For decades, researchers believed that Homo habilis — the earliest known species in our genus — marked the moment humans rose from prey to predators, but new findings from a team led by a Rice anthropologist challenge that view.
Researchers led by Rice’s Yong Lin Kong have developed a soft but strong metamaterial that can be controlled remotely to rapidly transform its size and shape.
‘Rhythm beats volume’: How the brain keeps the world looking familiar
Rice scientists’ custom, large-scale neurorecording array sheds light on how the brain keeps the world looking familiar.
AI for ecology and conservation: New tools track ecosystem health
Rice's César A. Uribe is developing computational tools to help scientists better understand ecosystems with recent studies using AI to glean new insights from different kinds of ecological data — from African mammal food webs to tropical forest soundscapes.
New Mars research reveals multiple episodes of habitability in Jezero Crater
New research using NASA’s Perseverance rover has uncovered strong evidence that Mars’ Jezero Crater experienced multiple episodes of fluid activity — each with conditions that could have supported life.
Rice accelerates AI innovation to transform teaching, learning and research
With the 2025–26 academic year underway, Rice is taking bold steps to harness the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in teaching, research and operations. Guided by Momentous, the university’s 10-year strategic plan, Rice is positioning itself as a global leader in the responsible development and application of AI, computing and other disruptive technologies.
New electrical flash method rapidly purifies red mud into strong ceramics, aluminum feedstock
Rice researchers have developed a faster and cleaner method for recovering aluminum and removing toxic metals from bauxite residue.
Rice adopts Google’s generative AI solution to enhance student learning and faculty support
Rice has partnered with Google for Education to adopt Google’s generative AI solution, Gemini for Education, to provide students, faculty and staff with powerful, responsible AI tools designed to personalize learning, enhance creativity and better prepare students for a technology-driven future.
Rice Real Estate Co., in partnership with Lincoln Property Co., has unveiled plans to develop a landmark research, laboratory and office building designed to catalyze world-class innovation and enterprise in Houston.
Bridging gap between artificial intelligence, real-world health outcomes
The Ken Kennedy Institute at Rice will host the fourth annual AI in Health Conference this month, aiming to forge interdisciplinary, cross-institutional collaborations and showcase innovative AI advancements for health research, medicine and data-driven technology.
Rice opens Sarofim Hall, a transformative new home for the visual arts
The building consolidates Rice’s visual arts programs, long scattered across campus, into a single state-of-the-art space that emphasizes collaboration, transparency and public engagement.
Rice scientists develop ‘molecular magnifying glass’ to help identify diseases earlier
Researchers have engineered a fluorescent probe, into precise subdomains of protein.
Recent research from Rice and Houston Methodist shows how data-driven methods can sharpen doctors’ decisions for patients with aortic regurgitation, a common heart condition where the heart valve doesn’t close properly and blood leaks backward into the heart.
Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week begins Sept. 15 and exemplifies how Houston is developing and scaling real solutions for the challenge of meeting growing global energy demand while reducing carbon emissions.
New climate models to reveal secret life of water
A project led by Rice and the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research will build a new and improved version of the Community Earth System Model, which can trace water across the entire planet from the clouds in the sky to the thick ice sheets deep underground.