A massive genetic study has uncovered six new genes linked to pregnancy sickness, hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), in over 10,000 women. The findings point to biological mechanisms behind HG and potential new treatment pathways, with several medications identified as potential targets.
The research team will analyze mouse models and human brain tissue to identify cell types that show early signs of stress before neurons die. The multiscale model simulates how the progressive loss or disconnection of specific neurons disrupts memory-related brain networks.
Researchers have identified GSK3α as a common checkpoint controlling stem cell differentiation, maintaining self-renewal and preserving identities in various stem cell types. Inhibiting GSK3α demonstrates its fundamental role in regulating stem cell biology across developmental stages and species.
Researchers Paula Cannon, Alan Epstein, Heinz-Josef Lenz, and Bodour Salhia recognized for their work harnessing the immune system, DNA, and gene expression to fight cancer and other diseases. Their innovations have led to patents, licensing, and commercialization, with potential real-world impact.
A long-term study found children living near the Salton Sea have slower lung function growth, with effects comparable to freeway exposure. The researchers controlled for various factors and found that dust exposure was linked to lower lung capacity, suggesting potential long-term health implications.
The NIH has renewed support for the USC-led AI4AD initiative, expanding its efforts to better classify Alzheimer's and related diseases, predict progression, and identify new treatment targets. The $12.6 million award will develop AI tools to uncover biological causes of Alzheimer's and improve disease diagnosis.
Mohamed Abou-el-Enein, a USC physician-scientist, has received the Outstanding New Investigator Award and Best of Molecular Therapy Award from the American Society of Gene + Cell Therapy. His work focuses on translating scientific discoveries into clinical applications, with a particular emphasis on cell therapies.
The new joint department combines expertise in medical devices, neuroengineering, imaging science, and more to advance biomedical research and translate discoveries into meaningful health advances. The partnership aims to accelerate the translation of discoveries into improvements in human health.
The Linda and Mike Mussallem Foundation has donated to USC's Keck School of Medicine to enhance clinical trials for individuals with Down syndrome at risk for Alzheimer's. This will increase domestic and international sites, accelerating the development of treatments specifically for this population.
Researchers discovered that stroke survivors with severe motor impairment show signs of brain 'youthfulness' in undamaged regions, suggesting the brain's ability to adapt and compensate. This finding provides new insights into neuroplasticity and may guide personalized rehabilitation strategies.
Researchers at USC will develop an AI-driven framework to strengthen evidence generation for gene and cell therapies, helping bring promising treatments closer to patients. The project aims to better understand how specific therapy features relate to patient outcomes.
Researchers at USC identified differences in early Alzheimer's disease-related brain changes across racial and ethnic groups, with Black and Hispanic participants showing higher levels of tau in key memory-related regions. The study highlights the need for more inclusive approaches to studying and diagnosing Alzheimer's disease.
Women with cardiometabolic risk factors such as type 2 diabetes and high waist circumference face a higher risk of liver fibrosis, with rates increasing 11-fold and 2.8-fold compared to men. The study highlights the importance of managing these risk factors for liver health beyond heart disease prevention.
Researchers found that noninvasive measures of brain blood flow and oxygenation are associated with hallmark brain changes in older adults with and without cognitive impairment. Higher values on these indicators were linked to lower levels of amyloid plaques and larger hippocampal volume, indicating a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease.
A multidisciplinary team at USC has developed selective compounds that inhibit an enzyme tied to brain inflammation in people at genetic risk for Alzheimer’s. The inhibitors preserve normal brain function and cross the blood-brain barrier, suggesting a promising therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative diseases.
A new study using satellite data confirms that California's shift to electric vehicles is making measurable differences in air quality and public health. For every 200 ZEVs added, nitrogen dioxide levels dropped 1.1%.
Researchers developed an innovative noninvasive technique that combines ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging to capture images of both tissue and blood vessels. The technology has the potential to address current gaps in medical imaging, providing faster and more comprehensive imaging at meaningful depths.
A new study found that higher levels of PFAS in the blood are linked to an increased risk of early onset of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in adolescents. MASLD affects up to 40% of children with obesity and increases long-term risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and liver cancer.
Researchers at USC's Keck School of Medicine have developed a new type of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell that elicits a more controlled immune response to cancer. The engineered CAR T cells may offer a way to more safely treat blood cancers and reduce the chance of relapse.
A study published in Environmental Endocrinology found that teens with higher blood levels of PFAS before bariatric surgery had smaller improvements in blood sugar over five years. This could lead to the metabolic benefits of the surgery fading within a decade.
A new study links rising temperatures to reduced sleep quality and length in US adults, particularly those living on the West Coast. The research estimates that by 2099, people could lose up to 24 hours of sleep each year due to heat, highlighting the potential impact of climate change on sleep health.
Researchers at USC have identified four distinct layers of specialized cell types in the CA1 region of the mouse hippocampus, a structure vital for memory formation. This discovery changes our understanding of how information is processed in the brain and could explain why certain cells are more vulnerable in diseases like Alzheimer's ...
The USC Epstein Family Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute is leading the charge against Alzheimer’s with advances in blood tests and treatments. Researchers aim to develop effective preventive therapies within the next decade.
A USC study mapped tiny structural differences in white matter among children and young adults with autism, pinpointing patterns that earlier methods would have missed. The findings highlight the importance of developing new methods to better understand brain differences in autism.
Researchers found a significant link between type 1 diabetes and an increased risk of bladder cancer, with people being 4.29 times more likely to develop the disease. The new analysis controlled for tobacco smoking, a factor that obscured the heightened risk in earlier studies.
