stem cells to promote blood vessel growth in hydrogels, enhancing tissue repair for infants with birth defects. The study paves the way for biocompatible patches for congenital heart defects.
A new study published in BMC Systems Biology uses computational method corsoFBA to model cellular metabolism and discover how organisms adapt to changing environments. The researchers, led by Amina Qutub, aim to develop new treatments for diseases such as stroke and cancer.
Rice University engineers create a highly accurate, touch-free system that analyzes subtle changes in skin color to monitor patients' vital signs. The technique overcomes challenges of low-light conditions, dark skin tones and movement by averaging skin-color change signals from different face regions.
Rice University scientists have developed a technique called meniscus-mask lithography to create sub-10 nanometer wide wires from various materials. The method uses the curvy surface of water as a mask, enabling the production of ultra-nano structures that are crucial for miniaturizing electronic devices.
Researchers found high-value oil-rich algae strains can grow in wastewater while removing over 90% of nitrates and 50% of phosphorus. This method addresses nutrient pollution and makes algae production sustainable.
A new paper from Rice University's Baker Institute finds Saudi Arabia is reshaping itself as a supplier of refined petroleum products. The country's increasing domestic demand for crude oil poses geopolitical challenges to its traditional role as the world's 'swing supplier' of oil.
The carbon nanotube fibers have proven superior to metal electrodes for deep brain stimulation and reading signals from a neuronal network. They offer promise for treating patients with neurological disorders while monitoring the real-time response of neural circuits.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a method to control the size-dependent band gap of coal-based graphene quantum dots, enabling specific semiconducting properties. The new process uses ultrafiltration or direct control of reaction temperature, producing smaller dots with different optical and electronic properties.
Rice researchers Rouzbeh Shahsavari and Navid Sakhavand have created universal maps that predict the properties of natural and biomimetic platelet-matrix composites. The maps are dimensionless and can be applied to materials built with nanoscale blocks as well as brick walls, or bigger.
A team of researchers is working on a five-year program to create a bioreactor that more closely simulates the complex tissues and dynamic movements of the intestinal track. This project aims to deliver a simple, easy-to-use and relatively inexpensive system for infectious disease labs.
The study found that geometric relationships between graphene and the substrate determine island shapes, with triangular surfaces leading to more irregular structures. Understanding this process can help design grain boundaries with specific properties, useful for electronics applications.
New research from Rice University reveals that nearly 70 percent of evangelical Christians do not view the intersection of science and religion as being in conflict. A recent study found that only 21 percent of evangelicals see science and religion as entirely independent, while nearly half view them as complementary. The study's findi...
Research shows that eviction from housing can result in multiple negative consequences, including depression, poorer health, and higher levels of stress. Evicted mothers are more likely to experience depression, poor child health, and material hardship, highlighting the need for eviction-prevention initiatives.
A new survey of Carina Nebula helps astronomers understand the processes that may have contributed to the formation of our sun. The region contains dozens of examples of forming stars at various stages of development, providing insights into how solar-type stars evolve.
A team of researchers from Rice University has developed a metal-free aerogel catalyst that outperforms platinum in fuel cells. The new material, made from graphene nanoribbons with boron and nitrogen, provides an abundance of active sites for oxygen reduction reactions.
Asphaltene analysis takes a giant step with the development of an indirect method that detects and measures particles as small as 100 nanometers. This technique can accurately quantify asphaltene precipitation and account for water presence, offering valuable insights into preventing clogs in oil production lines.
A team of researchers at Rice University has successfully simulated superconducting materials using ultracold atoms, observing antiferromagnetic order in the process. The simulation is based on the Hubbard model, a set of mathematical equations that could explain high-temperature superconductivity.
Rice University researchers found that motor proteins collaborate to regulate cell-transport systems by favoring slow and steady movement. Weak repulsions led to maximum movement along microtubules, while strong attractions caused clusters that stopped motors.
A new study by Rice University economists found that the US natural gas market would be resilient to potential local policy interventions aimed at limiting access to shale gas resources. The efficiency of the market, driven by deep liquidity and robust infrastructure, renders local policies largely irrelevant to the broader market.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered that treated carbon-60 molecules can remove metals from water and other liquids, with the ability to reserve them for future use. The process also shows promise for separating specific metals from complex fluids, potentially addressing contaminated water issues.
Researchers have successfully tested nanoparticles that can quickly quench damaging superoxides, potentially protecting against further brain damage in traumatic injuries. The particles, known as PEG-HCCs, have shown an enormous capacity to neutralize thousands of reactive oxygen species molecules, restoring normal oxygen levels.
A Rice University study uses the lowly roundworm to measure the effects of various nanoparticles on individual organisms and entire populations. The researchers found that five types of nanoparticles showed little to no toxicity, while others were moderately or highly toxic to the worm population.
New research suggests that sinuous grain boundaries in graphene can relieve stress, resulting in enhanced mechanical strength and predictable electronic transport gaps. This discovery may lead to the development of polycrystalline graphene with precise misalignment of components, enabling the control of semiconducting characteristics.
A new study by Rice University and international collaborators adds to the growing evidence for a theory that explains high-temperature superconductivity and heavy fermion physics through quantum fluctuations. The research observed a sharp Fermi surface reconstruction, consistent with theoretical predictions of unconventional quantum c...
A new study by Rice University researchers shows how cancer cells use 'jagged' proteins to hijack cell-signaling process and promote metastasis. The mechanism plays a crucial role in embryonic development and wound healing.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a method to control the edge properties of graphene nanoribbons by manipulating the conditions under which they are pulled apart. This allows for the creation of semiconducting graphene with desirable electronic properties, opening up new possibilities for applications in modern electronics.
Researchers have created a new hydrogel that can be injected into wounds, forming scaffolds that help them heal quickly. The material promotes angiogenesis, the growth of blood vessels, which is essential for tissue repair and reduces the risk of complications.
Researchers at Rice University have developed stacked, three-dimensional supercapacitors using laser-induced graphene, which show excellent energy-storage capacity and power potential. The devices can be scaled up for commercial applications and offer flexibility and scalability benefits.
Researchers Rouzbeh Shahsavari and Saroosh Jalilvand found that atomic-level forces affect the mechanical properties of complex particle-based materials, such as concrete. They suggest new ways to fine-tune chemistry to make concrete less prone to cracking and more suitable for specific applications.
A harm-reduction approach prioritizes minimizing harm from drug use for individuals and society, rather than solely focusing on punishment. This approach encompasses a range of objectives, including preventing overdose, treating addiction, and reducing the spread of diseases like HIV and hepatitis C.