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Rice fluids researcher earns solid federal support

Jesse Chan, a computational and applied mathematician at Rice University, has received a five-year NSF CAREER Award to develop new technologies for reliable simulations of fluid flow. The grant will support his research on developing stable numerical methods for high-fidelity simulations.

SourceRice University·DateJan 29, 2020

Ordering in? Plants are way ahead of you

Researchers discovered that plants use flavonoids to communicate with microbes in the soil, but high levels of organic carbon in the soil can repress these signals. This allows plants to control whether they invest in expensive symbionts and avoid wasting photosynthate on unnecessary microbial help.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 29, 2020
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Rice lab turns trash into valuable graphene in a flash

Researchers at Rice University have developed a 'flash graphene' process that can turn bulk quantities of waste material into valuable graphene flakes. The process is quick, cheap, and produces high-quality graphene with reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceRice University·JournalNature·DateJan 27, 2020

Chinese tariff rate quota policy severely impacted US wheat exports

A new study from University of Illinois found that China's tariff quota administration significantly affected US grain exports, particularly for wheat. Wheat imports from the US could have been $324 million or 83% higher without restrictive policies.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalAgricultural Economics·DateJan 23, 2020

CPRIT grant bolsters Rice biosciences

Rice University has received a $6 million grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to bolster its growing biosciences initiative. Synthetic biologist Caroline Ajo-Franklin will lead the effort, exploring biological-inorganic interfaces and developing sensors to monitor chemotherapy agents in real-time.

SourceRice University·DateJan 22, 2020
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Kids rice snacks in Australia contain arsenic above EU guidelines: Study

A new study found 75% of Australian rice-based products contain inorganic arsenic above the European Union guideline, posing a risk to children's health. The research recommends that kids eat rice in moderation and parents avoid serving it at every meal to minimize exposure to arsenic.

SourceRMIT University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateJan 21, 2020

Less may be more in next-gen batteries

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a mechanism that protects cathodes from degrading in lithium-ion batteries by applying a thin layer of alumina, which also accelerates charging speed. This breakthrough could lead to more stable and efficient batteries for electric cars and grid storage.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Applied Energy Materials·DateJan 21, 2020

Not so fast: Some batteries can be pushed too far

Researchers found that intentionally adding defects to lithium-ion batteries can cause stress, leading to cracks and degradation. The study suggests a sweet spot for defect levels to optimize performance, contradicting previous findings.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateJan 14, 2020

Gasification goes green

Researchers create light-powered nanoparticle that shrinks the carbon footprint of syngas production, a valuable chemical feedstock used to make fuels, fertilizer, and other products. The low-energy, low-temperature process produces a mix of carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Energy·DateJan 10, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

New production method for carbon nanotubes gets green light

Researchers have successfully developed a new production method for single-walled carbon nanotubes, addressing the issue of variability in nanotube sources. The new process, led by Swansea University and NoPo Nanotechnologies, has shown favorable comparisons to historically available materials.

SourceSwansea University·JournalC – Journal of Carbon Research·DateJan 7, 2020

Snake-like proteins can wrangle DNA

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a novel mechanism by which snake-like proteins, known as coiled coils, interact with DNA to form loops that regulate genetic messages. These loops are formed through a braiding process, where the coiled coils writhe and twist around each other, bringing together sites on DNA.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 2, 2020

Nightside barrier gently brakes 'bursty' plasma bubbles

Scientists at Rice University have developed new methods to characterize the influence of turbulence on space weather. They discovered that bursty bulk flows cause big ripples in plasma, leading to oscillations called buoyancy waves. These waves play a role in the formation of auroral structures and magnetospheric substorms.

SourceRice University·DateDec 20, 2019
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

A photo taken with a mobile phone to detect frauds in rice labelling

Researchers at Universidad Complutense de Madrid developed an AI-powered algorithm that uses deep learning to detect irregularities in rice labelling. The algorithm achieved precision models between 93 and 99%, showing potential for future applications in the food industry.

