Articles tagged with Rice
Researchers at Rice University and MIT developed a thin-film polymer metamaterial that changes color in response to ions, enabling the creation of inexpensive sensors for food spoilage detection, security, and high-contrast displays. The sensors can be tuned to react in specific ways by adjusting the solvent used.
A study from Rice University found that women are twice as likely as men to use emoticons in text messages. The study also revealed that while women may use emoticons more frequently, men used a larger variety of emoticons to express themselves.
Rice University biochemist James McNew is probing the key protein atlastin in the genetic disorder HSP. The study aims to build up a better understanding of how atlastin works and why its defects cause HSP.
A study by Rice University researchers found that states without Certificate of Need regulations for open-heart surgery experienced a 4% decrease in average patient care costs. The deregulation led to increased competition among hospitals, driving up the quality of care and resulting in cost savings.
Researchers at Rice University have designed transparent, two-terminal, three-dimensional computer memories using silicon oxide and graphene. The devices show promise for electronics and sophisticated heads-up displays, with a working yield of about 80 percent.
Tadpole shrimp have been identified as a new pest of rice production systems in the midsouthern United States. The shrimp feed on rice seedlings and uproot them during foraging, causing water to become muddy and reducing light penetration.
Scientists at Rice University and UTHealth discovered a simple formula that enables Myxococcus xanthus bacteria to create waves to spread and devour other bacteria. The formula involves side-to-side contact between cells, a reversal time interval, and physical interactions, allowing the waves to move outward in unison.
Rice scientists created a computer program that predicts the most stable structures of nanometer-sized collagen, a crucial step toward synthesizing custom collagen. This breakthrough has significant implications for treating diseases and designing drugs, as collagen plays a vital role in holding cells together.
Rice University researchers create new process to manufacture stronger glass through chemical vapor deposition, enabling materials with twice the strength of current glass.
A recent study found that the abandonment of rice cultivation in Taiwanese paddies has led to an increase in disease-carrying ticks and chiggers, resulting in higher incidence rates of scrub typhus. This demonstrates the potential for global commodities pricing to drive the spread of infections.
Researchers at Rice University and three other US institutions are embarking on a five-year study to uncover the causes of hemoglobin toxicity in blood plasma. The study aims to develop strategies to prevent, reduce or reverse acellular hemoglobin toxicity.
Researchers have identified three genes responsible for hybrid sterility in rice, controlling fertility in indica-japonica hybrids by targeting female gametes and stabilizing cell membranes. The study may lead to the development of non-lethal hybrid combinations, improving crop genetics.
Researchers have identified genes that can be used to select low-cadmium accumulating crop varieties, offering a potential solution to reducing toxic levels in food. By understanding the mechanisms of Cd uptake in plants, scientists aim to develop targeted breeding strategies for crops like rice, wheat, and potatoes.
Researchers at Rice University developed a methodology to optimize the sensitivity of photoluminescent probes using time-resolved spectroscopy. Their technique gave results nearly twice as good as standard fluorescence spectroscopy when probed for specific DNA sequences, improving signal-to-background noise ratio.
Researchers have developed a method to make flexible lithium-ion battery components from discarded silicon, which can prolong their usefulness. The new material is made by creating nanowires from high-value but hard-to-recycle silicon and then encasing them in an electrically conducting copper and ion-conducting polymer electrolyte.
Rice University researchers have developed a nanoreactor theory to predict graphene formation, which can advance the material's quality and electronic properties. The team found that the shape of the graphene edge pattern is dictated by the most efficient use of energy, with skewed edges growing fastest.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a nanoparticle that can restore balance to the brain's vascular system after an injury. The PEG-HCC nanoparticles immediately quench superoxide activity and allow the autoregulatory system to regain its balance, potentially treating mild brain trauma by preventing further damage.
Researchers from Rice University unveiled a new multi-antenna technology dubbed Argos, which aims to dramatically increase network capacity by allowing cell towers to simultaneously beam signals to more than a dozen customers on the same frequency. The technology could result in a six-fold increase in network capacity and energy savings.
A new robotic exoskeleton and EEG-based neural interface are being developed to help stroke patients regain upper-limb function. The system will interpret brain waves to control the exoskeleton, allowing patients to willingly operate it with their thoughts.
