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.
A USC study found that pericytes, a type of brain cell, secrete a substance that keeps neurons alive even in the presence of leaky blood vessels. This discovery sheds light on the cascade of events leading to neurodegeneration and offers potential therapy strategies.
A new USC study finds that exposure to cartoon-based advertisements for e-cigarettes may increase the likelihood of vaping among young adults. Cartoon images are being used by e-liquid companies and online vendors to market their products, and recognition of these images is associated with a greater potential for use.
A new USC study suggests that viewing viral videos of police shootings and detained immigrants may be spurring mental-health issues in adolescents of color. The research found that Hispanic participants reported more depressive symptoms, while female participants reported more depressive and PTSD symptoms than male participants.
A recent study by USC researchers found that Native Hawaiians have a 60% increased risk of pancreatic cancer compared to European Americans. The study also revealed that Japanese Americans and African Americans are at a higher risk than previously thought, with increases of 33% and 20%, respectively.
A USC-led study found that racist experiences increase inflammation in African Americans, raising their risk of chronic illness. Chronic inflammation is linked to heart attacks, neurodegenerative diseases, and metastatic cancer if genes remain active for extended periods.
A new statistical machine learning framework has been developed to reconstruct the original network after a viral attack, which is crucial for designing new medicines or gene therapies against viruses and diseases like cancer. The framework actively incorporates the influence and causality of the attack into its learning algorithm.
A new USC study found that women performed better on math and verbal tasks at higher temperatures, while men's performance was less affected. The study suggests that setting office temperatures higher than current standards could lead to increased productivity in mixed-gender workplaces.
A USC study tracking Southern California children over 20 years found a 20% decrease in new asthma cases due to reduced PM2.5 levels. Nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter reductions also led to lower asthma rates.
USC researchers Bhaskar Krishnamachari and Aditya Asgaonkar propose a blockchain-based solution to reduce costs and increase efficiency in online transactions. Their system allows buyers and sellers to interact directly without third-party mediators, using smart contracts to verify honesty and disincentivize malicious behavior.
Researchers have developed 3D models of the two melatonin receptors, MT1 and MT2, which will help design drugs that interact only with these receptors, reducing side effects. The findings could lead to new treatments for sleep disorders, diabetes, cancers, and other health issues affected by melatonin.
A new CAR molecule has been developed that kills cancer cells with less toxicity, allowing for remissions without serious side effects. Researchers have produced no severe side effects in patients with lymphoma, showing promise for a safer version of the therapy
Researchers found that older brains with low TRIM9 levels are prone to extensive swelling following stroke, but increasing the gene's expression improves recovery. The study aims to identify what triggers TRIM9 gene expression to develop potential treatments.
Researchers at USC and UCLA have developed a new method to prevent damage to the jaw, a side effect of cancer treatment. The approach uses a different BP compound that can be used locally in the mouth to push the drug from the jawbone while leaving the useful drug undisturbed.
A USC study found that despite substantial media attention, most cancer drugs in shortage had little to no effect on chemotherapy treatment. Researchers analyzed over 2.4 million claims and found minimal change in treatment for the majority of oncology drugs during shortages.
Researchers from USC Arid Climate and Water Research Center discovered that deep groundwater likely exists in a broader geographical area than previously thought, with an active system as deep as 750 meters. Groundwater is believed to originate surface streams in near-equatorial areas on Mars.
A new mathematical method developed by USC researchers can identify anomalies in self-driving cars' perception algorithms before they hit the road, improving safety. The method uses 'sanity conditions' to test machine learning tools and can be used to pinpoint specific problems and retrain the algorithms for faster error detection.
A USC Dornsife-led study has provided the first global network model of the inner workings of the hypothalamus, a critical part of the brain that controls fundamental behaviors and physiology. The study reveals novel associations with several diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases and behavioral disorders.
A study found that patients with type 2 diabetes who are untreated develop signs of Alzheimer's disease 1.6 times faster than those without diabetes. Medication for diabetes may be keeping Alzheimer's away.
A team of USC researchers developed an AI-controlled robotic limb that can learn a new walking task in 5 minutes and adapt to other tasks without programming. The robot uses bio-inspired algorithms to build an internal map of its limb and environment, enabling it to develop personalized movements.
