Articles tagged with Rice
Physicists at Rice University have reported the first direct observation of two-neutrino double electron capture for xenon 124, a process that decays into tellurium 124 with an estimated half-life of 160 trillion years. This discovery puts the half-life closer to 18 sextillion years, challenging our understanding of this isotope.
Scientists at Rice University and their collaborators have discovered coal-derived 'dots' that are effective antioxidants for people who suffer traumatic brain injuries, strokes or heart attacks. The biocompatible dots can quench oxidative stress and protect cells from damage, offering a potential treatment option.
Researchers have developed a system that allows living cells to perform analog-to-digital signal processing, enabling precise control over cellular responses. This breakthrough expands the toolkit for synthetic biologists, who can now use genetic circuitry to process complex signals and make informed decisions.
Researchers found that IPOs lead to an increase in home prices and consumer spending in surrounding areas, with each $10 million in proceeds generating 0.7 new businesses and 41 new local jobs. However, IPO activity can also lead to gentrification and price out middle-to-lower-income residents.
Researchers in Bangladesh found a way to reduce inorganic arsenic in rice by modifying parboiling methods, resulting in a 25% reduction and a 213% increase in calcium content. This new method also reduces potassium levels by 40%.
Researchers develop a new method to create detailed structural models of proteins using force-driven simulations, reducing computational power requirements. The technique, inspired by metallurgy, allows for faster computation and more accurate results than existing approaches.
Scientists at Rice and Northwestern universities have developed a method to image and characterize 2D borophene crystals, which can exhibit unique lattice configurations that determine their characteristics. The research could help manufacturers incorporate borophene into products with desirable electronic, thermal, optical properties.
A study of 400,000 camera-trap records from 36 mammal species on three continents found that tropical mammals respond to changing local temperatures and other species nearby. Temperatures did not increase drastically overall during the study period, but micro habitat use changed over time due to temperature fluctuations.
Rice University engineers employ neural networks to rapidly model the characteristics of new 2D materials, significantly reducing computational time. The technique enables accurate predictions with minimal data, facilitating bottom-up design and discovery.
Actuarial risk assessments can reduce inconsistencies, but also reproduce class-based and race-based inequalities. The use of proprietary algorithms raises questions of transparency and fairness.
Researchers found that weedy rice has evolved a root growth strategy that minimizes below-ground contact with other plants, allowing it to exploit the nutrient-sharing soil environment of rice fields. This 'cheater' root trait enables weedy rice to outcompete cultivated rice for essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous.
Research from Rice University links digital device overload to obesity risk, finding media multitasking associated with increased susceptibility to food temptations and lack of self-control. The study suggests a possible link between media multitasking, higher body mass index, and greater percentage of body fat.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method for recycling spent lithium-ion batteries using an environmentally friendly deep eutectic solvent. The solvent successfully extracted over 90% of cobalt and significant amounts of lithium from powdered compounds and used batteries, making it a promising approach to curtail hars...
Researchers at Rice University discovered that PTFE stir bars react with chemicals in an unexpected way, affecting the modification of nanotubes. This discovery highlights the importance of choosing inert materials in laboratory settings.
Scientists have named five new species of tiny frogs found across the island of Madagascar, belonging to the 'narrow-mouthed' frog family. These miniature frogs are remarkable for their extreme miniaturization, with some species reaching lengths as small as 7.7 mm.
Researchers at Rice University have created 3D-printed scaffolds that can mimic the physical characteristics of osteochondral tissue, a hard bone beneath a compressible layer of cartilage. The scaffolds are designed to promote healing and potentially treat common sports injuries.
A newly discovered mechanism in plant nutrition could help achieve higher harvests in a sustainable way. The study found that the balance between nitrogen and phosphorus is crucial for crop yield, with nitrogen controlling phosphate absorption.
Researchers discovered that genes respond differently to individual amounts of water and nitrogen versus their combination. This finding has implications for engineering crops that can thrive in dry or nutrient-poor soils, which could increase global food production.
A recent study of child-feeding habits among Marshallese in Arkansas found high compliance with medical standards for breastfeeding infants, but also reliance on rice and processed foods. Researchers identified economic and cultural barriers to incorporating fruits and vegetables into the diet.
A 64-year-old woman developed acute liver injury after taking red yeast rice supplement for six weeks. The supplement contains monacolin K, a chemical found in lovastatin, which carries the same risk of liver damage as statin medication. Doctors warn that more regulation is needed to prevent harmful side effects.
