A USC team has developed an advanced platform to analyze chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, revealing how their manufacturing conditions impact effectiveness. The tool uses laser technology to analyze 36 characteristics of a single cell, providing a clearer view of CAR T cell behavior.
A new study found that about 5.4% of teens used nicotine pouches in 2024, up from 3.0% in 2023, and dual use with e-cigarettes increased. Researchers warn of potential health risks and call for tailored prevention strategies.
The study analyzed 54 U.S. studies and found no significant association with serious adverse events for oral antivirals like Paxlovid or monoclonal antibodies. Actemra was associated with infection and low white blood cell counts, while transfusions of convalescent plasma were linked to internal bleeding and blood clots.
A new USC-led study using fMRI reveals the neural mechanisms that contribute to urinary incontinence in stroke survivors. The research found significant differences in brain activity during voluntary versus involuntary bladder contractions, presenting potential pathways for targeted therapies.
Researchers have initiated a clinical trial using an investigational medicine to lower amyloid precursor protein, targeting Alzheimer's disease in adults with Down syndrome. The study aims to prevent the development of Alzheimer's disease by addressing its underlying genetic cause.
A USC Stem Cell mouse study has identified shared genes involved in regenerating cells in the ear and eye, which could lead to new treatments for hearing and vision loss. The researchers discovered that inhibiting a specific protein, p27Kip1, can encourage regeneration in both organs.
Yali Dou, a molecular biologist at Keck School of Medicine of USC, has been elected as an AAAS fellow for her groundbreaking work in understanding leukemia and cancer. Her research on mixed-lineage leukemia proteins has led to the development of potential cancer treatments and a deeper understanding of epigenetics.
A study found that consuming sucralose alters brain activity related to hunger and increases appetite, especially in people with obesity. The sugar substitute changes how the hypothalamus communicates with other brain regions, including those involved in motivation, potentially leading to cravings and eating behavior changes.
Preet Chaudhary and Michael Selsted, USC innovators, recognized by the National Academy of Inventors for their work on harnessing the power of the immune system. Their research aims to develop new treatments for diseases such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and sepsis.
A longitudinal study of Hispanic mothers found that women with normal blood pressure levels during pregnancy but no mid-pregnancy drop in blood pressure face an increased risk of developing hypertension after giving birth. Tracking blood pressure patterns during pregnancy may help identify these women and prevent cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found that exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) stored in body fat leads to disruptions in lipid metabolism and altered prostaglandin pathways, contributing to long-term higher blood pressure in adolescents. POPs diminish the beneficial effect of bariatric surgery on improved blood pressure.
A USC study found proteins and pathways involved in inflammation are associated with changes in bone mineral density (BMD) over time. The research identified potential biomarkers that could serve as early indicators of a person's risk for bone health issues later in life.
Researchers at USC Stem Cell discovered a gene called KCTD20 that suppresses glutamate toxicity, leading to enhanced tau protein clearance. This approach offers a promising therapeutic strategy for patients with tau-related neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease.
Research from Keck School of Medicine of USC found that mothers with high prenatal psychosocial stress and depressive symptoms developed higher blood pressure during the first year postpartum. Social cohesion during pregnancy was also associated with lower blood pressure, suggesting a protective factor.
The Gene Ontology Consortium has published a new resource of human gene functions, combining experimental data with evolutionary modeling. The PAN-GO functionome lists known functions of over 20,000 genes, providing a complete and accurate picture of gene function.
A new study using OCT imaging revealed that nerve fibers in the inner ear adjust sound levels and compensate for hearing loss. In healthy mice, cochlear activity remained stable, but in mice with genetic hearing loss, cochlear function increased to enhance sensitivity.
Researchers identified a link between Alzheimer's disease, cell function, and cholesterol in the brain. Lowering oxysterol levels freed trapped ABCA1, restoring its healthy state, and showed potential as a new treatment approach.
A $10.8 million trial will enroll 600 patients aged 60+ to determine whether a hip replacement or internal fixation surgery is better for certain types of hip fractures. The study's patient-focused approach aims to inform clinical guidelines and help patients make informed decisions about their care.
Researchers have developed a new gene therapy that targets aggressive brain cancer, glioblastoma, with a precise delivery system. The treatment uses a novel virus to deliver a targeting drug to cancer cells, achieving cure rates of up to 90% in mouse models.
A global study will explore structural changes in the brains of people with bipolar disorder and compare them to major depression. The project aims to develop new tools for diagnosis and treatment, leveraging unprecedented sample sizes from over 3,500 individuals with BD and 9,000 healthy controls.
Exposure to air pollution during the three months before pregnancy is associated with higher childhood obesity risk up to two years after birth. The study found that women with higher levels of PM2.5 and PM10 had children with a higher BMI and related obesity risk factors.
Researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of USC found an association between levels of manmade “forever chemicals” in drinking water and certain digestive, endocrine, respiratory, and mouth and throat cancers. The study estimated that PFAS contamination contributes to 6,864 cancer cases per year.
A USC Stem Cell study found that the mammalian outer ear evolved from cartilaginous gills in fishes and marine invertebrates. The research used gene control elements to show a connection between gill and ear development.
A new USC study validates a biomarker linked to vascular dementia and suggests that glymphatic damage drives cognitive decline. The findings provide a potential pathway to explain how cognitive impairment arises, offering a target for clinical researchers seeking treatments for vascular dementia.
