Articles tagged with Rice
A Rice University and Texas A&M-Galveston study found that FEMA's 100-year flood plain maps failed to capture 75 percent of flood damages from five serious floods. The research suggests that innovative computational tools can build more predictive maps, improving flood risk assessments.
A Rice University study has found that the aspirin-like drug diflunisal blocks the action of prestin, a key protein required for hearing. The research suggests potential repurposing of diflunisal as a treatment for cancer and amyloid polyneuropathy.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new computer model that accurately simulates the interactions between water and alkanes, a family of hydrocarbons. This breakthrough could have far-reaching implications in fields such as energy production, environmental systems and biology.
Researchers have developed motorized molecules that can target and destroy specific cells using ultraviolet light. The nanomachines can be designed to deliver drugs or disrupt cell membranes, showing promise for treating diseases like breast tumors and melanomas.
Rice University scientists have developed a method to efficiently modify natural antibodies that can deliver drugs to target cells by adding rhodium, a rare transition metal. The new technique allows labs to test the relative function of various antibody sources and antigen targets to see which will work best on tumor cells.
Seismologists have discovered that processes beneath the Andean Plateau produce far more continental rock than previously thought. The findings suggest that mountain-forming regions could create larger volumes of continental crust in less time, leading to significant changes in our understanding of Earth's geological history.
A Rice University study reveals that flowing liquid water below the Antarctic ice appears to play a pivotal role in determining the fate of Antarctic ice streams. The research used sediment cores and precise seafloor maps to uncover an extensive, uncovered, water-carved channel connected to subglacial lakes.
Researchers developed a method to analyze hot spot tracks and found most groups are fixed and relatively motionless, moving at about 4 millimeters per year. This contradicts previous findings that suggested hot spots moved as much as 33 millimeters a year.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new material that can absorb up to 340% of its weight in carbon dioxide, making it a promising solution for capturing greenhouse gases. The boron nitride foam is highly porous and can be tuned for specific applications.
Researchers at Rice University have created a semiconducting transition-metal dichalcogenide material called Janus sulfur molybdenum selenium (SMoSe) with a larger band gap than molybdenum diselenide. The discovery has potential applications in catalytic production of hydrogen and other fields.
Researchers identified the 57th plate using multibeam sonar soundings and plate-motion circuits. The discovery resolves a misfit in the Pacific-Cocos-Nazca circuit, indicating another unknown plate's presence.
Researchers have found a way to make plants resistant to the bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae oryzae that causes rice blight. The team discovered that blocking the pathogen's access to sugar stores in plants can starve them out, preventing multiplication.
Rice University researchers have developed a method to control defects in 2-D materials, which can enhance their electronic, magnetic and optical properties. By growing atomic-thin sheets on curved substrates, they can manipulate the appearance of grain boundaries, which are critical in determining material behavior.
Researchers have successfully created a multi-nutrient rice variety that produces iron, zinc, and beta-carotene, addressing micronutrient deficiencies. The new rice lines could provide a solution to hidden hunger in Asia and Africa if they are widely adopted.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a catalyst that can split water into hydrogen and oxygen, offering a potential solution for renewable energy. The catalyst uses laser-induced graphene, a low-cost material, to produce large bubbles of oxygen and hydrogen simultaneously.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health finds that rising CO2 levels may lead to a decline in the nutritional value of staple crops, increasing the risk of dietary deficiencies among vulnerable populations. The study estimates that up to 150 million people may be at risk of protein deficiency due to elevated CO2 levels.
Researchers at Rice University and the University of Science and Technology of China have developed a combination of antibacterial phages and magnetic nanoparticle clusters that infect and destroy bacteria protected by biofilms in water treatment systems. The innovative material, which uses bacteriophages combined with nanoparticles, c...
Scientists at Rice University have created a method for printing and rewriting color images by utilizing structural colors, which are determined by the selective reflections of certain colors at specific angles. The technique uses a single, colorless ink and can generate high-resolution images with excellent durability.
A new study suggests that glaciers may have played a role in releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, potentially warming the planet. The research found that glacial weathering increased the rate of carbon dioxide release, with oscillating glaciers changing atmospheric levels by up to 25 parts per million over 10,000 years.
Scientists at Rice University and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have developed new two-dimensional electrocatalysts that extract hydrogen from water with high efficiency and low cost. The catalysts were created by forming bubbles between layers, which breaks them apart and increases the number of active sites.
