Research on rice as a crop and staple food. Covers fertilizer and emissions trade-offs, biochar and heavy metals, and heat resilience.
Rice University scientists have successfully synthesized a newly discovered natural antibiotic, viridicatumtoxin B, which shows potent activity against Gram-positive bacteria. The simplified synthesis of this compound may pave the way for developing more effective antibiotics against superbugs.
Researchers at Rice University and the University of Nevada have found that cooling of the Pacific plate causes horizontal contraction and deformation. The rate of contraction is faster in younger parts of the plate, leading to a predicted 10 times faster contraction than older parts.
Rice University researchers have created a CMOS-compatible, biomimetic color photodetector that directly responds to red, green and blue light. The device uses an aluminum grating that can be added to silicon photodetectors with the mainstay technology, "complementary metal-oxide semiconductor," or CMOS.
Researchers aim to create efficient statistical machine learning techniques for distributed computing systems, enabling industry and research to analyze massive data sets without the need for radical new programming models. The project focuses on extending Rice's SimSQL platform for stochastic analytics and will be open-source.
OpenStax College will expand its catalog of free college textbooks to 21 titles by 2017, saving students over $500 million by 2020. The new titles will be developed for high-enrollment science and mathematics courses.
Researchers developed a novel process to convert rice, parsley and vegetable waste into biodegradable plastic films with promising traits. The bioplastics have the potential to replace non-degrading polymers and provide a more environmentally friendly option for replacing synthetic plastics.
The research reveals the viral capsid structure, showing similarities to other viruses, and identifies potential binding sites for modification. The findings may lead to new information on host-virus interactions and the development of custom-made viruses to target parasitic or pathogenic worms.
Rice University theorists show that energy landscapes dominate both evolution and folding of proteins. The team used computer models to compare the folding of natural proteins from eons to seconds, revealing a common connection between evolution and physics.
Researchers have developed a simple method to detect contaminants on atom-thin graphene using terahertz spectroscopy. The technique involves placing the graphene on a layer of indium phosphide, which emits terahertz waves when excited by a laser pulse, allowing for non-contact detection and mapping of changes in electrical conductivity.
Rice University physicist Emilia Morosan has been awarded a $1.5 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to investigate unusual quantum materials. Her research aims to uncover fundamental properties of these compounds, which may lead to new discoveries in condensed matter physics.
Researchers at Rice University have found that foam is more effective than water, gas, and surfactant combinations in removing oil from low-permeability formations. Foam's unique properties allow it to penetrate and dislodge oil without losing its effectiveness, making it a promising tool for enhanced oil recovery.
Research from Rice University and Duke University found that US immigration is linked to increased smoking rates among Latino and Asian women. Smoking prevalence varies significantly between men and women, with Asian immigrant men smoking four times as much as women, while Latino immigrant men smoke twice as much.
A study by financial economics experts at Rice University found that stock prices of companies using the same lead underwriter during equity offerings tend to move together. The magnitude of this effect is similar to co-movement linked to share price, industry, or geography.
Children of immigrants from all racial and ethnic backgrounds have lower levels of physical activity than U.S.-born white children. Asian immigrant children are nearly three times as likely to have low levels of physical activity, while Hispanic and unspecified ethnicity children are nearly two times as likely.
Researchers at Rice University and the University of Kansas Medical Center have developed modular genetic circuits that can handle multiple chemical inputs simultaneously. These new tools allow scientists to design synthetic cells for specific tasks, such as biofuel production, environmental remediation, and disease treatment.
A Rice University-led team has found a physical link between magnetic properties and electronic behavior in barium iron nickel arsenide, a key material for high-temperature superconductivity. The study uses neutron measurements to reveal an analogous behavior in the material, providing new clues to understanding this phenomenon.
The study reveals how hemagglutinin protein reconfigures itself as it infects host cells, providing new insights into the path of the flu virus. This understanding could lead to the development of a universal flu vaccine that lasts a lifetime.
A Cornell study analyzing 217 menus and over 300 diner selections reveals that menu layout, descriptions, and names can influence food ordering. Two tactics - catching attention and priming imagination - can guide diners to order lighter entrées.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a tough and ultralight foam using atomic-scale materials, with properties including high strain handling and bounce-back ability. The foam can be tailored to any size and shape, and its lightweight density is 400 times less than graphite.
