Research on rice as a crop and staple food. Covers fertilizer and emissions trade-offs, biochar and heavy metals, and heat resilience.
Researchers at Embrapa have developed improved rice varieties with increased yields and reduced plant height, allowing for more efficient use of resources. Over a 45-year period, grain yield improved by an average of 0.62-0.73% per year, resulting in thousands of pounds in increased yield for farmers.
Researchers from Rice University and Duke University developed a new method to accurately estimate the number of identified victims killed in the Syrian civil war. Using 'hashing with statistical estimation,' they produced real-time estimates with a lower margin of error than existing methods.
Researchers from Rice University and Michigan Medicine developed a tool to analyze brain waves during periods of rest. They found that these ripples can be used to reconstruct memories of an environment, even when the animals were not actively exploring. The study provides new insights into how brains sort and store information.
Psychologists at Rice University argue that organizations must provide training, support, and opportunities for growth to eliminate the wage gap. The researchers highlight myths regarding the gap and offer suggestions for its elimination, including removing barriers, providing equal growth opportunities, and promoting diversity.
New research by Rice University geophysicists reveals that the asthenosphere's convective cycling and pressure-driven flow can move faster than the tectonic plates on top of it. This challenges a long-held theory that the lithosphere moves independently of the asthenosphere.
Research finds that rice grown under higher carbon dioxide concentrations has lower levels of iron, zinc, protein, and vitamins B1, B2, B5, and B9. This decrease may exacerbate malnutrition among populations relying heavily on rice as a staple food source.
A study found that rice grown under higher CO2 concentrations has lower nutritional value, particularly in protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin B content. This decrease may have significant implications for the health of populations relying heavily on rice as a primary food source.
A new study found that increased CO2 levels in rice can lead to lower levels of four key B vitamins and reduced protein, iron, and zinc. The nutritional deficits could have a disproportionate impact on health outcomes in the poorest rice-dependent countries.
Rice University researchers have synthesized and isolated plasmonic magnesium nanoparticles that show promise with all the benefits of their gold and silver cousins. The particles proved to be unexpectedly robust and can concentrate light in nanoscale volumes, useful for chemical and biological sensors.
Boron nitride nanotubes have been enhanced using the Billups-Birch reaction process, allowing for functionalization and modification of their properties. This enables the creation of new composite materials with tunable properties, opening up possibilities for various applications.
Researchers deciphered the workings of a common bacterial switch that regulates protein production, revealing a snap-lock mechanism. This discovery could lead to new antibiotics as gram-positive bacteria use T-box riboswitches to regulate protein production.
Researchers from Rice University found that garnet steals the most iron from continents, contradicting 40-plus years of geophysical thinking. This discovery has weighty implications for understanding Earth's atmosphere and potentially Mars' rusty landscape.
Recipients of government aid in rural Indonesia receive 26% more subsidized rice after receiving simple information cards with program details. The study found that tangible information provides bargaining power, allowing villagers to negotiate better outcomes.
A genetic analysis reveals leafcutter ants originated in South America and owe their success to more than just crop selection. The ants' ability to consume fresh leaves allows them to access a vast ecosystem, enabling massive colonies with specialized tasks.
A 2017 theory by Rice University physicists Qimiao Si and Emilian Nica helps explain the behavior of an iron-based high-temperature superconductor, solving a long-standing puzzle. The theory proposes orbital-selective pairing as the key to understanding this phenomenon, revealing a new mechanism for these unusual materials.
A meta-analysis of 168 studies across six continents shows that importing Brazilian and US soybeans led to widespread land-use changes, increasing nitrogen pollution by over 100,000 metric tons. The study highlights the need for sustainable agricultural practices in both exporting and importing countries.
Researchers found that the sex composition and mating dynamics of a fruit fly community significantly impact disease transmission rates. Males faced a greater risk of infection when outnumbered by females, highlighting the importance of social context in disease spread.
Hematene, a 3-atom-thick material extracted from iron ore, shows promise as an efficient photocatalyst for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. Its magnetic properties also make it suitable for spintronic-based devices.
A study by Rice University found that reflecting on personal possessions can reduce impulse buying by lowering willingness to pay for new products. The researchers discovered that people who reflected on using their possessions recently were less likely to buy impulsively and expressed a lower willingness to pay for new items.
A Rice University team is part of a $25 million study investigating the collapse of Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica. The team will use marine geological and geophysical data to examine how the glacier retreated in the past and determine key boundary conditions controlling its retreat.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered exceptional points in a unique material, enabling continuous tuning of light and matter coupling. This breakthrough may lead to novel quantum technologies like advanced information storage and one-dimensional lasers.
