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Rice lab creates tough, but tender, cancer fighters

Scientists at Rice University have developed analogs of potent anti-tumor agents, which show superior properties and exhibit potent cytotoxicities against certain cancer cells. The new compounds were tested on kidney cancer and human uterine sarcoma cell lines, including a drug-resistant cell line.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Study identifies factors that lead to greater college success

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.

Half of mayoral elections in 6 US states are unopposed

A new report from Rice's Kinder Institute examines mayoral elections in 6 US states and reveals that approximately half of all mayoral elections feature only one candidate. Unopposed elections were particularly prevalent in small towns, where 79% of contests saw no competition, yet voter turnout remained high.

Zap! Graphene is bad news for bacteria

Researchers discovered laser-induced graphene is highly effective against bacteria and resists biofouling. When electrified, LIG kills bacteria through a combination of contact with its rough surface, electrical charge, and toxicity from hydrogen peroxide production.

Scientists identify two new proteins connected to plant development

Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Research have discovered two new proteins, RICE1 and RICE2, that play a crucial role in regulating plant structure and resisting crop stresses like drought. The study sheds light on the mechanism of RNA silencing, which can be used to help plants overcome environmental challenges.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

CPRIT grant brings personalized-modeling expert to Rice

B.J. Fregly, a mechanical engineering researcher, will work with oncologists at Rice University to optimize pelvic surgery outcomes using personalized computer models. The goal is to predict surgical outcomes and improve recovery times for cancer patients undergoing difficult pelvic surgeries.

Graphene-nanotube hybrid boosts lithium metal batteries

Rice researchers develop a graphene-nanotube hybrid anode that stores 3,351 milliamp hours per gram of lithium, close to the theoretical maximum and 10 times that of lithium-ion batteries. The anode material suppresses dendrite growth, allowing for efficient lithium storage.

Gas gives laser-induced graphene super properties

Rice University scientists discovered that laser-induced graphene can be made either superhydrophobic or superhydrophilic by adjusting the gas used in its formation. This property allows for applications such as separating water from oil and de-icing surfaces.

Naomi Halas wins Weizmann Women and Science Award

Rice University's Naomi Halas has made significant contributions to the field of plasmonics, profoundly influencing modern optics. She is the first person in university history to be elected to both National Academy of Sciences and Engineering.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Populations adapt as nature and nurture work together

Researchers found that genetic variations influence fruit fly larvae's ability to associate odors with pain and pleasure, leading to better decision-making about pupation. The study suggests a link between learning and environmental cues, highlighting the complex interplay of nature and nurture in shaping behavior.

Rice's Gustavo Scuseria wins Royal Society of Chemistry award

Gustavo Scuseria, a renowned chemist at Rice University, has won the Royal Society of Chemistry S F Boys - A Rahman Award for his outstanding innovative research in computational chemistry. He will share his exciting new results during a lecture tour in the U.K., focusing on solving the strong correlation problem.

'Hot' electrons don't mind the gap

Researchers found that hot electrons can create a photovoltage about a thousand times larger than what is seen if there is no gap. The discovery shows the potential for nanoscale photodetectors to convert light into electricity and sensors or other sophisticated electronics.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Rice U. unveils dual-channel biological function generator

Researchers develop biofunction generator and bioscilloscope to analyze and manipulate two biological circuits simultaneously, enabling precise control over gene expression and protein production. The technology, based on mathematical modeling and optogenetics, offers new insights into complex synthetic biological systems.

Biology's need for speed tolerates a few mistakes

A new paper reveals that evolution has optimized two fundamental biological processes, DNA replication and protein translation, to prioritize speed over accuracy. The research suggests that a few mistakes are tolerable as long as the majority of biopolymers produced are correct, and energy savings can be significant.

Ultracold atom waves may shed light on rogue ocean killers

Rice University physicists have created a model system for studying rogue ocean waves by precisely controlling the quantum behavior of an ultracold atomic gas. They found that under certain conditions, the number of solitons remains unchanged, suggesting that the soliton train is born with stable characteristics.

Protein 'spy' gains new abilities

Rice University scientists have developed a new technique to label proteins in cells using bio-orthogonal tags, allowing for high spatial and temporal control. The technique uses an engineered switch that only charges tRNA with the tag when prompted, providing a snapshot of total protein synthesis in the cell.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Rice's Lydia Kavraki wins ACM Athena Lecturer Award

Lydia Kavraki, a renowned computer scientist at Rice University, has received the Association for Computing Machinery's (ACM) Athena Lecturer Award. She is recognized for inventing randomized motion-planning algorithms in robotics and developing robotics-inspired methods for bioinformatics and biomedicine.

