Articles tagged with Rice
A new study from Rice University found that university workplace bias against scientists and engineers who use flexible work arrangements may increase employee dissatisfaction and turnover, even for those without children. The research suggests that flexibility stigma can lead to a toxic culture that affects department productivity.
A Rice University analysis of state implementation plans reveals that most urban areas have met the next benchmark for reducing airborne particulate matter. The study found that PM 2.5 concentrations declined by an average 2.6 micrograms per cubic meter in regions that filed SIPs to attain the standard by 2009.
Researchers found a previously unknown binding interface between Bcl-2 and NAF-1 proteins, which could be addressed by medication. The study's findings have implications for treating cancer and age-related diseases.
A study from Rice University found that consumers who shop for leisure travel during business hours tend to select higher quality hotels but are less satisfied with their stay. Consumers who book earlier and pay in advance also tend to be more satisfied.
The LEGATO project aims to optimize rice ecosystem functions and services in Southeast Asia, addressing climate change and food security challenges. Preliminary results show that silicon supplementation enhances rice plant strength and resistance to pathogens.
A Rice University and Duke University study found that modifying homework procedures improved exam scores without changing the course curriculum. The study used cognitive science principles, including repeated retrieval practice, spacing, and immediate feedback, to develop inexpensive yet effective educational changes.
Researchers found that grain farmers in India face regulatory barriers and lack of incentives to invest in on-farm storage, hindering market integration. Small innovations can encourage independent traders to enter the market, benefiting farmers with access to better prices.
Biophysicists at Rice University developed a computational technique that combines genetic and structural data to analyze complex molecular machines. The technique, called DCA, reveals previously unknown details about protein transitions between functional states.
Researchers have developed a toolkit of genes and hardware using colored lights and engineered bacteria to test and debug genetic circuits. By varying the timing and intensity of lights, they can control exactly when and how much different genes are expressed.
A University of Illinois study found that mothers participating in a vocational training program gained a network of peers, leading to increased bargaining strength and improved children's consumption of rice and dairy. The program empowered women, allowing them to exert more say over household resources.
A Rice University-led team of researchers found that liver cells up-regulate glycolytic pathway to produce more energy in response to disease, leading to net gain in metabolic output. The study suggests new treatments to delay liver failure by boosting glycolytic energy production.
A national survey by Indiana University researcher Shahzeen Attari found that nearly 43% of participants cited taking shorter showers, despite toilets using the most water daily. The study highlights the importance of efficiency improvements like replacing toilets and retrofitting washing machines to conserve water.
Researchers found that smartphone owners made fewer errors on the mobile voting system than traditional voting methods. The study suggests incorporating smartphone-based voting systems into the current process could improve efficiency and usability.
Leto Solutions, a UTSA medical device startup, was recognized for its promising business opportunity and high-value commercialization. The company's Aquilonix Prosthesis Cooling System resolves heat-related issues common to lower limb amputees., Developed by UTSA engineering and business seniors who won a technology venture competition.
A Rice University lab has invented a tabletop device to evaluate the efficiency of oil and gas wells by analyzing nanoparticle movement. The device simulates the long path nanoparticles travel through deep rock formations, providing valuable information for producers.
Rice University researchers conducted a two-year census of 4,500 possible cap formations for nanotubes, finding that the elastic energy landscapes involved in cap formation do not dictate the nanotube's chirality. Instead, other factors such as catalyst interaction and energy landscape play a crucial role.
A new survey of over 10,000 Americans found that nearly 50% of evangelicals believe science and religion can work together, contrary to public perception. The study also showed that scientists are more likely to practice their faith than the general population, challenging conventional wisdom.
Carbon nanotube-based fibers have been shown to carry electrical current up to four times that of copper wires of the same mass. The fibers' ability to transmit current makes them ideal for lightweight power transmission in aerospace applications, where weight is a significant factor.
A new study from Rice University and the University of North Texas suggests that physical similarity is not the dominant rule in human mating when it comes to height preferences. Women prefer taller partners mostly for protection and femininity, while men prefer shorter women but not extremely short ones for intimacy purposes.
Researchers have created a rapid, affordable diagnostic test for cryptosporidiosis using recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) technique. The test can detect the presence of even one parasite in a sample, with high accuracy rates, and requires minimal equipment.
