Research on rice as a crop and staple food. Covers fertilizer and emissions trade-offs, biochar and heavy metals, and heat resilience.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $101.9 million to ASPB member researchers under its Plant Genome Research Program, advancing plant genomics and improving agricultural productivity. The projects will also engage the public in outreach and educational activities.
A new study by Rice University researchers found that customers who participate in firm-sponsored surveys after a service experience may delay their next purchase. However, the study also found that these surveys can have net positive effects on customer behavior over time.
A study by Purdue University found that rice hulls can be used as a sustainable substitute for perlite in growing media, reducing the need for plant growth regulators and energy-intensive mining processes. The findings have potential to increase profits for rice growers and reduce costs for greenhouse plant growers.
A study found significant variability in monacolin levels among commercial red yeast rice supplements, ranging from 0.31 to 11.15 milligrams per capsule. The presence of citrinin, a potentially toxic compound, was detected in one-third of the products.
The Rice University think tank aims to recycle carbon dioxide into useful products, partnering with energy companies to make carbon a profitable resource. Strategies include repurposing CO2 as a feedstock for chemicals or sequestering it in oil wells.
A new study suggests that black rice bran extract can reduce skin inflammation by 32% compared to control animals. Feeding mice a diet with black rice bran also showed a significant reduction in swelling associated with allergic contact dermatitis.
Triple-mode transistors based on graphene can switch between positive and negative carriers, providing opportunities not possible with traditional single-transistor architectures. This property enables the transistor to be used in various applications such as wireless and audio signaling schemes.
Rice University scientists have created a new type of silicon anode that can store more than 10 times the amount of lithium as current graphite-based anodes. The breakthrough could lead to significant increases in battery performance and lifespan, making electric cars more efficient and cost-effective.
The IT industry is on pace to grow its carbon emissions at twice the rate of its contributions to gross domestic product. The study found that green innovation will be essential for ICT profitability in a carbon-constrained economy.
The grant supports the lab's transition to analyzing data from a new detector, enabling researchers to identify 96% of subatomic particles in collisions. The project aims to study hot and dense matter, including its critical point, and understand the early state of the universe.
A recent study published in Field Crops Research found that the 'miracle rice' variety IR8 has seen a 15% drop in yield since its release in the 1960s, mainly due to environmental factors. Ongoing breeding efforts are necessary to help farmers cope with changing climate conditions.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a class of material known as metallacarborane that could store hydrogen at or better than benchmarks set by the US Department of Energy. The material has the potential to meet DOE storage goals for hydrogen fuel, which could be used in cars, fuel cells, and industry.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has awarded nearly $3.8 million to develop healthier food products for humanitarian assistance programs. These projects aim to improve the nutritional delivery and functional form of food aid products, particularly for infants and young children at risk for malnutrition.
Researchers at Rice University have successfully created a precision simulator for superconductors using ultracold atomic gas. By trapping and holding lithium atoms in beams of light, they can observe how electrons would behave in particular types of superconductors.
A study by Rice University found that investment analysts' negative stock recommendations increase the probability of CEO dismissal. The researchers analyzed panel data on S&P 500 companies from 2000 to 2005 and found a significant impact of downgrades on CEO turnover decisions.
The NanoJapan program combines study-abroad and research experiences, targeting freshmen and sophomores. The new grant will allow the program to expand its internships into terahertz science, providing students with a unique opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research.
Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Communications developed a computer program to provide rice farmers with accurate forecasts and recommendations. The Rice Development Advisory program combines climate, soil, and weather data to help farmers plan planting, irrigation, and harvesting.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a nano antenna that can concentrate light by a factor of 1,000. By measuring the electrical current flowing between two gold tips separated by a nanoscale gap, they were able to determine the amplification of light intensity in the gap.
A University of Arizona-led consortium aims to create next-generation varities of rice that can withstand drought and poorer soils. The project will study the genes of wild rice species and identify those that could improve crop yields, providing a 'toolkit of genes' for enhanced food security.
Rice University researchers are testing wireless communications technology that uses dormant broadcast television channels to deliver free, high-speed broadband Internet service. The new grant will allow the network to dynamically adapt its frequency usage and study how people interact with the new technology.
Researchers found that black rice bran contains more anthocyanin antioxidants than blueberries, but with lower sugar content and higher fiber levels. The discovery suggests using black rice and its bran to boost the health value of various foods, such as breakfast cereals and baked goods.