African rice genome sequencing enables scientists to identify traits resistant to environmental stress and develop new varieties with high-yield potential. The effort aims to solve the 9 billion-people question by creating a super-rice that requires less water, fertilizer, and pesticides.
Researchers use magnetic beads and DNA springs to create flexible polymer chains with varying stiffness. The study provides insight into the physics of 'bead-spring' polymers, which can be actuated with magnetic fields.
Researchers at Rice University and Cornell University found that African-Americans are 45% more likely than whites to switch from owning their homes to renting them. The study's findings point to a historical shift in racial stratification in American housing markets.
Rice University scientists discovered that stretching carbyne by just 3% opens a band gap, enabling semiconducting properties. This finding could revolutionize mechanically activated nanoscale electronics and optics.
A large twin study found that language delay in 24-month-old twins was significantly higher than in single-born children, with identical twins having twice the rate of late language emergence. The study suggests that language traits are highly heritable, with genes accounting for approximately 43% of the overall deficit.
A new study suggests that improving food systems on specific regions and crops can boost global food security and protect the environment. The report identifies key leverage points for reducing environmental impacts and increasing food production in six countries: China, India, U.S., Brazil, Indonesia, and Pakistan. Closing the yield g...
A meta-analysis of 88 studies on deliberate practice found that it explains 26% of the variance in performance for games, 21% for music, and 18% for sports. While practice improves performance, other personal factors also play a role in predicting success.
Researchers have developed a method to predict membrane protein folding using energy landscape theory, increasing the technique's value to disease and drug research. The study successfully determined that thermodynamic funnels hold the upper hand in folding proteins inside a membrane, similar to globular proteins.
A new study by Rice University researchers suggests that being part of a business group and participating in the Indian capital market can have a positive impact on an Indian company's stock market performance. The study found support for this notion using a longitudinal data set of over 10,000 companies.
Researchers at Rice University developed a single-molecule sensor using Raman spectroscopy and an optical amplifier, amplifying the optical signature of molecules by about 100 billion times. This technique has the potential to identify unknown molecules without prior information.
The researchers created a series of 3D prototypes with boron nitride, predicting enhanced strength, toughness, and heat transfer. The 3D nanostructure offers customized applications and potential for efficient gas storage and separation.
A new theoretical model predicts how carbon components will perform in lithium-ion batteries, providing a tool for fine-tuning electrodes. The study found a universal linear relationship between lithium binding energy and states-filling work, allowing scientists to quickly evaluate material performance without expensive computations.
A new study from Rice University found that older adults are nearly twice as likely as their younger counterparts to have memories affected by environmental distractions, leading to decreased memory accuracy and speed. This research provides valuable insights into how the brain is affected by environmental interference, critical inform...
Researchers at Rice University have developed a breakthrough silicon oxide memory technology that can be fabricated at room temperature with conventional methods. The new porous silicon oxide version improves the forming voltage and eliminates edge fabrication needs.
Researchers at Rice University have found a way to unzip carbon nanotubes into graphene nanoribbons without using chemicals, by firing them at high speeds. The process works by hitting the nanotubes broadside or lengthwise, resulting in ribbons with ragged edges that can be used for strength and electrical properties.
A new study suggests the US should broaden its definition of skilled workers to include informal skills acquired by migrant workers. The research found that many migrants acquire skills through job interactions and observation rather than formal education, which are often hidden and valuable to US labor markets.
Rice University researchers have successfully developed palladium-gold nanocatalysts that convert glycerol, a waste byproduct of biodiesel production, into valuable chemicals. The catalysts produce a 'Goldilocks' effect, striking the perfect balance between palladium and gold to achieve faster conversion rates.
Researchers at JBEI have created the first glycosyltransferase clone collection, targeting plant cell wall biosynthesis and enabling modification of biomass for fuel yields. The collection, led by Joshua Heazlewood, provides a functional genomic framework for studying GTs and their role in plant biology.
Researchers from Rice University have found evidence of the direct decay of the Higgs boson to fermions, a fundamental particle in the Standard Model. This finding strengthens the confirmation of the Higgs boson discovery and sets the stage for further exploration of its properties and potential connections to dark matter.
Researchers from Illinois and Kyoto University collaborate on a global effort to improve rice productivity through increased photosynthetic efficiency. The study aims to enhance drought tolerance in rice crops, which are critical for food security globally.
Isabell Thomann's research focuses on improving photocatalysis, a process that uses light to drive chemical reactions, with a goal of reducing carbon dioxide using sunlight. She will use an ultrafast laser spectroscopy system to study short-lived chemical intermediates and optimize the efficiency and selectivity of chemical reactions.
