Research on rice as a crop and staple food. Covers fertilizer and emissions trade-offs, biochar and heavy metals, and heat resilience.
A new test developed by UC Davis researchers helps Uruguayan rice farmers determine if their waterways are safe to drain after flooded fields. The test can detect high levels of the herbicide clomazone, which can harm fish and other aquatic life.
Rice researchers have developed an inexpensive, printable transmitter for RFID tags that can be invisibly embedded in packaging. This technology has the potential to revolutionize checkout processes by allowing customers to walk through a scanner with their groceries without stopping at each item.
A new 3-D cell culture technique using magnetic forces has been developed, allowing for the growth of cells in 3-D. This method promises to provide more accurate preclinical drug tests and better cancer research outcomes by mimicking the body's natural tissue structures.
Researchers have developed a new method for growing 3-D cell cultures using magnetic levitation, which more closely resembles the body's natural tissue structure. The technique has shown promising results in preclinical drug tests and may revolutionize cancer research.
A Rice University team re-examined Gustav Mie's century-old equations for electromagnetic wave interaction with spherical metal particles. The researchers found that average properties matched the predictions, but individual particles deviated significantly due to shape and orientation variations on the substrate.
A recent survey by Rice University found that Toyota owners continue to show high levels of satisfaction with their vehicles, despite the company's numerous recalls since 2009. The study attributed this to a 'brand insulation effect,' where current customers shielded Toyota from the negative effects of recalls.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a graphene-hybrid material by stitching together graphene and hexagonal boron nitride. This 2D structure offers new possibilities for materials scientists, with electric properties ranging from metallic conductor to semiconductor to insulator.
A new Stanford University study finds that global warming could lead to crop shortages, rising food prices, and increased poverty in some regions. However, others may benefit from higher crop yields and prices, particularly farmers who own their own land.
Researchers suggest a 400km-deep density trap formed due to unique geophysical conditions 3.5 billion years ago, trapping gases like helium and argon inside the planet.
A new study by Oregon State University researchers concludes that free trade reforms have caused declining food production and increased poverty in African nations. The reforms, which began in the mid-1980s, eliminated critical support systems for poor farmers, leading to food riots and a hunger crisis.
Researchers at Rice University developed an amplitude gating technique to improve PET/CT scanner efficiency. The method uses a flexible chest band to record breathing cycles during CT scans, creating sharper images with better tumor detection accuracy.
Scientists at Rice University have discovered a new technique for singling out individual diseased cells and destroying them with tiny explosions using lasers and nanoparticles. The method, known as nanobubbles, can be tuned to create either small, harmless bubbles or large bubbles that burst the cells.
Rice University researchers have developed a new way to track nanoparticles using gold nanorods and polarization imaging techniques. The technique could provide valuable information about materials, including living systems, that incorporate nanoparticles.
A Rice University researcher has found a way to transfer forests of aligned carbon nanotubes from one surface to another in minutes. The technique uses water vapor to weaken chemical bonds between the tubes and the catalyst particles, allowing for precise control over the diameter of the nanotubes
A new study from Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business found that internal CEOs tend to outperform externally hired leaders in the long term. Over three years, internally promoted CEOs were more likely to initiate and implement strategic changes that build a firm's competitive advantage.
The ADH1B*47His allele, causing an unpleasant response to alcohol, emerged around 10,000-7,000 years ago with rice domestication in southern China. This genetic adaptation may help protect against alcoholism and organ damage.
Scientists developed a nanodragster that can outperform previous nano-sized vehicles and address limitations in controlling small molecule motion. The new vehicle features improved wheels and axle design, enabling better agility and potentially paving the way for more advanced molecular machines.
Research by Washington University in St. Louis shows that Thai hill farmers' traditional agriculture, including seed selection and exchange, influences the genetic diversity of their ancestral rice varieties. These local landraces provide a pool of traits that can improve crops worldwide.
Researchers have discovered a way to visualize iron-sulfur clusters in living cells using a custom protein tag, enabling analysis of diseases involving these metalloclusters. This technique has high potential for helping find real treatments for diseases such as Friedreich's ataxia and myopathy.
Researchers found that a plant steroid controls the balance between two genes in rice, regulating leaf angle and cell growth. The discovery has important implications for understanding how to manipulate crop growth and yield, and could lead to better engineering of crops to feed a growing population.