Religious people more likely to oppose reproductive technologies

A new study by Rice University found that religious individuals are more likely to disapprove of reproductive genetic technologies than non-religious people. Evangelical Christians are the most opposed, with 23% deeming disease technologies morally wrong, while 80% of evangelicals reject enhancement technologies.

Higher costs for complex cancer surgery indicator for worse care

A new study by Rice University and MD Anderson Cancer Center found that high-volume surgeons who perform more complex cancer operations have lower patient costs due to reduced complications and better outcomes. However, this association disappears when accounting for processes of care and complications associated with surgical procedures.

Study: Early organic carbon got deep burial in mantle

A Rice University study found that fossilized organic carbon could have been deeply buried in the mantle starting around 2.4 billion years ago, during a critical period known as the great oxidation event. The researchers discovered that the chemical composition of subducting crustal rock plays a crucial role in determining whether carb...

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Houston's gourmet food trucks cooperate, compete to elevate group's prestige

Researchers at Rice University found that gourmet food trucks in Houston cooperate to meet central tendencies, such as good ingredients and cleanliness, while competing to strive for ideal prototypes like the best food. This cooperation leads to new firms entering the market and improves the group's excellence.

Researchers working toward indoor location detection

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new indoor location detection system that uses existing mobile device sensors to improve accuracy and energy efficiency. By leveraging machine learning algorithms and incorporating information from standard human movements, the system can estimate accurate locations even with noisy sensors.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

SAVI camera ditches long lens for distant images

The SAVI camera uses laser light to capture high-resolution images of distant objects, eliminating the need for a long lens. The technology has potential applications in visible light imaging, with researchers envisioning real-time, high-resolution capture using this synthetic aperture approach.

How some battery materials expand without cracking

Scientists found that certain electrode materials can accommodate large volume changes by transforming into a glassy phase, making them less prone to cracking. This discovery could lead to the development of longer-lived and higher-capacity batteries.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

NIH grant funds Center for Engineering Complex Tissues at Rice

The Center will develop new technologies and serve as a collaborative hub for surgeons, biomaterials experts, and engineers focused on regenerative medicine. The center aims to create functional constructs that restore, maintain or improve damaged tissues or organs.

Proton-nuclei smashups yield clues about 'quark gluon plasma'

Rice University physicists are providing new insight into the quark-gluon plasma by smashing protons and lead nuclei at nearly the speed of light. They found evidence for the chiral magnetic effect, a characteristic magnetic property of QGP that arises from quantum mechanics.

Rice U. scientists add to theory about Huntington's mechanism

Researchers use computer simulations to show how N-terminal sequence encourages aggregation of huntingtin protein fragments while polyproline inhibits it. This discovery offers a new target for drug development to halt Huntington's disease progression. The study also highlights the involvement of the cytoskeleton in the disease mechanism.

Rice University's Cin-Ty Lee wins Guggenheim Fellowship

Cin-Ty Lee, an earth scientist at Rice University, has won a Guggenheim Fellowship to investigate how continents emerged from oceans and their effect on nutrient cycling. He will explore crystal growth and kinetics in magmatic and hydrothermal conditions.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Synthetic biologists engineer inflammation-sensing gut bacteria

Researchers at Rice University engineered bacteria capable of sensing colitis in mice, detecting elevated thiosulfate levels and finding a potential biomarker for human colitis. The breakthrough could lead to orally ingestible bacteria for monitoring gut health and disease.

New rice fights off drought

Scientists at RIKEN developed transgenic rice strains that resist drought stress, showing higher yields and increased biomass. The modified rice lines produced more galactinol, a key osmoprotectant, to cope with water loss, leading to improved drought tolerance.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Domesticated rice goes rogue

A recent study has discovered the ancestry of Asian rice and its weedy cousins, revealing that rice has a natural tendency towards becoming weeds. The research found that both strains evolved from different crop varieties, with relatively few changes needed to turn the crop plant into a weed.

Bad cold? If you're lonely, it may feel worse

A study by Rice University psychologists found that people who feel lonely report more severe cold symptoms than those with stronger social networks. The research suggests that loneliness can increase the severity of acute illnesses like the common cold.