Researchers at Rice University have developed the first two-terminal memory chips using only silicon, which can be easily adapted to nanoelectronic manufacturing techniques. The new technology features high on-off ratios, excellent endurance and fast switching times, making it suitable for military and NASA applications.
Black rice bran contains more health-promoting anthocyanin antioxidants than blueberries but with less sugar and more fiber and vitamin E antioxidants
A study by Rice University sociologist Elaine Howard Ecklund found that male scientists regret having fewer children due to their career more than female scientists. Male biologists report working longer hours and being less satisfied with their jobs compared to male physicists, who are less likely to have children.
USDA scientists have developed a new genetic tool to express beneficial genes in specific plant tissues, improving disease resistance and reducing side effects. The LP2 gene promoter can direct other introduced genes to target areas where they are needed most.
A new study found that rising temperatures in Asia will slow rice production, with daily minimum temperature increases cutting yield growth rate by 10-20 percent in several locations. This could lead to food insecurity and poverty for the over three billion people who rely on rice as their staple food.
Rice University's compact fluorescence microscope, developed by Andrew Miller, has been shown to accurately diagnose tuberculosis in a trial with 98.4% accuracy. The portable device, costing $240, is comparable to expensive lab equipment and has the potential to improve early detection and treatment of TB in developing countries.
Researchers have successfully produced sheets of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), a potential insulator to complement graphene's electronic properties. The material can be deposited and transferred to various substrates, opening up possibilities for its use in graphene-based electronics.
Rice University scientists have created an eco-friendly method for mass-producing graphene oxide, a crucial component in various industries. The new process uses common chemicals to produce the material, eliminating toxic gases and making it safer for large-scale production.
Researchers at Rice University aim to develop an injectable mix of polymers and adult stem cells to regenerate articular cartilage in injured knees and joints. The team hopes to find the optimal formulation of MSCs and growth factors for regenerating new cartilage.
Rice researchers have found a breakthrough solvent for carbon nanotubes, untangling long tubes and clearing the way for scalable methods to create strong, lightweight materials. The discovery brings the creation of a highly conductive quantum nanowire closer.
Researchers found that consumers overconfidently predict their learning curve before trying out skill-based products, then become underconfident after gaining experience. This under-prediction has consequences for consumer behavior, such as a willingness to pay less for a product after initial use.
A QTL mapping study reveals that only modest genetic modifications are needed to convert a wild plant to a crop, with some major transitions achievable by a single change. The genetic evidence supports the archeological view of gradual and dispersed domestication.
Rice University researchers have developed a computer program that accurately simulates protein folding dramatically faster than previous methods. The new technique allows scientists to study the roots of diseases caused by proteins that fold incorrectly, which is crucial for understanding diseases such as Alzheimer's and cystic fibrosis.
Using television and radio to tell stories about sustainable rice farming has helped Asian farmers better conserve biodiversity. Dr. K.L. Heong's research found that building biodiversity into rice paddies can prevent pest outbreaks, reducing the need for pesticides.
Rice University researchers developed a method to use an off-the-shelf digital camera to distinguish cancerous cells from healthy ones. The device uses fluorescent dyes and fiber-optic cables to capture images of tissues, allowing doctors to identify abnormal cells quickly and accurately.
A new technique developed by Rice University researchers can detect the movement of single molecules over hours using plasmonic properties of nanoparticles. This method is label-free and permanent, enabling the tracking of molecular interactions at the single-molecule limit.
Rice University researchers, led by John McDevitt, have been awarded $3.7 million to develop a cost-effective Bio-Nano-Chip that can detect early warning signs of disease. The technology has the potential to cut treatment time and costs, enabling emergency medical technicians to perform tests at home or in an ambulance.
Eating five or more servings of white rice per week was associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Replacing it with brown rice or other whole grains lowered the risk by 16% and 36% respectively.
A study of 39,765 men and 157,463 women found that consuming five or more servings of white rice per week increases diabetes risk by 17%, whereas eating two or more servings of brown rice per week reduces the risk by 11%. Replacing white rice with brown rice daily could lower diabetes risk by 16%.
