News Releases

US needs more foreign workers to solve labor crisis, says Baker Institute expert

Allowing more legal immigration and creating a workable solution for the millions of people living in the United States illegally is the only way to effectively address the nation’s worsening labor shortage, according to a report from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Following overturn of Roe v. Wade, Baker Institute experts available to discuss embryo and embryoid research landscape

Two experts from the Baker Institute for Public Policy’s Center for Health and Biosciences at Rice University are available to explain the regulatory landscape of human embryo and embryoid research, especially in light of changes to federal policy after Roe v. Wade was overturned.

Rice experts available to discuss Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade

After the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade’s federal abortion protections, Rice University experts are available to discuss what comes next.

Boron nitride nanotube fibers get real

Rice scientists create the first boron nitride nanotube fibers using the custom wet-spinning process they developed to make carbon nanotube fibers.

Process to customize molecules does double duty

Chemists develop a method to add two fragments to an alkene molecule in a single process, which could simplify drug and materials design.

City, county and port support Galveston Bay Park study

Houston, Harris County, Port Houston and entrepreneur Joe Swinbank have chipped in for an engineering study of Galveston Bay Park, a chain of man-made islands that Rice University experts have proposed building as both a hurricane barrier and a 10,000-acre public park.

Houston’s hot housing market has decreased inventory and widened affordability gap

Houston’s housing market is hotter than ever, people are paying skyrocketing prices for a declining inventory of homes and apartments and the affordability gap is getting worse, according to a new report from Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research.

SeqScreen can reveal ‘concerning’ DNA

Rice computer scientists and collaborators develop a program to screen short DNA sequences, whether synthetic or natural, to determine their toxicity.

Agriculture emissions pose risks to health and climate

Rice researchers find the economic cost of emissions from agriculture and their risks to populations through air pollution and climate change.

What’s up with oil? Impact on consumers, policy focus of upcoming Baker Institute event

Oil industry experts will discuss market response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, investor reluctance to fund shale operations and OPEC’s production decisions during a June 22 event at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. 

Rice lab’s quantum simulator delivers new insight

A Rice University quantum simulator is giving physicists a clear look at spin-charge separation, a bizarre phenomenon in which two parts of indivisible particles called electrons travel at different speeds in extremely cold 1D wires. The research is published this week in Science and has implications for quantum computing and electronics with atom-scale wires.

Dittmar named new Rice University provost

Amy Dittmar, a distinguished scholar with an extensive background in economics, finance and university administration, has been named the new provost of Rice University.

Humans in the loop help robots find their way

Rice computer scientists develop a method that allows humans to help complex robots build efficient solutions to “see” their environments and carry out tasks.

Leadership expert Stefanie Johnson named director of Doerr Institute

Stefanie Johnson, acclaimed leadership author, professor and keynote speaker, has been named the new director of the Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University. She will take over for outgoing director Tom Kolditz July 1.

Stressful events can take big toll on those struggling most with death of spouse

Widowed individuals experiencing intense grief after the loss of their spouse experience a significant increase in body inflammation following other stressful events, according to new research from Rice University.