Researchers at Rice University have successfully turned wood into an electrical conductor by creating laser-induced graphene, a form of the atom-thin carbon material. The process involves heating a thin film pattern onto a block of pine using a standard industrial laser, producing high-quality graphene foam bound to the wood surface.
The Rice lab has produced the first full-length structure of a salmon virus protein, shedding light on its role in viral assembly and potentially informing strategies to treat human influenza viruses. The discovery could lead to new antiviral treatments by targeting the protein's interaction with other viral components.
A study from Rice University found that Mexican immigrants living in the US without proper documentation are at high risk of psychological distress. The survey revealed that respondents aged 18-25 were most likely to exhibit distress, citing loss of home, social status, and family as reasons for their mental health issues.
Researchers at Rice University have created a novel filter that can remove toxic heavy metals from contaminated water, using a combination of carbon nanotubes and quartz fibers. The filters are reusable and can be washed with vinegar, making them an effective solution for treating water in remote regions.
Developed by Swansea University and Rice University, the filter removes toxic heavy metals from water using carbon nanotubes immobilized in quartz fiber. The filters can be reused after washing with vinegar and are capable of treating large amounts of contaminated water.
A study by Rice University researchers found that biochar can reduce health care costs, especially in urban areas close to farmland. The use of biochar in agriculture may also lower the need for fertilizer and reduce pollutants by storing nitrogen in the soil.
Researchers analyzed recent progress in lithium-ion technology and suggested ways to make batteries adaptable for challenging conditions. The study mapped the performance of various materials in high-temperature batteries, highlighting opportunities for improvement.
The researchers created a three-layer structure of nickel, graphene, and a compound of iron, manganese, and phosphorus that can produce both hydrogen and oxygen simultaneously. The material is scalable, stable in acidic and basic solutions, and requires less energy than traditional catalysts.
Scientists from the University of Freiburg successfully elucidated the three-dimensional structure of phytoene desaturase, a crucial enzyme in carotene production. This breakthrough offers insights into herbicide binding and reaction mechanisms, which may lead to new agents for crop protection and Golden Rice development.
Researchers at Rice University and the University of Houston are developing mathematical models to understand how cells in large colonies of bacteria communicate with each other. Their goal is to design colonies that can perform computations and make sophisticated decisions, mimicking the ability of tissues to maintain homeostasis.
Rice University scientists found that indented tobermorite responds differently than bulk material, with layers bonding through indentation remaining intact after force removal. The study reveals three molecular mechanisms at work in tobermorite, which are also responsible for the strength of calcium-silicate-hydrate mix in cement.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have developed a new animal model for hepatitis C using a virus closely related to the human disease, allowing for study of disease progression and immune system response. This breakthrough could accelerate hepatitis C vaccine development and lead to the eradication of the disease.
Expedition 371 investigates shift in Pacific Plate movement, which formed subduction zone and altered ocean circulation patterns. Cores collected at six Tasman Sea sites will help scientists understand timing and causes of these changes and their impact on Earth's climate.
Researchers have discovered how Rice Stripe Virus (RSV) reproduces in small brown planthoppers, a key step in controlling the spread of devastating crop diseases. By studying interactions between proteins and compounds, they found that RSV activates the JNK signaling pathway to promote replication.
A Rice University professor has developed a method to upconvert light, making solar cells more efficient and disease-targeting nanoparticles more effective. The technique uses plasmonic metals and semiconducting quantum wells to boost the frequency of light, changing its color.
New research from Rice University reveals that more children are living in high-poverty neighborhoods after the Great Recession, with a significant increase in non-Hispanic white children. Children in these neighborhoods are on average a year behind academically, according to standardized math, reading and writing assessment tests.
Rice University researchers discovered a way to turn white graphene, an exceptional conductor of heat, into a wide-bandgap semiconductor with magnetic properties by adding fluorine. The magnetism is an unexpected bonus that could make the unique material suitable for electronics in extreme environments.
Rice University engineers are building a flat microscope to monitor and stimulate neurons on the surface of the brain. The goal is to provide an alternate path for sight and sound to be delivered directly to the brain, compensating for loss of vision or hearing.
Researchers at Rice University have simplified the synthesis of electrophilic aminating agents, which can incorporate nitrogen atoms into molecules in a single efficient step. This breakthrough process eliminates the need for transition metals or high temperatures, making it an environmentally friendly alternative.
Scientists at Rice University have developed a new material that combines flexibility and stiffness by infusing it with tiny pockets of liquid gallium. The composite exhibits higher energy absorption characteristics than traditional materials, making it suitable for applications such as shock absorbers and biomimetic structures.
