Research on rice as a crop and staple food. Covers fertilizer and emissions trade-offs, biochar and heavy metals, and heat resilience.
The University of Maryland has discovered six new variants of CRISPR-Cas12a that can edit multiple sites in the genome simultaneously, enabling more efficient gene editing in plants. This breakthrough has major implications for precision breeding and increasing crop yields to feed a growing global population.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a process to convert waste rubber tires into graphene, which can strengthen concrete and reduce carbon emissions. The new material has shown significant gains in compressive strength when blended with Portland cement.
The study optimized pegRNA designs to maximize plant prime editing efficiency, finding that the melting temperature of the PBS sequence is crucial for efficient editing. The introduction of dual pegRNAs resulted in significant improvements in editing efficiency, with a 3.0-fold increase compared to individual pegRNAs.
Scientists at CABI have confirmed the presence of the highly invasive apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) in Kenya, posing a significant threat to the country's rice production. The discovery was made through DNA barcoding analyses and confirms the species' potential to spread further, highlighting the need for strict quarantine measures.
A recent study reveals that coral-eating fish excrete symbiotic dinoflagellate algae by the millions, potentially keeping reefs healthy. This unexpected twist on coral reef symbiosis confirms that poop from coral-eating fish is an important environmental source of beneficial coral symbionts.
A study led by Rice University's Lauren Stadler and the City of Houston Health Department compared five processes used to concentrate samples and find COVID-19 in wastewater from six Houston plants. The process called 'electronegative filtration with bead beating' proved most sensitive and cost-effective.
Researchers found that combining energy sources increases light emission from nanoscale devices, potentially enabling faster computer chips and advanced photocatalysts. The effect is attributed to the enhancement of hot electron generation through anti-Stokes electronic Raman scattering.
Climate models suggest that offsetting agricultural emissions through CO2 removal could require substantial price increases, potentially up to 41% for beef, 40% for milk, and 14% for rice. Implementing such measures could be crucial in achieving ambitious climate targets.
A recent study found that rising temperatures negatively impact rice yields, even for varieties bred to withstand heat. The study used 50 years of weather and rice-yield data from farms in the Philippines, revealing a 'yield gap' between breeding trials and farm performance.
A University of Illinois study suggests that India's rice farmers can increase production while reducing water usage by adopting conservation practices like direct-seeding and soil conservation technology. The researchers also recommend reducing post-harvest losses to further increase crop availability.
Rice University's Carbon Hub has awarded seed grants to six research projects aiming to transform the oil and gas sector into a leading provider of clean hydrogen energy and solid carbon products. The selected teams will investigate various applications, including cement reinforced with carbon fibers, urban smog reduction, and replacin...
A new teamwork model developed by researchers at Rice University aims to improve patient health care outcomes. The model emphasizes psychological safety, trust, adaptability, and resilience, and provides tips for implementing team development interventions to advance team effectiveness.
Dr. Christopher Tunnell, a computational astroparticle physicist at Rice University, has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award to further his research on dark matter and other phenomena. The award will support a combined physics and computer science effort to detect rare particles and understand the universe.
A summer program at Rice University has proven successful in helping high school girls thrive in challenging science courses, with participants scoring 3% better in physics. The study also found that hands-on engineering experiences help teachers engage students and improve their own self-efficacy in engineering instruction.
Researchers discover mutant p53 protein clusters drive disease-causing aggregates, a key finding in understanding cancer mechanisms. The study suggests novel cancer treatments targeting mutant p53 may be effective.
The model evaluates synergy between properties going up for auction, allowing governments to decide if bundling or separate auctions are more beneficial. Bundling guarantees synergy realization, but reduces flexibility in allocating items to bidders.
Researchers analyzed camera-trap data from 15 tropical rainforests to find a predictable relationship between mammal communities and plant productivity. The study suggests that unique species are more common in forests with high productivity, allowing them to thrive without intense competition.
A Chinese-German research team has identified a rice plant variant that can neutralize arsenic toxins, with grains containing less than half the amount of arsenic as conventional rice. The astol1 rice variant also exhibits an elevated content of essential trace element selenium.
Researchers have identified suberin as a crucial molecule in gas-tight compartments of C4 plants, enabling efficient CO2 fixation. The discovery has significant implications for breeding more resilient and productive crops, such as sugarcane, sorghum, and maize.
Rice University physicists have discovered a way to trap the world's coldest plasma in a magnetic bottle, advancing research into clean energy, space weather, and astrophysics. The ultracold plasma has applications for studying solar wind interactions, fusion power, and understanding plasma behavior in complex locations.