SourceUniversidad Complutense de Madrid·JournalFood Control·DateDec 20, 2019

Switching cereals in India for improved nutrition, sustainability

A new study from the University of Delaware suggests that India can sustainably enhance its food supply and reduce environmental impacts by reducing reliance on rice and planting more nutritious crops like sorghum and finger millet. The traditional cereals have higher nutritional quality, use less water and energy, and emit fewer green...

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 18, 2019

Grain traits traced to 'dark matter' of rice genome

Researchers found that key changes during rice domestication reflect selection on traits determined by a portion of the genome that does not transcribe proteins. Non-coding RNAs, suspected to play important roles in regulating growth and development, were also implicated.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 18, 2019
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Hydrogels control inflammation to help healing

Researchers have developed injectable hydrogels that can tune the body's inflammatory response, promoting or reducing inflammation as needed. The study found that positively charged hydrogels triggered stronger responses for wound-healing and cancer treatment, while negatively charged gels were better suited for drug delivery.

SourceRice University·JournalBiomaterials·DateDec 16, 2019

How do silt and sand differ when going with the flow?

Researchers at Rice University discovered that a specific grain size can control the movement of silt and sand in rivers, with no correlation to water speed. This finding has significant implications for understanding sediment transport and its impact on coastlines and deltas.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 16, 2019

Ancient events are still impacting mammals worldwide

Researchers discovered that events from 20,000 years ago or more are still impacting the diversity and distribution of mammal species globally. The study found that historic climate does a better job than current climate in explaining present biodiversity patterns.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 16, 2019

Deadly 'superbugs' destroyed by molecular drills

Researchers at Rice University and Texas A&M University developed molecular drills that target and kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The drills, which can be activated with light, increase the effectiveness of existing antibiotics, offering a potential solution to superbug infections.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateDec 12, 2019

Detours may make batteries better

Scientists at Rice University have discovered that placing specific defects in the crystalline lattice of lithium iron phosphate-based cathodes can broaden the avenues through which lithium ions travel. This could improve performance by up to two orders of magnitude and potentially lead to similar improvements in other types of batteries.

SourceRice University·Journalnpj Computational Materials·DateDec 9, 2019
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Rice, Amazon report breakthrough in 'distributed deep learning'

Researchers have developed a new approach called MACH, which reduces the training resources required for large-scale machine learning models. By dividing data into smaller buckets and using compressed sensing, the system can process 70 million queries and 49 million products in minutes, compared to hours or days with traditional methods.

SourceRice University·DateDec 9, 2019

Gulf Coast corals face catastrophe

A new study by Rice University researchers warns that coral reefs in the Gulf of Mexico are on the brink of collapse due to rising temperatures and ocean acidification. The study found that even reducing greenhouse gas emissions to meet the Paris Agreement's targets may not be enough to preserve the reefs.

SourceRice University·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·DateDec 5, 2019

Patient diaries reveal propensity for epileptic seizures

A new statistical tool has been validated for assessing epilepsy seizure risk, allowing for more accurate treatment decisions. The Epilepsy Seizure Assessment Tool (EpiSAT) correctly identified changes in seizure risk in over 87% of cases.

SourceRice University·JournalEpilepsia·DateDec 4, 2019
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Warmer temperatures will increase arsenic levels in rice, study shows

Researchers at the University of Washington found that warmer temperatures can lead to higher concentrations of arsenic in rice grains. The study, presented at the American Geophysical Union's Fall Meeting, suggests that climate change could exacerbate the problem of arsenic-contaminated rice, posing a health risk to consumers.

