Ecology

At Rice, research opportunities help senior bring childhood dreams to life

For senior Dasseny Arreola, pursuing two majors, one minor, three research fellowships and even a novel was never about checking boxes.

Polygamy is (not) for the birds

Researchers at Rice have uncovered new insights into the evolution of bird behavior, revealing why certain mating systems persist while others disappear over time.

Deep-sea marvels: How anglerfish defy evolutionary expectations

A groundbreaking Rice University study sheds light on the extraordinary evolution of anglerfish, a group of deep-sea dwellers whose bizarre adaptations have captivated scientists and the public alike.

Another new wasp species discovered by researchers on Rice campus

A newly identified wasp species has been discovered on the university grounds.

Rice graduate students awarded NSF INTERN grants for real-world research opportunities

Rice graduate students Eric Wuesthoff and Esther Jimenez are the recipients of the National Science Foundation’s INTERN awards.

Rice biologists uncover new species of tiger beetle: Eunota houstoniana

Rice University evolutionary biologist Scott Egan and his research team have unearthed a new species of tiger beetle, deemed Eunota houstoniana, honoring the region of Houston, where it predominantly resides.

Rice researcher scans tropical forest with mixed-reality device

Rice University scientists incorporated a Microsoft HoloLens mixed-reality headset with custom-built open-source software to record and store mammal habitat data in the Udzungwa Mountains National Park in Tanzania, showing that there was greater biodiversity where more vegetation was measured.

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.

Fish thought to help reefs have poop that’s deadly to corals

Rice bioscientists have discovered the feces of fish that were long thought to promote healthy reefs can damage and, in some cases, kill corals.

Faculty, staff, students honored for excellence in teaching, mentoring, service

Each year, Rice honors members of the university community who have served students through outstanding teaching, dedication and service. Here are recipients of some of this year's awards.

Ocean warming intensifies viral outbreaks within corals

A groundbreaking three-year study has found evidence that ocean warming can trigger outbreaks of viruses that attack the symbiotic algae inside corals.

Lab Notes for Feb. 27, 2023

Solomon launches Wild World podcast; Meteorite discovery in South Texas

Reconstructing ice age diets reveals unraveling web of life

Rice-led research published in Science offers a clear picture of the consequences of land mammal declines on food webs.

VegSense makes sense for forest studies

Rice ecologists have created open-source software to rapidly gather field data with Microsoft’s mixed reality headset.

NSF awards 38 Graduate Research Fellowships to Rice students

The National Science Foundation has awarded 38 Graduate Research Fellowships to Rice University students.