Researchers from Rice University and international collaborations discovered a nonmagnetic quantum material exhibiting the Hall effect without an applied magnetic field. The effect is more than 1,000 times larger than expected, revealing the role of topology in strong correlations and potential applications for quantum computation.
A new bioinformatics tool called PlasmidHawk has been developed by Rice University researchers to track the origin of synthetic genetic code. The tool uses a sequence alignment-based approach and was found to outperform recent deep learning approaches in lab-of-origin prediction, achieving 76% accuracy.
Rice University chemists have developed a novel process for synthesizing fluoroketones, precursors for drug design and manufacture. The new method uses a cerium-based catalyst, which produces functional precursors under mild conditions in about 30 minutes.
Rice University scientists develop a new theory that can help identify materials for advanced spintronic devices, which depend on electron spin states. The theory predicts heteropairs of two-dimensional bilayers that enable large Rashba splitting, making room-temperature spin transistors possible.
A new study proposes a plan for farmers to protect themselves from financial losses while preserving endangered predators, such as snow leopards. Community livestock insurance contracts could benefit both farmers and conservation efforts.
Researchers created a stamp-sized microfluidic chip that measures SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein concentration in blood serum, enabling rapid diagnosis of COVID-19. The device uses programmed magnetic nanobeads and an electrochemical sensor to deliver accurate results within minutes.
A University of Oklahoma-led team identified limits in the major greenhouse emission database EDGAR, which underestimates paddy rice methane emissions. The researchers developed annual paddy rice maps to quantify spatial-temporal changes and improve simulations of models estimating methane emission.
A University of Michigan study finds that groundwater depletion could significantly impact Indian agriculture, with potential losses of up to 20% in winter cropped acreage nationwide. The researchers estimate that even partial replacement with canal irrigation may not be enough to maintain current production levels.
A new study from Rice University finds that governments with strong female representation are more likely to deliver on campaign promises. The research also suggests that women in leadership roles are even more effective at keeping these promises.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a real-time sensor system that can detect the airborne COVID-19 virus, with funding from DARPA. The system uses molecular imprinting and organic electrochemical transistors to rapidly transduce SARS-CoV-2 binding events into electronic signals.
Researchers found a genetic mechanism in Mycobacterium tuberculosis that allows the bacterium to respond to stress rapidly and in manner that is 'history-dependent.' The study suggests this mechanism may be key to understanding tuberculosis latency, a global health problem affecting 2-3 billion people.
Yingyan Lin, an assistant professor at Rice University, has received a $400,000 NSF CAREER Award to develop more efficient deep learning hardware accelerators. Her goal is to push forward ubiquitous intelligent devices and green artificial intelligence, addressing the gap between complex algorithms and limited resources.
Scientists discovered that plant roots make corkscrew-like motions to burrow into the soil and anchor themselves. The growth pattern is coordinated by the hormone auxin and helps roots find the best path forward.
Haotian Wang, a chemical and biomolecular engineer at Rice University, has been selected as a 2021 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow for his outstanding contributions to the field of electrochemistry. He will receive a two-year grant of $75,000 to advance his research on electrocatalysis and sustainable chemicals production.
Researchers have created an algorithm called SCEPTTr that predicts the stability of collagen triple helices, a critical structure in skin, bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The program expands on previous work to understand natural amino acids and provides detailed melting temperatures for each possible combination of sequences.
Researchers have designed windows with a conjugated polymer layer that absorbs light and guides it to solar cells, generating electricity. The panels are more efficient at converting ambient LED light than direct sunlight.
Mark Torres, an assistant professor at Rice University, has won the Geochemical Society's top honor for early-career scientists. His research focuses on interactions between the hydrosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere, biosphere and crust.
Researchers created a 'defective' catalyst that simplifies the generation of hydrogen peroxide from oxygen, with 100% Faradaic efficiency. The process is simpler and cheaper than existing methods, with potential to replace expensive and toxic chemicals in various industries.
Researchers have developed a new genome editing tool that targets histone proteins in the nucleus, regulating DNA expression. The programmable CRISPR/Cas9-based kinase offers insights into controlling regulatory histone proteins and has potential applications in treating cancer and other diseases.
Agricultural expert Angelia Seyfferth investigates how contaminants in soil affect rice plants, finding that adding rice husk residue can lower arsenic and cadmium levels. This discovery has potential to mitigate food contamination and protect global staple food populations.