A diet rich in green tea and carrot compounds reversed Alzheimer's-like symptoms in mice, supporting the idea that plant-based supplements might offer protection against dementia. Combination therapy is suggested as a potential approach to treating the disease.
Researchers found that even low concentrations of single antibiotics lead to resistance in multiple classes. The team believes alterations in treatment processes can reduce the spread of antibiotic-resistant organisms.
The USC Dornsife Korean Studies Institute has launched a new predoctoral exchange program to support young scholars working on US-East Asia relations. The initiative aims to enhance understanding of the security environment in East Asia and promote policy issues.
A low-calorie fasting-mimicking diet has been shown to reduce intestinal inflammation and increase intestinal stem cells, promoting the expansion of beneficial gut microbiota. The study suggests that this regimen may have potential in mitigating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathology.
A new method uses AI to screen for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) by analyzing eye movements, providing an affordable and efficient way to detect the condition. The tool has the potential to reach millions of children worldwide who may be at risk, reducing secondary cognitive and behavioral disabilities.
A USC study found that the US has the highest drug overdose death rates among high-income countries, with mortality rates tripling over the past two decades. The study suggests that the epidemic is contributing to the widening gap in life expectancy between the US and other high-income countries.
A USC study found that e-cig users develop abnormal gene expression linked to cancer development in oral tissue, similar to those seen in cigarette smokers. The research suggests that e-cigs may not be as benign as previously believed.
A new study reveals that naturally occurring carbon gases trapped in undersea reservoirs escaped to superheat the planet in prehistory, disrupting the Earth's atmosphere and causing global warming. The findings challenge the long-standing paradigm that ocean water alone regulated carbon dioxide in the atmosphere during glacial cycles.
A new copper-based OLED screen technology has been developed by USC scientists, offering a cheaper alternative to current iridium-based screens. The copper complex outperforms prior attempts and demonstrates efficient light emission across various colors, including blue.
Researchers at USC developed a new 3D-printed rubber material that can repair itself after damage, reducing manufacturing time and increasing product durability. The material was manufactured using photopolymerization and exhibits self-healing properties through the transformation of chemical groups.
Researchers used machine learning to identify clusters of relationships in medical data that could predict Alzheimer's disease, including cardiovascular health and immune system response. This approach may lead to earlier diagnosis and better prognosis with new blood tests.
Researchers have discovered a promising new drug that targets the biological clock of cancer cells, slowing their growth and halting their spread. By disrupting the circadian rhythm of cancer cells, this drug may provide an effective new treatment option for various types of cancer.
A new USC study found that blood-brain barrier breakdown is an early driver of dementia, with leaky capillaries in the brain signaling cognitive impairment before hallmark toxic proteins appear. The study suggests new targets for drugs to slow down or prevent dementia's onset.
A new USC study explores how virtual assistants can facilitate cooperation between humans and buildings, leading to improved energy efficiency and environmental outcomes. The researchers found that small talk and social dialogue help people connect with AI-powered avatars, resulting in better behavioral changes.
USC scientists have made groundbreaking discoveries about a tick-borne virus, including its molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. The research could lead to the development of medications and a vaccine to prevent or treat hemorrhagic fever.
Researchers found a novel time-keeping mechanism within liver cells that contributes to disease development when its natural rhythm is disrupted. The study suggests that the circadian clock modulates HNF4A's classical functions, providing a potential explanation for diseases such as diabetes and cancers.
A new study by USC and other universities finds that increasing fuel economy standards for passenger vehicles will bring about significant economic benefits, including $112 billion in estimated savings. The research contradicts the Trump administration's claim that such rules would lead to too many highway deaths.
The study discovered fractal characteristics in gene expression, enabling the prediction of gene-to-gene interactions. This knowledge can help scientists engineer cells to perform specific tasks, such as drug delivery for cancer treatment.
Scientists at USC and SLAC develop a 3D map of the structure of a cell receptor as it binds to misoprostol, a key drug for women's health. This research provides a starting point for new drug discoveries that could reduce maternal mortality rates.