Researchers at Rice University and Austria's Vienna University of Technology shatter ultracold BECs, revealing two distinct phenomena depending on the frequency of shaking. The team observes grains of varying sizes in some experiments, attributed to quantum correlations that challenge standard theories.
Researchers at Rice University discovered that molecules on the surface of gold nanorods induce dipoles, scattering enough energy to dampen plasmon signals. This finding enhances catalysis applications and challenges previous explanations for signal loss via plasmon damping.
Researchers at Rice University suggest that fluctuating growth rates of bacteria can increase the time it takes to eradicate a bacterial infection, giving the surviving bugs a better chance to develop resistance. This approach could lead to more accurate dosing and improved treatment outcomes.
Researchers developed a technique to grow live bone in the rib area using 3D-printed bioreactors and stem cells. The new method aims to replace current reconstruction techniques that use harvested bone tissues from different areas, promoting natural healing powers.
Rice University researchers developed a novel molecular sieve that can remove perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) from polluted water more efficiently and effectively than current technologies. The nanomaterial features random, large-pore defects that improve its adsorption capacity and fast-adsorption kinetics.
A Rice University study found that a B12-deficient diet harms nematodes' health, reducing their ability to metabolize branched-chain amino acids and leading to mitochondrial damage. This increase in mitochondrial toxicity also enhances resistance to multiple stressors and pathogens.
A study by University of Pennsylvania sociologists found that high-income residents moving into tech-enabled neighborhoods increase carbon emissions, displacing low-income populations. The research highlights the need for affordable housing and sustainable planning to counteract gentrification's negative effects.
Researchers found that stem cells are sensitive to the speed of signaling molecule delivery, not just its concentration. This discovery highlights the dynamic interactions between morphogens and cells during embryonic development, allowing for more precise control over cell fates and potentially leading to new ways to drive cellular di...
A Rice University study reveals that students who look more racially stereotypical are more likely to persist in STEM fields, while those who do not fit the mold face higher drop-out rates. Asian students who look more like their racial group are more likely to complete a STEM degree, but black students who do so are less likely.
Rice physicists propose experiment to measure fractionalization in ultracold atoms, mimicking electrons in quantum materials. Theoretical framework could provide new insights into high-temperature superconductivity and quantum computing.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a theory explaining why monolayer crystal islands align on vicinal substrates, allowing for large-scale growth of 2D materials like graphene and h-BN. The 'digital filter' mechanism helps to overcome small indentations in the steps, enabling seamless merging of the crystals.
Researchers discovered that the WNT signaling pathway is more dynamic than previously thought, with different cell types responding differently to the same signals. They found that cells can tune the dynamics of this pathway to perform different functions in different contexts.
A new study from Rice University found that people with non-visible stigmas, such as sexual orientation or health problems, who live openly at work are happier and more productive. Workers who expressed their stigmas experienced decreased job anxiety, improved job satisfaction, and increased commitment to their position.
Two Rice University faculty members, Mark Torres and Ming Yi, have been selected as 2019 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellows for their work in ocean sciences and physics. The fellowships provide $70,000 in funding to support fundamental research by early-career scientists.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new PUF technology that provides a leap in reliability for IoT devices. The technology uses microchip physical imperfections to produce unique security keys, making it ideal for authentication and encryption.
Rice University scientists have developed a method to produce valuable gold nanowires from short particles using vitamin C. The process, which is fully controllable and reversible, allows for the production of nanowires of any desired length, making them suitable for sensing, diagnostic, imaging, and therapeutic applications.
Rice University physicist Kaden Hazzard has won a National Science Foundation CAREER Award to create algorithms that aim to advance the creation of novel quantum matter. He will investigate new ways to simulate states of matter at extreme cold temperatures, as close as possible to absolute zero.
Genevera Allen, a Rice University statistician, emphasizes the need for machine learning systems to question their predictions and assess uncertainty. She argues that current ML techniques often rely on uncorroborated data-driven discoveries, leading to reproducibility issues in fields like precision medicine.
Rice University researchers have developed a method to capture 4D data using 2D microscopes, enabling scientists to visualize molecules' locations and movements in living cells. The technique uses custom phase masks to manipulate light and separate spatial and temporal information.
Rice University researchers have created a new method to detect and mitigate lithium dendrite growth, which can cause battery failure. A layer of red phosphorus acts as a signal to shut down charging when dendrites approach the separator.
