A new tool forecasts how marine microbes will adapt to warming seas, revealing two strategies: rapid short-term success and long-term evolution. The study provides valuable insights into the impact of climate change on ocean ecosystems and their role in regulating carbon cycles.
Researchers at USC developed personalized learning robots for children with autism, which could autonomously gauge engagement in long-term therapeutic interventions. The robots achieved 90% accuracy in detecting a child's interest in tasks.
Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering designed a new drug combination that mimics glucose deprivation in cancer cells, leading to their death. The combination may have fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapies and reduce the incidence of acquired resistance.
A new study analyzing MRI scans of individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome found significant brain volume differences compared to control groups, including lower volumes in specific structures and higher volumes in others. The study provides a unique window into how psychiatric problems develop over time.
Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering develop machine learning algorithms to predict shape deviations in 3-D printing, resulting in improved accuracy across various applications and materials. The software tool, PrintFixer, is designed to be accessible to industry professionals and hobbyists alike.
Researchers estimate that more than half of African mothers have experienced the death of a child under age five, and nearly two thirds have experienced any child's death. This study highlights the burden of bereavement as a public health threat in low-income regions.
Researchers at USC have developed a new imaging technique called spectrally encoded enhanced representations (SEER) that provides greater clarity and works up to 67 times faster than existing methods. This technology has the potential to revolutionize disease diagnosis, particularly in detecting lung cancer and damage from pollutants.
A new study predicts 13 million US residents will be forced to relocate due to rising sea levels by 2100. Cities like Atlanta, Houston and Denver are expected to experience significant population growth, with effects on jobs, housing prices and infrastructure.
Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering discovered how sea stars synchronize their motion through a global directionality command and localized responses to stimuli. This decentralized nervous system can inspire more efficient robotics systems with hierarchical learning and communication.
Liberals and conservatives experience moral violations in distinct areas of the body, interpreting them as complex feelings that inform moral judgments. The study suggests that at least some differences between emotional processes can be attributed to political affiliation.
A USC study found that social bots perpetuated bogus health claims about cannabis on Twitter, drowning out solid science. The study analyzed tens of thousands of cannabis-related posts and found that bot-generated tweets were more likely to discuss health claims.
Researchers have developed an algorithm capable of identifying who in a social group would be the best persons to be trained as 'gatekeepers' capable of recognizing warning signs of suicide. The tool aims to improve efficiency of suicide prevention trainings for vulnerable populations, such as homeless youth.
A comprehensive new study by USC marine biologists reveals a stable virus community in the ocean, with constant churning of mutants allowing them to adapt and survive. The findings support the Red Queen hypothesis, suggesting that microbes must constantly evolve to outcompete each other.
Researchers at USC Viterbi's Department of Biomedical Engineering have developed a nanoparticle that lights up calcification, allowing for more effective detection of blocked arteries. This innovation has the potential to improve cardiovascular disease diagnosis and treatment by identifying unstable calcifications.
Professor Andrea Armani's team has developed a new laser technology that uses surface Raman lasers with monolayer coatings of siloxane molecules, resulting in improved power consumption and reduced toxicity. This breakthrough has significant implications for applications in communications, diagnostics, and defense.
A study by USC researchers reveals the common core design of feathers across 21 bird species, with options for specialized performance. The findings hold promise for engineers seeking better ways to build drones and other advanced materials.
A nationwide study published in Brain found that higher exposure to fine particle pollution, or PM 2.5, was associated with greater declines in memory performance and more Alzheimer's-like brain changes in older women. The researchers used data from 998 women aged 73-87 and adjusted for other factors.
A new economic study by USC researchers suggests that breakthrough treatments for wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) offer significant patient benefits and societal value. The treatments generate $5.1 to $8.2 billion in patient benefits, translating to $0.9 to $3.0 billion in societal value over three years.
A new USC study found that training robots with a human adversary significantly improves their grasp of objects, leading to better performance in manipulation tasks. The researchers discovered that this approach helps robots learn more stable grasps and succeed more often in real-world environments.
A new USC study reveals that mint is the most popular flavor among U.S. teens who vape, contradicting previous studies that linked fruit flavors to teen vaping. The findings cast doubt on the effectiveness of JUUL's voluntary product removal and federal regulations aimed at reducing youth vaping.
Researchers have discovered significant differences in gene expression between male and female mouse kidneys, shedding light on the organ's complex physiology and potential impact on human kidney disease. The study's findings may help clinicians better understand genetic programs linked to disease and improve treatment outcomes.
The Online Photonics Meetup (POM) is a free, online conference that aims to improve access and sustainability in the field of photonics. Key findings include over 20 POM-hubs formed across four continents, which will facilitate local networking and community building among researchers and students.
Researchers used AI to analyze brain activity and physical responses while listening to music, finding that dynamic variability, new instruments, and complexity levels stimulate emotional responses. The study also found a correlation between specific musical notes and emotions.
Researchers discovered a neural pathway for impulse control in the brain, which is associated with psychiatric disorders such as overeating, gambling, and Parkinson's disease. The study found that manipulating this circuit may lead to the development of targeted treatments for impulsivity-related issues.
A USC study found that teens who vape candy- or fruit-flavored e-cigarettes are more likely to stick with the habit and vape more heavily. The study suggests that regulations reducing youth exposure to flavored e-cigarettes may aid in preventing young people from becoming long-term e-cig users.
