News Releases

HISD partners with Rice University to conduct districtwide study on educational equity

The Houston Independent School District (HISD) has partnered with Rice University’s Houston Education Research Consortium (HERC), a program of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research and School of Social Sciences, to conduct a comprehensive study on educational equity across the district.

Better wastewater treatment? It’s a wrap

A shield of graphene helps particles destroy antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the free-floating genes in wastewater treatment plants.

Changing CEO before IPO may raise valuation

HOUSTON – (July 17, 2020) – New research from Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business shows that a change in leadership before a startup’s initial public offering (IPO) can increase its valuation and performance.

Global health students’ innovation not stopped by COVID-19

Students at Rice University and in Malawi present device designs to deal with the COVID-19 crisis during the Rice 360˚ Institute for Global Health Intern Showcase.

Houston and Texas expected to fall short of postsecondary education goal

HOUSTON – (July 16, 2020) – As demand for workers with college degrees rises, Houston and Texas are predicted to fall short of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s (THECB) goals for the next decade, according to a new report from Rice University's Houston Education Research Consortium (HERC), part of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research and School of Social Sciences.

‘Bystander’ Cs meet their match in gene-editing technique

Biomolecular engineers at Rice have developed new tools to increase the accuracy of CRISPR single-base editing to treat genetic diseases.

As coronavirus cases grow in Houston, some people say they’re less anxious, according to COVID-19 registry

HOUSTON – (July 15, 2020) – COVID-19 continues to spread in Texas and especially the Houston area, but nearly one-fifth of residents surveyed by Rice University's COVID-19 Registry say they’re less anxious now than at beginning of the pandemic.

Tale of the tape: Sticky bits make better batteries

Rice University scientists use an industrial laser to turn adhesive tape into a component for safer, anode-free lithium metal batteries.

Bird droppings carry risk of antibiotic resistance

Rice University engineers analyze the droppings of urban birds and show persistent levels of antibiotic-resistant genes and bacteria that may be transferred to humans through the environment.

Emmett joins Baker Institute’s Center for Energy Studies

Former Harris County Judge Ed Emmett has been named a fellow in energy and transportation policy in the Center for Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, the institute announced July 1.

Rice U. expert: Hagia Sophia should remain interfaith

Attendance, grades, advanced courses best predict whether students from Houston ISD will go to college

HOUSTON – (July 8, 2020) – The best way to predict whether Houston ISD students will go to college is to examine a combination of attendance rates, grades, and credits in advanced courses, according to a study by Rice University's Houston Education Research Consortium (HERC), part of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research.

Boron nitride destroys PFAS 'forever' chemicals PFOA, GenX

Rice chemical engineers discovered a photocatalyst that can destroy 99% of the “forever” chemical PFOA

Parents' pandemic-induced stress can do long-term harm to children, says Baker Institute expert

HOUSTON – (July 7, 2020) – The COVID-19 pandemic, which has accentuated long-standing challenges many families face, has put additional stress on parents that could harm the development of their children, according to a new brief from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Trump vs. Biden brings foreign policy to the forefront

Foreign policy will play a major role in the 2020 presidential campaigns, according to a new brief from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.