Research on rice as a crop and staple food. Covers fertilizer and emissions trade-offs, biochar and heavy metals, and heat resilience.
Researchers discovered that married couples tend to select partners based on their social and political attitudes rather than physical traits or personality. This finding suggests that people place more emphasis on finding a kindred spirit for politics, religion, and social activities.
A Rice University study found that daily deal promotions can be effective for retail startup businesses in local markets, increasing profits by up to 30% when unredeemed Groupons are accounted for. The promotion also brought greater exposure, earning revenues almost 140% higher than expected.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new technology that could dramatically improve solar energy panels by merging nanoscale antennas with semiconductors. This technique allows the capture of infrared light's energy, which is currently unable to be converted into electricity in silicon-based solar cells.
A new study from Rice University found that 72 scientists, many of whom identify as atheist, possess a spirituality consistent with science. These 'spiritual atheist' scientists believe in a core sense of truth generated by their work as scientists, and see both science and spirituality as meaning-making without faith.
A team of genome researchers has concluded that domesticated rice may have first appeared as far back as approximately 9,000 years ago in the Yangtze Valley of China. The study used large-scale gene re-sequencing to analyze the evolutionary history of domesticated rice.
A team of scientists led by Rice University geologist Alan Levander has figured out why the Colorado Plateau is rising even as parts of its lower crust appear to be falling. The region's uplift is caused by magmatic material from the depths slowly rising to invade the lithosphere, causing layers to peel away and sink.
Rice University bioengineering students collaborate with the Texas Heart Institute to create unique AED pads that allow rescuers to try again without losing valuable time. The pads have been tested with 100% success rate and are being patented, with hopes of being picked up by an AED manufacturer for FDA approval.
The SSPEED Center will focus on four key areas: the Houston Ship Channel, Galveston Bay, Galveston city, and low-lying coastal lands. The goal is to develop and evaluate alternative concepts for protecting these areas in light of new regulations.
Physicists at Rice University have detected the heaviest antimatter particle ever observed, antihelium-4, using a time-of-flight detector designed at the institution. The discovery provides new insights into the conditions of the early universe and the existence of antimatter galaxies.
A team of Rice University bioengineering students has developed a portable device that controls air around the eyes to help doctors diagnose dry eye. The ClimaTears device uses modified goggles with embedded data sensors to monitor temperature, humidity, and air flow, providing clues about treatment options.
The updated studies will provide long-term projections and help researchers identify new trends using 2010 census data. This living resource will be available online and continuously updated to inform policymakers.
Despite economic anxiety, most Houstonians believe in an improving quality of life locally and consider the city a better place to live. They are also willing to support policies that moderate inequalities and nurture a more educated workforce.
Scientists at Rice University and Texas A&M have developed a method to pattern active proteins into bio-friendly fibers. The new work simplifies the process of making materials with fully functional proteins, opening up possibilities for chemical catalysts, biosensors, tissue engineering, and more.
A team of bioengineers at Rice University is developing new materials to grow replacement heart valves using gel-like scaffolds that mimic the complex structure and physical properties of heart-valve tissues. The goal is to create living valves that use a patient's own cells, eliminating tissue rejection.
A study from Rice University found that placing multiracial adults into single-race categories can alter patterns of racial health disparities. Multiracial adults are more likely to report poor health, despite identifying with healthier single-race groups.
Rice University and nonprofit Technology For All launch free community broadband Wi-Fi network in East Houston neighborhood, providing underserved residents with reliable internet access. The network uses dynamic spectrum access technology to automatically shift between traditional Wi-Fi and unused TV channels for optimal coverage.
Researchers used X-ray CT scanners to analyze rice plant traits, improving measurement accuracy and reducing costs. This technology aids in selecting plants with the best tillers, crucial for crop success.
Biocontainers offer a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic containers, with rice hulls showing the highest vertical dry strength and lowest water loss rates. Researchers recommend selecting biocontainers based on specific physical properties to meet greenhouse needs.
Researchers will investigate how transposable elements in rice plants adapt to environmental changes, with implications for understanding TE impact on gene expression and organismal responses. The team aims to document the global impact of a TE burst in any organism and develop resources for tracking TE movement.
Researchers at Rice University have created a synthetic material that gets stronger from repeated stress much like the body strengthens bones and muscles after repeated workouts. The team found that dynamic stress is necessary to improve the stiffness of the composite, unlike static loads.
