Researchers found that nanotubes were ingested by white blood cells and retained their fluorescent properties, allowing for selective detection. The discovery builds on a previous finding of unique fluorescent signatures from individual types of nanotubes.
Researchers at Rice University aim to create implantable TMJ discs grown from patient cells, offering a potential alternative to transplantation. The goal is to provide a treatment option for the nearly 11 million Americans suffering from TMJ disorders.
Scientists have determined how a specific protein blocks DNA replication, providing a key to designing targeted cancer therapies. By understanding the structure of this protein, researchers may also develop new forms of antibiotics.
The NIH has awarded a grant of $540,000 to train 1,200 middle school teachers in the use of MedMyst, a web-based science curriculum that uses interactive computer adventures to teach kids about infectious diseases and microbes. The training will allow teachers to enrich the science curriculum for 150,000 students over two years.
Researchers at Rice University developed a new wave guide technology that enables terahertz sensing capabilities in confined spaces. This innovation could aid applications such as explosive detection, cancer screening, and quality control, offering unique advantages over existing technologies.
Sea levels have been rising worldwide for at least 10,000 years. Rising ocean temperatures and glacial runoff could lead to a 90-centimeter increase by 2100, overwhelming coastal structures like barrier islands and tidal wetlands. Local geography and geology also play a role in estimating effects of rising seas.
Jennifer West, a renowned bioengineer, has made significant advancements in nanotechnology and tissue engineering. Her research focuses on developing novel biomaterials for vascular grafts that could eliminate the need for vein transplants.
Researchers found that pleiotropy plays a crucial role in preventing 'cheaters' from exploiting their neighbors in slime mold colonies. The study reveals a molecular block to cheating and its link to the essential function of reproduction.
Researchers developed a new technique to predict which proteins are prone to misfold and at what point the folding process breaks down. This could help identify causes of amyloid-related diseases and provide insights into more prevalent conditions like cancer and heart disease.
Researchers at Rice University discovered a method to mitigate buckyball nanoparticle toxicity by enhancing their surface properties. By modifying the surface of buckyballs with specific molecules, they can dramatically reduce their toxicity to individual cells.
Scientists are conducting an experiment to gather information about the deep underlying structures of the San Andreas fault line using a highly sensitive gravity instrument. The goal is to affordably gather data and compare future surveys to track changes in the shallow crust beneath the surface.
Researchers at Rice University have successfully produced macroscopic single-walled carbon nanotube fibers with high strength and conductivity. The discovery has the potential to revolutionize industries such as aerospace and energy by creating ultra-strong, smart materials.
Connexions, an open-source courseware platform, has received a $1.25 million grant from the Hewlett Foundation to enhance usability and increase available knowledge. The project aims to promote knowledge sharing worldwide without copyright restrictions.
Adolescents living with both biological or adoptive parents tend to have higher grades and greater college expectations. In contrast, adolescents from single-mother families often experience lower academic achievement due to economic deprivation. Single mothers face significant challenges in planning for their children's future education.
Researchers found that Mexican workers using family and friend networks as job leads earned higher wages than those relying on paisano networks. This challenges the theory of ethnic solidarity providing advantages to immigrant workers in the US labor market.
A study by Katharine Donato and Chizuko Wakabayashi found that women caregivers are more likely to live in poverty and rely on Supplemental Security Income. The researchers also discovered that women who took on caregiving roles in their early sixties were particularly vulnerable, with 15% of those aged 60-61 living in poverty.
A computer simulation by Rice University scientists suggests that the ability to evolve can itself be favored through natural selection. This idea challenges traditional views and provides insights into the evolution of drug resistance in bacteria, immune system cells, and higher-order organisms.
Rice University's 'Nanotechnology: Content and Context' course combines technical content with social context to prepare students for a future where nanotech is integral. The course, led by CBEN faculty, explores four theme areas: scale, life, risk, and environment.
Researchers at Rice University have received a four-year, $1.1 million grant to develop a fruit fly model for neurofibromatosis and test key proteins as potential drug targets. The team aims to understand how signaling proteins regulate NF tumor growth.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered the genetic basis of Candida's defense mechanism against nitric oxide, a key player in slowing down yeast growth. The study identifies a specific gene that allows Candida to sense NO levels and ramp up its defenses, providing a potential target for new drug therapies.
Researchers induced temporary blindness in six volunteers with normal vision to study how the brain processes visual information for basic eye movements. The results show that part of the older visual system still functions by encoding visual information unconsciously.
Researchers at Rice University and MIT found that microRNA miR164 plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression and controlling basic organ development in plants. The study reveals abnormal development of leaves and flowers when miR164 regulation is absent or overexpressed.
Researchers used nanoshells to destroy tumors with heat from near-infrared light, showing promising results in a first animal test. All tumors disappeared within 10 days in the treated group, while untreated and saline-treated groups continued to grow.
Scientists found that semiconducting nanotubes' band gap shrunk steadily under strong magnetic forces, confirming quantum mechanical theories and shedding new light on carbon nanotubes' unique electrical properties.
The study reveals that strong magnetic fields accelerate particles near the speed of light, radiating as gamma rays. The research suggests a new mechanism for gamma-ray burst formation, potentially resolving long-standing scientific debates.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a biodegradable implant that can release growth factors to stimulate bone growth in critical-size defects, aiding the body's natural regeneration process. This innovative approach aims to provide patients with their own tissue and eliminate risks associated with existing treatments.
