Articles tagged with Rice
Despite China's genetically modified (GM) rice ambitions, poverty and unequal land distribution will persist, hindering efforts to eliminate hunger. The Lancet notes that GM technology is not a solution to food insecurity, but rather a Band-Aid on the symptoms of deeper issues.
Researchers at Rice University and Iowa State University discovered that hemifusion is an intermediate fusion state in biological systems, where the outer layer of the membrane mixes with the inner layer. This finding suggests that hemifusion may be the mechanism used by all living cells to facilitate membrane fusion.
A concentrated form of Vitamin E called tocotrienol rich fraction (TRF) from rice bran oil may effectively reduce total cholesterol levels by up to 42% and LDL or 'bad' cholesterol levels by 62%. Researchers found that a minimum dose of TRF of 8 IU kg/day provided the maximum antioxidants and lowered cholesterol.
The project provides an online analysis of every state supreme court case heard from 1995 to 1998 in all 50 states. The database contains over 400 biographical profiles of state supreme court judges and offers insights into the impact of judicial elections on judicial behavior.
A recent study found that genetically modified rice in China reduces pesticide use by 80% and increases crop yields by up to 9%. The research also indicates no significant impact on farmers' health. The study provides valuable information for developing countries considering genetically modified food crops.
Recent archeological research discovered that rice was the prevalent food source in northern China, alongside millet and wheat. The sophisticated knowledge of growing rice demonstrated by ancient Chinese farmers helped explain China's huge population today. The findings shed new light on China's agricultural history.
Researchers found nearly half of ancient grains were rice, contradicting earlier theories. The discovery also suggests a rice-wheat complex developed before writing emerged in the region.
A new study from Rice University found no independent relationship between Lp(a) levels and coronary calcium in either whites or African-Americans, suggesting an unknown mechanism may be at work. The study used a large multiethnic dataset of Dallas County residents to examine the link between Lp(a) and heart-attack risk.
A new DNA sequencing method called pulsed multiline excitation (PME) uses four lasers to eliminate cross-talk between dyes, resulting in more precise sequence information. This technology could lower costs for high-throughput genetic scans and lead to rapid and inexpensive genome sequencing.
A preliminary engineering study at Georgia Institute of Technology and Rice University investigated the potential environmental impact of nanomaterial waste. The researchers found that fullerenes, a carbon-based nanomaterial, can form aggregates in water, affecting particle size and transport.
Researchers at Rice University and Georgia Institute of Technology developed bimetallic nanoparticles that can break down TCE, a toxic organic pollutant found in US groundwater. The particles increase the efficiency of TCE remediation by several orders of magnitude compared to bulk catalysts.
Agriculture can provide food and energy security while sustaining soil and water resources, says Kansas State University professor Charles W. Rice. Properly managed agricultural systems can conserve soil and water, but excessive tillage, low productivity, and residue removal result in loss of biodiversity and environmental degradation.
The Smalley/Curl Fund for Innovation supports research in medical diagnostics and drug delivery using gold nanorods. Rice University faculty receive one-year grants to develop novel ideas with the potential to impact all areas of nanotechnology.
Mikos has developed extensive expertise in fabricating synthetic materials with tailored chemistries for specific tissue-engineered repair of orthopaedic injuries. His laboratory has created novel materials based on fumaric acid, non-toxic to surrounding cells and tissues.
The NSF grant will fund the Math Leadership Institute at Rice University, aiming to improve high school math instruction in Houston and Aldine ISD. Lead teachers will receive intensive training and support to develop leadership skills and provide effective math instruction techniques.
Researchers at Rice University aim to create implantable TMJ discs grown from patient cells, offering a potential alternative to transplantation. The goal is to provide a treatment option for the nearly 11 million Americans suffering from TMJ disorders.
Researchers found that nanotubes were ingested by white blood cells and retained their fluorescent properties, allowing for selective detection. The discovery builds on a previous finding of unique fluorescent signatures from individual types of nanotubes.
Researchers analyzed ancient liquids in bronze vessels from China, dating back to the Shang and Western Zhou Dynasties, and found evidence of fermented rice and millet wines. The discovery confirms a 9,000-year history of Chinese fermented beverages and sheds light on their role in ancient culture.
Jennifer West, a renowned bioengineer, has made significant advancements in nanotechnology and tissue engineering. Her research focuses on developing novel biomaterials for vascular grafts that could eliminate the need for vein transplants.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have successfully spun carbon nanotubes into usable fibers using a technique developed by Rice's Richard E. Smalley. The resulting fibers exhibit good mechanical and electrical properties, but modest thermal conductivity.
