News Releases

Pandemic may be Mexican leadership's undoing, says Baker Institute expert

HOUSTON – (March 27, 2020) – The coronavirus pandemic is testing Mexico's leaders and their ability to handle a crisis, according to an expert at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

#CoronaCovers: Rice violin student practices social distancing while performing 'I Want To Hold Your Hand'

HOUSTON – (March 26, 2020) – Hand-holding is the last thing anyone should do during the COVID-19 pandemic, but a Rice University Shepherd School violin student won’t let social distancing stop her from doing what she does best.  

Coral tells own tale about El Niño’s past

Researchers from Rice and Georgia Tech studied ancient Pacific corals to improve computer model predictions of El Niño events.

Leaders who show their humanity are viewed more favorably, says Rice U. expert

During a crisis, outsiders view a leader who voices both anger and sadness, or even sadness alone, as more effective than a leader who shows only anger, according to newly released research conducted at Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business.

Rice announces tuition for 2020-21 school year

Rice University’s undergraduate tuition for the 2020-21 school year will be $50,310, an increase of $1,980 over the current year. The total cost, including $14,500 for room and board and $797 in mandatory fees, will increase 3.7% to $65,607.

Obama's 2008 election improved mental health of black men, research shows

HOUSTON – (March 24, 2020) – Barack Obama's election to the nation's highest office in 2008 improved the mental health of black men, according to new research from Rice University.

Online church services reduce 'sense of loneliness,' says Baker Institute expert

HOUSTON – (March 23, 2020) – With local and state government officials restricting large public gatherings and President Trump urging Americans to limit their gatherings to fewer than 10 people during the novel coronavirus outbreak, houses of worship all over the country are streaming services online. Even a reduced service can ease "the sense of loneliness," said William Martin, the Harry and Hazel Chavanne Senior Fellow in Religion and Public Policy at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy.  

Analyzing patients shortly after stroke can help link brain regions to speech functions

HOUSTON – (March 23, 2020) – New research from Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine shows analyzing the brains of stroke victims just days after the stroke allows researchers to link various speech functions to different parts of the brain, an important breakthrough that may lead to better treatment and recovery.

Rice U. experts available to discuss COVID-19's wide-ranging impact

HOUSTON – (March 23, 2020) – As the COVID-19 pandemic grows and impacts the lives of people across the globe, Rice University experts are available to discuss various topics related to the disease. 

Turning to small business loan programs amid crisis makes economic, political sense, says Rice U. expert

HOUSTON – (March 23, 2020) – President Trump's decision to utilize the Small Business Administration’s grant and loan programs as means of stabilizing local economies amid the shock of the coronavirus pandemic is motivated by their ability to pump money into local economies quickly — and their popularity in Congress — according to an expert at Rice University.

Panic-buyers not making rational decisions, says Rice U. consumer behavior expert

HOUSTON – (March 20, 2020) – Many Americans who are worried about being able to provide food, water and other necessities for their families during the coronavirus outbreak aren’t making rational decisions, according to a consumer behavior expert at Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business. Utpal Dholakia, professor of marketing at Rice Business, is available to discuss the dynamics at play.

How stress and loneliness can make you more likely to get COVID-19

What do stress, loneliness and lack of sleep have in common? They are all factors that can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to COVID-19, according to Rice University's Christopher Fagundes, an associate professor in the department of psychological sciences who studies the link between mental and immune health.

Rice's OpenStax helps nation's colleges and universities provide free online instruction during coronavirus outbreak

HOUSTON – (March 19, 2020) – The Rice University-based nonprofit OpenStax is responding to COVID-19 by helping students nationwide navigate their online courses and supporting faculty as they quickly transition to online course delivery.

Blacks' views on racism affect likelihood of self-employment

HOUSTON – (March 18, 2020) – Working blacks who believe racism has a major impact on their lives are more likely to seek self-employment than those who feel less strongly about its effects, according to new research from Rice University.

'Smart' wound-healing patch: DARPA awards $22 million grant

Rice University engineers are part of a team that's developing an 'intelligent' bandage to regrow muscle tissue for wounded soldiers.