A team of researchers aims to grow whole salivary glands using patient's own cells to replace those destroyed by cancer radiation therapy, benefiting thousands of cancer patients with dry mouth. The regenerative method could also help those with Sjögren's syndrome, a chronic disease that affects moisture-producing glands.
OpenStax College's free physics and sociology textbooks have been adopted by 55 colleges, saving students at least $1 million this fall. The publisher expects to reach its five-year goal of saving 1 million college students $95 million.
A Rice University researcher has received a National Institutes of Health grant to study the effects of delay in gene transcription on cellular processes. The goal is to create techniques for generating and analyzing models of gene networks that incorporate delay, which can help predict how genetic networks function and fail.
Researchers at Rice University will study how bacterial decision-making occurs at the molecular level, aiming to improve medical applications and environmental remediation. The project combines computational and experimental techniques to bridge the gap in understanding biological systems.
Researchers at Rice University and Lockheed Martin have developed a process to create multiple high-performance anodes from a single silicon wafer for lithium-ion batteries. The new method uses electrochemical etching to extract the sponge-like structure, which can store more than four times its weight in lithium.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered that plasmonic chains exhibit properties similar to polymers, with the arrangement of nanoparticles influencing their optical behavior. The study found that the addition of nanoparticles along the chain can alter the energy of super-radiant modes and affect the interaction between particles.
Researchers at Rice University detail the exact mechanism of how carbon nanotubes bend and break when subjected to ultrasonic vibrations in a liquid. The study reveals that long and short nanotubes behave differently, with shorter tubes stretching and longer ones bending before snapping.
A study analyzing 235 types of rice found its glycemic index (GI) varies greatly among types, with most scoring a low to medium GI. This allows consumers, including those with diabetes or at risk, to select rice varieties for a healthy diet.
A new study by Utpal Dholakia at Rice University found that daily deals are becoming increasingly successful for businesses, with three-quarters reporting profits after seven or more deals. The study also reveals that newer and smaller businesses tend to perform better in the long term, with sustainability rates of up to 40%.
A team of researchers, including a Rice astrophysicist, used Doppler measurements to observe loops of plasma flowing up from the sun's surface at high speeds. These findings may help predict solar flares and coronal mass ejections that threaten satellites and power grids.
Rice researchers have developed a paintable lithium-ion battery with a five-layer structure, consisting of spray-painted components. The batteries were tested on various substrates and showed remarkable consistency in their capacities, making them suitable for energy-harvesting applications.
A new type of paint made with carbon nanotubes can help detect strain in buildings, bridges, and airplanes. This method provides a big advantage over conventional strain gauges, which must be physically connected to their read-out devices.
A new study by Rice University and the University of Colorado at Boulder found that US life expectancy has stagnated over the past century, with the poorest citizens living approximately five years less than more affluent persons. The study also found that despite moderate gains in coming years, the US still trails its developed counte...
Electronic asymmetry was discovered in iron-based high-temperature superconductors, providing new insights into their behavior. The study found that this asymmetry is a result of collective electronic behavior and may be essential for the material's superconductivity.
The study found that iron is the best and quickest catalyst to heal topological defects in nanotubes, which are critical for advanced materials. The researchers determined that healing occurs in a small zone near the catalyst and can happen in a fraction of a millisecond.
Researchers create DCA-fold tool to spot subtle interactions between amino acids in proteins, refining methods for predicting protein form and function. The new method uses genomic sequence information to eliminate possibilities from the range of forms a protein might take.
A new study finds strongly conserved parts of proteins responsible for knotted portions display remarkable similarities among species separated by more than a billion years. Slipknotted proteins, rare but essential for cell membrane stability, are also widely distributed across different families and species.
A new study by Rice University and Long Island University found that corporate political activity is negatively associated with market performance. Firms' political investments also worsen both market and accounting performance.
The new encoding method takes advantage of PCM's asymmetric physics, reducing energy consumption and 'memory wear'. Researchers from Rice University and UCLA unveiled a breakthrough at the IEEE/ACM Design Automation Conference.
Researchers at Rice University have created a tiny coaxial cable that is about a thousand times smaller than a human hair and has higher capacitance than previously reported microcapacitors. The nanocable, made with carbon and copper, could be used to build next-generation energy-storage systems.
A Rice University study identifies over a dozen Gulf Coast bridges at risk of severe damage in a hurricane with stronger winds than Hurricane Ike. The research helps public safety officials plan emergency responses and identify potential fixes for existing bridges.