Researchers have developed a simple way to etch nanoscale spikes into silicon, allowing more than 99% of sunlight to reach the cells' active elements. The new process reduces costs associated with solar cell production and increases efficiency.
Researchers have created composite particles that can be injected into patients and guided by magnetic fields, allowing for improved detection of diseases. The nanoconstructs, made up of thousands of iron oxide particles, can be heated to kill malignant tissues or trigger the release of drugs at specific sites.
Researchers are developing new terahertz detectors based on carbon nanotubes that can detect light in the terahertz frequency range without cooling. This technology has promising applications in medicine, including cancer screening, and security screenings, as well as food inspection.
Researchers at Rice University have developed customized carbon nanotubes that can deliver chemotherapy agents to pancreatic cancer cells. The nanotubes are small enough to pass through the pores of cancer-related blood vessels, allowing them to target and infiltrate the nuclei of cancerous cells.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a nucleic acid-based test to detect signs of HIV and track viral loads in patients in low-resource settings. The new test, called qRPA, uses recombinase polymerase amplification and can be performed at the site of care, eliminating the need for complex lab equipment.
Physicists at Rice University have discovered a new class of materials that exhibit quantum criticality, a phenomenon closely related to high-temperature superconductivity. The research provides valuable insights into the behavior of heavy fermion metals, which could lead to a broader understanding of quantum criticality.
Researchers at Rice University have created a porous material that can capture and polymerize carbon dioxide from natural gas at ambient temperature. The material shows promise to replace more costly and energy-intensive processes, enabling the economic production of gas resources with higher carbon dioxide content.
A Rice University researcher is rebooting 'deep brain stimulation' technology to treat Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders. The new technique uses embedded processors and real-time analytics to optimize results, potentially increasing effectiveness for a third of patients.
Rice chemist Ed Billups and colleagues created nanodiamonds in hydrogenated anthracite coal, but smaller diamonds degraded with subsequent images taken under an electron microscope. The researchers found a window of stability for diamonds within a range of 19-52 angstroms.
Rice University physicist Wei Li is searching for the smallest and hottest drop of 'quark soup' in the universe, a liquid of subatomic particles that only appears at temperatures above 2 trillion kelvins. He will use the world's most powerful particle accelerator, LHC, to study quark-gluon plasma.
A first-of-its-kind study found parallel genomic changes during species formation of a Southern California stick insect, suggesting a repeatable process. The research revealed regions of the genome that exhibited significant differences between populations from different host plants.
Rice University synthetic biologist Jeff Tabor is working on a three-year project to engineer probiotic bacteria that can detect disease signals in the gut and prevent diseases such as obesity and depression. The goal is to create an edible probiotic bacterium that can help protect sailors and marines from these health issues.
A new study reveals distinct northern and southern Chinese psychological cultures, with southern China's history of rice farming contributing to its interdependent nature. The 'rice theory' proposes that centuries of cooperative rice farming have led to a more collectivist culture in southern regions.
Researchers found that high CO2 levels reduce zinc and iron content in key crops like wheat, rice, and soybeans. Nutrient deficiencies affect at least 2 billion people worldwide, highlighting the need for more research on crop responses to elevated atmospheric CO2.
Researchers created a thermogelling hydrogel that turns from liquid to semisolid at body temperature and then degrades as new bone forms, filling the space left by the original gel.
Rice University researchers have developed a tunable virus that can target and destroy cancer cells by unlocking only in the presence of two selected proteases. The virus uses peptides to lock its capsid, which is then unlocked by specific enzymes, allowing it to bind to diseased cells.
Researchers found a key indicator of ovarian cancer aggressiveness in the glutamine ratio between external and internal sources. A high ratio is associated with tumor aggression and poor survival rates.
Researchers from Rice University and Georgia Tech measured graphene's fracture toughness for the first time, finding it to be somewhat brittle. The study highlights the importance of fabricating high-quality graphene sheets without defects to ensure its structural applications.
Researchers measured graphene's fracture toughness for the first time, finding it to be significantly lower than its intrinsic strength. The study highlights the importance of fabricating high-quality graphene sheets without defects.
A study by Rice University found that state-owned companies in China were less likely to engage in strategic entrepreneurship to gain market share as the state owned more equity. This hampered innovation and hindered the companies' ability to react to changing institutional demands.