The UK and Vietnam are collaborating on a major effort to improve flood, drought, salt and pest tolerance in rice, addressing growing population demands and climate change threats. The project will sequence the genomes of 30 rice varieties, developing an important genomics platform for breeding rice with improved traits.
Researchers used image-analysis methods to analyze microcinematic movies of bacteria forming aggregates, revealing that size matters most in predicting survival. The team found a signaling mechanism within the aggregate itself that trumps neighbor-related factors, contradicting existing theories.
A collaborative EUREKA project developed an integrated pest management system, reducing rice waste by over 95% through sustainable technologies. The system uses electronic insect traps, aeration, and modified atmosphere to protect rice during storage, improving quality and food security.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new pruning technique to trim away unnecessary circuits in computer chips, resulting in faster and more energy-efficient devices. The method uses probabilistic computing to boost performance while reducing power demands.
Researchers at Rice University and Georgia Tech found evidence for three distinct layers of working memory, including a core focusing on one active item and surrounding areas holding multiple items. Predictability can improve multitasking by automizing certain tasks, allowing individuals to effectively switch between tasks.
A new study by Rice University's Baker Institute found that US researchers who collaborate with international scientists receive more citations and greater recognition than their peers. This is particularly true when the US scientist is a corresponding author, with an average of 20.3 citations compared to 15.0 for independent publicati...
Researchers found that flood-tolerant rice plants with the Sub1A gene not only survive flooding but also recover well from drought, growing new shoots. This breakthrough could greatly benefit rice growers and consumers globally.
A Rice University lab has created a technique to disperse single-walled carbon nanotubes in water using ruthenium complexes, keeping their unique properties intact. The new approach allows for the simultaneous addition of functionalities, advancing applications in imaging sensors, catalysis, and solar-activated hydrogen fuel cells.
Researchers discovered that young children living in public housing spend more time playing outdoors than their peers, with a significant link to lower body mass indexes (BMIs). Mothers' perceptions of neighborhood environments also played a key role in predicting children's outdoor playtime and TV watching habits.
A new study by Rice University researchers found that countries with defensive military alliances are less likely to be attacked, and these alliances do not increase the likelihood of aggression. The study analyzed defense agreements from 1816 to 2001 and suggests that such alliances can make war and militarized conflicts shorter.
Researchers create microsponges that capture biomarkers, enabling rapid disease diagnosis with high accuracy. The technology has the potential to replace traditional diagnostic methods at a lower cost.
Scientists used single molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) techniques combined with wavelet transforms to study the AMPA receptor's behavior. They identified four distinct conformations of the receptor and found that its 'cleft' is constantly opening and closing, exploring space for neurotransmitters.
Researchers Anatoly Kolomeisky and Alexey Akimov decoded the behavior of molecular whirligigs attached to a gold surface through simulations. Their findings could lead to new materials in nanoscale machines, including radio filters with finely tuned signals.
Jason Hafner's research on gold nanostars has led to breakthroughs in sensing, imaging, and medicine. He also discovered a method to measure large electrical fields inside cell membranes.
Researchers found that about a third of wild-collected Dictyamoeba are 'farmers' who store bacteria as food and thrive in environments where others struggle to find sustenance. The study's findings suggest potential insights into the development of new treatments for diseases like tuberculosis.
Scientists have successfully grown the blood vessels and capillaries needed to keep tissues alive, paving the way for transplantable tissue growth. By mimicking the body's extracellular matrix and using light to create soft hydrogels, researchers were able to form functioning capillary networks in just 72 hours.
Rice University researchers have developed a method to enhance the effectiveness of a common disinfectant, increasing its ability to degrade aerosol- and water-borne viruses by more than three times. The new technique involves adding silicone to titanium dioxide, which is widely used in paints, sunscreen, and food coloring.
Research from Rice University and other institutions shows that employees in neutral professions spend more energy suppressing emotions, leading to burnout. Neutral expressions also lead to less positive customer reactions and lower ratings.
Rice University researchers settle a long-standing controversy in polymer dynamics by proving that flexibility enhances the mobility of stiff filaments. The study shows that nanotubes and other fine filaments can navigate through crowded environments and fixed networks with ease, paving the way for new sensing technologies.
A Rice University researcher says the new logo could generate more brand loyalty among new customers in Asian markets, which tend to value collectivist and interdependent cultures. The study found that rounded logos are more acceptable in these cultures than angular ones.
