News Releases

Study: Students’ home environments hurting education opportunities in Harris County

A new report from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy shows that students in Harris County face major challenges to their overall well-being and academic success.

Shape matters for light-activated nanocatalysts

Points matter when designing nanoparticles that drive important chemical reactions using the power of light, according research from Rice University's Laboratory for Nanophotonics.

Christians want more support from churches on faith/work issues, study shows

Christians want more support from their places of worship when it comes to navigating ethical matters and other issues in the workplace, according to a new study from researchers with Rice University's Religion and Public Life Program (RPLP). I

New Clean Energy Accelerator launches at Rice

HOUSTON – (Sept. 17, 2020) – Rice Alliance, the globally recognized initiative within the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University, will expand its programs to help startup enterprises with the launch of the Clean Energy Accelerator.

Fast calculation dials in better batteries

A simpler and more efficient way to predict performance will lead to better batteries, according to Rice University engineers.

Rice backs studies of race, anti-racism

The Race and Anti-Racism Research Fund at Rice University has awarded grants to eight professors to develop better understanding of how race, racism and racial injustice affect society.

Taxing online sports betting, fantasy sports may help states cover pandemic losses

HOUSTON – (Sept. 16, 2020) – Taxing online fantasy sports and sports betting may help states recoup some of the sales tax revenue lost during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a finance expert at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Harris County spends more than $200M per year addressing eviction crisis, estimate shows

The United States is facing an eviction emergency driven by the economic impacts of COVID-19.

Gentle probes could enable massive brain data collection

The National Institutes of Health is backing a Rice project to continue the development of flexible nanoelectronic thread to gather information from neurons. The implants could help find therapies for neurological disorders.

New book on North American trade deal an ‘invaluable guide’

HOUSTON – (Sept. 14, 2020) –  A world renowned expert on international trade deals has written a new book on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the landmark accord destined to impact trillions of dollars in commerce across the North American continent.

Rice rises to No. 16 in 2021 U.S. News rankings

HOUSTON – (Sept. 14, 2020) – Rice University moved up to the No. 16 ranking among the best national universities in the 2021 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges” guidebook, which was published today.

How leaders can encourage strong teams during the pandemic

HOUSTON – (Sept. 14, 2020) – Among the many stresses caused by the pandemic, workers accustomed to meeting with their teams in person are navigating the shift to a virtual workplace. New research from psychologists at Rice University offers tips on how leaders can encourage strong and productive teams during this difficult time.

Global collaboration needed to regulate embryo and embryoid research, says Baker Institute paper

HOUSTON – (Sept. 1, 2020) – The world’s scientific community must engage with a broad range of stakeholders to develop guidelines on embryo and embryoid research, according to a new paper from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

OpenStax to vastly expand open education library with support from national foundations

OpenStax, Rice’s educational technology initiative, is vastly expanding its library of free textbooks, working toward a goal of ensuring that no student ever has to worry about textbook costs again. This work is possible as a result of new grants totaling $12.5 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Charles Koch Foundation and the Stand Together community.

National parks preserve more than species

National parks are safe havens for endangered and threatened species, but an analysis by Rice University data scientists finds parks and protected areas can preserve more than species.