The Rice University lab has developed a new noninvasive technique, called REMIS, that can measure gene expression and gene therapy delivery in specific brain regions using ultrasound. This technology could revolutionize brain-based gene therapy for neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers have discovered a new connection between the nanoscale features of a piezoelectric material and its macroscopic properties, providing a new approach to designing smaller electromechanical devices. The mesoscale structures reveal a complex tile-like pattern that aligns dipoles in a specific way under an electric field.
Angel Martí, a professor at Rice University's Wiess School of Natural Sciences, has been elected a fellow of the American Chemical Society. He was recognized for his outstanding scientific achievements and service to the society, including leading research on Alzheimer's disease and developing new treatments.
Sylvia Dee's research aims to address critical gaps in the observational record of Earth's hydrologic cycle, using a global database of water isotope observations. This will enable more accurate climate modeling and help communities assess and reduce risks associated with extreme weather events.
A recent study at Rice University found that using synthetic data to train generative AI models can lead to negative consequences, including model collapse and reduced quality. As models become increasingly dependent on self-consuming loops, they may produce warped outputs lacking diversity or quality.
A new process by Rice University researchers recovers up to 50% of lithium in spent LIB cathodes in just 30 seconds, overcoming a significant bottleneck in LIB recycling technology. The microwave-based method uses a readily biodegradable solvent and achieves efficiencies similar to conventional heating methods but much faster.
A research team at Rice University has pioneered a new method to extract purified active materials from battery waste, enabling efficient separation and recycling of valuable battery materials. The technique uses solvent-free flash Joule heating to create unique features with magnetic shells and stable core structures.
Engineers have shown that air flow through open-cell foam can be used to perform digital computation, analog sensing, and combined digital-analog control in soft textile-based wearable systems. The researchers designed foam-based fluidic resistors to create two-dimensional pneumatic logic circuits embedded in textile-based devices.
Researchers have developed a rapid electrothermal mineralization (REM) process that can remediate synthetic chemicals in soil, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The method uses electrical inserts and biochar to heat contaminated soil, converting PFAS into nontoxic minerals.
A team of researchers from Rice University has received a $2.5 million grant from the Lemelson Foundation for a graduate education program that aims to prepare students to be Kenya's next generation of inventors and entrepreneurs. The 'Impact Invention' master’s degree program focuses on project-based learning, collaboration, and entre...
A new study by Rice University's David Alexander and Anthony Atkinson extends the definition of a habitable zone for planets to include their star's magnetic field. Only two exoplanets, K2-3 d and Kepler-186 f, meet all conditions for potential habitability, suggesting that stellar magnetism is a crucial factor in determining planetary...
Researchers from Rice University discovered that viruses achieve precise timing in cell lysis by balancing the buildup and breakdown of holin proteins. This balance ensures optimal cell bursting, essential for viral replication, despite underlying randomness in biological processes.
Researchers at Rice University found that chronic stress impacts cellular health, leading to decreased energy levels and increased inflammation, which can result in dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and other health problems. Caregivers with less leftover cellular energy experience fewer positive emotions and have lower physical functioning.
Chong Xie and his team at Rice University have won a $2.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop an implantable neural electrode system for high-resolution, long-term neural recording and stimulation. The project aims to improve the resolution of existing devices by increasing the density of neurons sampled.
Researchers at Rice University have developed ultrasmall gas-filled protein nanostructures that can penetrate tissue and reach immune cells, opening up new possibilities for ultrasound imaging and drug delivery. The breakthrough could revolutionize treatment for cancers and infectious diseases.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a nanosized sensor that records the electrical activity of spinal neurons in action. The sensor, called spinalNET, can track individual neurons over multiple days, providing valuable insights into the mechanisms controlling movement and sensation in the spinal cord.
Boris Yakobson aims to transform the future of advanced materials through Rice University research. His projects focus on developing predictive synthesis models and automating the search for new materials, with applications in energy and electronics.
Han Xiao aims to develop cells that can biosynthesize and utilize non-canonical amino acids as in vivo sensors for enzymes involved in posttranslational modifications. This research could lead to new strategies in treating diseases by providing real-time insights into enzyme activities.
Researchers found a correlation between protein folding and evolution in certain globular protein families, with most conserved exons corresponding to better foldons. However, the general trend did not hold for all protein families, suggesting other biological factors may influence protein folding and evolution.
Researchers at Rice University discovered two types of motorized chain models: swimming motors and grappling motors, which manipulate chromosome structures. The study reveals how these proteins impact ideal polymer chains, leading to contraction or expansion depending on forces exerted.
David Sarlah joins Rice University as a CPRIT-funded professor to contribute to the university's cancer research, focusing on natural product synthesis and total synthesis for cancer biology. His lab aims to streamline production of compounds used in cancer therapy.
A team of scientists led by Qimiao Si predicts the existence of flat electronic bands at the Fermi level, which could enhance electron interactions and create new quantum phases. These bands have the potential to enable new applications in quantum bits, qubits, and spintronics.
Researchers at Rice University have made a breakthrough in synthesizing formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI3) perovskite solar cells into ultrastable, high-quality photovoltaic films. The overall efficiency of the resulting FAPbI3 solar cells decreased by less than 3% over 1,000 hours of operation.
A team of researchers from Rice University and the University of Michigan found that some neurons not only replay recent past experiences but also anticipate future experience during sleep. The discovery provides an unprecedented view of how individual neurons in the hippocampus stabilize and tune spatial representations during periods...