Researchers from Kansas State University have identified three resistance genes in rice that can be mutated to build resistance against pathogens. They discovered these genes by studying how bacteria take over plant nutrients, providing insight into ways to reduce crop losses and develop new medicinal research avenues.
A new study from Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business found that customers participating in eBay's online communities became more educated on buying and selling processes. This increased education led to more conservative buying habits and more effective selling strategies, benefiting both buyers and sellers.
A US-European team has found that magnetism drives unconventional superconductivity in heavy-fermion materials, with magnetic energy saved by over 10 times when the system enters a superconducting state. The study provides evidence for collective fluctuations of electrons at the border of magnetism as capable of driving superconductivity.
A new study reveals that Mexican immigrants who are more integrated into US culture appear less healthy and more likely to require healthcare resources. Men tend to report better health than women, but their health declines faster as they adapt to the US.
Rice University researchers have developed a technique to measure the temperature of molecules using Raman spectroscopy and an optical antenna. They found that they could detect temperature fluctuations of up to 20 degrees in the molecules, which will be useful for the molecular electronics community.
A new study by researchers at Duke University reveals that Mexican American men and women have different experiences with the US healthcare system, with men facing greater challenges as they age. Women, particularly those more recently arrived in the US, report poorer health due to their increased interactions with healthcare providers.
Rice University researchers have developed microbatteries with nanowire 'hearts' that can store more energy and charge faster than traditional lithium-ion batteries. The batteries employ vertical arrays of nickel-tin nanowires encased in a PMMA polymer, which insulates the wires and allows ions to pass through.
The project aims to unlock the secrets of nature's best camouflage artists, specifically cephalopod skins, to create adaptive and responsive materials. The team will investigate light sensing and use it to regulate skin patterns, colors, and contrasts.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a highly sensitive microwave detector using ultrapure gallium arsenide semiconductors. The discovery could enable the creation of next-generation computers with higher clock speeds, potentially reaching 100 GHz.
Scientists at Rice University have discovered that poly(dA) repeats behave differently when stretched, requiring less force to lengthen without additional effort. The findings raise more questions about the role these repeats play in gene regulation and genome packaging.
Rice University researchers found that adding tiny amounts of ozone to single-walled carbon nanotubes decorates them with oxygen atoms, enhancing their near-infrared fluorescence intensity and shifting the wavelength. The process is simple enough for a physical chemist to do, and lab tests showed stable fluorescent properties for months.
A new study from Rice University found that players are more likely to imitate high-status leaders and ignore low-status leaders in a repeated public-goods game. Contributions from followers with low-status leaders dropped off even as their leaders increased their contributions, showing the importance of leader status on cooperation.
Researchers used multidimensional scaling to create a graphical plot of amino acid sequence data for all strains of H3N2, predicting the dominant strain with high accuracy. The new method can predict whether a new flu strain will become dominant as little as two weeks after its appearance in GenBank, outperforming current methods.
Researchers at Rice University have developed gadonanotubes that can effectively track mesenchymal stem cells through magnetic resonance imaging, potentially improving disease diagnosis and treatment. The study found that GNTs are 40 times better than standard contrast agents in helping doctors spot signs of disease or damage.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a method to produce high-quality graphene using plain table sugar and other carbon-based substances. The process, which can be done in just one step, produces large-area sheets of graphene at low temperatures.
The Global Rice Science Partnership (GRiSP) launches a research initiative to improve rice yields and reduce environmental impact. The project aims to lift 150 million people out of poverty by 2035 and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide.
Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Research are developing wireless sensing networks to monitor field conditions in rice and cotton production. The systems use sensors to track temperature, soil moisture, and fiber quality, enabling farmers to make data-driven decisions. This technology has the potential to improve crop management, incr...
The GRiSP initiative is expected to lift 150 million people out of poverty by 2035 and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide. The partnership will deploy rice's genetic diversity, break the yield barrier in rice production, and breed climate-ready rice.
A study at Rice University found that female candidates are described in more communal terms, which can negatively impact their hiring chances. The researchers suggest that traditional gender schemas contribute to these biases, highlighting the need for increased awareness of subtle discrimination in academia and management roles.
Researchers find that kinesins, powerful cargo-moving proteins, struggle to coordinate their efforts when paired, leading to inconsistent cargo transport. This discovery sheds light on the complex mechanisms governing intracellular transport and its link to neurodegenerative diseases.