Rice University

  • A close up of a thermometer hitting 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
    climate change

    Rising temps could lead to rapid population declines

    New research reveals that rising temperatures exacerbate competition within populations, ultimately leading to population crashes.
  • A close-up image of a clock.
    menopause

    New framework unravels menopause timing

    Researchers have developed a theoretical framework that quantitatively predicts menopause timing.
  • A man reads a newspaper that is on fire.
    politics

    Political attacks chip away trust in local news

    "Local news has always been a trusted lifeline for communities, but that trust is surprisingly fragile."
  • Kamcev holds a filter device in one hand and places the electrodes in it with tweezers in the other.
    water ,

    New tech helps turn seawater into drinking water

    New water purification technology helps turn seawater into drinking water without tons of chemicals, researchers report.
  • A city manhole cover has the word "sewer" on it.
    wastewater

    Dialysis works really well for wastewater treatment

    "It's an exciting discovery with the potential to redefine how we handle some of our most intractable wastewater challenges."
  • A bird sits on a branch above five chicks in a nest with their mouths wide open.
    birds

    Polygamy isn’t a great mating strategy for birds

    In one of the most comprehensive studies of its kind, researchers analyze how different bird mating practices shape evolution and survival.
  • A shot of Mars from space.
    Mars

    New evidence challenges ideas about Mars’ past

    New evidence exists for hidden water reservoirs and rare magmas on ancient Mars, researchers report.
  • A fisherman wearing blue gloves and an orange jacket holds an anglerfish that has its toothy mouth wide open.
    evolution

    How weird anglerfish defied evolutionary odds

    "This work not only enhances our understanding of deep-sea biodiversity but also illustrates the resilience and creativity of evolution."
  • A young woman with bright red dyed hair sleeps on a white pillow and under a white comforter.
    sleep

    Can you get sleep’s brain benefits without actually sleeping?

    New research could potentially change our fundamental understanding of how sleep boosts brainpower.
  • A plastic bottle floats in water.
    biomimicry

    Mussels inspire sticky way to clean up plastic waste

    Researchers have bioengineered mussel-inspired sticky microorganisms to help break down plastic waste.
  • A stack of old phones stands on a white surface.
    batteries

    Faster, cleaner method recovers lithium from battery waste

    A new process can retrieve as much as 50% of the lithium in spent lithium-ion battery cathodes in as little as 30 seconds.
  • An older man drapes his arms around an older woman sitting down who holds his arms.
    caregivers

    Stress takes a toll on caregivers at the cellular level

    New research links stress-related cell damage to negative mental and physical health effects among caregivers.