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Rice University


Pure nanotube-type growth edges toward the possible

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.

SourceRice University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 6, 2010

Light touch brightens nanotubes

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.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·DateDec 2, 2010

Low-status leaders are ignored

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.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of Public Economic Theory·DateDec 2, 2010

Study: Ecological effects of biodiversity loss underestimated

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...

SourceRice University·JournalEcology Letters·DateNov 30, 2010

New way of predicting dominant seasonal flu strain

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.

SourceRice University·JournalProtein Engineering Design and Selection·DateNov 15, 2010

Sugar and slice make graphene real nice

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.

SourceRice University·JournalNature·DateNov 11, 2010

Recommendation letters may be costing women jobs, promotions

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.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateNov 9, 2010

'Prima donna' protein doesn't work well in pairs

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.

SourceRice University·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateNov 5, 2010

Bacteria gauge cold with molecular measuring stick

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.

SourceRice University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 19, 2010

Globalized economy more sensitive to recessions

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.

SourceRice University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 18, 2010

Triple-mode transistors show potential

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.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateOct 13, 2010

Silicon strategy shows promise for batteries

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.

Grant advances quark-gluon plasma studies

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.

Hydrogen fuel for thought

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.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateSep 30, 2010

CEO's fate in hands of external constituents

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.

SourceRice University·JournalStrategic Management Journal·DateSep 29, 2010

'Gold' fish thrive, cancers die

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.

SourceRice University·JournalBiomaterials·DateSep 27, 2010

Nano antenna concentrates light

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.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateSep 20, 2010

Nanocatalyst is a gas

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.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateSep 20, 2010

Magnetism's subatomic roots

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.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 3, 2010

Melding Wi-Fi with digital TV 'white space'

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.

Silicon oxide circuits break barrier

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.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateAug 31, 2010

Evolution writ small

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.

SourceRice University·JournalMolecular Systems Biology·DateAug 25, 2010

Mother of all humans lived 200,000 years ago

A new statistical method confirms that mitochondrial Eve, the mother of all humans, lived around 200,000 years ago. The study compared 10 human genetic models and found that they produced similar estimates, suggesting that refining assumptions beyond a certain point is not crucial in capturing the big picture.

SourceRice University·JournalTheoretical Population Biology·DateAug 17, 2010

Telltale signs of bioterror

Researchers at Rice University are developing a genomic test that can quickly determine whether a disease outbreak is caused by a natural pathogen or one engineered in a lab. By studying how bacteria evolve in the lab, they hope to find common patterns that indicate domestication.

A river flipped: Humans trump nature on Texas river

A study by Rice University geochemists found that human activities like damming have completely obscured the natural carbon dioxide cycle in the Brazos River. The researchers used radiocarbon dating to determine the age of carbon dioxide samples from seven sites along the river, revealing a unique geochemical story.

SourceRice University·JournalBiogeochemistry·DateAug 16, 2010

Compact microscope a marvel

Rice University's compact fluorescence microscope, developed by Andrew Miller, has been shown to accurately diagnose tuberculosis in a trial with 98.4% accuracy. The portable device, costing $240, is comparable to expensive lab equipment and has the potential to improve early detection and treatment of TB in developing countries.

SourceRice University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 4, 2010

Sponge shines light on life's origin

Researchers sequenced the sponge genome to connect the dots between Amphimedon and other animals, revealing a striking conservation of gene structure and genome organization. The study aims to understand how patterns that have been around for a billion years have evolved or persisted.

SourceRice University·JournalNature·DateAug 4, 2010

'White graphene' to the rescue

Researchers have successfully produced sheets of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), a potential insulator to complement graphene's electronic properties. The material can be deposited and transferred to various substrates, opening up possibilities for its use in graphene-based electronics.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateJul 29, 2010

Polymer passage takes time

Researchers at Rice University have developed a theoretical method to calculate the time it takes for long-chain polymers to translocate through nanopore geometries, shedding new light on their transport. The study found that polymers pass more quickly when entering a composite pore through its wide end.

SourceRice University·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateJul 29, 2010

Nanomaterials poised for big impact in construction

A new study by Rice University researchers highlights the vast potential of nanomaterials in the construction industry, from making more durable concrete to self-cleaning windows. The study also identifies potential adverse health and environmental effects, emphasizing the need for responsible lifecycle engineering.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateJul 28, 2010

Quantum fractals at the border of magnetism

Physicists at Rice University report a simple scaling behavior in electronic excitations of a related material, providing direct evidence of large-scale electronic consequences of quantum critical effects. The study reveals that variables from classical physics cannot explain all observed macroscopic properties at quantum critical points.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 28, 2010

Graphene oxide gets green

Rice University scientists have created an eco-friendly method for mass-producing graphene oxide, a crucial component in various industries. The new process uses common chemicals to produce the material, eliminating toxic gases and making it safer for large-scale production.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateJul 22, 2010

Nanotubes pass acid test

Rice researchers have found a breakthrough solvent for carbon nanotubes, untangling long tubes and clearing the way for scalable methods to create strong, lightweight materials. The discovery brings the creation of a highly conductive quantum nanowire closer.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateJul 14, 2010

Magnets trump metallics

Researchers at Rice University discovered that strong magnetic fields can transform highly conductive carbon nanotubes into semiconductors. By applying a magnetic field, a band gap opens up and the material becomes an insulator.

SourceRice University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 8, 2010

Rice program takes on protein puzzle

Rice University researchers have developed a computer program that accurately simulates protein folding dramatically faster than previous methods. The new technique allows scientists to study the roots of diseases caused by proteins that fold incorrectly, which is crucial for understanding diseases such as Alzheimer's and cystic fibrosis.

SourceRice University·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateJul 7, 2010

Off-the-shelf cancer detection

Rice University researchers developed a method to use an off-the-shelf digital camera to distinguish cancerous cells from healthy ones. The device uses fluorescent dyes and fiber-optic cables to capture images of tissues, allowing doctors to identify abnormal cells quickly and accurately.

SourceRice University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 24, 2010