A new study from Rice University and Louisiana State University reveals the Antarctic Peninsula was ice-free and forested during its warmest period 55 million years ago. The research provides a detailed reconstruction of the climatic history of the peninsula, shedding light on how the continent's ice sheets formed and evolved over time.
Researchers found that job satisfaction and emotional well-being are better predictors of turnover in long-term care facilities. Certified nursing assistants were more likely to switch jobs due to lower emotional distress and greater job satisfaction after switching, even if it meant taking a pay cut.
Research by Rice University and colleagues found that men who flaunt expensive items like Porsches are perceived as more desirable for short-term flings, but not for marriage. In contrast, owning a non-luxury item had no significant advantage in the eyes of potential partners.
Two renowned physicists and a chemist will collaborate on cancer research at Rice's BioScience Research Collaborative. They plan to apply physical principles to understand complex biological systems and develop new approaches to treat cancer.
Rice University is hosting 25-30 Japanese students for a summer research program amid the country's recovery from the March 11 earthquake and tsunamis. The Reverse NanoJapan program offers labs in Japan the opportunity to send students to Rice for three months.
Research from Rice University and the University of Delaware found that unverifiable information like personal stories enhances lending decisions. Borrowers who explain their circumstances but deny details have poor loan performance. Using a 'trustworthy' identity can lower costs by almost 30% and save $375 in interest charges.
Researchers discovered that married couples tend to select partners based on their social and political attitudes rather than physical traits or personality. This finding suggests that people place more emphasis on finding a kindred spirit for politics, religion, and social activities.
A Rice University study found that daily deal promotions can be effective for retail startup businesses in local markets, increasing profits by up to 30% when unredeemed Groupons are accounted for. The promotion also brought greater exposure, earning revenues almost 140% higher than expected.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new technology that could dramatically improve solar energy panels by merging nanoscale antennas with semiconductors. This technique allows the capture of infrared light's energy, which is currently unable to be converted into electricity in silicon-based solar cells.
A new study from Rice University found that 72 scientists, many of whom identify as atheist, possess a spirituality consistent with science. These 'spiritual atheist' scientists believe in a core sense of truth generated by their work as scientists, and see both science and spirituality as meaning-making without faith.
Researchers found that ordered vacancies in iron pnictides can give rise to superconductivity, providing a potential explanation for the similar behavior between different compounds. This discovery has implications for the broader use of these materials on an industrial scale.
A team of scientists led by Rice University geologist Alan Levander has figured out why the Colorado Plateau is rising even as parts of its lower crust appear to be falling. The region's uplift is caused by magmatic material from the depths slowly rising to invade the lithosphere, causing layers to peel away and sink.
Rice University bioengineering students collaborate with the Texas Heart Institute to create unique AED pads that allow rescuers to try again without losing valuable time. The pads have been tested with 100% success rate and are being patented, with hopes of being picked up by an AED manufacturer for FDA approval.
A team of Rice University bioengineering students has developed a portable device that controls air around the eyes to help doctors diagnose dry eye. The ClimaTears device uses modified goggles with embedded data sensors to monitor temperature, humidity, and air flow, providing clues about treatment options.
The SSPEED Center will focus on four key areas: the Houston Ship Channel, Galveston Bay, Galveston city, and low-lying coastal lands. The goal is to develop and evaluate alternative concepts for protecting these areas in light of new regulations.
Physicists at Rice University have detected the heaviest antimatter particle ever observed, antihelium-4, using a time-of-flight detector designed at the institution. The discovery provides new insights into the conditions of the early universe and the existence of antimatter galaxies.
Scientists at Rice University and Texas A&M have developed a method to pattern active proteins into bio-friendly fibers. The new work simplifies the process of making materials with fully functional proteins, opening up possibilities for chemical catalysts, biosensors, tissue engineering, and more.
The updated studies will provide long-term projections and help researchers identify new trends using 2010 census data. This living resource will be available online and continuously updated to inform policymakers.
Despite economic anxiety, most Houstonians believe in an improving quality of life locally and consider the city a better place to live. They are also willing to support policies that moderate inequalities and nurture a more educated workforce.
A team of bioengineers at Rice University is developing new materials to grow replacement heart valves using gel-like scaffolds that mimic the complex structure and physical properties of heart-valve tissues. The goal is to create living valves that use a patient's own cells, eliminating tissue rejection.
A study from Rice University found that placing multiracial adults into single-race categories can alter patterns of racial health disparities. Multiracial adults are more likely to report poor health, despite identifying with healthier single-race groups.
Rice University and nonprofit Technology For All launch free community broadband Wi-Fi network in East Houston neighborhood, providing underserved residents with reliable internet access. The network uses dynamic spectrum access technology to automatically shift between traditional Wi-Fi and unused TV channels for optimal coverage.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a database of 2.6 million possible zeolite structures, which could improve catalytic applications and enable the discovery of new materials with unique properties. The database was created using computational methods and has been made publicly available.
Researchers at Rice University have created a synthetic material that gets stronger from repeated stress much like the body strengthens bones and muscles after repeated workouts. The team found that dynamic stress is necessary to improve the stiffness of the composite, unlike static loads.
Researchers used image-analysis methods to analyze microcinematic movies of bacteria forming aggregates, revealing that size matters most in predicting survival. The team found a signaling mechanism within the aggregate itself that trumps neighbor-related factors, contradicting existing theories.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new pruning technique to trim away unnecessary circuits in computer chips, resulting in faster and more energy-efficient devices. The method uses probabilistic computing to boost performance while reducing power demands.