Scientists at Rice University and Russia have calculated a road map for creating ultra-thin diamond films without high pressure. The 'phase diagram' outlines conditions necessary to turn stacked graphene sheets into flawless diamond lattices, with potential applications in nanocapacitors, electronics, and nano-optics.
Researchers at Rice University measured the speed and efficiency of excited 'hot' electrons drawn from gold nanoparticles into a sheet of graphene. They found that graphene accelerated damping of plasmons, shortening its lifetime, and calculated the electrons' transfer time.
A clinical study published in PLOS ONE found that the low-cost 'bubble CPAP' device increased neonatal survival rates by 27% compared to standard care, saving an estimated 178,000 lives annually. The technology, developed by Rice University students, is a cheaper alternative to conventional CPAP machines.
A recent study found that companies that successfully achieve a dual emphasis of improving efficiency and customer satisfaction experience the highest increase in long-term financial performance. The research suggests that ignoring customers during mergers can lead to missed opportunities and decreased value for firms.
Rice University scientists create method to quantify how mutations affect protein pairs' ability to transmit signals. The new metric helps understand crosstalk and specificity in two-component systems, essential for bioengineering applications.
Rice University laser scientists have developed a highly sensitive portable sensor to test the air for nitrous oxide and methane. The device uses a thumbnail-sized quantum cascade laser and tuning forks, and can detect trace amounts of these greenhouse gases in as little as a second.
Researchers create method to pinpoint locations for single proteins and improve chromatography process, leading to faster and cheaper drug production. This breakthrough could widen bottleneck in pharmaceutical industry and expand application to other industries.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a novel biosensor that can detect multiple strains of salmonella pathogens in food quickly and easily. The sensor uses microcantilevers decorated with peptides to identify the presence of specific bacteria, delivering results within minutes and outperforming existing standard tests.
Researchers at Rice University found that they can control the bonds between atoms in a molecule by applying a voltage and running an electric current through a single buckyball. The effect appears when the buckyball attaches to a gold surface, causing its internal bonds to undergo a subtle shift.
Researchers at Rice University have found that motor proteins cooperate differently, with myosinVa producing more force than kinesin-1. This cooperation is crucial for regulating the transport of organelles within cells, and breakdowns in motor function are implicated in human diseases.
Researchers created a robust synthetic genetic clock in E. coli bacteria to regulate protein production accurately across a wide temperature range. The breakthrough resolves a long-standing problem in synthetic biology and has potential applications in biotechnology and reprogramming cellular regulatory mechanisms.
RAMBO allows researchers to run spectroscopy-based experiments in pulsed magnetic fields of up to 30 tesla on a tabletop. The device enables direct optical access to the sample and combines ultrastrong magnetic fields with short and intense optical pulses.
Scientists have discovered 'superbugs' carrying multidrug-resistant bacteria in treated wastewater from two plants in northern China. The study reveals the microbes breed and spread their dangerous cargo, highlighting a significant public health risk.
Rice University scientists have developed a spray-on coating made from graphene nanoribbons that can melt ice on sensitive radar domes without interfering with radio frequencies. The material is also transparent and durable, making it a promising competitor to existing deicing technologies.
Researchers at Rice University found that blending more ethanol into fuel can lead to the release of toxic or explosive gases, which can accumulate in buildings and pose health risks. The study highlights the need for new thinking on managing vapor-intrusion risks due to fuel spills.
Researchers have discovered new abilities to manipulate light and sound using structured polymers, which could lead to breakthroughs in computing, sensing technology, and soundproofing. The findings suggest the potential for creating thin soundproofing materials that can guide rather than absorb sound.
A study from Rice University found that pregnant women face more interpersonal hostility in the job search process than non-pregnant women. Addressing stereotypes, particularly inflexibility and commitment levels, can nearly triple their chances of avoiding such treatment.
Researchers have developed a hydrogel scaffold that solidifies into a gel at body temperature, providing a platform for functional and aesthetic tissue regeneration. The material is intended as an alternative to prefabricated implantable scaffolds and can be injected to the point of need.
In a breakthrough discovery, Rice University researchers found that free electrons in metallic and doped carbon nanotubes create plasmons at terahertz frequencies, enabling the potential for advanced optoelectronic devices. This finding clarifies the origin of the previously observed terahertz peak in nanotubes.
Researchers develop composite material that can change shape in response to temperature, enabling applications such as dynamic scaffolds and implantable materials. The material's reversible properties make it suitable for biomedical applications where shape changes need to be repeated.
