A new USF study found substantial differences in mandated hearing aid coverage across age groups, with older adults and lower-income adults experiencing persistent gaps. The study recommends expanding Medicaid benefits, requiring private insurance to cover hearing aids, and establishing guaranteed hearing benefits under Medicare to imp...
A new DNA sequencing tool rapidly detected 11 harmful algal bloom species across 20 sites in Florida's Indian River Lagoon. The study found frequent co-occurrence of HAB species, suggesting shared environmental triggers or interactions that could help explain how blooms develop.
Researchers identified a molecular pathway that offers a new target for treatment, challenging a 30-year-old theory in cancer research. The study found that immune defenses may begin outside the cancer cell, creating an environment that prevents the immune system from attacking the cancer.
Researchers developed a wireless eye-pressure monitoring system to capture daily changes in eye pressure, revealing daily rhythms and circadian influences. The study suggests eye pressure follows a daily pattern linked to the body's internal clock, with nighttime increases driven by neural signals.
USF Health researchers have uncovered a previously unknown brain region, the dorsal posterior periventricular hypothalamic nucleus, which plays a crucial role in regulating metabolic health in response to cold temperatures. The discovery offers a potential new pathway for developing treatments to improve metabolic function and prevent ...
Researchers have discovered a new vulnerability in the malaria parasite Plasmodium vivax, which can be targeted by antibodies to block liver infection and prevent relapses. The discovery provides a new target for developing a vaccine against P. vivax, the most widespread malaria parasite outside sub-Saharan Africa.
A USF researcher explores whether human oversight is meaningful when AI has already shaped the information reaching a decision-maker, raising questions about AI ethics and responsibility. The researcher's findings highlight the need for greater awareness of the systems in which AI research and use are embedded.
A new framework, Tripartite Reactions to Emotions theory, explains how emotional posts and reviews influence perceptions of products and authors' own feelings. The theory reveals three distinct psychological reactions: pushing people toward and away from a product or brand, sometimes simultaneously.
Researchers at USF Health Morsani College of Medicine have identified a promising strategy to protect cardiac function in people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The study found that the experimental drug Setanaxib preserved cardiac function and reduced scarring, suggesting NOX4 as a potential therapeutic target for future treatments.
A USF study has identified South Florida as a crucial feeding ground for Atlantic tarpon, highlighting the importance of the region to the species' migrations. The research found that tarpon rely on distinct 'foraging landscapes' and can travel hundreds of kilometers to find food.
A new study published in Prevention Science suggests that current prevention efforts may not be reaching enough people or providing a worthwhile return on investment. The researchers propose a more scalable approach embedded directly into systems people already interact with daily.
A new study provides a state-by-state guide to adolescent consent laws in sexual assault cases, highlighting the need for providers to understand the nuances of each state's laws. The research emphasizes that adolescents generally cannot legally consent to their own medical care, and parental consent is the standard default.
A recent USF study found that male victims of financial sextortion experience significant financial and psychological effects, including anxiety and shame. The research highlights the importance of caution on dating apps and social media to reduce risk, as well as seeking help and support if affected.
The Florida Inventors Hall of Fame has inducted 10 pioneers whose work transformed modern life, advanced critical industries, and improved patient care. The 2026 class collectively holds more than 300 U.S. patents across fields like telecommunications, cancer immunotherapy, and artificial intelligence.
Researchers at USF Health developed a framework to test AI tools' accuracy in predicting immune responses, aiming to enhance cancer immunotherapies and vaccine development. The study highlights the strengths and weaknesses of current AI approaches, providing guidance for building safe and reliable AI tools for healthcare.
A new study suggests that seasonal influenza vaccines may significantly reduce the risk of death from H5N1 infection. The study found that vaccines including a specific component, neuraminidase N1, reduced H5N1-related mortality by approximately 73 percent in vaccinated animals.
A USF study finds that children ages 9 to 12 engage with AR headsets in a more exploratory and intuitive way than adults, highlighting a mismatch between adult-designed systems and child-centered design. This difference has implications for educational applications of AR, which may require more flexible and creative interaction methods.
A USF study found that easy-to-use QR codes significantly reduce frustration and cognitive load among older adults, leading to higher satisfaction and customer loyalty. The research emphasizes the importance of businesses incorporating user-friendly technologies to cater to seniors' needs.
The University of South Florida hosted the second annual Invention Convention Florida, featuring K-12 student inventors who showcased their original solutions and competed for national advancement. Top honors were awarded across grade-level categories, recognizing students for their creativity, impact, and problem-solving.
Researchers have finally understood why reinforced rubber is so tough and durable, with tiny particles forcing the material to fight against its own incompressibility. This breakthrough could improve tire design and lead to safer, longer-lasting products.
The Preventing Alzheimer’s with Cognitive Training (PACT) study, led by USF researchers, aims to delay the onset of dementia through computerized brain training exercises. With over $50 million in federal grant funding, the trial has enrolled 7,600 older adults and is expected to conclude in January 2028.
Researchers at the University of South Florida used fluorescent imaging to map out Toxoplasma gondii's cell cycle, revealing its unique growth stages and potential weak points. The study aims to develop safer and more effective treatments for toxoplasmosis, a parasite that infects nearly one-third of the global population.
A new USF study finds that consumers value ethics, trust, and emotional connection over novelty in hologram AI concerts, with respect for artists' legacy and transparency being key factors. The study's findings suggest that human values, not just innovation, determine the meaningful impact of technology-driven entertainment.
A USF study reveals gag grouper populations in the Gulf are overfished, with shortened seasons to aid recovery. The research team developed a statistical model to improve harvest predictions and provide explicit estimates of quota exceedance.
