Researchers at Rice University have made a breakthrough in industrial-scale nanotube processing, creating a method to produce pure carbon-nanotube fibers that could lead to advances in materials science and nanoelectronics. The process uses chlorosulfonic acid as a solvent, enabling the efficient production of high-quality nanotubes.
A Rice University lab has discovered over 2.7 million possible structures for molecular sieves, also known as zeolites, which have potential applications in industries such as gasoline production and laundry detergents.
A study by Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business found that Americans with low power-distance belief (PDB) scores tend to exhibit more self-control and be less impulsive when shopping. This results in spending one-and-a-half times more on daily items compared to those with high PDB scores.
Rice University scientists win grant to investigate flu virus's complex replication process and develop more effective antiviral drugs. The research will focus on understanding the assembly of viral RNA segments into a viable package, which is crucial for the virus to reproduce.
A new study by Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business found that Chinese firms benefiting from the diversity of foreign direct investment (FDI) productivity and competitiveness. The more diverse the national origins of foreign investors in an industry, the higher the productivity of Chinese firms.
A new comprehensive survey of White House Fellows, a group of over 600 prominent leaders, reveals significant differences between America's leadership cohort and the general public. The study found greater confidence in institutions like the Supreme Court and scientific community, but less confidence in education and organized labor.
In a study published in Nature, researchers found that cooperative amoebas can evolve genetic defenses against cheaters, preserving collective behavior. The Dictyostelium discoideum mutants discovered by the Rice-Baylor team demonstrated a remarkable ability to resist cheater cells and maintain altruistic traits.
A 2004 Sumatran earthquake may have weakened a portion of California's San Andreas Fault, changing its fault strength and potentially triggering increased global seismic activity. The study, published in Nature, examined seismic records from Parkfield, Calif., and found repeated microearthquakes occurred near the fault
Rice University mathematician Richard Tapia is recognized for his contributions to the advancement of minorities, with a focus on education outreach and K-12 diversity initiatives. He joins an esteemed group of award winners, including artists, politicians, and entertainers.
A Rice University-led team will build a simulator capable of tackling high-temperature superconductivity using ultracold atoms and lasers. The goal is to study complex materials like cuprate superconductors, which are still not fully understood.
Scientists have used single-molecule techniques to study the tethered lactose repressor protein, revealing how flexibility within the protein influences its ability to form DNA loops. The results suggest that limiting flexibility limits protein function in this case.
Rice University biochemists are developing a system of 'evolutionary forecasting' to better understand the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance. By sequencing genomes and analyzing molecular changes, they hope to identify patterns and rules governing how bacteria evolve to become drug-resistant.
Researchers simplify fabrication of nano storage, creating a potentially very dense, stable nonvolatile memory for digital devices. The graphite-based approach uses industry-standard lithographic techniques to deposit amorphous graphite onto silicon, facilitating the creation of reliable memory bits.
Rice University bioengineer Michael Deem has developed a technique to predict the efficacy of H1N1 vaccines by estimating antigenic distance between flu strains. This method assigns a numerical value to the similarity between epitope regions, allowing researchers to refine cell-based approaches and shorten vaccine production time.
Rice University chemists have developed a polymer-coated platinum-gold nanorod catalyst that can be used in organic solvents favored by the chemical and drug industries. The coated particles exhibit nearly 100% catalytic selectivity, making them attractive to industry.
Researchers at Rice University found that when the nose is presented with two different smells, the brain processes them separately through each nostril in an alternating manner. This 'perceptual rivalry' in the olfactory system allows individuals to perceive one smell predominantly at a time, creating an 'olfactory illusion'.
Rice University will lead a multi-university Center for Domain-Specific Computing with UCLA, Ohio State, and UC Santa Barbara to develop high-performance computing for medical imaging. The project aims to create energy-efficient, cost-effective solutions for preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures.
A North Carolina high school teacher's algebra II textbook has scored a 96 on California's state textbook standards, meeting 26 of the 27 standards tested. The book was created by Kenny Felder and is one of the first open-source texts submitted for California's K-12 initiative.
Researchers compare two methods for studying protein folding: atomic force microscopy and chemical denaturant method. Both approaches reveal similarities in protein behavior, offering new insights into the forces that shape proteins.
Rice University chemist Bob Hauge's team creates bundles of SWNTs using a novel printing process, yielding a high yield of nanotubes. The process could lead to large-scale production of meter-long strands of nanotubes.
Researchers discovered that atlastin, a previously underappreciated protein, plays a critical role in building and maintaining healthy cells by fusing intracellular membranes. This process is essential for cell function and development.
A new study by Rice University researchers found that California newspapers closer to the Mexican border tend to report a more negative slant on immigration in general news reporting and opinion pieces. Corporate-owned newspapers are more likely to adopt this approach, prioritizing profits over providing diverse views.
The study provides the first experimental evidence of how individual carbon atoms are added to growing nanotubes. The rotation proceeds in discrete steps, resembling the halting motion of a mechanical clock's second hand, with approximately 24 steps per rotation.
Scientists at Rice University have found a method to attach molecules to semiconducting silicon, potentially helping manufacturers reach beyond Moore's Law limits. The new process, known as silicon with afterburners, works better at the nanometer scale and can be used to complement traditional doping methods.
The study reveals the atomic structure of the hepatitis E protein shell, which could lead to new ways to stop the virus. Researchers have identified potential sites on the model for designing drugs that can interrupt the binding process and prevent the virus from attaching to cell receptors.
