Research on rice as a crop and staple food. Covers fertilizer and emissions trade-offs, biochar and heavy metals, and heat resilience.
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.
Researchers have discovered the first active miniature inverted repeat transposable elements (MITEs) in rice, providing insights into genetic diversity and potential applications in crop improvement. The findings also highlight the importance of active transposable elements in generating tagged mutations that can reveal gene function.
Researchers found that mid-season drainage of rice paddies in China led to significant reductions in methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. The study, which used NASA data and modeling, estimates that this practice saved around 5 million metric tons of methane per year.
A recent study by researchers found that rice grown in areas with contaminated fields in Bangladesh has arsenic levels 10-fold higher than uncontaminated areas. The World Health Organization warns that the tubewell crisis in Bangladesh is the largest mass poisoning of a population in history, with potential health risks for millions.
Researchers at Rice University have precisely identified the optical signatures of 33 'species' of light-emitting carbon nanotubes, revolutionizing the field of nanotechnology. This breakthrough enables chemists to measure nanotubes using simple and faster methods, accelerating research in this rapidly evolving field.
Cornell researchers introduce a trehalose-enhancement gene into Indica rice varieties, demonstrating stress tolerance and increased productivity. The transgenic plants also exhibit improved photosynthesis and nutrient utilization, making them more robust under various environmental stresses.
The Rice Connexions program is expanding its offerings with new software tools and partnerships, making high-quality educational content freely available worldwide. The project aims to empower diverse cultural communities and break down barriers between academic disciplines through a collaborative approach to teaching materials.
Researchers found that glutinous rice originated in Southeast Asia due to a single genetic mutation in the Waxy gene, which suppresses amylose and gives it its sticky composition. The study also suggests that early Asian farmers selectively bred glutinous rice for its desirable traits.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a technique to create a porous, 3D bony matrix similar to natural bone. The method uses flowing fluids to provide mechanical stimulation, resulting in thicker and more developed mineralized bone compared to static samples.
Scientists have unraveled the mystery of membrane fusion, a process crucial for gene therapy and drug delivery. By analyzing X-ray diffraction patterns, researchers revealed that membrane fusion begins with an hourglass-shaped structure called a stalk.
Rice Terascale Cluster will be the first university computer in Texas with a peak performance of 1 teraflop, enabling complex mathematical simulations for drug designers and biomedical researchers. The cluster will tackle increasingly complex problems in fields like bioinformatics, physics, and computer science.
Purdue researchers are working on a $1 million project to control carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by using U.S. farmland. The goal is to trap plant residue carbon in soil and reduce the country's annual contribution to carbon dioxide, which could offset up to 20% of projected emissions.
Researchers create atomic soliton trains with up to 15 bundles of waves that maintain a constant shape as they propagate without spreading. The techniques developed could lead to extremely precise measurements and new forms of atom lasers.
Scientists have confirmed the syntenic relationship between rice and other cereal grasses like corn, wheat and barley, thanks to a pioneering genome sequencing project. This breakthrough allows researchers to identify important genes in these crops more efficiently.
Rice chemists create polyfullerenes by joining C-60 molecules in polymer chains and planes, making them more stable than organic polymers. Fluorination of these polyfullerenes enables the creation of dozens of 'designer' nanotube derivatives with various side chains, making them soluble in traditional organic solvents.
The sequenced rice genome contains 45,000-56,000 genes, which could provide a roadmap for improving cereal crops like maize, wheat, and barley. The research aims to increase crop yields and vitamin content, addressing global food shortages and hunger.
Researchers from the University of Washington and China have sequenced the genetic code for rice, revealing it may have more genes than humans. The complete genome sequence is now available to the public, providing valuable information for scientific research and potentially leading to improved crop yields.
Geologists at Rice University have located the intersection of the Nubian, Somalian and Antarctic plates within a 100-kilometer-wide region known as the Andrew Bain Fracture Zone Complex. The research provides new insights into the relationship between African plates, including the tectonic processes that created the East African Rift.
The Chinese tallow tree is outcompeting native species in Texas prairies due to its ability to grow quickly and use nitrogen inefficiently. Researchers are studying methods to control the spread of the invasive tree using techniques such as fire, flooding, and fertilization.
Researchers discuss innovative examples of sustainable agriculture, such as the Ecological System of Rice Intensification (SRI), which trains farmers to adopt environmentally friendly techniques. SRI has successfully increased rice yields without relying on herbicides and pesticides, improving food security in Cambodia and Asia.
Rice University researchers have developed a new technique to calculate the distance of gamma-ray bursts, enabling scientists to learn more about the early universe's formation and evolution. The method uses changes in color to determine the cooling rate of high-energy pulses in these cosmic events.
The Gulf Coast Consortia is a new research and education initiative funded by a $3.5 million grant from the W. M. Keck Foundation. The consortium brings together six public and private institutions to address the national shortage of researchers and promote inter-institutional collaboration.
Physicists at Rice University have discovered a new class of critical point that marks a substantial advance in the study of phase transitions. They found that under suitable conditions, quantum critical metals contain 'critical local excitations' with very low energy, which could be applicable to a range of strongly correlated metals.