SourceUniversity of Washington·DateDec 4, 2019

Breathing? Thank volcanoes, tectonics and bacteria

A new study suggests that volcanic eruptions triggered by tectonics led to the Great Oxidation Event, a significant increase in oxygen in Earth's atmosphere about 2.5 billion years ago. The research proposes that this event was also linked to a change in the composition of carbon isotopes in carbonate rock record.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateDec 2, 2019

In hunted rainforests, termites lose their dominance

A study by Rice ecologists found that termites lose their dominance in hunted areas of an African forest, with a 170-fold decrease in abundance. Termites play crucial roles as ecosystem engineers and food sources for other organisms, highlighting the cascading impacts of megafauna loss.

SourceRice University·JournalBiological Conservation·DateDec 2, 2019
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Rice to feed the world given a funding boost

The C4 Rice Project aims to create a more efficient photosynthetic pathway, allowing rice to thrive in harsher environments. By the end of the next phase in 2024, scientists hope to have experimental field plots up and running in Taiwan.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·DateDec 1, 2019

Ammonia synthesis made easy with 2D catalyst

Rice University scientists create inorganic catalyst from molybdenum disulfide that mimics natural bacterial process to produce ammonia on demand under ambient conditions. The method uses electricity and can be used for small-scale production or even in space applications.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateNov 25, 2019

Bottlebrushes rise up to control coatings

Researchers at Rice University developed bottlebrush copolymers to refine surface coatings, making them more waterproof or conductive. The polymers' migration to top and bottom of thin films can effectively decouple properties of bulk coating from exposed surfaces.

SourceRice University·JournalMacromolecules·DateNov 14, 2019

Theoretical tubulanes inspire ultrahard polymers

Researchers at Rice University have created a new type of polymer that is nearly as hard as diamond and can deflect bullets more effectively than solid materials. The polymers are inspired by theoretical structures called tubulanes, which were predicted to have extraordinary strength.

SourceRice University·JournalSmall·DateNov 13, 2019

Stalled weather patterns will get bigger due to climate change

A Rice University study found that climate change will increase the size of stalled high-pressure weather systems, leading to larger heat waves and more severe droughts. The research used climate model simulations to predict a 17% increase in blocking events in the northern hemisphere.

SourceRice University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateNov 12, 2019
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Researchers model avalanches in two dimensions

Cornell researchers have modeled crackling noise in two dimensions, using a combination of mathematical schemes to solve a decades-old problem. The study sheds light on the behavior of avalanches and crackling noise near critical points, making an important step toward a fuller understanding.

SourceCornell University·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateNov 6, 2019

Perovskite solar cells get an upgrade

Rice University scientists have overcome a major hurdle keeping perovskite-based solar cells from achieving mainstream use by engineering defects and retaining efficiency. They replaced lead with indium, resulting in cells that can be made in open air and last for months.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateNov 5, 2019

Rice yields plummet and arsenic rises in future climate-soil scenarios

Climate change is projected to cause a dramatic decline in rice yields, potentially devastating global food supplies. The crop's sensitivity to soil arsenic, exacerbated by increased temperatures and irrigation with high-arsenic water, will lead to twice the normal amount of toxic arsenic in rice.

SourceStanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 1, 2019

Cocktail proves toxic to leukemia cells

Researchers at Rice University and MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered a combination of drugs that target mitochondria can selectively kill leukemia cells while leaving healthy blood cells unaffected. This breakthrough could lead to more effective personalized treatment for patients with leukemia.

SourceRice University·JournalCell Death and Disease·DateOct 31, 2019

Even 'Goldilocks' exoplanets need a well-behaved star

Astronomers refine search for potentially habitable planets by modeling stellar activity and its effect on planetary magnetic fields. Researchers estimate that some exoplanets could lose their atmospheres in as little as 100 million years due to intense radiation from their stars.

SourceRice University·DateOct 31, 2019
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Signaling waves determine embryonic fates

Researchers at Rice University discovered dynamic molecular signaling waves that prompt cell differentiation and trigger the formation of germ layers in human embryos. The study counters previous theories by showing gradients do not exist in stem-cell colonies and the process is more dynamic than previously appreciated.