A new USF study challenges long-standing assumptions about the brown recluse spider, finding it's far less common in Florida and exhibits a lower propensity to bite. The research also reveals that bites typically produce shallow wounds with minimal tissue damage.
The USF Health Institute for Voice and Hearing Innovation is a state-of-the-art facility that combines clinical research and comprehensive patient care for voice, hearing and swallowing disorders. Every patient becomes a research partner, driving innovations from lab to real-world clinical practice.
A USF study finds that firms with more resources and senior staff develop talent internally, while those with unpredictable workloads hire experienced workers externally. The study highlights the importance of aligning talent strategy with both long-term goals and immediate operational pressures.
The USF team aims to identify the role of lymphatic dysfunction in various diseases, including cancer, obesity and heart failure, through innovative imaging technologies and biomarker discovery. The project will create a new database to map how the normal lymphatic system should work.
The study provides direct evidence of large-scale human mortality during the Plague of Justinian and offers insight into how people moved, lived, and became vulnerable within ancient cities. The mass grave at Jerash, Jordan, helps resolve a long-standing puzzle about ancient community dynamics.
A USF-led study using AI shows a significant increase in macroalgae growth globally, with blooms expanding across the tropical Atlantic and western Pacific. The study attributes this shift to climate variability and human activities such as nutrient runoff.
A new USF study found that tour boats and swimmers routinely violate Mexico's whale shark tourism rules, even when waters are less crowded. The research, based on drone footage from 2016 and 2022, suggests that the world's busiest whale-shark destination is struggling to manage demand, putting vulnerable animals at risk.
A new USF-led study found a dramatic decline in some historic sargassum populations due to ocean warming and changes in their distribution. This shift could affect the health of marine ecosystems as sargassum supports high biodiversity for various marine species.
A recent USF study found that smoking cannabis and consuming omega-6 enriched processed foods compromises the immune system, leading to weakened heart function and increased inflammation. The combination can weaken the body's defense mechanism, making it harder for the heart to repair damage caused by inhaling cannabis.
A research team, including Dr. Yong Xu, will use the grant to investigate genetic changes affecting hypothalamic pathways and their impact on metabolism and behavior in humans and animals. The study aims to unravel the precise way brain wiring controls instinctive behavior across species.
The University of South Florida has achieved a new milestone in research funding, reaching a record $750 million during fiscal year 2025. This growth expands opportunities for the university to address critical challenges and develop breakthroughs in healthcare, AI, cybersecurity, and environmental sustainability.
Researchers found that providing feedback to everyone after the entire simulation ends leads to better learning outcomes. The study's findings suggest that companies can design more effective software tools using this approach, which has been implemented by KnowBe4.
The USF Health Institute for Translational Virology and Innovation advances research on viral diseases, virus-associated cancers, and pandemic pathogens. The institute focuses on understanding the mechanisms of viruses causing tumors and developing comorbidities in HIV patients.
Researchers from the University of South Florida have used artificial intelligence and citizen science to identify what may be the first specimen of Anopheles stephensi — an invasive and deadly malaria-carrying mosquito — ever detected in Madagascar. The study demonstrates how AI-powered image recognition and public participation can t...
A new University of South Florida study suggests that employees trust gradual changes in leadership behavior over rapid ones. The research found that swift responses to feedback may be viewed as less authentic than slower, more deliberate changes.
A new USF study suggests that nutrient upwelling and biological productivity remained stable despite higher global temperatures in the eastern tropical Pacific. The researchers found no evidence of reduced nitrate concentrations, a key nutrient for plankton, over the last five million years.
A new USF study reveals that frontline workers, such as cashiers and retail clerks, are more motivated by perks like free meals and social events than traditional wellness benefits. The research found that these programs helped employees feel valued and develop a sense of loyalty to their employers.
A new University of South Florida study highlights the impact of menopause on women's voices, particularly those who rely on their voices professionally. The research outlines a range of treatment options, including AI-powered voice biomarkers, to detect subtle vocal changes linked to menopause.
A new USF study discovers that chameleons and salamanders use the same biological mechanism to fire their tongues at extreme speeds, with potential applications in biomedical devices and space retrieval tools. The researchers hope to expand their studies to examine how animal tongues retract with such speed and precision.
A USF-led Nature study identifies how a genetic variant disrupts microglia function, increasing Alzheimer's disease risk. The PICALM gene defect impairs waste-processing organelles in microglia, causing harmful lipid droplets to accumulate and weaken their ability to clear debris.
Researchers at USF and FAU have uncovered direct genomic evidence of the bacterium behind the Plague of Justinian, providing long-sought definitive proof that Yersinia pestis was present within the Byzantine Empire. The discovery offers new insight into one of the most consequential episodes in human history.
A new model incorporates rainfall and storm surge, leading causes of hurricane deaths. The proposed scale aims to improve evacuation decisions by providing a more accurate picture of the storm's severity.
USF's new program provides a defined pathway for students into high-demand field of simulation specialists, offering expertise in technical and operational aspects of simulation-based training. The program addresses a growing need for health care simulation workers to advance patient safety and care quality.
The University of South Florida's Trafficking in Persons Lab estimates that more than 700,000 Floridians were trafficked last year. The lab's annual report highlights coordinated prevention, prosecution, and policy measures to combat human trafficking, with prosecutions rising and penalties exceeding the national average.
Researchers at USF have developed a system that can detect distinct patterns in facial movements linked to emotional expression in children with PTSD. The technology uses de-identified data from video analysis to provide an objective, cost-effective tool for clinicians to identify and track PTSD in children and adolescents.
A USF study reveals that consumers tend to believe fake online reviews, even when told they are fabricated, due to a psychological phenomenon called truth bias. The researchers argue that platforms should prioritize identifying and mitigating fake negative reviews and labeling potentially fraudulent content.