Baraniuk wins Defense Department's Vannevar Bush Fellowship

Compressive-sensing pioneer Richard Baraniuk has won a five-year, $3 million fellowship to explore new technologies using the field of signal processing. The grant will help broaden the applicability of compressive sensing and enable radically new sensing capabilities.

Cold symptoms feel worse when people feel lonely

A study by the American Psychological Association found that people who feel lonely experience worse cold symptoms than those who don't, regardless of their social network size. The researchers studied 159 participants and discovered that feeling lonely had a greater impact on symptoms than actual loneliness.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

'Fuzzy' fibers can take rockets' heat

The new composite fibers, developed in collaboration with NASA, have strong interlocking connections that make them less prone to cracking and seal the material to prevent oxygen from changing its chemical composition. The fibers are also resistant to high temperatures and can make entire turbo engines significantly lighter.

New rice strain could help farmers predetermine harvest time

Scientists have developed a new rice strain that flowers within a certain period after being sprayed with commercial chemicals, enabling farmers to control harvest timing. The research, led by Professor Takeshi Izawa at the University of Tokyo, uses a genetic approach to manipulate flowering time in cereal crops.

Artificial photosynthesis steps into the light

Researchers at Rice University have developed an artificial photosynthesis material that can split water into hydrogen and oxygen using sunlight. The catalyst, made from iron, manganese, and phosphorus, is efficient and easy to manufacture, paving the way for a clean renewable source of hydrogen fuel.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Rice U. refines filters for greener natural gas

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new material that balances carbon dioxide sequestration and methane selectivity in natural gas production. The filter, made with a polymer-based sorbent, achieves optimal performance by adjusting the ratio of potassium, oxygen, and hydrogen activation reagents during processing.

Pulverizing electronic waste is green, clean -- and cold

Researchers at Rice University have developed an eco-friendly method to recycle electronic waste by using a cryo-mill to pulverize circuit boards into separated powders. The process breaks down components into homogenous powders that can be reused, reducing the need for energy-intensive processes and minimizing environmental harm.

'Preventable' asthma attacks in Houston cost millions

A new study reveals that 'preventable' asthma attacks among schoolchildren in Houston result in significant healthcare costs. The researchers found a strong link between asthma incidents and schools on the city's east side, with African-American children comprising the largest percentage of cases.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Rice lab expands palette for color-changing glass

Researchers from Rice University's Laboratory for Nanophotonics create electrochromic glass that can change color at low voltages and has a multicolor palette. The glass uses perylene molecules and can produce different colors depending on the applied voltage.

Statistics method shows networks differ in epileptic brains

A novel statistical approach has been developed to analyze brain activity data from patients with epilepsy, revealing distinct patterns of connectivity in the brains of those with temporal lobe epilepsy. The findings suggest that abnormal bidirectional interactions may play a role in the development of seizures.

Unique protein partly to blame for worm's digestive distress

Researchers have discovered a unique protein in the Orsay virus, a nematode worm virus, that plays a crucial role in binding to cells and infecting them. The protein's molecular structure has potential antiviral applications, and its study could guide bioengineers in developing synthetic variations of the virus to target parasitic worms.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

New path suggested for nuclear fusion

Scientists at Rice University and Chile have proposed a new approach to nuclear fusion by simulating the use of shaped laser pulses to control atomic reactions. This method could potentially produce energy efficiently from deuterium and tritium, with the goal of creating a more sustainable and clean source of power.

Racial gap in children's asthma linked to social inequality

A new study from Rice University found that African-American and poor children in Houston have a higher proportion of asthma due to social inequalities in their neighborhoods. Children living in poor neighborhoods, regardless of race, are more likely to develop asthma compared to those in middle-class or affluent areas.

Nano 'sandwich' offers unique properties

Rice University researchers simulate a nanoscale sandwich of graphene and magnesium oxide, offering unique properties for molecular sensing, catalysis, and bio-imaging. The hybrid material has tunable band gaps and optical properties, making it suitable for various applications.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

A case where smoking helped

Researchers found that a specific mutation in hemoglobin makes it selectively bind to carbon monoxide from cigarette smoke, preventing oxidation and anemia. The father's smoking habit prevents him from developing the disease, while his daughter requires treatment with antioxidants to manage her condition.