Researchers at Rice University and Georgia Tech found evidence for three distinct layers of working memory, including a core focusing on one active item and surrounding areas holding multiple items. Predictability can improve multitasking by automizing certain tasks, allowing individuals to effectively switch between tasks.
A new study by Rice University's Baker Institute found that US researchers who collaborate with international scientists receive more citations and greater recognition than their peers. This is particularly true when the US scientist is a corresponding author, with an average of 20.3 citations compared to 15.0 for independent publicati...
A new study by Rice University researchers reveals that overfertilizing corn crops for ethanol production can lead to decreased cellulose content in plant residues, making it more difficult to extract ethanol. The study suggests using less fertilizer can improve feedstock quality and alleviate environmental damage.
A Rice University lab has created a technique to disperse single-walled carbon nanotubes in water using ruthenium complexes, keeping their unique properties intact. The new approach allows for the simultaneous addition of functionalities, advancing applications in imaging sensors, catalysis, and solar-activated hydrogen fuel cells.
A study found that Texas leaf-cutter ants use a fungus as an external digestive system to survive the cold, and the fungus's resistance is based on genetic differences. The ants' ability to manage fungal crops prevents them from spreading farther north than their current range.
Researchers discovered that young children living in public housing spend more time playing outdoors than their peers, with a significant link to lower body mass indexes (BMIs). Mothers' perceptions of neighborhood environments also played a key role in predicting children's outdoor playtime and TV watching habits.
A new study by Rice University researchers found that countries with defensive military alliances are less likely to be attacked, and these alliances do not increase the likelihood of aggression. The study analyzed defense agreements from 1816 to 2001 and suggests that such alliances can make war and militarized conflicts shorter.
Researchers create microsponges that capture biomarkers, enabling rapid disease diagnosis with high accuracy. The technology has the potential to replace traditional diagnostic methods at a lower cost.
Scientists used single molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) techniques combined with wavelet transforms to study the AMPA receptor's behavior. They identified four distinct conformations of the receptor and found that its 'cleft' is constantly opening and closing, exploring space for neurotransmitters.
Researchers Anatoly Kolomeisky and Alexey Akimov decoded the behavior of molecular whirligigs attached to a gold surface through simulations. Their findings could lead to new materials in nanoscale machines, including radio filters with finely tuned signals.
Researchers have successfully destroyed tumors of human brain cancer cells in animal tests using light-activated nanoparticles. The treatment showed promising results, with over half of the treated animals remaining cancer-free after three months.
Jason Hafner's research on gold nanostars has led to breakthroughs in sensing, imaging, and medicine. He also discovered a method to measure large electrical fields inside cell membranes.
Scientists have successfully grown the blood vessels and capillaries needed to keep tissues alive, paving the way for transplantable tissue growth. By mimicking the body's extracellular matrix and using light to create soft hydrogels, researchers were able to form functioning capillary networks in just 72 hours.
Rice University researchers have developed a method to enhance the effectiveness of a common disinfectant, increasing its ability to degrade aerosol- and water-borne viruses by more than three times. The new technique involves adding silicone to titanium dioxide, which is widely used in paints, sunscreen, and food coloring.
Research from Rice University and other institutions shows that employees in neutral professions spend more energy suppressing emotions, leading to burnout. Neutral expressions also lead to less positive customer reactions and lower ratings.
Rice University researchers settle a long-standing controversy in polymer dynamics by proving that flexibility enhances the mobility of stiff filaments. The study shows that nanotubes and other fine filaments can navigate through crowded environments and fixed networks with ease, paving the way for new sensing technologies.
A Rice University researcher says the new logo could generate more brand loyalty among new customers in Asian markets, which tend to value collectivist and interdependent cultures. The study found that rounded logos are more acceptable in these cultures than angular ones.
A new study from Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business found that customers participating in eBay's online communities became more educated on buying and selling processes. This increased education led to more conservative buying habits and more effective selling strategies, benefiting both buyers and sellers.
A new study reveals that Mexican immigrants who are more integrated into US culture appear less healthy and more likely to require healthcare resources. Men tend to report better health than women, but their health declines faster as they adapt to the US.
A US-European team has found that magnetism drives unconventional superconductivity in heavy-fermion materials, with magnetic energy saved by over 10 times when the system enters a superconducting state. The study provides evidence for collective fluctuations of electrons at the border of magnetism as capable of driving superconductivity.
Rice University researchers have developed a technique to measure the temperature of molecules using Raman spectroscopy and an optical antenna. They found that they could detect temperature fluctuations of up to 20 degrees in the molecules, which will be useful for the molecular electronics community.
Research from Rice University and the University of Wisconsin found that remarried parents contribute less to their children's college education despite similar incomes. College students with divorced or remarried parents must shoulder more costs, prioritizing education over completing it.
The project aims to unlock the secrets of nature's best camouflage artists, specifically cephalopod skins, to create adaptive and responsive materials. The team will investigate light sensing and use it to regulate skin patterns, colors, and contrasts.
Rice University researchers have developed microbatteries with nanowire 'hearts' that can store more energy and charge faster than traditional lithium-ion batteries. The batteries employ vertical arrays of nickel-tin nanowires encased in a PMMA polymer, which insulates the wires and allows ions to pass through.