Researchers at Rice University and Iowa State University discovered that hemifusion is an intermediate fusion state in biological systems, where the outer layer of the membrane mixes with the inner layer. This finding suggests that hemifusion may be the mechanism used by all living cells to facilitate membrane fusion.
The project provides an online analysis of every state supreme court case heard from 1995 to 1998 in all 50 states. The database contains over 400 biographical profiles of state supreme court judges and offers insights into the impact of judicial elections on judicial behavior.
Barron and Monteiro-Riviere's project explores fullerene interactions with skin cells, aiming to develop new nano-biohybrid materials. The researchers will investigate physiochemical properties of fullerenes to predict uptake and activity.
A new study from Rice University found no independent relationship between Lp(a) levels and coronary calcium in either whites or African-Americans, suggesting an unknown mechanism may be at work. The study used a large multiethnic dataset of Dallas County residents to examine the link between Lp(a) and heart-attack risk.
Research found that obese shoppers face subtle interpersonal discrimination in stores, with professionally dressed obese shoppers experiencing less discrimination than average-weight shoppers. The study suggests that by removing justifications for prejudice, manifestations of interpersonal discrimination can be curbed.
Drezek has been recognized by the Beckman Foundation for her research on novel optical molecular imaging technologies for early cancer detection. Her award includes a three-year $264,000 grant to develop and refine this technology.
A new DNA sequencing method called pulsed multiline excitation (PME) uses four lasers to eliminate cross-talk between dyes, resulting in more precise sequence information. This technology could lower costs for high-throughput genetic scans and lead to rapid and inexpensive genome sequencing.
Researchers at Rice University discovered that eight conserved amino acids in sandwich-like proteins are essential for stabilizing the final structure, while also directing the process of protein folding. This finding provides new insight into the interplay between protein evolution, structure, and folding.
Researchers at Rice University and Georgia Institute of Technology developed bimetallic nanoparticles that can break down TCE, a toxic organic pollutant found in US groundwater. The particles increase the efficiency of TCE remediation by several orders of magnitude compared to bulk catalysts.
The Smalley/Curl Fund for Innovation supports research in medical diagnostics and drug delivery using gold nanorods. Rice University faculty receive one-year grants to develop novel ideas with the potential to impact all areas of nanotechnology.
Mikos has developed extensive expertise in fabricating synthetic materials with tailored chemistries for specific tissue-engineered repair of orthopaedic injuries. His laboratory has created novel materials based on fumaric acid, non-toxic to surrounding cells and tissues.
Researchers found significant differences in mitral valve tissue between healthy and congestive heart failure patients, affecting the valve's strength and hydration levels. These changes may contribute to recurring surgical outcomes for patients with mitral regurgitation.
Researcher Anne Lincoln found that female Academy Award nominees tend to begin their acting careers at a younger age than male nominees. By analyzing the average age of Oscar nominees from 1928-2001, she discovered historical trends suggesting women start earlier, which may explain the gendered age disparity between winners and nominees.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered that nanoshells can amplify the Raman signature of molecules, allowing for the detection of as little as a few molecules of a target substance. The individual nanoshells act as independent Raman enhancers, creating opportunities for all-optical nanoscale sensors.
Researchers from Rice University and international teams found a collapse of Fermi volume in quantum critical matters, leading to new insights into exotic electronic properties. This discovery may provide routes to new classes of material and shed light on high-temperature superconductivity.
The NSF grant will fund the Math Leadership Institute at Rice University, aiming to improve high school math instruction in Houston and Aldine ISD. Lead teachers will receive intensive training and support to develop leadership skills and provide effective math instruction techniques.
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.