A recent genome-wide association study has found evidence that some people may be more genetically susceptible to noise-induced hearing loss. The study identified the Nox3 gene as a key gene for susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss, which is a common workplace hazard.
A USC research team led by Cheng-Ming Chuong has discovered that plucking hair in a specific pattern can trigger the growth of new hairs in mice. The study used quorum sensing to understand how the hair follicle system responds to injury and found that it recruits immune cells to secrete signaling molecules that promote hair growth.
Researchers from USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center have discovered that herpesvirus proteins activate the RIG-I receptor through deamidation, a process that could be exploited to bolster immunity against infection. The study identifies the first enzyme responsible for protein deamidation in eukaryotes.
Researchers at Keck School of Medicine of USC have identified a crucial molecule in the survival of type 2 innate lymphoid cells, which trigger primary asthma symptoms. Targeting these molecules could lead to a cure for asthma or exacerbations caused by these cells.
A deficiency in GLUT1 protein worsens Alzheimer's disease symptoms by breaking down blood-brain barrier, while targeting this protein may help prevent the disease progression among those at risk. Researchers found that GLUT1 deficiency led to neuronal dysfunction and behavioral changes.
Keck Medicine researchers found that GPR158 promotes prostate cancer cell growth and is associated with neuroendocrine transdifferentiation, leading to tumor progression. Elevated expression of GPR158 is linked to recurrence in prostate cancer patients.
A new study led by USC Eye Institute finds that ranibizumab may help reduce cases of blindness by 75 percent among Hispanic and non-Hispanic whites with diabetic macular edema. The treatment could potentially save the sight of thousands of working-age individuals suffering from diabetic eye disease.
A clinical trial led by the University of Southern California has successfully implanted an ABI device in four children who were previously unable to hear. The device stimulates neurons directly at the human brainstem, bypassing the inner ear entirely and showing promising results in young children.
Researchers employed a 'Big Bang' model to trace the origins of colorectal cancer cells, revealing clues to why tumor cells become good or bad and potential ways to stop them before they start growing. The study highlights the importance of understanding the early stages of tumor development to prevent cancer.
Researchers at USC's Keck School of Medicine have identified a promising avenue for treating Alzheimer's disease by rebalancing the immune response to clear toxic plaques from the brain. The study found that blocking a specific substance can activate an immune response to restore memory loss and brain cell damage.
Researchers at Keck Medicine of USC have received grants to develop a temporary liver support system for transplant patients and improve gene editing for blood diseases. They also plan to create transgenic rats for researching heart failure, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases.
A USC study reveals that the brain's protective blood barrier becomes leaky with age, starting at the hippocampus, a critical learning and memory center. The findings suggest that brain scans may be able to detect changes in blood vessels before they cause irreversible damage leading to dementia.
Researchers at USC Health Sciences identified a new population of nail stem cells that can self-renew or differentiate into multiple tissues, including nail and skin. These stem cells play a crucial role in nail repair, but their potential to generate additional types of tissue is still unknown.
Exposure to tobacco smoke and near-roadway air pollution contributes to childhood obesity development. The study found increased weight gain in children exposed to both air pollutants compared to those with no exposure.
Lori O'Brien, a USC postdoctoral research associate, has received the first Broad Fellowship to investigate how epigenetic regulation affects kidney stem cells. The fellowship will support her research on Phf19, an epigenetic regulator that encourages embryonic stem cell self-renewal.
Researchers at the University of Southern California have engineered a new approach to attack childhood leukemia, a devastating form of cancer. They've designed a synthetic gene therapy that can selectively target and kill cancer stem cells, offering hope for children with relapsed disease.
Researchers found that patients who received more accessible primary care had better health-related quality of life and improvements comparable to eliminating early complications of diabetes. Women particularly benefited from doctors being more available, leading to stronger health improvements.
Researchers at USC Keck Medicine have discovered a dual purpose of the cancer drug decitabine in regulating gene expression. The study found that the drug not only reactivated tumor suppressor genes but also down-regulated overexpressed oncogenes, which are responsible for cancer progression. This new mechanism may provide additional t...
A multi-institutional team will sequence total genomic DNA from 10,000 or more ethnically diverse individuals to identify genetic variants associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The Genomic Psychiatry Cohort at Keck School of Medicine of USC comprises over 37,000 participants.
Researchers at USC Health Sciences have discovered how a gene mutation affects facial development, revealing the underlying mechanisms of DiGeorge syndrome. The study's findings provide new insights into the complex cellular rearrangements that shape the face during early development.
A global study of over 87,000 individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds has discovered 23 new genetic factors that contribute to the development of prostate cancer. The research, led by Keck School of Medicine at USC, provides valuable insights into the causes of this disease and may lead to better prevention strategies.
Researchers found that removing only the rib cartilage, but leaving its surrounding perichondrium intact, allowed for rapid repair within one to two months. This discovery suggests the presence of progenitor or stem cells in the perichondrium, which could lead to new regenerative therapies.
A new study from USC Eye Institute reveals that Native American ancestry is a significant risk factor for vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy among Latinos with Type 2 diabetes. The research found individuals with more than 50% Native American ancestry had an 87% higher chance of developing severe diabetic retinopathy.
The study highlights the need for improved screening and access to treatments for diabetic macular edema, a leading cause of blindness in diabetic patients. African Americans have a higher burden of diabetes-related vision loss due to problems with access to care.
The three institutions are working together to develop less painful treatments for babies with fused skulls, reducing the need for annual surgeries. Researchers have established a Craniofacial Anomalies Registry and plan to expand their collaboration to include postdoctoral fellows and graduate students.