A study by Rice University experts found that physician-hospital integration has a limited effect on patient outcomes. Increased market concentration is strongly associated with reduced quality measured in terms of patient satisfaction.
Researchers at Rice University have developed composites of laser-induced graphene that can be used for wearable electronics, heat therapy, water treatment, anti-icing, and antimicrobial surfaces. The new composites were created by infusing LIG with materials like plastic, rubber, and wood, and show improved mechanical robustness.
Researchers at Rice University have created chiral polymers that can enable materials with unique properties, such as optical and sensing capabilities. The discovery could lead to the creation of metamaterials with tunable properties, including tough-but-flexible compounds with distinct functions.
Researchers surveyed known enzyme structures and found that active sites often have conflicting instructions, allowing for a balance between stability and functionality. This 'extended frustration' extends beyond the first shell of amino acids, supporting catalytic ability and enabling enzymes to modify target molecules efficiently.
Scientists at Rice University have developed a new method to create porous envelopes around light-powered aluminum nanocatalysts using pseudomorphic replacement. This process enables the creation of greener catalysts that use solar energy and are made from abundant metals, reducing energy burden and environmental impact. The study demo...
Rice University scientists have developed a novel method to incorporate nitrogen into molecules, bypassing traditional multi-step processes. This breakthrough enables the quick and efficient production of valuable alpha-aminoketones, which are crucial for drug design and synthesis.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a direct connection between gene regulation and metabolic pathways in cancer cells, enabling them to adapt to hostile environments. The study's findings reveal three stable metabolic states that cancer cells can adopt to evade therapies.
Rice University researchers have developed a nano-infused ceramic that can act as a sensor for structures, monitoring their health and reporting damage. The ceramic's unique electrical properties make it suitable for self-sensing applications in buildings, bridges, and aircraft.
Research from the Singapore Chinese Health Study found that high-quality diets rich in plant-based foods and low in red meat and sugar-sweetened beverages were inversely associated with risk of diabetes. Participants who followed these healthy dietary patterns had a 16-29% reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
A Rice University study of home-schooled children aged 10-17 found that many fall short of daily exercise goals despite participating in organized activities. The researchers recommend increasing unstructured physical activity time to ensure children meet their fitness needs. Parents are encouraged to provide more opportunities for out...
Researchers at Rice University have fine-tuned a pyrolysis technique to remove petroleum contaminants from soil, restoring its fertility. The method uses gentle heat to preserve the soil's essential clays, eliminating 99.9% of total petroleum hydrocarbons and 94.5% of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
A University of Illinois study characterizes the chemical composition of fiber in rice and rice coproducts, which could lead to diet interventions for improved digestibility. The primary carbohydrates found were arabinoxylans, with varying ratios between arabinose and xylose influencing functionality.
Researchers at Rice University found that arclogites, leftover dross from volcanic activity, are responsible for the missing niobium in continental crust. This discovery provides crucial information about how continents form and grow, shedding light on Earth's history and making it more livable.
Researchers at Rice University argue that photoluminescence, not Raman scattering, is responsible for the remarkable light-emitting properties of metal nanoparticles. This breakthrough could lead to improvements in solar-cell efficiency and the development of new biosensors.
Researchers found that LGB individuals are more likely to experience drug and alcohol use disorders, anxiety and depressive disorders, and cardiovascular disease. The study used time-varying effect modeling to analyze data from over 30,000 participants and found age-specific disparities in health outcomes.
Scientists discovered that earthworms efficiently process rice straw, increasing its fertility and preventing the burning of crop residues. This method reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improves soil health, making it a more sustainable alternative to current practices.
A study by Rice University suggests that a planetary collision formed the moon and delivered life-essential elements to Earth. The research found that Earth's carbon and nitrogen content is consistent with a moon-forming impact involving a volatile-bearing, Mars-sized planet with a sulfur-rich core.
Researchers developed high-protein rice lines with increased yield and improved grain quality, providing a solution to global protein deficiencies. The 'Frontière' line has a 53% higher protein content than original rice varieties, making it suitable for various applications such as specialty food products.
A study by researchers at Rice University shows that well-designed policy can support the use of biochar to enhance agricultural productivity, sequester carbon, and preserve valuable soil. The federal government has existing programs that promote biochar adoption, but more investment is needed in large-scale production.
Researchers developed a bioengineering approach to boost photosynthesis in rice plants, increasing grain yield by up to 27%. The genetically engineered plants showed increased photosynthetic efficiency and productivity under bright light conditions.