The Keck School of Medicine of USC has joined the Ryght Research Network to leverage AI tools and optimize cancer clinical trials. The collaboration aims to offer more clinical trials to patients, build new AI tools, and speed up the development of medical treatments.
Researchers aim to advance eye transplantation through cutting-edge technologies and techniques, including cell-based therapies and device development. The six-year project, led by Kia Washington at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, seeks to overcome current limitations in whole-eye transplant success rates.
A team of researchers at USC will receive funding to test a novel approach to slowing age-related cognitive decline, targeting the brain's lymphatic system. The grant aims to delay the onset of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease by clearing waste buildup.
A research team led by USC aims to create comprehensive maps of retinal nerve connections to understand and combat retinitis pigmentosa, a progressive eye disease affecting 2 million people globally.
A USC Stem Cell study has identified key gene regulators that enable some deafened animals, including fish and lizards, to naturally regenerate their hearing. The researchers found a class of DNA control elements known as 'enhancers' that amplify the production of a protein called ATOH1, which induces sensory cells in the inner ear.
A new grant will support a five-year investigation into the role of the brain's reward network in two neurodevelopmental conditions. Researchers will use high-resolution fMRI scans to analyze how the reward network interacts with other parts of the brain in autism, ADHD, and co-occurring autism and ADHD.
A USC-led study found that neurogenesis in adults supports verbal learning and memory, enabling people to have conversations. The discovery could lead to new approaches to restore cognitive function in patients with epilepsy and other conditions.
The USC-led CLIMA Center will investigate the combined impacts of climate-related exposures and adaptation capacity on human health, using a transdisciplinary approach. The center aims to inform policies that protect vulnerable communities and strengthen climate resilience.
Leila Nabulsi is expanding her research program to pinpoint brain pathways affected by bipolar disorder. She will leverage the ENIGMA consortium and advanced statistical methods to build a database of brain changes, potentially improving diagnosis and treatment.
The new effort aims to rapidly transform academic breakthroughs into life-saving therapies for a range of medical conditions. Autobahn Labs will invest up to $5 million per selected project to support the development of new pharmaceuticals.
Researchers found that living in neighborhoods with low food access, contaminated drinking water, and proximity to Superfund sites increases PFAS levels in blood. The study provides evidence for addressing neighborhood-level factors in reducing racial and ethnic environmental health disparities.
A $6 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine is driving research into a new treatment for dry age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in older adults. The therapy aims to halt or reverse disease progression using stem cell-derived healthy retinal pigment epithelium cells.
Researchers create system to manipulate cell behavior using 'crowd control' technique, enabling predictable patterns and structures. Cell density plays key role in guiding cellular development, offering potential for medical applications such as tissue engineering and organ regeneration.
The Center for Translational Exposomics Research (CTER) at USC aims to accelerate environmental health research and find practical solutions. CTER investigates how different exposures impact health across populations using population studies, lab experiments, and community engagement.
Researchers found higher levels of CD47 expression linked to more aggressive tumors, immune cells, and oncogenic signaling. Targeting CD47 could lead to improved outcomes with immunotherapy drugs, especially in cases where existing treatments are ineffective.
A comprehensive evidence review on tethered spinal cord found that while surgery can benefit symptomatic patients, data for asymptomatic patients is lacking. The study also highlights the need for more research into conservative management and potential risks of surgical complications.
A USC Stem Cell mouse study identifies a small subset of blood stem cells as the primary driver of immune aging. The researchers found that this subset overproduces innate immune cells, leading to an age-associated imbalance and increased disease risk. By targeting this subset, the study suggests a potential therapy to delay immune agi...
Researchers identified 254 genetic variants that shape key brain structures, including those controlling memory, motor skills, and addictive behaviors. The study provides a roadmap for understanding the genetic basis of brain-related disorders like Parkinson's disease and ADHD.
Researchers at USC found a link between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and kidney damage, which may be tied to dysregulation of the gut microbiome. The study, published in Science of the Total Environment, suggests that changes in gut bacteria and related metabolites can explain up to 50% of decreased kidney function.
Researchers from USC and Caltech develop a new method to study hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells within the bone marrow without extracting them. This breakthrough could inform efforts to optimize bone marrow transplantation and provide insights into various health conditions, including cancer and heart disease.
A non-invasive blood test measuring circulating tumor cells can predict treatment response, disease progression, and overall survival in men with metastatic prostate cancer. Patients with more CTCs had shorter median survival lengths and a greater risk of death.
A study published in Environmental Advances found a significant association between four types of PFAS and poor sleep in young adults. The researchers identified genes involved in the body's natural defenses and a hormone that regulates sleep, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms of PFAS' impact on sleep.
A team of researchers from USC and Caltech developed a new noninvasive tool to measure brain blood pressure, assessing stroke risk through changes in blood flow and volume during a stress test. The affordable, portable device has the potential to transform stroke care by providing more reliable data than existing questionnaires.
Researchers found that low Wnt signaling levels regulate NPC self-renewal, while higher levels initiate differentiation into mature kidney cell types. The studies also reveal the role of beta-catenin in aggregating NPCs to form early kidney structures.
Researchers compared epigenetic changes across the genome in young adults who vaped, smoked or did not use nicotine products, finding a tumor-suppressor gene among the key findings. The study found substantial overlap in DNA methylation patterns between people who vaped versus those who smoked.
The NEXUS exposomics coordinating center aims to deepen understanding of how environmental and social determinants impact health. Led by USC's Rima Habre, the center brings together diverse scientists to study place-based exposures using geospatial methods.