Scientists develop method to increase nutrient uptake and stomatal opening in rice, resulting in over 30% increase in crop yield. The technique uses a plasma membrane proton pump gene overexpression, reducing the need for fertilizers and improving carbon capture.
A study of 137,130 people across 21 countries found a strong association between high refined grain intake and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death. Higher intakes of refined grains were associated with 27% higher mortality rates and 33% higher cardiovascular event risks compared to lower intakes.
Researchers at Rice University and Los Alamos National Laboratory have discovered a technology to make electron sources from halide perovskite thin films, efficiently converting light into free electrons. The cost savings come from abundant and inexpensive raw materials and a simpler manufacturing process.
Engineers at Rice University developed a model to quantify the spread of pollutants from failed storage tanks during natural disasters. The model shows that chemicals like benzene and toluene can evaporate and drift with the wind, posing health risks to downwind communities.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered how propofol, a common anesthetic, disrupts the movement of kinesin proteins that deliver cargo along microtubules. The study found that propofol binding shortens the 'run length' of kinesin's motion by up to 60%, leading to its release from the microtubule and stopping its movement.
Researchers found a way to process hexagonal boron nitride into high-quality 2D nanosheets using surfactants and water. The findings could lead to the development of antibacterial films and heat-resistant materials.
Physicists Qimiao Si and Emilian Nica propose a new theory that explains how electrons form pairs in unconventional superconductors. Their work reveals a general phenomenon called multiorbital singlet pairing, which is crucial for understanding the behavior of iron-based and heavy-fermion materials.
The MOANA Project aims to create a dual-function wireless headset that can read and write brain activity, restoring lost sensory function. The team successfully demonstrated the technology using light and magnetic fields in a proof-of-principle research.
Researchers found distinct nitrogen isotopic signatures in iron meteorites, suggesting the protoplanetary disk divided into two reservoirs within 300,000 years of its formation. This discovery challenges current understanding of volatile elements' origin and habitability of exoplanets.
Researchers have discovered that tiny bubbles in erupted lava can tell tales of big volcanic eruptions, and magnetite crystals may explain the staggering number of bubbles. Scientists used numerical models to reconcile differences between predicted and actual bubble amounts, leading to improved volcanic forecasts.
Researchers at Rice University developed a computational model to fine-tune carbon nanotube fiber properties for aerospace, automotive and medical applications. The study reveals that longer nanotubes and increased crosslinks can strengthen fibers by reducing friction.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a technique to convert pyrolyzed plastic ash into turbostratic graphene flakes, which can be added to materials like polyvinyl alcohol films and Portland cement to improve their compressive strength and resistance to water. The process has the potential to reduce energy use and cut pollutan...
A new 2D compound made of antimony and indium selenide exhibits unique properties depending on its polarization by an external electric field. This allows for potential applications in solar energy and quantum computing, with the material being relatively simple to make.
Rice University engineers have created a process that converts carbon monoxide directly into acetic acid, a widely used chemical agent. The electrochemical process uses nanoscale copper cubes and solid-state electrolytes to produce highly purified acetic acid with up to 98% purity.
Scientists at TU Graz have identified a bacterium inside the seed of rice plants that can lead to complete resistance to a particular pathogen. The bacterium, Sphingomonas melonis, produces an organic acid that inhibits the pathogen and renders it harmless.
The study incorporates fluid dynamics and roughness of joint surfaces to evaluate artificial hips, aiming to advance the design of more robust prostheses. The model could help clinicians personalize hip joints for patients depending on gender, weight, age, and gait variations.
Researchers at Rice University have successfully created metastable metallic nanoparticles from dichalcogenides, which can be used in electronics and optics. The process involves applying a high electrical charge to rapidly raise the material's temperature, producing a new class of highly valued materials.
Researchers at Rice University have created a lab tool that simplifies simulations of the human intestine, allowing for more practical studies on diseases like infectious diarrhea. The device enables the real-time growth of bacterial infections and provides a mechanical model for studying how invading bacteria cause disease.
Researchers found a key gene, OsTCP19, that helps rice adapt to low soil nitrogen levels. By introducing this gene into modern cultivars, farmers can improve crop yields while reducing fertilizer use, leading to more sustainable agricultural practices.
Researchers found significant variation in flag leaf ability to adjust to fluctuating light, with some varieties producing carbohydrates nearly twice as fast as others. This discovery could lead to improved water-use efficiency and more resilient crops.