Researchers at Rice University have successfully produced macroscopic single-walled carbon nanotube fibers with high strength and conductivity. The discovery has the potential to revolutionize industries such as aerospace and energy by creating ultra-strong, smart materials.
Connexions, an open-source courseware platform, has received a $1.25 million grant from the Hewlett Foundation to enhance usability and increase available knowledge. The project aims to promote knowledge sharing worldwide without copyright restrictions.
Researchers found that Mexican workers using family and friend networks as job leads earned higher wages than those relying on paisano networks. This challenges the theory of ethnic solidarity providing advantages to immigrant workers in the US labor market.
A study by Katharine Donato and Chizuko Wakabayashi found that women caregivers are more likely to live in poverty and rely on Supplemental Security Income. The researchers also discovered that women who took on caregiving roles in their early sixties were particularly vulnerable, with 15% of those aged 60-61 living in poverty.
Rice University's 'Nanotechnology: Content and Context' course combines technical content with social context to prepare students for a future where nanotech is integral. The course, led by CBEN faculty, explores four theme areas: scale, life, risk, and environment.
Dr. Rice received a two-year, $200,000 grant to study chromatin changes contributing to sporadic breast cancers, focusing on epigenetic gene regulation. The GM Cancer Research Scholars Program supports young scientists in cancer research projects.
Researchers at Rice University and MIT found that microRNA miR164 plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression and controlling basic organ development in plants. The study reveals abnormal development of leaves and flowers when miR164 regulation is absent or overexpressed.
Scientists found that semiconducting nanotubes' band gap shrunk steadily under strong magnetic forces, confirming quantum mechanical theories and shedding new light on carbon nanotubes' unique electrical properties.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a biodegradable implant that can release growth factors to stimulate bone growth in critical-size defects, aiding the body's natural regeneration process. This innovative approach aims to provide patients with their own tissue and eliminate risks associated with existing treatments.
The 'Immersive Earth' project brings together six museums and two universities to create digital planetarium shows nationwide. A new portable system uses an inflatable dome and single-projector display to fully immerse viewers in Earth and space science content.
Researchers found that salt-tolerant rice varieties can be accurately predicted using DNA markers and a crop growth model, allowing breeders to select the best varieties for specific conditions. This is crucial for increasing yields in areas with sub-optimal conditions, such as those affected by salinity.
A Rice University research team, led by Naomi Halas, aims to develop a multimodality spectroscope for nanoscale optical imaging of peptides, proteins, and viruses. The system will require three instruments: nanopatterned substrates, scanning probe instrument, and an integrated 'superlens' microscope and spectral probe.
A Rice bioengineer has won the 'Create the Future' design contest with a device that uses acoustic waves to measure bone structural integrity. The OsteoSonic TM system offers advantages over existing radiological diagnostics and is currently undergoing testing.
The Connexions Project is a revolutionary approach to scholarly content, offering a single platform where educators can post, use, and modify knowledge freely. With over 1,600 educational modules available, Connexions enables instructors to supplement or replace textbooks with interactive simulations and multimedia.
Rising star in chemistry, Jianpeng Ma, has made significant breakthroughs in understanding the structure-function relationship of biological molecules. His innovative approach uses computer simulation to explore this connection, paving the way for furthering our fundamental understanding of chemistry.
Researchers have sequenced a native centromere in rice, revealing active genes that defy the notion of non-coding DNA. The discovery provides insights into chromosome evolution and has significant implications for plant engineering.
Researcher Ashley Leeds found that alliance commitments are fulfilled about 75 percent of the time, but this rate drops to 6 percent for countries with significant changes in international power. Non-democratic states and major powers are more likely to violate treaties due to lower costs and increased influence.
Researchers at Rice University have successfully created continuous fibers of pristine single-walled carbon nanotubes using a new processing method involving superacids. This breakthrough enables the industrial production of pure carbon nanotube threads, cables, and sheets, with potential applications in materials science and aerospace.
A 1700 Cascadia earthquake is supported by a Japanese shipwreck and tsunami records from five other towns, suggesting the event was a magnitude 9 earthquake off the Washington coast. The shipwreck's nautical account and tsunami-related deaths confirm its validity.
