News Releases

Ancient viruses discovered in coral symbionts’ DNA

Rice bioscientists have discovered fragments of ancient RNA viruses in the genomes of the symbiotic organisms that live inside corals and provide them with their dramatic colors.

Rice U. grad student wins DOE research award

Winnie Shi, a Rice University chemical and biomolecular engineering graduate student, has been selected to participate in the Office of Science Graduate Student Research Program at the U.S. Department of Energy.

Flexible nanoelectrodes can provide fine-grained brain stimulation

Rice University engineers have developed ultraflexible implantable nanoelectrodes that can administer long-term, fine-grained brain stimulation.

New report examines gun violence ‘hot spots’ in Houston area

A new report by Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy sheds light on the reality of gun violence in the Houston area.

Iron-rich rocks unlock new insights into Earth’s planetary history

A new study by Rice University scientists suggests iron-rich ancient sediments may have helped cause some of the largest volcanic events in the planet’s history.

Stock buyback taxes could do more harm than good, argue Baker Institute experts

The idea that stock buybacks are a manipulation by executives to benefit themselves at the expense of shareholders may be true for a small number of firms but not the vast majority, therefore implementing buyback taxes in an attempt to curb such profits are no replacement for broader tax reform, according to a new report from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. 

Rice University welcomes three new trustees

Rice University has announced the addition of three new Board of Trustees members — Josh Earnest, Jennifer Kneale and Vinay Pai — who will serve four-year terms beginning July 1.

Rice U. announces latest cohort of Innovation Fellows

The Innovation Fellows program at Rice University has announced its latest cohort of talented researchers.

Rice U. chemist named to Chemical and Engineering News' Talented 12

Rice U.’s Raúl Hernández Sánchez is one of 12 early-career scientists named to Chemical and Engineering News’ 2023 Talented 12 cohort for his research in inorganic and supramolecular chemistry.

Rice, Baylor developing ‘glyco-immune’ checkpoint inhibitor

Researchers from Rice and Baylor College of Medicine are developing a first-of-its-kind “glyco-immune” checkpoint inhibitor for breast cancer survivors who develop metastatic bone cancer.

World Bank Group president to discuss geoeconomic challenges at Baker Institute

David Malpass, World Bank Group president, will speak at a May 22 event hosted by Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

New Rice U. research finds verbal prompts can make semi-automated driving safer

Semi-automated cars are becoming increasingly common, but real dangers exist when technology fails and drivers don’t intervene.

2023 Kinder Houston Area Survey: Concerns over economy and housing costs rattle the city’s optimism

A turbulent economy and increasingly expensive and unattainable housing were dominant concerns cited by respondents to the 42nd annual Kinder Houston Area Survey, released today at the annual Kinder Institute Luncheon at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Houston.

Magnetic gear tech company wins 2023 Rice Business Plan Competition

​ FluxWorks from Texas A&M University, a magnetic gear technology company, took home the grand prize at the 2023 Rice Business Plan Competition (RBPC). The RBPC, hosted annually by the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship and Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business, is the world’s largest and richest student startup competition. This year’s edition saw 42 startups competing for $3.4 million in prizes – the highest in the 23 years of the event. More than 80 prizes were awarded and every team took home cash.

New priming method improves battery life, efficiency

Rice University engineers have developed a readily scalable method to optimize a silicon anode priming method that increases lithium-ion battery performance by 22% to 44%.