A Rice University-led study has provided first clues about internal structure of the Galicia margin using a seismic probe. The data revealed seismic images of the S-reflector, a prominent detachment fault within the continent-ocean transition zone, which accommodated slipping along the zone.
Researchers found interdependent behaviors in customers from rice-growing regions and individualistic behaviors in those from wheat-growing regions. Historical farming legacies play a significant role in shaping everyday behavior, contradicting the idea that wealthier cultures become more individualistic.
Bayou, developed by Rice University, uses neural sketch learning to recognize patterns in Java code and generate code snippets. This enables developers to get immediate feedback on their queries, making it easier to navigate the numerous APIs.
Researchers at Rice University have extended a 100-year-old modeling formula to account for complex surfactants in enhanced oil recovery. The new model, developed by Walter Chapman and Xiaoqun Mu, incorporates temperature, pressure, composition, and other conditions to provide a more accurate prediction of oil behavior in wells.
A series of energy price increases across the Middle East and North Africa indicates a shift away from subsidies as a means of legitimacy for autocratic regimes. The reforms aim to streamline patronage structures, allowing regimes to maintain control while reducing their reliance on oil rents.
A Rice University study predicts the 2018 flu vaccine will have limited efficacy against the dominant circulating strain of influenza A due to viral mutations related to egg production. The pEpitope method accurately predicted vaccine efficacy rates for over 40 years of flu records and suggests a more accurate predictor than ferret tests.
Rice University scientists discovered that salt reduces the temperature at which elements interact in a chemical vapor deposition furnace, making it easier to form atom-thin layers. This process allows for the creation of novel materials with customized properties.
Researchers detect Bloch-Siegert shift in strongly coupled light and matter, a phenomenon previously speculated but never observed. The discovery could lead to a greater understanding of theoretical predictions in quantum phase transitions and the development of robust quantum bits for advanced computing.
Rice University scientists introduce a new technique to fine-tune two-component biological sensors, enabling tailor-made biosensors for diagnostic gut bacteria and environmental pollutant detection. The approach uses phosphatase activity to alter the sensitivity of these pathways, promising a major breakthrough in synthetic biology.
Rice University's RENEW technology will underlie a city-scale wireless test platform in Salt Lake City, enabling researchers and developers to conduct tests with up to 40,000 users. The platform aims to prepare for the future of wireless communications, where scalability is crucial.
Researchers relax perovskite crystal to reduce strain and improve power conversion efficiency, achieving 20.5% efficiency with negligible degradation over 1,500 hours of operation.
Researchers at Penn State developed a microengineered slippery rough surface that surpasses current technology in water harvesting applications. The new surface combines the properties of pitcher plants and rice leaves, allowing it to collect tiny water droplets from air at a faster rate.
A survey of 502 individuals found that patients are more willing to undergo non-invasive dental procedures such as teeth cleaning and whitening performed by a robot. The promise of half-price dentistry increased participants' willingness to accept robotic dentistry, with only 32% opposed at full price.
A new study reveals that hybrid chickadees have marked deficiencies in learning and memory compared to their pure species parents. This discovery provides a new mechanism by which hybrids can have low fitness, potentially leading to cascading effects on species apart.
Researchers assess whether extreme weather events like Hurricane Harvey impact invasive pests, pollinators and other species. The team evaluates changes in ant communities to determine if floods accelerated the invasion process by invasive fire ants and tawny crazy ants.
Scientists at Rice University have developed a method to produce strong, lightweight graphite pellets without the need for high-temperature processing. The pellets exhibit good conductivity and stability in various conditions, making them suitable for applications such as conducting cables and electrodes.
The NEWT Center at Rice University has developed an energy-saving technology to remove pollutants from water. The polymer mat attracts hydrophobic contaminants, which are then destroyed by photocatalytic titanium dioxide under light exposure.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a hydrogel that significantly accelerates wound healing in genetically diabetic rodents, promoting tissue growth and regeneration. The study's findings suggest that the hydrogel's cellular infiltration enhances wound closure rates, providing hope for improved treatment of diabetic ulcers.
Research finds that living abroad leads to clearer career decision-making and increased self-concept clarity. The study, conducted by a team of social scientists at Rice University and other institutions, suggests that depth, not breadth, of international experiences enhances self-discerning reflections.