A breakthrough discovery has explained why some fluids containing polymers form beads when stretched, providing a key for improving diverse industries such as ink-jet printing and drug dispensing. The study's findings highlight the importance of fluid inertia and relaxation time in bead formation.
Researchers have developed a liquid-based method to produce high-quality graphene, which could lead to novel carbon composites and more affordable touch screens. The new technique yields very pure material and has the potential to drive down costs in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and construction.
Physicists use iron oxychalcogenides to study Mott localization in undoped pnictide parent compounds, providing further evidence that these systems are on the verge of Mott localization. This proximity to Mott localization endows the system with strong quantum magnetic fluctuations.
Researchers have developed a way to use Rice University's light-activated nanoshells as building blocks for complex structures that can trap, store and bend light. These materials have unique optical properties, making them suitable for applications such as ultrasensitive biological and chemical sensors.
The Rice University-led Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry journal has released a special virtual edition making 25 previously published studies on the Exxon Valdez oil spill available for free. The collection provides insights into the occurrence, fate, and effects of oils and oil spills in the environment.
Rice researchers found that starving cells in slime mold have an advantage, pushing those that eat into selfless sacrifice. The study reveals a surprising strategy for survival and reproduction in single-cell organisms.
Researchers develop scalable devices exhibiting customizable optical properties using a bottom-up approach inspired by nature. The findings showcase potential applications in sensitive sensors, detectors, and invisibility cloaks, and demonstrate the possibility of manipulating artificial molecules to create desired optical properties.
A new report by SSPEED Center warns that a major hurricane could endanger tens of thousands of lives and cripple the Houston Ship Channel. The study highlights vulnerabilities in existing dikes and levees, highway infrastructure for evacuation, and coastal flooding risks.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered thin films of nanotubes created with ink-jet printers can be used to make field-effect transistors. The technique allows for the creation of digital electronics on flexible substrates, with potential applications in raincoats and other devices.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a way to extract hydrogen atoms from graphane, creating spaces that resemble quantum dots. This breakthrough enables precise control over the semiconducting properties of quantum dots, with potential applications in advanced optics, single-molecule sensing, and nanoscale circuitry.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute has renewed a four-year grant for Rice University's global health program, Beyond Traditional Borders (BTB), with a $1.2 million investment. BTB challenges students to design practical solutions to real-world problems in developing nations, resulting in over 10% of Rice undergraduates taking the cour...
A new study by Rice University and the US Department of State's Office of eDiplomacy examines the five-year history of Diplopedia, a Wikipedia-style diplomacy Web 2.0 tool. The platform has grown to over 10,000 articles written by DOS employees, providing valuable information for desk officers and foreign service experts.
Scientists at Rice University have made a breakthrough in creating highly purified samples of carbon nanotube species using ultracentrifugation, a technique that can help enable the development of efficient nationwide electrical grids and critical applications in medicine and electronics.
Researchers at Rice University and the University of Cambridge have created a computer model that accurately describes the behavior of three regulatory proteins in hematopoietic stem cells. The Scl-Gata2-Fli1 triad is thought to be the master-level regulator for these self-renewing cells, which produce new blood cells.
Researchers at ARS Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center have identified a genetic region qShB9-2 that controls sheath blight in rice. They also developed a standardized screening technique to detect the disease in seedlings, accelerating the process of identifying resistant germplasm.
Researchers found that the subaleurone layer of brown rice inhibits angiotensin II, a protein linked to high blood pressure and atherosclerosis. This discovery suggests that consuming half-milled or brown rice may offer cardiovascular protection.
Researchers at Rice University and their international colleagues created ultra-fine air filters using carbon nanotube membranes. These filters can remove up to 99% of particles smaller than a micron, outperforming traditional HEPA filters.
Physicists at Rice University and Princeton University have found that ultracold mixes of electrons can have 'topological' properties making them immune to information degradation in quantum computers. The discovery could pave the way for the development of fault-tolerant quantum computers.
A pilot study found that a rice-developed nano-bio-chip is effective in detecting premalignancies with high sensitivity and specificity rates comparable to traditional tests. The minimally invasive technique could lead to earlier detection of oral cancer, resulting in higher survival rates.
A new study by Rice University sociologists examines the role of private foundations in supporting religion and finds they have a significant influence despite limited financial contributions. The study highlights the Lilly Endowment's strategic giving, which has a real impact on the religious sector.