Researchers identified patterns in protein expression and found nearly 700 protein pairs implicated in networks of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. The goal is to tailor therapy by targeting specific protein signaling pathways, which may lead to improved treatment outcomes.
A new study found that liberals and conservatives tend to donate more to charities aligned with their respective moral foundations. Republicans are more likely to donate when a charity supports traditional values and loyalty, while Democrats are more inclined to donate when the emphasis is on equality and protection from harm.
A new study from Rice University and others found that hiding one's true identity at work can lead to decreased job satisfaction and increased turnover. Expressing one's true identity in the workplace, on the other hand, can have a positive impact on interpersonal relationships and create a more inclusive environment.
Researchers have identified dozens of zeolite minerals that can improve the energy efficiency of carbon capture technology, reducing 'parasitic energy' costs by up to 30%. The new materials could significantly enhance the feasibility of capturing CO2 from power plant emissions and storing it underground.
A new study by Rice University's Baker Institute examines how the US has adapted its cyber policy in response to pivotal events such as the Arab Spring revolutions, Internet crackdowns, and social media use. The research highlights the increasing importance of digital international communications to US foreign policy.
Key figures like Egypt's Esraa Abdel Fattah and Tunisia's Lina Ben Mhenni used social media to organize protests and bridge with mainstream media. The study highlights the crucial role of women in the Arab Spring revolutions, transcending traditional gender roles and communication methods.
Researchers find a new method to reversibly change VO2's behavior by exposing it to hydrogen, altering its electronic and structural properties. The findings could lead to better understanding of the material's physics and potential applications in ultrasensitive sensors.
Researchers unveiled an inexact computer chip that allows for occasional errors, boosting performance by at least 15 times. The design improves power and resource efficiency by pruning sections of digital circuits and using confined voltage scaling.
A team of Rice engineering seniors designed a prototype device that uses suction cups attached to a vacuum pump to gently lift the abdomens of obese patients who are on their backs and under light sedation. The device, called R-Aides, could be invaluable to surgeons performing operations involving the upper or lower body.
Beyond Traditional Borders (BTB) has produced 58 low-cost health technologies, including LED-based phototherapy lights and a portable fluorescence microscope. The program challenges students to develop practical solutions to real-world health care problems in the developing world.
Researchers found that traditional 'quasiparticle' theory breaks down at 'quantum critical point', where electrons behave strangely. The study used heavy-fermion metals to show a breakdown in fundamental concepts of Landau-Fermi liquid theory.
Researchers have discovered a low-cost, efficient alternative to silicon-based solar cells using nanotube electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells. The single-wall nanotube arrays show high electroactivity and potential for cheaper production than platinum, leading to improved efficiency and robustness.
Researchers at Rice University and Penn State University discovered a material that can absorb oil spilled in water due to the addition of boron to carbon nanotubes. The nanosponges have a high surface area, conduct electricity, and can be manipulated with magnets.
Climate change is expected to reduce agriculture productivity by up to 50% in Southeast Asia, posing a significant threat to food security. Climate-smart agriculture has become crucial for the region's adaptation strategy, focusing on innovations to adapt agriculture to wild swings in climate extremes.
A new study at Rice University reveals that plant defenses are enhanced when plants are touched, triggering an insect defense response. This response is mediated by the plant hormone jasmonate, which plays a critical role in initiating plant defenses against insect-eating insects and some fungal infections.
A new study by Rice University scientists found that nature conspires to keep most of Earth's copper buried dozens of miles below ground. The researchers examined arc magmas and discovered sulfides, which are minerals containing reduced forms of sulfur bonded to metals like copper.
The research team aims to create automated program-synthesis tools for various applications, including robotic tasks. The goal is to help human programmers write code faster and with fewer errors by leveraging intelligent software agents.
A Rice University study found that federal efforts were most effective at reducing pollutants, while state implementation plans played a smaller role. The study's findings suggest that nationally, ozone levels have improved substantially due to federal and EPA efforts.
Researchers at Rice University created starfruit-shaped gold nanorods that can enhance surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, allowing for more sensitive detection of organic molecules. The particles return signals 25 times stronger than similar nanorods with smooth surfaces.
Rice University researchers have developed a transparent memory chip using silicon oxide, which can combine with transparent electrodes and integrated circuits. The technology has the potential to create flexible and transparent electronics, such as see-through cellphones.