The ACCELERATE program aims to enhance educational experiences of HCC students, providing access to resources and opportunities for biomedical research training. Students will participate in extracurricular laboratory modules, immersive research training, and mentorship programs.
Researchers at Rice University have identified genes critical for enteric nervous system development using zebrafish embryos. Opioid signaling pathways are required for the formation of nerves in the gut, contradicting previous assumptions about their role in pain perception and addiction.
Researchers have identified a class of materials called antiferroelectrics that produce an electromechanical response up to five times greater than conventional piezoelectric materials, even in films as thin as 100 nanometers. This breakthrough could enable the development of next-generation electronics and devices.
Researchers at Rice University developed a new material that mimics skin elasticity and motion types while preserving signal strength in electronics. The material, made by embedding ceramic nanoparticles into an elastic polymer, stabilizes radio-frequency communication and minimizes energy loss.
Researchers at Rice University have made significant strides in understanding the processes guiding human embryonic development. The study reveals that the duration of BMP signal exposure, rather than its strength, plays a crucial role in determining cell fate.
Konstantinos Mamouras, assistant professor of computer science at Rice University, has been awarded a $547,555 NSF CAREER Award to decentralize IoT applications and relieve network congestion. He aims to introduce novel programming techniques that enable efficient and reliable IoT development.
Researchers at Rice University have made a groundbreaking discovery about protein evolution, revealing that pseudogenes can provide clues to the evolutionary journey of proteins. The team found that certain mutations can stabilize the folding of pseudogenes, but also disrupt their biological functions.
Researchers created GraSSRep and rhea, tools that outperform current methods for handling repeats and structural variants in metagenomic data. These methods use self-supervised learning and graph neural networks to analyze microbiome data, offering new insights into biological processes and potential applications in antibiotic resistance.
Researchers at Rice University have successfully synthesized a group of natural compounds known as fusicoccanes, exhibiting diverse biological activities. The study leverages modern organic chemistry and engineered enzymes to achieve the synthesis of complex molecules.
Researchers propose forming a network of sister cities to track and raise awareness about the spread of climate-related impacts and responses to urban disasters globally. This network aims to foster ideas and best practices for coping with consequences of climate change, including extreme weather events.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a novel fabrication process to create aligned peptide nanofiber hydrogels, which can guide cell growth in a desired direction. The study revealed that cells need to be able to 'pull' on the peptide nanofibers to recognize alignment, and excessive rigidity can prevent this.
Researchers used a new integrated wireless system to record brain activity in frontal areas of macaques' brains while they foraged. The results indicate that foraging strategies are based on a cortical model of reward dynamics.
Researchers will develop 'live' joints with biocompatible bone and cartilage grown from human cells, aiming to scale up the technology for commercial use. The project, valued at $47.7M, targets 40 patients within five years with knee replacements.
The Digitally programmable Over-brain Therapeutic (DOT) device, the size of a pea, activates the motor cortex, allowing patients to move their hands. The technology offers greater patient autonomy and accessibility than current neurostimulation-based therapies.
Megan Reiter, assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University, has received a $951,446 NSF grant to study the influence of neighboring stars on planet formation. Her research aims to clarify key forces shaping planet formation by exploring interplay between stars, planets, and environments.
Researchers found a way to use heat to toggle a crystal between two electronic phases, storing qubits in topologically protected states that could reduce decoherence-related errors. The discovery may lead to the creation of flash-like memory capable of storing quantum bits of information.
Researchers at Rice University and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have found that chemical reactions can scramble quantum information, similar to black holes. This discovery could lead to new methods for controlling molecular behavior and improving the reliability of quantum computers.
Mark Torres' $612,930 grant aims to analyze variations in river water chemistry using machine learning approaches and bridge the gap between theory and practical application. The project will inform policy decisions and drive sustainable solutions for safeguarding our planet's waterways.
Researchers at Rice University have identified a protein responsible for the clustering of gas vesicles in bacteria, a discovery that could enable new biomedical applications. The team used genetic, biochemical, and imaging approaches to understand the patterning of these structures, which are found in certain microorganisms.
A Rice University research project aims to provide new insights into biological fibrillar nanostructures with potential implications for the treatment and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
The Rice Emerging Scholars Program will expand its reach and impact with increased support for scholars from under-resourced families and communities. The program aims to empower students from low-income backgrounds to achieve their academic and professional aspirations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Rice University engineers have demonstrated a way to control the optical properties of T centers, paving the way toward leveraging these point defects for building quantum nodes. By embedding a T center in a photonic integrated circuit, they increased the collection efficiency for single photon emission by two orders of magnitude.
A recent study by Rice University researchers found that undocumented immigrants and their families experienced significant mental health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The four main stressors identified were anti-immigrant rhetoric, family stressors, economic changes, and limited access to healthcare, which had major negativ...
A Rice University team, led by Wei Li, has received a $15.5 million grant to develop an ultra-fast silicon timing detector for the CMS experiment at the LHC. This technology will enable breakthrough science in heavy ion collisions and provide insights into the strong nuclear force.
Researchers at Rice University have developed an additive-free, water-based ink made of lignin and cellulose for producing architecturally intricate wood structures via direct ink writing. The new method exclusively uses nanoscale wood components for 3D printing, marking a significant advancement in the field.
A team of Rice University researchers has developed an analytical model that can predict the curing time of platinum-catalyzed silicone elastomers as a function of temperature. The model could help reduce energy waste and improve throughput for elastomer-based components manufacturing, enabling more efficient soft robotics design.