News Releases

As relationship with US deteriorates, experts to discuss China's 'soft power'

HOUSTON – (Oct. 29, 2020) – Experts from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy will examine the role of "soft power" in U.S.-China diplomacy in the final webinar of its 2020 Election Series Nov. 2.

Rice to open national security research accelerator lab Oct. 30

Rice University will webcast the Oct. 30 opening ceremony for laboratories of the Rice University National Security Research Accelerator.

US wealth, income inequality has declined, Baker Institute expert finds

HOUSTON – (Oct. 28, 2020) – Analysis of Federal Reserve survey data shows U.S. wealth inequality has declined for the first time in nearly 30 years, while income inequality has seen its largest decline in three decades, according to a new working paper from Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Rice rolls out next-gen nanocars

Rice researchers continue to advance the science of single-molecule machines with a new lineup of nanocars, in anticipation of the next international Nanocar Race in 2022.

Rice Business’ Diversity and Inclusion Conference goes virtual Oct. 30

Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business will host the fifth annual and first virtual Diversity and Inclusion Conference Oct. 30.

SPOTlight supercharges cell studies

Researchers develop a new method to isolate specific cells, and in the process find a more robust fluorescent protein.

Mitchell Foundation, Baker Institute seek pathways to increase carbon capture

The new project will identify policies and actions to facilitate the capture and storage or use of carbon dioxide.

Baker Institute's Norman: Election a pivot point for US immigration policy

A Joe Biden presidency would “roll back many of the Trump administration’s attacks" on immigrants to the United States, but that may not be enough to pacify critics of the Obama administration's immigration policies who seek new protected pathways to citizenship, according to a new brief from an expert at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Fossil fuel subsidies need global reform, say Baker Institute experts

HOUSTON – (Oct. 22, 2020) – Fossil fuels still receive most of the international government support provided to the energy sector despite their “well-known environmental and public health damage,” according to new research from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

At our cores, we’re all strengthened by ‘dumbbells’

Scientists at Rice’s Center for Theoretical Biological Physics detail the structure of dumbbell-like sequences in DNA during interphase that suggest several unseen aspects of chromosome configuration and function.

Undocumented immigrants need better access to health care, say Baker Institute experts

Health care is a top voter issue this year, and for undocumented immigrants, the barriers to access are many.

Rice’s OpenStax launching Free the Textbook initiative

OpenStax is committed to improving access to quality learning materials.

Show goes on: Rice Opera's first virtual performance is 'Der Kaiser von Atlantis'

HOUSTON – (Oct. 19, 2020) – COVID-19 has taken a toll on performance venues, many of which have gone dark for the foreseeable future. Professional musicians and students alike are looking for new ways to share their craft with the public, even as a new study from Ricesuggests keeping musicians safe on stage may require more than just social distancing.

A trillion turns of light nets terahertz polarized bytes

Nanophotonics researchers at Rice University, the Polytechnic University of Milan and the Italian Institute of Technology have demonstrated a novel technique for modulating light at terahertz frequencies with plasmonic metasurfaces.

RUPD accreditation commission seeks public comments

HOUSTON -- (Oct. 19, 2020) -- A public forum for community comments about the Rice University Police Department will be held during a virtual visit to campus conducted by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.