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.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a highly sensitive microwave detector using ultrapure gallium arsenide semiconductors. The discovery could enable the creation of next-generation computers with higher clock speeds, potentially reaching 100 GHz.
Rice University physicists have created a formula to calculate the energies of graphene cut at any angle, which could lead to controlling the chirality of nanotubes. This breakthrough has profound implications for nanotube growth and offers rational ways to control their symmetry.
Scientists at Rice University have discovered that poly(dA) repeats behave differently when stretched, requiring less force to lengthen without additional effort. The findings raise more questions about the role these repeats play in gene regulation and genome packaging.
Rice University researchers found that adding tiny amounts of ozone to single-walled carbon nanotubes decorates them with oxygen atoms, enhancing their near-infrared fluorescence intensity and shifting the wavelength. The process is simple enough for a physical chemist to do, and lab tests showed stable fluorescent properties for months.
A new study from Rice University found that players are more likely to imitate high-status leaders and ignore low-status leaders in a repeated public-goods game. Contributions from followers with low-status leaders dropped off even as their leaders increased their contributions, showing the importance of leader status on cooperation.
A new study by ecologists at Rice University and the University of California, Santa Barbara, challenges standard assumptions about biodiversity loss on ecosystems. The research suggests that changing dietary needs within species have important implications for ecosystem health, making natural ecosystems less stable than previously tho...
Researchers used multidimensional scaling to create a graphical plot of amino acid sequence data for all strains of H3N2, predicting the dominant strain with high accuracy. The new method can predict whether a new flu strain will become dominant as little as two weeks after its appearance in GenBank, outperforming current methods.
Researchers at Rice University have developed gadonanotubes that can effectively track mesenchymal stem cells through magnetic resonance imaging, potentially improving disease diagnosis and treatment. The study found that GNTs are 40 times better than standard contrast agents in helping doctors spot signs of disease or damage.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a method to produce high-quality graphene using plain table sugar and other carbon-based substances. The process, which can be done in just one step, produces large-area sheets of graphene at low temperatures.
A study at Rice University found that female candidates are described in more communal terms, which can negatively impact their hiring chances. The researchers suggest that traditional gender schemas contribute to these biases, highlighting the need for increased awareness of subtle discrimination in academia and management roles.
Researchers find that kinesins, powerful cargo-moving proteins, struggle to coordinate their efforts when paired, leading to inconsistent cargo transport. This discovery sheds light on the complex mechanisms governing intracellular transport and its link to neurodegenerative diseases.
A new study by Rice University researchers found that customers who participate in firm-sponsored surveys after a service experience may delay their next purchase. However, the study also found that these surveys can have net positive effects on customer behavior over time.
The Rice University think tank aims to recycle carbon dioxide into useful products, partnering with energy companies to make carbon a profitable resource. Strategies include repurposing CO2 as a feedstock for chemicals or sequestering it in oil wells.
Scientists at Rice University and Argentina's National University of Rosario identified a key protein in bacteria's response to cold, which acts as a 'measuring stick' tuned to signal temperature drops. The study found that this protein triggers the release of cold-protecting chemicals when its tip is engulfed by the cell membrane.
Rice University scientists used evolutionary theory to show that globalization makes the global economy more sensitive to recessionary shocks and recovers more slowly from them. The researchers found a trend of increasing modularity in the trade network since 1969, but also a brief increase in modularity after each recession.
Researchers at Rice University are testing a nanoparticle designed to diagnose and treat pancreatic cancer, which is notoriously difficult to treat with a five-year preclinical testing program funded by the National Cancer Institute.
Triple-mode transistors based on graphene can switch between positive and negative carriers, providing opportunities not possible with traditional single-transistor architectures. This property enables the transistor to be used in various applications such as wireless and audio signaling schemes.
Rice University scientists have created a new type of silicon anode that can store more than 10 times the amount of lithium as current graphite-based anodes. The breakthrough could lead to significant increases in battery performance and lifespan, making electric cars more efficient and cost-effective.
The IT industry is on pace to grow its carbon emissions at twice the rate of its contributions to gross domestic product. The study found that green innovation will be essential for ICT profitability in a carbon-constrained economy.
The grant supports the lab's transition to analyzing data from a new detector, enabling researchers to identify 96% of subatomic particles in collisions. The project aims to study hot and dense matter, including its critical point, and understand the early state of the universe.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a class of material known as metallacarborane that could store hydrogen at or better than benchmarks set by the US Department of Energy. The material has the potential to meet DOE storage goals for hydrogen fuel, which could be used in cars, fuel cells, and industry.
Researchers at Rice University have successfully created a precision simulator for superconductors using ultracold atomic gas. By trapping and holding lithium atoms in beams of light, they can observe how electrons would behave in particular types of superconductors.
A study by Rice University found that investment analysts' negative stock recommendations increase the probability of CEO dismissal. The researchers analyzed panel data on S&P 500 companies from 2000 to 2005 and found a significant impact of downgrades on CEO turnover decisions.
Researchers at Rice University used gold nanoparticles with laser pulses to create tiny vapor bubbles that selectively destroyed cancer cells in zebra fish implanted with live human prostate cancer cells. This technique avoids damaging healthy tissue and demonstrates a new approach to cancer treatment.
The NanoJapan program combines study-abroad and research experiences, targeting freshmen and sophomores. The new grant will allow the program to expand its internships into terahertz science, providing students with a unique opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a nano antenna that can concentrate light by a factor of 1,000. By measuring the electrical current flowing between two gold tips separated by a nanoscale gap, they were able to determine the amplification of light intensity in the gap.
A new catalyst formula, developed by Rice Professor Michael Wong and his team, can improve the efficiency of gasoline production and make it better for the environment. The catalyst turns straight-line molecules into branched n-pentane, resulting in a higher-octane gasoline.
A computer model found a network of genes that can trigger TB's dormant state, switching it from fast-growing to slow-growing. The study reveals potential for a persistence switch that could explain why TB is so widespread and deadly.
Rice University scientists analyze how bacteria acquire immunity from disease through the CRISPR system, which uses RNA interference to silence viral genes. The study's findings have implications for biotechnology and drug development.
Rice physicists Qimiao Si and Seiji Yamamoto create a theoretical model to understand the quantum quirks of high-temperature superconductors and ferromagnetism. Their model predicts the origins of metallic ferromagnetism, providing a rigorous answer to a long-standing question in condensed matter physics.
Rice University researchers are testing wireless communications technology that uses dormant broadcast television channels to deliver free, high-speed broadband Internet service. The new grant will allow the network to dynamically adapt its frequency usage and study how people interact with the new technology.
Researchers at Rice University have developed the first two-terminal memory chips using only silicon, which can be easily adapted to nanoelectronic manufacturing techniques. The new technology features high on-off ratios, excellent endurance and fast switching times, making it suitable for military and NASA applications.
The study, led by D. Michael Lindsay, categorizes evangelical leaders into pragmatic, heroic, circumspect, and brazen types based on their personal faith engagement in workplace decision-making. The research highlights the diversity of evangelicals' approaches to business leadership and their motivations.
Researchers at Rice University studied bacteria in a competition for evolutionary dominance, finding specific genetic mutations that imparted physical advantages. These mutations were linked to increased resistance to temperature changes and protein misfolding, which may be related to human diseases like Alzheimer's.