A USC study reveals that circulating tumor cells have a unique molecular signature that predicts specific organ targets, such as the brain. The discovery provides potential treatment targets to prevent cancer spread and improves detection and monitoring methods.
Research team finds wood chips from ancient trees dating back 19 million years in ocean core samples, revealing a previously unrecognized way carbon remains locked away for millions of years. The discovery suggests that the amount of carbon exported and buried by modern rivers may be 50% greater than previously thought.
A new study examines the effectiveness of artificial intelligence in mediating conflict among team members. Researchers found that while humans initially engaged with a virtual agent during mission planning, their engagement decreased as conflicts arose, suggesting a limit to trust in AI-mediated conflict resolution.
USC researchers have successfully grown human testosterone-producing cells in the lab, paving the way to treat low testosterone with personalized replacement cells. The breakthrough could potentially bypass side effects associated with current treatments, such as infertility and increased risk of prostate cancer.
Researchers developed ptychographic x-ray laminography to validate chip integrity without damaging them. The method generates high-resolution 3D images of chips from diffraction patterns, allowing companies to verify design specifications and detect manufacturing errors.
Researchers found ubiquitous presence of antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) in groundwater samples, despite advanced treatment facility reducing ARGs to below detection limits. The study highlights the need for interdisciplinary approaches to address the global spread of antibiotic resistance and ensure clean water supply.
Researchers created the world's most realistic model of the human hand's musculoskeletal system using MRI and visual effects techniques. This breakthrough has implications for computer graphics, prosthetics, medical education, robotics, and virtual reality.
USC scientists have identified the otopetrin 1 gene as the receptor responsible for sensing sour tastes in animals. The study found that mice with a nonfunctional Otop1 gene still produce a small response to sour taste stimuli, suggesting another signaling mechanism may also contribute to sour taste perception.
USC scientists discover coral passes beneficial algae colonies to offspring for survival advantage. The finding suggests corals can adapt to rising ocean temperatures through genetic mechanisms.
Researchers at USC have developed a new method for repurposing cells, which they found to be significantly more reliable than existing techniques. The approach uses enzymes to untangle DNA and has been proven to work in mice and humans with near-perfect efficiency.
The proposed framework assesses multiple brain-body interactions contributing to Alzheimer's disease, including environmental and genetic factors. Gene-environment interactions are shown to shift the onset curve of dementia by 10 years in carriers of dominant Alzheimer's genes.
Researchers at USC found that bots in 2018 elections were more likely to employ a multi-bot approach and engage through polls and dialogue. This evolution makes it harder for detection algorithms to identify fake accounts.
A 2018 Kilauea eruption led to an unusual algae super bloom that stretched for miles, fueled by the perfect cocktail of nutrients from the ocean, including nitrate, silicic acid, iron, and phosphate. The bloom, which was hundreds of miles wide, was an unexpected outcome of the volcanic event.
Researchers at USC Institute for Creative Technologies found that spontaneous facial expressions are often context-dependent and do not accurately reveal intentions. The study challenges the assumption that facial expressions can be used to predict feelings and actions.
Researchers found that nearly all dementia diagnoses were made by non-specialist physicians, leading to missed opportunities for more accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment. The study highlights the need for better training and tools for primary care doctors to diagnose dementia subtypes.
Scientists at USC and UC San Diego have discovered a potential novel target for treating glioblastoma, the deadliest form of brain cancer. They found that targeting the circadian clock in tumor stem cells can disrupt the growth and development of the tumor, leading to its death.
An AI tool developed by USC computer science student Timothy Greer classifies song genres by analyzing lyrics and chords. The tool predicts 'Old Town Road' is country according to lyrics, rock according to chords, and pop when combining both. This method highlights the complexity of music perception and its relation to music construction.
A new USC study found that older adults are less distracted by negative information compared to younger adults. The researchers used a quickly presented sequence of images to examine how attention is affected by emotion. Older adults showed a selective bias toward positive information, prioritizing it over negative stimuli.
The project aims to advance research by creating a resource for researchers around the globe to access data on craniofacial development and dysmorphologies. Craniofacial conditions affect approximately 600,000 people in the US, with cleft lip and palate being amongst the most common birth defects.
A USC-led study reveals that marine microbes containing rhodopsins are more abundant than thought and can capture more light energy than chlorophylls. This shift in microbial communities may result in less carbon fixation in the ocean, potentially leading to increased CO2 levels and faster warming.
Scientists have found that senescent cells stop producing nucleotides, a class of chemicals essential to keep cells young. The discovery could pave the way for new drugs to eliminate aged cells and promote healthy aging.
A new paper by Emilio Ferrara explores the complex history of digital spam, from its origins in confidence tricks to sophisticated AI-powered manipulations. With social media bots and deepfakes posing significant threats, experts warn of an escalating 'arms race' against spammers.
A new computational tool developed by USC researchers solves the 'community detection' problem, identifying patterns and relationships among entities with greater accuracy than existing tools. The Ollivier-Ricci curvature-based method can be leveraged by various groups, including biologists, doctors, and political strategists.
Researchers have developed an AI algorithm that can analyze breast ultrasound images to detect cancer with high accuracy. The algorithm uses synthetic data to train itself, achieving nearly 100% classification rate on real-world images.
A USC study tracked prescription opioid and heroin use in teens over time, finding that those who used painkillers to get high were more likely to start using heroin by high school graduation. The study suggests a link between nonmedical opioid use and later heroin use among youth.