Connexions, a revolutionary open-source publishing platform, has received a third-phase $1.7 million grant to become more self-sustaining through new revenue streams, including book sales and licensing its platform to companies for corporate training.
The US Department of Defense has funded the Texas Nanotechnology Consortium to develop and commercialize revolutionary nanomaterials for defense aerospace applications. The consortium will partner with the Air Force Research Laboratory to create next-generation composites and smart materials, ensuring US air superiority.
New research reveals that every US Gulf Coast bay in Texas and Louisiana is at risk of significant flooding and expansion within the coming century. The bays' delicate balance between river-borne sediments and rising sea levels will be disrupted by the construction of dams, leading to rapid flooding events with devastating consequences.
The National Science Foundation awards Rice University a five-year grant to develop strategies for recruiting and enhancing the pool of women faculty in science and engineering. The university aims to address subtle biases and stereotypes that discourage women from pursuing careers in academia.
The International Council on Nanotechnology (ICON) has reviewed existing efforts to develop best practices for handling nanomaterials in the workplace. The Phase 1 report highlights the need for better information on industry practices, with some documents not publicly available.
Researchers found that competition among T cells allows HIV to escape destruction and develop into full-blown AIDS. A new computer model suggests a polytopic vaccination strategy to combat this effect, which may prevent the final onset of AIDS by reducing immunodominance.
A team from Rice University and UT-Houston report a unique grip of the protein calmodulin, which operates independently like a batter in a bunt. This new grip plays a key role in allowing muscles to contract and relax quickly.
Researchers at Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine have been awarded a $2.9 million NIH grant to develop a stem cell repair therapy for stroke damage. The project aims to regenerate damaged brain cells and blood vessels, providing a new source of neural and vascular cells that can be transplanted into the damaged brain.
Rice and IBM collaborate to develop an open-standards-based service-oriented architecture (SOA) to integrate diverse academic software applications. The SOA will enable institutions to tie together their applications, making it easier for faculty and students to create a more integrated learning environment.
Researchers at Rice University have created a single-pixel camera that captures high-resolution images by taking multiple snapshots of a single point of light. The camera uses compressive sensing and micro mirrors to assemble the image, making it more energy-efficient than traditional digital cameras.
A Rice University study recommends lowering Houston's toxic air pollutant levels due to high health risks. The report proposes a new set of air quality standards based on the underlying toxicology of four pollutants, including benzene and formaldehyde.
A NASA-funded study using satellite data, computer models and weather balloon readings found that smoke from Alaskan and Canadian forest fires increased ozone pollution levels in Houston by 50-100%.
A study by molecular biologists at Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine suggests that the most stable parts of a protein are also the parts that fold first. The research combined advanced computational modeling with cutting-edge experiments to investigate protein folding.,
The National Science Foundation has extended funding for Rice University's Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology through 2011. The center, founded in 2001, is dedicated to studying the interaction between nanomaterials and living organisms and ecosystems.
According to a recent survey by Rice University researchers, more than two-thirds of Hurricane Katrina evacuees in Houston plan to remain here. The survey found that 69% of the 362 participants said it was very likely or somewhat likely they would permanently stay in Houston.
Rice University has been awarded a $10 million grant to establish a research center focused on designing software tools for high-performance computing systems. The Center for Scalable Application Development Software (CScADS) aims to develop scalable performance models for leadership-class computer facilities.
Researchers at Rice University have decoded the three-dimensional structure of a tornado-like magnetic vortex no larger than a red blood cell. The discovery could lead to breakthroughs in ultra-high-density hard drive storage and non-volatile memory.
Researchers at Rice University found that single-celled microbes can recognize and preferentially associate with their relatives, directing altruistic behavior towards them. This ability is similar to kin recognition observed in animals and has significant implications for the social evolution of species.
Astronomers use Hubble Space Telescope to image two mysterious star types, including tiny, slow-burning stars and ancient, giant white dwarfs. The research pushes limits of observatory's capabilities, gathering data that will help refine theories about low-mass stars and the universe's age.
Researchers found that multiracial congregations have dramatically different social ties compared to other Americans. Members in these congregations reported feeling accepted and having cross-racial friendships, which is lower than those in same-race or non-congregation groups.
A new analysis of ocean-floor sediments collected near the North Pole reveals that the Arctic was extremely warm, unusually wet, and ice-free during a prehistoric period 55 million years ago. The findings suggest that massive amounts of greenhouse gases were released into the Earth's atmosphere during this time.
Researchers at Rice University's Laboratory for Nanophotonics have created nanoeggs, asymmetric particles that focus light on small regions of space. These nanoeggs can be tuned to interact with more wavelengths of light than their nanoshell cousins, making them suitable for applications in molecular imaging and medical diagnostics.
A Rice University study has identified the complexin protein as a brake that shortens response time for signal transmission in nerve cells, enabling nearly instantaneous passing of information. This breakthrough sheds light on the mechanisms behind rapid neural signaling.
Connexions has partnered with QOOP Inc. to produce high-quality textbooks through on-demand printing, making educational content more accessible and affordable. The partnership allows students to order customized course guides and textbooks in most cases for under $25.
Connexions will provide tools to turn passive study materials into active learning resources in Vietnam. The system combines cutting-edge software with an innovative legal framework, encouraging individual self-publishing and collaboration among authors, instructors, and students worldwide.