Rice University has received $11.1 million in federal stimulus funding to construct the Brockman Hall for Physics, a new research facility supporting fundamental and applied physics research. The building will enable Rice to remain on the cutting edge of physical science research with state-of-the-art facilities.
A new theory proposes that male lemurs deposit a solid plug in the female's reproductive tract to prevent rival males from mating, allowing them to focus on other females. This strategy is thought to be advantageous when females have short receptivity periods and are the same size as males.
A new study published in Nature Geoscience suggests that scientists' best predictions about global warming may be inaccurate. Researchers analyzed records from the Palaeocene-Eocene thermal maximum (PETM), a 55-million-year-old period of rapid global warming, and found that climate models can only explain half of the observed heating. ...
The SSPEED Center will compile lessons learned from Hurricane Ike and provide recommendations on preparing for future storms. The project aims to improve methods for predicting storm impacts, evacuation planning, and land use development in vulnerable areas.
A report by Rice University scientists warns that growing biofuels could harm the nation's water resources, degrading quality and affecting availability. The researchers suggest choosing drought-tolerant crops grown on minimal irrigation to balance energy needs with water conservation.
The first field test of Rice University's 'nanorust' technology, a low-cost method for removing arsenic from drinking water, will begin later this year in Guanajuato, Mexico. The technology uses tiny iron oxide particles to naturally bind with arsenic and can be used in sand filters to treat groundwater.
Researchers at Rice University and Harvard University developed a new model to explain how noble gases are lost from the Earth's interior during mantle convection. The model suggests that both the upper and lower mantle are involved in convection, but they affect each other differently.
A research team led by Andrew Barron at Rice University identified specific molecules that can block the spread of HIV-1 PR by attaching themselves to its binding pocket. They used computer simulations to narrow down a collection of fullerenes and found two promising candidates.
A new study by the Baker Institute at Rice University suggests that US and Canadian shale gas production, along with alternative natural gas supplies from Iraq and other sources, can counterbalance Russia's energy influence over Europe. The research recommends enhanced energy security measures, including natural gas storage capacity an...
Researchers found that the last atom in a line of single-atom contacts behaves differently than expected, altering the defining properties of ferromagnetic metals. The Kondo effect is observed in these tiny contacts, contradicting conventional wisdom about metal behavior at the nanoscale.
Scientists at Rice University have found a way to produce ultrathin, electrically conductive nanoribbons using a room-temperature chemical process. These ribbons are made from graphene, the single-layer form of graphite, and exhibit remarkable strength and conductivity.
The Rice-led PACE project aims to improve compiler performance for various microprocessors, including PCs, cell phones, and game systems. Researchers hope to develop tools that can optimize compilers in real-time, enabling faster application execution and reduced power consumption.
Rice University scientists have developed a method to optimize the attack on cancer cells using laser-nanoparticles. By adjusting the size and composition of nanoparticles, researchers can create more uniform temperature profiles within tumors.
Rice University scientists developed a computerized method to test flu vaccine efficacy against multiple strains, outperforming existing tests. The new approach may help create more effective vaccines for both seasonal and bird flu, improving global preparedness.
Researchers at Rice University have created a light-bending metamaterial using nanocups that can focus light from any direction. This material has potential applications in thermal solar power, superlenses, and invisibility cloaks.
Researchers propose a theoretical framework to explain the complex quantum behavior of iron pnictides, a class of high-temperature superconductors. The theory predicts specific changes in electron-electron interactions and phase transitions, opening up new avenues for studying quantum criticality.
A Rice University study has confirmed a world-record colony of amoebae clones measuring at least 12 meters across in a Texas cattle pasture. The discovery provides insights into the evolution of cooperative behavior in microorganisms like Dictyostelium discoideum.
A new solar-powered electronic slate, or I-slate, will use Rice's revolutionary low-energy computer chips to enable learning in rural Indian classrooms. The chips' 'probabilistic' technology trades off precision for significant reductions in energy use.
Researchers at Rice University and the University of Oulu discovered that carbon nanotube brush contacts can significantly reduce resistance in electrical commutators, leading to improved performance and reduced energy loss. The study found a 10-fold decrease in resistance compared to traditional copper-carbon composite brushes.
Research by Denise Chen reveals that human sweat contains emotional meanings, particularly in ambiguous situations, and modulates vision to detect fear. The study found that exposure to 'fearful' sweat biases women towards interpreting facial expressions as more fearful, especially when emotions are unclear.
Rice University researchers found that pockets of ancient water may still exist under Olympus Mons due to the presence of clay sediments. This could provide a habitable environment for thermophilic organisms, which thrive near geothermal vents on Earth.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a genetic mutation in rats that links to cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and potentially Alzheimer's disease. The study found that the mutation also increases susceptibility to arterial calcification.
Rice University Assistant Professor Jamie Padgett has been chosen as a 'New Face of Engineering', representing civil engineering, with research focused on identifying hazards to bridges and infrastructure. She aims to provide policymakers with tools for socially conscious infrastructure risk assessment and mitigation.
Researchers at Rice University have created a precise image of a virus' protective coat, containing 5 million atoms. The image provides the clearest picture yet of the viruses' genome-encasing shell called a 'capsid', which could lead to new approaches for antiviral therapies and gene delivery.
Researchers at Rice University have created hybrid carbon nanotube metal oxide arrays as electrode material that may improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries. The new design could lead to longer-lasting electric cars and gadgets, as well as enhanced capabilities for electrochemical capacitors and fuel cells.