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.
For the first time, researchers at Rice University have succeeded in creating and observing an elusive and long-sought quantum state. The team cooled a mixture of fermionic lithium-6 atoms to extremely low temperatures, allowing them to study superfluidity with precision.
Physicists propose a nanoscale magnetic probe to study entanglement at a quantum critical point, potentially leading to breakthroughs in high-temperature superconductivity. The probe could provide controlled and tunable settings for studying quantum effects, including spin waves and electron tunneling.
Shelly Harvey's discovery applies to a longstanding problem within knot theory, but its significance lies in the broader context of topology. The underlying structure she uncovered uses algebraic structures to describe similarities and differences between knotted shapes, offering a new approach to proving equivalency.
Astronomers track massive shockwaves in plasma escaping a newborn star, gaining clues about a critical process of starbirth. The Hubble Space Telescope's high-resolution images allow scientists to create the first moving pictures of stellar jet shock waves.
A team of mathematicians from Rice, Stanford, and Indiana universities has provided the first proof since Jean Meusnier's study of soap films in 1785. The new shape, called genus one helicoid, is an infinitely twisted version of a fundamental simple shape with balanced properties.
A study published in PNAS found that even when the primary visual cortex is temporarily shut down, the brain can still process visual information unconsciously. Researchers used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to induce temporary blindness in nine volunteers with normal vision.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a method to reduce the toxicity of water-soluble carbon nanotubes through surface modifications. The study found that even minor changes can dramatically decrease cytotoxicity, making these nanoparticles more suitable for medical diagnostics and imaging.
A study by Rice University economists found that high private sector lawyer salaries in certain regions affect the likelihood of federal prosecutors taking drug cases to trial. This occurs because government positions are less competitive, leading experienced lawyers to seek trials to gain valuable courtroom experience.
Rice University scientists have constructed the world's smallest car, a single molecule 'nanocar' with four buckyball wheels. The nanocar can roll on its axles in a direction perpendicular to its movement, marking a significant achievement in bottom-up molecular manufacturing.
A new study compares the environmental and health risks of nanomaterials production to those of conventional industries. The research suggests that the risks associated with making nanotubes are comparable or lower than those of wine production.
A team of researchers from Rice University successfully combined computer modeling and experimental results in folding studies for a large, multi-domain protein using free-energy theory. The method worked remarkably well, allowing scientists to predict the folding route of proteins with unprecedented accuracy.
A study by Rice University researchers found that salicylate causes membranes to thin, soften, and rupture more easily, increasing the risk of hearing loss. The findings provide a mechanistic basis for the debilitating side effects of anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen.
A national study found that black immigrants' health deteriorates the longer they live in the US, primarily due to racial discrimination. The study, which analyzed data from over 3,000 black immigrants, shows that those born in Europe have the poorest health, while those from Africa and South America fare better.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a simple geometry where light behaves exactly as electrons do in these systems. This finding has the potential to create nanoscale antennae that convert light into broadband electrical signals, increasing data transmission capabilities by 1 million times.
A new model of the immune system predicts that chronic infections can lead to autoimmune diseases. Researchers developed a biologically-plausible strategy for the immune system to react more quickly and effectively against disease.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a way to reduce the cost of producing quantum dots by 80% by replacing expensive solvents with cheap heat-transfer fluids. The new method uses mathematical modeling and experimentation to predict particle size and growth behavior based on solvent properties.
A recent study found that infected tall fescue grass outcompetes native plants more quickly when herbivores are present. The symbiotic fungus Neotyphodium coenophialum produces alkaloids that harm livestock, but also contributes to the spread of infected fescue.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a bacteria that produces succinate, a key chemical precursor for 'green' plastics and drugs. The breakthrough could lead to the creation of sustainable products using renewable resources like grain sorghum.
Research by sociologists Elaine Howard Ecklund and Jerry Park found that families are the primary determiner of individual religious beliefs among Non-Protestant second-generation Asian-Americans. This finding challenges traditional views on family and religious socialization in new immigrant groups.
The NSF-funded ACCURATE center brings together experts to tackle the challenges of integrating technology into the voting process. Researchers will focus on building more reliable software and hardware, as well as exploring human factors and usability issues in e-voting systems.
Researchers create gadonanotubes by encasing gadolinium in carbon nanotubes, significantly reducing toxicity while boosting effectiveness. The new agents show promising results in tests at Rice, Houston, and Swiss laboratories.
A study by Rice University sociologist Elaine Howard Ecklund found that academic scientists in the natural sciences are less likely to believe in God compared to those in the social sciences. The survey of over 2,000 faculty members revealed distinct frameworks for viewing religion and spirituality among different disciplines.
Rice University's TOPP project uses balloons to measure atmospheric ozone levels in Houston, extending beyond previous surface measurements. The study aims to better understand the full magnitude of Houston's ozone problem and inform effective policy solutions.
Researchers at Rice University developed a new nanoprobe that uses quantum dots to visualize proteolytic activity in vivo, solving the problem of distinguishing between disease signals and background noise. The probes are activated by enzymes associated with specific diseases, allowing for early detection and monitoring.
Gwen Hoben, a M.D.-Ph.D. student at Rice University, has won the highly competitive Hertz fellowship to pursue her research in tissue engineering. The award provides funding for tuition and fees, as well as a $28,000 stipend, giving her more flexibility to explore scientific questions.
The Hamill Innovation Grant program supports high-risk, high-impact research at Rice University, aiming to develop new technologies and treatments for various diseases. Four inaugural awards will fund research in areas such as respiratory viruses, protein titin, glycosaminoglycans, and resveratrol biosynthesis.
The National Academy of Engineering selected three Rice University researchers for the prestigious Frontiers of Engineering symposium. Researchers Deem, Drezek, and O'Malley will present their work in cutting-edge fields such as statistical mechanics, nanobiotechnology, and haptic interfaces.
Researchers found a consistent relationship between ideal body mass for running performance and ground forces required at different speeds. Sprinters require more muscle and bulk, while endurance specialists need less due to lower ground forces.
The Rice nanophotonics lab has been awarded a $3 million NSF grant to train graduate students in the emerging field of nano-optics. The program aims to create leaders with technical and professional skills needed for breakthroughs in advanced technologies, including biomedicine, environmental remediation, and homeland security.
A study by Rice University/Baylor College of Medicine found that areas with more vascular surgeons have lower amputation rates and more bypass surgery performed. The disease affects 8-12 million people and is a major cause of amputations, especially in diabetics.
A study found that maximum avoidance inbreeding strategies can help reduce population crashes and extinction risk when released into the wild. This approach is more effective than limited inbreeding for certain species.
Research reveals that nano-C60 dissolves in water and inhibits the growth of bacteria at low concentrations. The findings raise questions about the potential applications and environmental impact of buckyball aggregates.
Athanasiou receives the inaugural award from ASME for his groundbreaking research and mentorship in bioengineering. He has published over 150 papers, holds 25 patents, and founded three companies with FDA-approved products.
The new process, developed by Michael Wong and his team, involves mixing polymer, salt, and tiny silica particles to create hollow spheres that can encapsulate drugs, flavor compounds, and other molecular cargo. The microcapsules have potential applications in drug delivery, medical imaging, and enzyme protection.