A recent USC study tracked 85 young adults over four years and found that increased ultra-processed food consumption was linked to elevated blood sugar and early signs of diabetes risk. The researchers also discovered that limiting UPF intake can help prevent disease.
A new USC study identified five genes linked to aggressive prostate cancer in people of African descent, including ATM, BRCA2, CHEK2, HOXB13 and PALB2. The researchers developed a method combining genetic risk scores with family history and specific variant presence for personalized monitoring and treatment strategies.
The study identified dozens of genetic regions that influence the size and thickness of the corpus callosum and its subregions. The research team created an AI-powered tool that finds and measures the corpus callosum in brain MRI scans automatically, allowing for unprecedented analysis of brain structure at scale and precision.
A US study found that nicotine vaping nearly doubled among adolescents who vaped between 2020 and 2024, with a significant increase in daily users struggling to quit. The researchers aimed to understand the 'hardening' of youth vapers, describing a worsening addiction pattern.
Researchers identified a significant association between perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) exposure and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in adolescents. The study used advanced models to reveal PFHpA's role in disrupting biological pathways, leading to liver damage and inflammation.
Researchers from USC Neurorestoration Center and Caltech created a simple, noninvasive device using laser technology to measure brain blood flow. The tool has already been tested with humans in small proof of concept studies demonstrating its utility for assessing stroke risk and detecting brain injury.
Researchers developed innovative blood-based biomarkers to predict long-term blood pressure improvements after bariatric surgery. The study analyzed pre-surgery blood tests and identified top 10 molecules linked to improved blood pressure outcomes.
Denis Evseenko and Toby Maher are developing a regenerative drug to block cells that promote fibrosis in the lungs, aiming to slow or reverse IPF damage. The team plans to test the safety and therapeutic potential of their drug-like molecules in animals and human cells.
The Keck School of Medicine has been recognized for its commitment to partnering with local communities in Los Angeles to address their critical needs through outreach, education, and service. The institution's community agenda is defined in collaboration with the communities it serves.
Researchers engineered CAR T cells to produce a fusion of IL-12 cytokine and a PD-L1 blocker, boosting immune activity against solid tumors. The modified cells were found to be highly effective in shrinking ovarian and prostate tumors while minimizing side effects.
Scientists successfully derive and maintain self-renewing and pluripotent ESCs from chickens and seven other bird species using a growing medium of egg yolk. The study holds promise for applications in studying embryonic development, producing lab-grown poultry, and reviving endangered birds.
Researchers at USC have developed a groundbreaking brain imaging technique that reveals how tiny blood vessels in the brain pulse with each heartbeat, which may hold clues to aging and diseases like Alzheimer's. The method shows that microvascular pulsatility increases with age, especially in deep white matter, a region critical for co...
The USC team is developing a new drug aimed at a previously unexplored biological target in Alzheimer’s disease, focusing on a trigger of brain inflammation. They have identified an enzyme that predisposes the brain to inflammation and are now working to find a drug that can block it without harmful side effects.
A USC study found that most unsheltered Angelenos face significant gaps in accessing basic needs such as food, water, and hygiene. The research revealed that less than a quarter of participants had access to a toilet, and over half ate fewer than one meal per day.
A comprehensive review highlights VET's potential to prevent postpartum hemorrhage and reduce maternal mortality. High-quality research on its use is limited, and a large-scale US-based study is needed to test its effectiveness.
A USC Stem Cell-led team has successfully generated lab-grown kidney structures, or organoids, that exhibit kidney-like functions such as blood filtration and urine production. The 'assembloids' achieved maturity levels comparable to newborn mouse kidneys, paving the way for developing new therapies for patients awaiting transplant.
A study led by Keck School of Medicine of USC found that a stem cell transplant performed one week after an ischemic stroke in mice led to significant brain cell growth and functional recovery. The treated mice showed improved fine motor skills, gait, and reduced inflammation compared to untreated mice.
Researchers found that four common PFAS triggered fat buildup and cancer-related changes, with effects differing by sex. Liver cells from male and female donors responded differently to PFAS exposure.
Researchers found that individuals from African American, Hispanic and Asian groups were less likely to have elevated amyloid in the brain based on blood levels of p-tau217. This finding suggests that these groups may have a lower prevalence of amyloid and are not at sufficient risk to qualify for amyloid-lowering trials.
USC Stem Cell scientists have developed a blueprint for generating specific kidney cell types on demand, holding immense value for preclinical studies of new therapeutics and congenital kidney diseases. The team successfully created lab-grown proximal tubule cells that can absorb sugar and protein, respond to chemotherapy drugs, and pr...
The Fork It Fund has awarded $1 million to support a major initiative at Stevens INI, accelerating scientific discovery by making critical research data more accessible worldwide. GAAIN is a global data-sharing platform connecting Alzheimer's disease and dementia-related data repositories from around the world.
Researchers found that HPV16 undermines the body's defenses by reprogramming immune cells surrounding tumors. Blocking IL-23 boosts experimental treatments for HPV to eliminate cancer cells.
A new study found that adolescents with higher blood levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) prior to bariatric surgery regained more weight and had greater increases in waist circumference up to five years after surgery. Researchers believe PFAS exposure disrupts endocrine and metabolic processes, leading to weight regain.
Researchers aim to uncover how menopause and lifestyle factors shape brain aging in women during midlife. The three-year project will analyze MRI scans and health data from thousands of women worldwide to track changes in brain structure and connectivity.
A USC research team has made a groundbreaking discovery about the human spinal cord's role in bladder control. The study used functional ultrasound imaging to observe real-time changes in blood flow dynamics during bladder filling and emptying, revealing areas where activity is correlated with bladder pressure.