Rice University scientists have discovered a simple method for producing graphene quantum dots in bulk from coal, opening up new opportunities for medical imaging, sensing, and electronic applications. The process allows for control over the size of the dots, which can be tuned to produce different fluorescent wavelengths.
Rice University researchers have developed a new method to identify previously hidden details about proteins' structures, potentially accelerating novel drug design. By combining structural data and genomic analysis, the team predicted intermediate configurations of proteins that were hard to detect.
Scientists at Rice University and MARUM developed a new computerized model to simulate the complex chemistry at the boundary layer, where quartz and water meet. The model accurately predicts dissolution rates, which could revolutionize engineering calculations related to building materials and radioactive waste storage.
A new Rice University study explores the complex relationship between self-evaluations and supportive behaviors towards environmental issues. Researchers found that individuals who experience mixed self-evaluations, including both positive self-assets and negative self-doubt, tend to exhibit less extensive issue-supportive behavior.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered aluminum's valuable plasmonic properties, which make it suitable for harvesting solar energy and creating large-area optical devices. The study also found that aluminum exhibits quantum mechanical effects stronger than gold in certain nanomatryushka structures.
Researchers at Rice University discovered the mechanism behind superfluorescent bursts in quantum wells, enabling compact semiconductor devices to produce picosecond pulses of light. The discovery may lead to new telecommunications equipment and other devices transmitting signals at picosecond speeds.
The John S. Dunn Foundation awards seed grants to researchers at Rice University's BioScience Research Collaborative to support new collaborations in cancer diagnosis and treatment, vascular health, and plant-inspired energy conversion. The grants aim to foster interdisciplinary and multi-institutional research.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a new catalyst that can rapidly break down nitrites, a harmful contaminant found in drinking water. Gold-palladium nanocatalysts are up to 15 times more efficient than pure palladium nanocatalysts in breaking down nitrites.
Rice University researchers used computer models to study the behavior of misfolded proteins, finding that they can form branching structures similar to those found in spider silk. These structures may be an early stage in the formation of amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease.
A new study by Erin Cech at Rice University found that engineering students leave college less concerned about public welfare than when they entered. The research suggests that engineering education may foster a culture of disengagement regarding public welfare issues.
Researchers found that two types of iron-based superconductors employ similar coupling between electrons in their superconducting state. Understanding this mechanism may help create even better superconductors with higher transition temperatures.
Researchers are creating new statistical tools to analyze massive amounts of cancer data and identify hidden relationships between biomarkers. The goal is to develop a framework that can combine continuous and noncontinuous variables, allowing for more accurate insights into the complex nature of cancer.
A low-cost device invented by Rice University students to help premature babies breathe more easily will be expanded to teaching hospitals in three African nations. The technology, known as bubble CPAP, has been shown to increase survival rates of newborns with respiratory distress by 27 percent.
Researchers at Rice University discovered that imperfections in two-dimensional materials can create nanoscale magnetic fields. The study suggests a new degree of freedom for electronics, allowing for enhanced efficiency and enriched functions.
Researchers found that individuals with high conscientiousness traits are more likely to exhibit effective behavior in customer service situations. The study suggests that personality plays a significant role in shaping customers' experiences.
Researchers found that plants with semi-dwarfism in wild Arabidopsis species have a mutated GA20ox1 allele, similar to those in rice and barley varieties bred for high yields. The mutation alters the gibberellin biosynthesis pathway, but other genes compensate for its effects.
A new computational method at Rice University accurately predicts the adsorption of gases by porous zeolites, enabling labs to screen potential materials before expensive experiments. The method could aid in developing fuels that meet Department of Energy standards and improve zeolite properties.
Researchers at Rice University discovered that the accumulation of von Willebrand factor (VWF) in heart valve tissues contributes to their progressive hardening with age. As tissues from pig valves are commonly used to make human heart-valve replacements, VWF helps regulate blood clotting in both pigs and humans.
A team of geoscientists is building a whole-Earth model to understand long-term climate change on Earth. They will examine how carbon moves between the planet's external and internal systems, including the oceans, atmosphere, and deep Earth.
A new study by sociologists at Rice University and the University of Pennsylvania found that divorced individuals are more than twice as likely to die from preventable causes such as fire, poisoning, and smoke inhalation. Single people and those with low educational attainment also face a higher risk of accidental death.