News Releases

¿Hablar español o no? How speaking Spanish on the campaign trail helps some political candidates but hurts others

Speaking Spanish on the campaign trail may seem like a good way to connect with some voters, but new research from Rice University finds it can actually hurt the chances of Hispanic candidates who aren’t native speakers.

Strong ultralight material could aid energy storage, carbon capture

Rice U. materials scientists and collaborators at the University of Maryland showed that fine-tuning interlayer interactions in a class of 2D polymers can determine the materials’ loss or retention of desirable mechanical properties in multilayer or bulk form.

Rice U. energy experts available to discuss OPEC+ oil production cut

Saudi Arabia and other OPEC+ oil producers have announced production cuts that will result in rising gas prices and continued friction in U.S.-Saudi relations, according to experts from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Ocean warming intensifies viral outbreaks within corals

A groundbreaking three-year study has found evidence that ocean warming can trigger outbreaks of viruses that attack the symbiotic algae inside corals.

A 21st-century remedy for missed meds

Rice lab’s next-level encapsulation technology for drugs and vaccines could solve a $100 billion problem.

Baker Institute report: How do influencers get taxed?

Social media influencers can earn hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars each year. But how are those earnings taxed? A new brief explains what rules apply to influencers and how authorities can improve compliance.

Doerr Institute, Carnegie Foundation launching classification program to evaluate leadership training in higher ed

Higher education institutions across the country have a few more months to begin applying for the Carnegie Elective Classification for Leadership for Public Purpose (LPP) within Rice University’s Doerr Institute for New Leaders. The program aims to improve the practice of leadership education and development.

Report: Youth gun violence in Texas can be impacted with safety training, waiting periods

Over the last 10 years, Texas has experienced the most school shootings in the country. This trend makes effective laws more important than ever, according to a new brief from the Center for Health and Biosciences at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Rice psychologist Danielle King wins coveted NSF CAREER Award

Rice University’s Danielle King, an assistant professor of psychological sciences and a member of the faculty since 2018, has won a coveted National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award. The accolade includes a five-year grant that will support her research on preventing and overcoming race-based threats and how employers can improve workplace experiences for employees who face such threats.

Rice’s Todd Treangen wins NSF CAREER Award

Todd Treangen wins NSF CAREER Award to develop a comprehensive computational platform for detecting yet-unseen microbial pathogens.

Ancient DNA reveals entwined African and Asian ancestry along the Swahili coast of eastern Africa

A new genetic study of medieval people who lived along the Indian Ocean coast of eastern Africa — an area often called the “Swahili coast” for its language and culture — revealed that they had both African and Persian ancestry.

US patents chief to discuss research and innovation at Rice U. event

The commissioner for patents of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Vaishali Udupa, will headline an event April 5 on how to transform research into innovation, and ways in which universities and her office — working separately and together — can pick up the pace.

Shepherd School spring opera ‘L'incoronazione di Poppea,’ set for April 14 and 16

A shameless quest for power through any means necessary is the focus of Monteverdi’s “L'incoronazione di Poppea” (The Coronation of Poppea), the spring opera production from the Rice University Shepherd School of Music’s Opera and Chamber Orchestra.

Eco-efficient cement could pave the way to a greener future

Rice U. scientists develop process to remove toxic heavy metals from coal fly ash, making for greener, stronger concrete.

James Chappell wins NSF CAREER Award

Rice bioscientist James Chappell has won a National Science Foundation CAREER Award to develop RNA programming methods that can improve human health and the environment.