The 'Immersive Earth' project brings together six museums and two universities to create digital planetarium shows nationwide. A new portable system uses an inflatable dome and single-projector display to fully immerse viewers in Earth and space science content.
Scientists at Rice University have discovered an attractive force in mayonnaise using the phenomenon of negative normal stress. This finding has significant implications for the development of new emulsions and dispersions with practical applications.
A Rice University research team, led by Naomi Halas, aims to develop a multimodality spectroscope for nanoscale optical imaging of peptides, proteins, and viruses. The system will require three instruments: nanopatterned substrates, scanning probe instrument, and an integrated 'superlens' microscope and spectral probe.
A Rice bioengineer has won the 'Create the Future' design contest with a device that uses acoustic waves to measure bone structural integrity. The OsteoSonic TM system offers advantages over existing radiological diagnostics and is currently undergoing testing.
The Connexions Project is a revolutionary approach to scholarly content, offering a single platform where educators can post, use, and modify knowledge freely. With over 1,600 educational modules available, Connexions enables instructors to supplement or replace textbooks with interactive simulations and multimedia.
Research suggests that gas hydrates, formed in deep-sea sediments, contain massive amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. These hydrates can charge and discharge variable amounts of methane constantly, responding to factors not yet understood. This finding necessitates a revised view of the carbon cycle.
Rising star in chemistry, Jianpeng Ma, has made significant breakthroughs in understanding the structure-function relationship of biological molecules. His innovative approach uses computer simulation to explore this connection, paving the way for furthering our fundamental understanding of chemistry.
Researcher Ashley Leeds found that alliance commitments are fulfilled about 75 percent of the time, but this rate drops to 6 percent for countries with significant changes in international power. Non-democratic states and major powers are more likely to violate treaties due to lower costs and increased influence.
Researchers at Rice University have successfully created continuous fibers of pristine single-walled carbon nanotubes using a new processing method involving superacids. This breakthrough enables the industrial production of pure carbon nanotube threads, cables, and sheets, with potential applications in materials science and aerospace.
A recent catastrophic landslide on Kilauea has created a debris buffer that stabilizes the Hilina slump, reducing the likelihood of future collapse. The buffer was formed when a detached piece of the mountain slid away and settled beneath the ocean, creating a broad, bench-like structure.
Researchers detected physical changes in faults using seismic data from the Parkfield experiment. The study provided evidence for structural changes in fault zones that can be viewed with active seismic monitoring systems.
Scientists at Rice University develop a new technology that uses disordered nanowires and organic molecules to create functional memory devices. These 'NanoCells' can store information for more than a week without refreshment, far longer than traditional DRAM.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a quantum model to predict nanophotonic behavior, making it easier to design new optical materials and devices. The study shows that plasmons in nanoparticles hybridize with each other, allowing for the prediction of properties in complex metallic nanostructures.
Researchers will use single-celled social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum to uncover genes and molecular pathways underlying sociality. The project aims to understand how social forces create evolutionary pressures and control opportunistic behavior.
Rice wins nine NSF ITR grants, including a $15m award for Virtual Grid Application Development Software. The university also leads the 100 X 100 Project to develop 100-megabit-per-second Internet access nationwide.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a technique to sort single-walled carbon nanotubes based on their electronic properties. This allows for the separation of metallic and non-metallic nanotubes, which could lead to significant advances in molecular electronics and device development.
Biologists at Rice University are investigating the genetic and environmental factors behind Chinese tallow trees' success in Texas. The research aims to understand how the trees' low defenses against insects contribute to their rapid growth and success as an invasive species.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the behavior of materials at quantum critical points, a stage where materials change phases. The new classification system has shed light on the relationship between quantum criticality and high-temperature superconductivity.
A panel study will be conducted with 2,500 individuals across the nation, followed by interviews every three years until they reach age 65. The study aims to explore how religion and ethnicity shape social change and community development in the US.
Scientists at Rice University have created a new test that can detect glycoprotein immunoglobulin G in whole blood with high sensitivity and speed. The innovation uses gold nanoshells to overcome challenges in existing immunoassays, enabling doctors to make quicker diagnoses without the need for time-consuming sample preparation.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new chemical process, pyrolytic fluorination, that yields short carbon nanotubes with predictable lengths. The technique involves attaching fluorine atoms to the nanotubes and then heating them to cut the tubes into segments ranging from 20-300 nanometers.
Researchers at Rice University developed fluoronanotubes with unique chemical properties, allowing for easier manipulation and dispersal in various materials. This breakthrough enables the creation of new materials and applications, including advanced composites, sensor technology, and molecular electronics.
Dr. Halas' nanoshell technology has the potential to revolutionize breast cancer detection and treatment by providing earlier diagnosis, increased imaging resolution, and real-time information about tumor cells. This innovative approach uses near infrared light to target and destroy tumors without harming healthy tissue.
Scientists at Rice University and the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility used X-ray crystallography to capture the rapid structural changes of a protein. The research aimed to improve protein engineering for blood substitutes and genetic diseases, yielding valuable insights into protein dynamics.