Using ultracold atoms, Rice physicists confirmed a theory about a universal quantum mechanism that allows trimers to form in special cases where pairs cannot. The team observed Efimov's trimers appear and reappear repeatedly in a stepwise fashion.
Researchers at Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine found a previously unrealized role of receptor-binding residues in host evasion, which could be a bottleneck for the virus. This discovery may lead to more efficient vaccine design not only for H1N1 but also for other strains of the flu.
Researchers aim to develop a database of nanoparticle behavior, enabling the prediction of particle fate and design of targeted treatments. Eight classes of nanoparticles will be studied in a two-year project.
A groundbreaking study published in the journal Pain reveals that humans have a unique sensory system located in blood vessels and sweat glands, which can provide conscious tactile information. This discovery may contribute to understanding mysterious pain conditions such as migraine headaches and fibromyalgia.
Rice University Professor Junichiro Kono and his team discovered a plasmonic material that can either stop or let through terahertz beams with adjustments to temperature and/or magnetic field. This finding helps close the knowledge gap in the electromagnetic spectrum between electronic and photonic devices.
The Rice University-M.D. Anderson Cancer Center program provides incoming graduate students with early exposure to translational research and clinical practice. The HHMI funding renewal will allow the program to expand to include students from M.D. Anderson's Department of Imaging Physics.
Physicists at Rice University have successfully created a Bose-Einstein condensate from strontium atoms, marking an important advancement in atomic-scale research. The achievement demonstrates the long-sought creation of a state where individual atoms lose their identity and come together to form a singular lump.
Researchers pinpoint the origin of dissolved arsenic in Bangladesh's drinking water to ponds excavated for village construction and irrigated agriculture. The study suggests that these ponds mobilize organic carbon, leading to arsenic dissolution in groundwater, with rice fields acting as a buffer but also contributing to arsenic levels.
K-State's Fred Cholick, Dean of the College of Agriculture, received the Agronomic Service Award for his development of agronomic service programs and practices. Dave Mengel, Professor of Agronomy, won the Werner L. Nelson Award for his outstanding performance in diagnostic techniques and approaches.
Researchers at Rice University and the Texas Heart Institute will label stem cells with gadonanotubes to track their effectiveness in regenerating damaged heart tissue. The team aims to use MRI to steer the cells in vivo with an external magnetic field.
A Rice University lab has discovered over 2.7 million possible structures for molecular sieves, also known as zeolites, which have potential applications in industries such as gasoline production and laundry detergents.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have documented the impact of rapid bursts of new transposable elements on plant genomes. The study found that these insertions can actually benefit the host by creating novel regulatory networks, enhancing stress tolerance in rice and other selfing plants.
A study by Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business found that Americans with low power-distance belief (PDB) scores tend to exhibit more self-control and be less impulsive when shopping. This results in spending one-and-a-half times more on daily items compared to those with high PDB scores.
UF scientists have re-examined the technique using MRI imaging and found that it works by compressing a different structure in the neck. The esophagus is not involved in the procedure, contrary to previous assumptions. This new understanding will help anesthesiologists use the maneuver more effectively.
A new study by Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business found that Chinese firms benefiting from the diversity of foreign direct investment (FDI) productivity and competitiveness. The more diverse the national origins of foreign investors in an industry, the higher the productivity of Chinese firms.
In a study published in Nature, researchers found that cooperative amoebas can evolve genetic defenses against cheaters, preserving collective behavior. The Dictyostelium discoideum mutants discovered by the Rice-Baylor team demonstrated a remarkable ability to resist cheater cells and maintain altruistic traits.
A three-year, $2.4 million grant will develop a systems biology approach to combat the effects of drought on staple food crops like maize, wheat, and rice. The project aims to identify key regulatory genes and signaling pathways that can improve drought resistance.
Rice University mathematician Richard Tapia is recognized for his contributions to the advancement of minorities, with a focus on education outreach and K-12 diversity initiatives. He joins an esteemed group of award winners, including artists, politicians, and entertainers.
IRRI must produce an additional 8ñ6 million tons of rice over the next twenty years to meet demand and keep prices affordable. The organization supports sustainable land acquisition practices, prioritizing benefits for poor rice farmers and consumers.
Rice University biochemists are developing a system of 'evolutionary forecasting' to better understand the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance. By sequencing genomes and analyzing molecular changes, they hope to identify patterns and rules governing how bacteria evolve to become drug-resistant.