Research by IIASA researcher Narasimha Rao found that Indian diets can be improved to reduce micronutrient deficiencies while lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The study suggests that adopting a diet rich in coarse cereals, legumes, and green leafy vegetables can boost protein intake and reduce deficiencies.
Researchers discovered micron-scale particles linked to a magnetic field can self-assemble into swimming motion, replicating human breaststroke. The ability can be controlled with an eccentric magnetic field, allowing for potential use as drug-delivery vehicles or micro-robots.
Scientists at Rice University and Tokyo Metropolitan University developed a novel way to manipulate light at the quantum scale by using single-walled carbon nanotubes as plasmonic quantum confinement fields. The discovery could lead to the development of unique lasers and other optoelectronic devices.
A Rice University study reveals a connection between dinosaur-era volcanoes and the formation of shale gas and oil fields. The research suggests that nutrient-rich ash from thousands of volcanic eruptions led to the creation of these deposits.
A new review paper by Eduardo Salas of Rice University found that team training can significantly improve health care outcomes, including reducing patient mortality by 13 percent. The research highlights the importance of incorporating considerations such as on-the-job skill building and simulations into team training.
A single gene, LGF1, has been discovered to control the surface properties of rice, making it superhydrophobic and enabling survival during flood events. The gene also confers drought tolerance by reducing evaporation from leaf surfaces.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new 'white graphene' architecture that can store hydrogen with unprecedented capacity in boron nitride nanomaterials. The optimal design features a specific spacing and arrangement of boron nitride sheets and pillars, resulting in improved hydrogen absorption and release capabilities.
Researchers discovered that a hydrogel developed by the Rice University lab exhibits significant therapeutic properties, rapidly infiltrating host cells and promoting healing. The hydrogel can be delivered through a syringe and degrades over six weeks, leaving behind healthy tissue.
Researchers successfully exfoliated gallenene onto various substrates, demonstrating its potential as an efficient metal contact in two-dimensional electronic devices. The method used to create the flat gallium could be explored for other metals and compounds with low melting points.
A new slow-release hydrogel has been developed to aid immunotherapy for cancer, providing a continuous dose of immunotherapy drugs to activate the immune system. The hydrogel, called STINGel, was tested in lab cultures and in vivo trials, showing promise in killing cancer cells and preventing further implantation of cancer cells.
The Rice team designs a thin, wide-field microscope that surpasses traditional microscopes in resolution and field of view. FlatScope eliminates the need for lenses, allowing for micrometer resolution over several cubic millimeters.
Physicists have discovered a way to create complex structures called Rydberg polarons using ultracold strontium atoms, which can be assembled like Lego blocks. The findings reveal new insights into the basic nature of matter and challenge traditional chemistry laws.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are part of a $10 million program to develop a new type of camera that can peer deep beneath the skin to diagnose and monitor various health conditions. The camera uses computational scatterography to make sense of scattered light, enabling noninvasive bio-optical imaging at a cellular scale.
Researchers at the University of Illinois used a combination of traditional kick-seining and environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques to study the rare Faxonius eupunctus crayfish. They found the species most abundant in the middle part of its 30-mile range, with up to 35,000 cubic feet of water flowing by each second.
A Rice University-led team has been awarded $10 million by the NSF to create wearable and point-of-care microscopes that can monitor nearly 100 health conditions without invasive procedures. The technology aims to provide real-time, non-invasive imaging of tissues using on-chip illumination and sensing.
Researchers at Rice University have found that graphene catalysts contain trace amounts of manganese, which activates the oxygen reduction reaction and improves fuel-cell efficiency. The study used inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to detect manganese atoms in samples made by the Rice lab.
Rice University researchers will use the data to analyze how exposure to mixed toxins in the environment affects a population, especially children. The team aims to develop tools that can characterize environmental exposures, social stressors and residential stability to improve understanding of their impact on educational outcomes.
Scientists developed a new approach to improve nitrogen use and promote flowering in rice by overexpressing the OsNRT1.1A gene. This led to increased yields of over 30% in field trials and accelerated maturation by one to two weeks.
Scientists at Rice University have successfully used CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing to repair 20-40% of stem and progenitor cells from patients with sickle cell disease. The study, led by bioengineer Gang Bao, aims to find a cure for the hereditary disease.
Rice University scientists have developed a technique to write graphene patterns onto various materials, including food, paper, and cloth. The new method uses laser-induced graphene (LIG) to create conductive identification tags and sensors that can be embedded into products.