A recent study by UC Santa Barbara scientists found that sexual reproduction outperforms asexual reproduction in terms of progressive evolution and genetic diversity. This is because sexual reproduction allows for greater genetic variation and mixing, which accelerates the accumulation of beneficial mutations.
The Rice center will focus on the interaction between nanometer-sized materials and water, aiming to develop new medical therapies and solve environmental engineering problems. The center will also provide educational and industrial outreach activities, including training teachers and supporting startup ventures.
Dr. Ingo Potrykus is being recognized for his research on genetic engineering technology and its applications to crop plants like rice, wheat, sorghum, and cassava. His work has the potential to address Vitamin A deficiencies in developing nations and improve food security.
Researchers found that germinated brown rice contains three times the amount of lysine and ten times the amount of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an amino acid known to improve kidney function. Germination also activates dormant enzymes, increasing the nutritional value.
University of Florida researchers found above-average temperatures significantly reduce rice yields, potentially reducing global food supply by 20-40%. The study suggests that warmer temperatures could force rice yields to zero by 2100.
A UC Irvine study found that rice paddies emit significant amounts of methyl halide gases, contributing to stratospheric ozone depletion. The study suggests that agricultural sources play a role in this atmospheric phenomenon, and highlights the importance of understanding natural sources of ozone-depleting gases.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory identified a DNA repair enzyme deficiency in the Norin 1 strain of rice, making it more susceptible to UV damage. The team suggests that breeding or introducing genes from non-UV-sensitive strains could improve the enzyme's ability to bind and fix damaged sites.
A new system of planting different varieties of rice plants can significantly reduce problems with the fungal disease 'blast', which causes lesions on rice plants, reduces yields and in severe cases can kill entire crops. This approach has been shown to eliminate losses to blast in some types of glutinous rice.
A study by Penn State researcher Dr. S. E. Specter found that young men who ate mashed potatoes prepared with heart-healthy mono unsaturated oil stayed satiated longer than those who ate the same lunch with rice or polyunsaturated oil.
Researchers will study the Chipewyan (or Dene Suline) language in the Cold Lake First Nations community as part of the three-year Daghida Project. The goal is to help start an immersion program for children and revive the language, which has been largely lost among younger generations.
Researchers at Rice University have created a reversible molecular computer switch, which can represent ones and zeros in digital computing. The switch is made of molecules that are one million times smaller than traditional silicon-based transistors, promising continued minitaturization and increased computing power.
A team of researchers is using seismic equipment to map the Earth's structure beneath the Rocky Mountains, aiming to understand how ancient land masses collided to form the continent. By analyzing density and material properties of rocks, they hope to visualize the structure of what lies far under the Earth's surface.
Researchers have genetically modified rice grains to improve supply of iron and vitamin A. IDA and VAD are major contributors to childhood and maternal mortality primarily in developing countries. The transgenic material will be freely available for further development into publicly available rice breeding lines.
Rice University researchers develop fullerenes that can be cleared from the body and specifically targeted to bone tissue. The findings have promise for medical applications such as nuclear medicine and drug delivery.
Researchers at Rice University are developing chameleon-like nanoshells with tailored optical properties to enhance devices and materials. These nanoshells can manipulate different types of light and have potential applications in energy conservation, construction materials, and biomedicine.
A Chinese condiment extract, Cholestin, has been shown to reduce total blood cholesterol by nearly 26% in elderly patients and 'bad' cholesterol by 32.8%. The supplement contains HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors that inhibit liver-produced cholesterol production.
The American Heart Association recommends statin drugs as a second step after lifestyle modifications for cholesterol-lowering. Red yeast rice, found in Cholestin, may be less safe and effective than prescription medications.
Researchers have discovered motion along the southern portion of the boundary between the west African (Nubian) and east African (Somalian) plates. The finding helps geologists understand how the East African rift fits into plate tectonics, improving global models for predicting India-Eurasia collision.
The President's Information Technology Advisory Committee recommends increasing funding for long-term research programs and computing infrastructures. The committee highlights four areas deserving of increased research funding, including software development and high-end computing.
Cornell researchers have used genetic mapping to identify genes that boost rice yield and disease resistance in poor farmers. By introgressing genes from wild rice varieties into domesticated rice, they have increased crop production in unfavorable conditions.
A major geomagnetic storm, the strongest in recent years, is affecting communication and navigation satellites due to an intense solar flare. The storm's speed was twice normal, causing unusual penetration of electrons into the Earth's magnetosphere.
Smoking-related Medicaid costs amount to $12.9 billion per year, totaling $322 billion over 25 years without inflation. The analysis provides a solid foundation for financial claims against the tobacco industry.
Experts Allyson Pollock and Dorothy Rice argue that surveys are a poor tool for evaluating the impact of healthcare spending on population health. They propose adopting national health data standards to track individuals over time and improve healthcare effectiveness.
Researchers have observed a ceiling to the number of atoms in a Bose-Einstein condensate formed with attractive atoms, with a maximum of 650-1,300 atoms. This finding is consistent with theoretical predictions and sheds light on the behavior of macroscopic quantum mechanical processes.