Researchers simplify fabrication of nano storage, creating a potentially very dense, stable nonvolatile memory for digital devices. The graphite-based approach uses industry-standard lithographic techniques to deposit amorphous graphite onto silicon, facilitating the creation of reliable memory bits.
A team of scientists is exploring the role of microbes in rice plants, which can affect crop yields and plant performance. They plan to analyze microbial associations using transcriptomic and metabolic profiling techniques.
A new candidate gene for Specific Language Impairment has been identified on Chromosome 6, associated with variability in language, speech, and reading abilities. The findings suggest multiple genes contribute to language impairment, overlapping strengths or deficiencies across speech, language, and reading.
Rice University will lead a multi-university Center for Domain-Specific Computing with UCLA, Ohio State, and UC Santa Barbara to develop high-performance computing for medical imaging. The project aims to create energy-efficient, cost-effective solutions for preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures.
A Texas researcher is making strides in controlling the rice-craving insect, the rice water weevil, by integrating various treatments to manage pests efficiently and economically. The study found that planting during the optimum time and using seed treatment with rynaxypyr can reduce yield losses and improve grain quality.
Researchers compare two methods for studying protein folding: atomic force microscopy and chemical denaturant method. Both approaches reveal similarities in protein behavior, offering new insights into the forces that shape proteins.
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences has released three white papers on US space policy, urging a fundamental reformulation based on Cold War-era mindsets. Experts emphasize the need for a new approach that prioritizes collaboration and equitable utilization of space for common benefit.
Researchers discovered that atlastin, a previously underappreciated protein, plays a critical role in building and maintaining healthy cells by fusing intracellular membranes. This process is essential for cell function and development.
Rice University chemist Bob Hauge's team creates bundles of SWNTs using a novel printing process, yielding a high yield of nanotubes. The process could lead to large-scale production of meter-long strands of nanotubes.
A new study by Rice University researchers found that California newspapers closer to the Mexican border tend to report a more negative slant on immigration in general news reporting and opinion pieces. Corporate-owned newspapers are more likely to adopt this approach, prioritizing profits over providing diverse views.
The study provides the first experimental evidence of how individual carbon atoms are added to growing nanotubes. The rotation proceeds in discrete steps, resembling the halting motion of a mechanical clock's second hand, with approximately 24 steps per rotation.
A global research team analyzed the genomes of twenty genetically diverse rice types to identify favorable traits and their DNA variations. This breakthrough enables breeders to develop new and improved rice varieties more effectively, particularly in addressing climate change impacts.
Scientists at Rice University have found a method to attach molecules to semiconducting silicon, potentially helping manufacturers reach beyond Moore's Law limits. The new process, known as silicon with afterburners, works better at the nanometer scale and can be used to complement traditional doping methods.
A global team of researchers has developed tools to analyze the genetic diversity of rice, a crucial step towards improving crop yields and securing global food supplies. The comprehensive SNP information will enable exploration of rice diversity for understanding gene function and improving important traits.
The study reveals the atomic structure of the hepatitis E protein shell, which could lead to new ways to stop the virus. Researchers have identified potential sites on the model for designing drugs that can interrupt the binding process and prevent the virus from attaching to cell receptors.
Rice University has received $11.1 million in federal stimulus funding to construct the Brockman Hall for Physics, a new research facility supporting fundamental and applied physics research. The building will enable Rice to remain on the cutting edge of physical science research with state-of-the-art facilities.
Research by the International Rice Research Institute has led to early rice harvests, reducing famine in northwest Bangladesh. The new methods allow farmers to plant rice earlier and use shorter-duration varieties, improving food security and reducing monga.
The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is developing drought-tolerant rice to help farmers cope with water shortages affecting 15-20 million hectares of irrigated rice. Genetically modified rice may also play a role in boosting production and improving grain quality during postharvest
A new theory proposes that male lemurs deposit a solid plug in the female's reproductive tract to prevent rival males from mating, allowing them to focus on other females. This strategy is thought to be advantageous when females have short receptivity periods and are the same size as males.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have successfully sequenced the genetic code of West African cultivated rice, a key step in breeding hardier Asian strains. This breakthrough could help address global issues such as food scarcity and climate change, with potential applications for other crops like wheat, corn, and sorghum.