Researchers have created a nano-sized pH meter using nanoparticles that can detect pH changes with high accuracy. The device, called the pMBA sensor, could enable non-invasive 'optical biopsy' to measure acidity in cancer tumors, revolutionizing medical diagnosis.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a method to visualize individual carbon nanotubes using standard optical microscopes and fluorescent dyes. The technique reveals the harmonic bending of nanotubes in liquids, providing insights into their behavior and potential applications in life sciences.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method to sort semiconducting nanotubes based on their dielectric constant, which is determined by their diameter. The system uses electric fields to trap and separate nanotubes of different sizes, allowing for the collection of samples with varying proportions of small and large tubes.
Scientists at Rice University and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a method to load multiple anticancer drugs into a single antibody, increasing the effectiveness of chemotherapy. The use of buckyballs, soccer ball-shaped molecules of pure carbon, allows for the creation of targeted therapeutics with unique properties.
Rice University's new global health program aims to equip students with the skills to tackle complex health issues in developing countries, including poverty, access to medicine, and cultural factors. The $2.2M grant will support undergraduate engineering students in designing solutions to these problems.
Rice University researchers capture natural selection in a flask using bacteria G. stearothermophilus. The study reveals that only six populations with specific mutations can outcompete others, pointing to the development of a system to predict antibiotic resistance.
Researchers at Rice University have made an unexpected plasmonic discovery, finding that terahertz waves slow down as they pass through smaller metal wires. This phenomenon has significant implications for the development of new chemical sensors and endoscopes.
Rice University is leading an international team in building a cylindrical bank of over 23,000 particle detectors for the Solenoidal Tracker at RHIC. The collaboration, valued at $7 million, demonstrates robust scientific cooperation between US and Chinese institutions.
Researchers at Rice University have created nanoparticles called nanostars, which exhibit strong spectral signals and can be used to discern the three-dimensional orientation of molecules. This discovery has significant potential for 3D molecular sensing applications.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a motorized nanocar that can be powered by light, paving the way for bottom-up construction. The nanocar, measuring just 3-by-4 nanometers, features a rotating motor that pushes it along like a paddlewheel.
Rice professors Bonnie Bartel and Jennifer West have received HHMI grants to develop innovative programs combining undergraduate teaching and research. Their programs aim to engage students in science through hands-on activities, laboratory tours, and peer-reviewed research publications.
A Rice University study found that women exposed to chemicals from fear-induced sweat performed more accurately on word-association tasks than those in neutral or no-sweat conditions. This suggests that human olfaction can detect chemical signals from fear, leading to more cautious behavior and improved accuracy.
Researchers at Rice University propose a novel approach to combat Dengue virus by administering multiple vaccines simultaneously at different locations on the body, bypassing immunodominance and enhancing immunity against all four closely related viruses. This strategy has implications for other diseases such as HIV and cancer.
Researchers developed a predictive tool to analyze nanotube breaks based on four key variables, including load level, temperature, and chirality. The model creates a strength map plotting the likelihood of breakage and its underlying mechanisms.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a self-assembly method to grow dime-sized disks of cartilage with properties approaching native tissue. The technique uses only donor cells, eliminating rejection risks, and has been refined to produce virtually identical cartilage in terms of mechanical and biochemical makeup.
Researchers aim to build a self-propelled prototype within five years, optimizing the system's performance through computer modeling and experimental work. Shewanella oneidensis bacteria can transfer electrons directly to anode surfaces, making them a promising candidate for fuel cells.
The ICON-funded study aims to identify current nanotechnology standards and practices, with a focus on enhancing environmental and health safety. The research will provide essential data for companies in the US, Europe, and Asia, shedding light on new safety models and identifying areas where they are needed.
Physicists have observed an elusive quantum state where fermions with mismatched numbers of dance partners exhibit unbalanced superfluid behavior. This finding has opened new avenues for investigation, particularly in the context of exotic matter found in Quark Stars.
The Rice University team created nanorice particles with improved properties for chemical sensing and biological imaging. The particles, made of non-conducting iron oxide and metallic shell, offer greater structural tunability than previous optically useful shapes.
A study at Rice University found that brain activity differs between merged and unmerged dialect groups when hearing similar sounds. This suggests that the merged-dialect group processes the words differently, relying on explicit memory for previous visual stimuli.
Rice University's bioengineering Ph.D. students will receive comprehensive training in cancer biology, clinical medicine, and translational research through a unique partnership with MD Anderson. The program aims to revolutionize the translation of cancer knowledge into new technologies for detection and treatment.
Researchers at Rice University developed a new method to coax bone cells into producing up to 75 times more calcium, paving the way for regenerating healthy bone. The study, led by undergraduate Néha Datta, uses adult stem cells and a novel growth medium approach.
A Rice University student has developed a simple and eco-friendly method to create tiny hollow spheres called microcapsules. This breakthrough is expected to have significant applications in various industries, including medicine and pharmaceuticals.
Grande-Allen's team aims to identify specific drug therapies for patients with valve disease by recreating conditions such as neurohormone buildup and serotonin levels. The bioreactor will simulate mechanical stimulation and fluid movements found inside a living heart.
Researchers at Rice University developed a new magnetic method to overcome the 'dark exciton effect' in semiconducting nanotubes, which could enable more efficient optical signals and reduced power demands in next-generation microchips.