SourceRice University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 28, 2019

Salt helps proteins move on down the road

Rice University scientists have developed a strategy to make polymer membrane-based separation of proteins more efficient using salt. The researchers identified competing forces at the nylon surface that could be tuned by salt concentration, allowing for improved separation efficiencies.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 28, 2019
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Soft double gyroids are unique, but imperfect, crystals

Scientists at Rice University have created a unique nanoscale material called soft double gyroids, which exhibits a maze-like structure. However, their analysis reveals that the material's structure is not perfectly cubic, but rather distorted due to grain boundaries and directional stress.

SourceRice University·JournalNature·DateOct 28, 2019

Rice study assesses college leadership training programs

A new study from Rice University found that college leadership training programs teach students about leadership, but additional measures are needed to evaluate their impact on real-life leadership skills. The analysis suggests a 19% increase in knowledge and better leadership outcomes for program participants.

SourceRice University·JournalThe Leadership Quarterly·DateOct 22, 2019

When a freestanding emergency department comes to town, costs go up

A new study by Rice University experts found that freestanding emergency departments increased average emergency department spending by 3.6% per insured beneficiary in Texas, Florida, and North Carolina. In contrast, entry of a freestanding emergency department resulted in higher out-of-pocket payments for emergency care in three states.

SourceRice University·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·DateOct 22, 2019

Embryo's early development revealed in a dish

Bioscientists at Rice University have created a system to form all major cell types of ectoderm in a culture dish, allowing for the most comprehensive analysis yet of signaling pathways that drive patterning. The balance between two signaling pathways, BMP and Wnt, is critical, and cells can take more than one road to get there.

SourceRice University·JournalDevelopment·DateOct 17, 2019
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Synthetic cells make long-distance calls

Engineered E. coli bacteria using transcriptional circuits from Rice lab researchers can synchronize gene expression across large distances, enabling collective action in community settings. The discovery could lead to treatment of gut microbiome conditions and interaction with bioelectronics.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateOct 15, 2019

Overlap allows nanoparticles to enhance light-based detection

Researchers at Rice University have developed a method to amplify the light emitted by molecules using plasmonic nanoparticles. By optimizing the spectral frequency overlap between the molecule and nanoparticle, they can enhance signal detection up to 10 times. This technique has potential applications in analyzing catalysts and improv...

SourceRice University·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateOct 14, 2019

Water + air + electricity = hydrogen peroxide

The Rice reactor produces valuable chemical in desired concentration and high purity, eliminating the need for hazardous transportation and purification. The low-cost carbon black catalyst enables point-of-use production of pure hydrogen peroxide solutions.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·DateOct 10, 2019
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Rice bran may help curb malnutrition, diarrhea for infants

A new clinical trial found that adding rice bran to infant diets enhanced growth and reduced diarrhea, while also showing potential for improving gut health. The study's results suggest that rice bran could be a practical dietary intervention strategy in regions with high rates of impaired growth and development.

SourceColorado State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 8, 2019

Bacteria trapped -- and terminated -- by graphene filter

A graphene filter developed by Rice University scientists can capture and sanitize airborne pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The filter uses Joule heating to kill trapped microbes and their toxic byproducts, potentially reducing hospital infections.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateOct 7, 2019

Newborn baby deaths in Africa targeted in $68M initiative

A new global health initiative, NEST360°, aims to reduce newborn mortality in sub-Saharan Africa by 50% through improved hospital care. The $68M program will focus on developing affordable technologies and training for hospitals in four initial countries, with plans to expand to the rest of the continent.

SourceRice University·DateOct 4, 2019
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Quantum material goes where none have gone before

Physicists at Rice University have created a new alloy that exhibits unusual electronic properties when traversing the final frontier of quantum criticality. The cerium palladium aluminum alloy behaves like a spin liquid, a metallic system with exotic properties that can be found in other strongly correlated materials.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Physics·DateSep 30, 2019