A study by Purdue University found that consumers are willing to pay a premium for genetically modified foods that provide direct benefits, such as golden rice with enhanced vitamin A content. The research also identified a technique called 'cheap talk' that can help reduce consumer bias in marketing surveys.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a quantum model to predict nanophotonic behavior, making it easier to design new optical materials and devices. The study shows that plasmons in nanoparticles hybridize with each other, allowing for the prediction of properties in complex metallic nanostructures.
Rice wins nine NSF ITR grants, including a $15m award for Virtual Grid Application Development Software. The university also leads the 100 X 100 Project to develop 100-megabit-per-second Internet access nationwide.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a technique to sort single-walled carbon nanotubes based on their electronic properties. This allows for the separation of metallic and non-metallic nanotubes, which could lead to significant advances in molecular electronics and device development.
Researchers at Illinois and Rice University developed a new process to chemically select and separate carbon nanotubes based on their electronic properties. The process uses reaction chemistry to create handles that can selectively manipulate metallic and semiconducting nanotubes.
Researchers evaluated rice varieties for their allelopathic potential, finding that certain parts of the plant can inhibit barnyardgrass growth. This study suggests the possibility of developing rice-based natural herbicides to improve weed control.
Dalton's study reveals farmers value plant height, days to maturity, and processing characteristics over yield increase. He used a hedonic model to derive economic values of crop traits, aiding breeders in creating technology.
A Cornell University researcher found that awareness and knowledge of golden rice among Filipino farming community leaders is almost nonexistent. Vitamin A deficiency affects over 100 million children worldwide, leading to preventable blindness and high mortality rates.
A panel study will be conducted with 2,500 individuals across the nation, followed by interviews every three years until they reach age 65. The study aims to explore how religion and ethnicity shape social change and community development in the US.
Transgenic rice seeds expressing a thermotolerant and bi-functional starch hydrolase produce high-protein flour and sugar syrups. The unique feature of heat-activated rapid autodrolysis eliminates the need for commercial enzymes, improving efficiency and production cost.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new chemical process, pyrolytic fluorination, that yields short carbon nanotubes with predictable lengths. The technique involves attaching fluorine atoms to the nanotubes and then heating them to cut the tubes into segments ranging from 20-300 nanometers.
Researchers at Rice University developed fluoronanotubes with unique chemical properties, allowing for easier manipulation and dispersal in various materials. This breakthrough enables the creation of new materials and applications, including advanced composites, sensor technology, and molecular electronics.
Researchers discovered a specific protein, PFT1, that triggers flowering in Arabidopsis plants under suboptimal light conditions. The study's findings have implications for improving crop yield and addressing world hunger, particularly in regions where malnutrition is prevalent.
Scientists at Rice University and the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility used X-ray crystallography to capture the rapid structural changes of a protein. The research aimed to improve protein engineering for blood substitutes and genetic diseases, yielding valuable insights into protein dynamics.
Researchers have identified 43 different resistance genes on chromosome 10 of the rice genome, which are grouped into three major clusters that help improve its specificity in fighting pathogens. The discovery aims to aid the rice plant's battle against diseases such as rice blast.
The study predicts about 3,500 genes on Chromosome 10, with a modular structure featuring a long arm rich in genes and a short arm with relatively few genes. The analysis also found matches for about two-thirds of the proteins encoded by the chromosome with those encoded by Arabidopsis thaliana.
Researchers have completed a 'finished' sequence of rice's smallest chromosome, revealing twice as many genes as initially predicted. The detailed genome map shows significant similarities to other grains like sorghum and maize, providing valuable insights into the genetics of plant biology.
Researchers discovered a 100-fold increase in meteorite activity after an ancient asteroid breakup, revealing a 'lithographic time capsule' of fossilized meteorites. The study found matching concentrations of extraterrestrial chromite grains across five quarries in southern Sweden.
Researchers performed partial splenectomy on 25 children with congenital forms of anemia caused by abnormal red blood cells. The procedure showed promise in relieving symptoms and improving quality of life, but does not address the cause of these disorders.
A study confirms that individuals born more recently have higher rates of alcohol dependence, contrary to the age effect seen in other diseases. The study's findings suggest a potential 'epidemic' of alcoholism among young people, although underreporting and familial factors may also play a role.
Rice University scientists develop a nanosensor that can precisely analyze chemical information, opening doors for new methods to examine single molecules. The technology has widespread applications in environmental science, chemistry and biosensing, with potential early detection of cancer.