Researchers from Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine have demonstrated a key step in generating implantable tissues with functioning capillaries. They used human endothelial cells and mesenchymal stem cells to initiate tubulogenesis, crucial for blood-transporting capillary formation.
Rice University scientists simplify synthesis of precursor molecules for biologically active compounds, enabling cheaper and more sustainable drug design. The new method uses hydroxylamine O-sulfonic acid to produce aziridine molecules at room temperature in a few hours.
A four-year study by Rice ecologists found that strong environmental filters like predatory fish cause regular variations in dragonfly communities. The results show how these patterns can help predict biodiversity loss in specific habitats.
A study by Rice University experts found that state revenue declines during economic downturns disproportionately affect children, leading to cuts in Medicaid benefits and education spending. The analysis indicates a $64 cut in Medicaid spending per child beneficiary and an $82 per capita cut in long-run state education spending.
Researchers at Rice University have created a new catalyst for fuel cells that is as effective as platinum but cheaper. The catalyst uses single ruthenium atoms attached to graphene and has shown excellent performance in tests.
Researchers developed a genetic engineering approach to produce anthocyanin-rich purple endosperm in rice, offering potential health benefits against cancers and cardiovascular disease. The resulting purple rice holds promise as a biofortified food source.
Researchers from Rice University and China's Tianjin University have successfully created centimeter-sized objects of atomically thin graphene using 3D laser printing. The new method eliminates the need for high-temperature chemical vapor deposition treatment, enabling mass production of bulk graphene with controlled pore size.
A new desalination system uses solar energy to turn salt water into freshwater, promising a cost-effective and sustainable solution for global water scarcity. The technology combines membrane distillation with light-harvesting nanophotonics to efficiently generate steam from sunlight.
A new study reveals that Central Valley farm fields can create environmental benefits for California's salmon populations. Researchers transplanted small hatchery-reared salmon to a 5-acre field, where the fish grew at an exceptionally high rate due to the availability of abundant zooplankton and nutrients.
Balinese rice farmers' planting patterns create fractal designs that yield optimal harvests without global planning. The pattern's emergence is driven by water availability and pest damage, making the system more resilient. Farmers adapt locally, taking individual decisions that optimize their own harvests, resulting in a stable system.
Researchers at Rice University have created hydrogel strings using a compound found in mussels, allowing for controlled growth of cells on surfaces. The aligned fibers promote ordered cell growth, making it possible to direct cell growth from one location to another.
Rice University scientists have discovered a way to selectively open gaps in blood vessel barriers, allowing large molecule drugs to reach targeted tissues. The technique uses magnets to manipulate nanoparticles and alter the endothelial cell's structure, creating temporary 'leakiness' that can be controlled.
Neuroscientists propose using nonlinear message-passing and probabilistic models to simulate real-world conditions in the brain. This approach aims to better understand the brain's ability to perform approximate probabilistic inference.
Research finds that the southern half of the Tibetan Plateau formed in less than one-quarter of the time since India-Eurasia continental collision, with most of the uplift occurring when a denser lithospheric root broke away. The study's findings support a different scenario to the traditional theory on Tibet's formation.
Researchers from Rice University and the Texas Heart Institute have developed a battery-less pacemaker that can be implanted directly into a patient's heart. The device harnesses energy wirelessly from radio frequency radiation transmitted by an external battery pack, reducing complications related to traditional lead-based pacemakers.
Rice farmers in Taiwan value eco-labels more than financial incentives, according to a study by the Technical University of Munich. The study found that offering an eco-label can encourage farmers to reduce chemical fertilizers and adopt sustainable cultivation methods.
Phytolith dating suggests rice domestication occurred at Shangshan in China around 9,400 cal yr BP, or possibly earlier. The study found that rice bulliform phytoliths with more than nine fish scales were present in early occupation stages, indicating the beginning of rice domestication.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new technique that reduces computational overhead for deep learning by up to 95% using hashing, a tried-and-true data-indexing method. The technique blends locality-sensitive hashing and sparse backpropagation to achieve significant savings in energy and time.
A recent study published in Rice journal reveals that rice bran contains high levels of essential vitamins, amino acids, and antioxidants, making it a potential health food. The researchers identified over 400 compounds in rice bran that could provide medicinal benefits.
A recent national report by Rice University psychology professor Fred Oswald suggests that students who develop a sense of belonging, have a growth mindset and set personal goals are more likely to succeed in college. The report found that these competencies can be improved with low-cost, brief writing exercises.