USC Stem Cell scientists have created a transgenic mouse line called TRAP, which enables the detection of early signals of acute kidney injury. This breakthrough has the potential to improve patient outcomes by detecting kidney failure earlier, allowing for more effective treatment.
Researchers isolated breast cancer cells from patients' blood and expanded them in the lab, identifying new mutations and drug susceptibility. The study found a promising drug, Ganetspib, effective in killing tumor cells with specific genetic mutations.
Researchers at USC's Keck School of Medicine have identified a key component of the immune system that is essential for preventing deadly inflammation. Mice lacking this component are completely resistant to sepsis, a potentially fatal complication of infection.
A recent study published in Nutrition found that popular beverages like Coca-Cola and Pepsi contain higher ratios of fructose to glucose than claimed on labels. This high fructose content may increase the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and liver disease.
New research by USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center scientists suggests that elevated CTC counts after chemotherapy indicate a higher risk of death, while reduced CTCs cut the risk in half. This study demonstrates CTCs as an important biomarker for cancer research and treatment.
Researchers at USC have found that an experimental drug protects the blood-spinal cord barrier's integrity in mice with ALS, delaying motor neuron degeneration and potentially offering new hope for treatment. The study suggests that repairing damage to the blood-spinal cord barrier may delay disease progression in people with ALS.
Researchers identify two independent regulatory mechanisms controlling the human immune response, involving protein interactions between cGAS and Beclin-1 autophagy proteins. These findings have significant implications for understanding immune regulation and potentially harnessing its power to cure disease.
A USC study has identified a viral microRNA cluster responsible for causing Kaposi's sarcoma, the most common cancer among HIV-infected people. The cluster targets key cellular pathways associated with cancer development, offering potential targets for new therapeutics.
USC scientists have discovered the role of Wnt7b in activating hair growth and reducing baldness. The study's findings could lead to new therapeutics for various human diseases, including skin regeneration for burn patients and skin cancer.
Selim Zilkha has pledged $5 million to the University of Southern California - Health Sciences to support a new endowed chair in Alzheimer's disease research. This gift brings his total commitment to neuroscience research at the Keck School to over $30 million.
A study by USC scientists found that air pollution exposure amplifies the risk of developing autism spectrum disorder in children who carry a genetic variant associated with the disorder. The research, published in Epidemiology, suggests that gene-environment interactions play a significant role in autism risk.
A new USC study found that the protein Lkb1 promotes orderly skeletal growth and prevents skeletal tumors by controlling the progression of immature cartilage cells. This discovery sheds light on how this protein helps keep people organized, with implications for understanding human diseases such as cancer and diabetes.
SMEK1 promotes neural stem cell differentiation and suppresses uncontrolled proliferation, while collaborating with Protein Phosphatase 4 to regulate PAR3 activity. This discovery offers new hope for patients with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other neurodegenerative diseases.
A new study finds that an experimental drug called 3K3A-APC reduces brain damage and eliminates brain hemorrhaging in stroke-afflicted mice and rats. The drug extends the therapeutic window of FDA-approved clot-busting therapy tPA, counteracting its tendency to induce bleeding.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE reveals that sweat gland stem cells have the ability to differentiate into multiple cell types, including hair follicles and skin layers. This discovery offers exciting possibilities for developing stem cell-based treatments for conditions like hyperhidrosis and hypohidrosis.
Researchers at USC have identified a novel way of culturing human ESCs by focusing on the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway. This discovery reveals the important role of Tfcp2l1 in communicating to ESCs that they should self-renew, offering promise for developing stem cell-based therapies for diseases such as Parkinson's and spinal co...
A new study from the University of Southern California has found that a genetic mutation associated with Alzheimer's disease can double the rate of brain tissue loss. This means that individuals carrying this mutation may experience symptoms earlier than expected, highlighting the need for targeted clinical studies and treatments.
Cancer-killing natural killer (NK) cells are controlled by the epigenetic process involving enzyme MYSM1, which regulates gene expression and cell maturation. The study paves the way for developing more effective immunotherapies against cancer.
Researchers at USC have discovered a novel regulatory factor, UVRAG, that coordinates trafficking of proteins between the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus and autophagy. This finding offers a new avenue to investigate anti-cancer agents targeting UVRAG and/or the ER-Golgi pathway.
A new study from the University of Southern California examines how teenagers' online social networking sites influence their smoking and alcohol use. The researchers found that exposure to friends' online pictures of partying or drinking was significantly associated with both smoking and alcohol use.
A UCLA/USC study finds that a patient-centered model with round-the-clock access and coordinated care improves patient satisfaction to 65% and physician satisfaction to 51%. The Galaxy Health program also shows promise for encouraging more medical school graduates to enter primary care.
Researchers at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center have discovered a promising new way to treat primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), a rare and aggressive blood cancer often found in people with HIV. BRD4 inhibitors show effectiveness against PEL, which has a poor prognosis, offering hope for new therapies.
Researchers from USC Keck School of Medicine have uncovered unique cellular and molecular mechanisms behind tooth renewal in American alligators. The study found that alligator teeth are complex units of three components, including a functional tooth, replacement tooth, and dental lamina, which contain stem cells for regeneration.
Researchers discovered a naturally occurring protein that disrupts cholesterol levels in cell membranes, blocking virus entry. The findings have potential for developing anti-viral therapies targeting the endosome compartment.
New research from USC highlights opportunities for smoking intervention programs that target junior high and parental influence. The study found that friends' influence on cigarette use was higher in junior high than high school, while parental influence remained relatively stable.