Researchers at USC have successfully implemented a method called dynamical decoupling to suppress erroneous calculations and increase the fidelity of results in quantum computers. The technique, which uses staccato bursts of energy pulses to offset ambient disturbances, improved final fidelity by threefold in IBM's 16-qubit QX5 computer.
Researchers at USC have developed a freeze-dried polio vaccine that retains potency through rehydration, providing full protection against the polio virus. The breakthrough could bring an end to this longtime foe in countries where vaccination rates are spotty.
Researchers from USC discovered that bots specifically target influential individuals who support Catalan's independence, exposing them to negative and violent content. The study highlights the need for regulation and laws to force social media companies to regulate their platforms.
Researchers developed custom software to automatically detect and categorize speech patterns in forensic interviews, which are crucial for young victims of abuse. The study found that children's responses were highly correlated to their age, with emotional content influencing younger kids and vocalized words impacting older children.
Researchers have discovered how engineered protein receptor CAR activates cancer-fighting cells, shedding light on effective treatments and side effects. By understanding phosphorylation processes, they aim to design better cancer-fighting CARs with fewer side effects.
A USC study found that e-cigarette users are just as likely to start smoking tobacco as non-users, and may even be more likely to continue using both. The study surveyed over 6,200 high schoolers and found that vaping did not reduce the likelihood of smoking initiation, contradicting previous assumptions.
Researchers at USC and the Los Angeles Cancer Surveillance Program found that 15- to 39-year-olds have the best survival rate among any age group for many years. The analysis adjusted for Kaposi's sarcoma and lymphomas, which were linked to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the US.
A USC-led study of over 20,000 European youths found that children with asthma are more likely to become obese. Asthma increases the risk of obesity by 50-66%, especially in those with persistent wheezing symptoms.
Researchers at USC have created a new map of the mouse hippocampus, revealing its internal circuitry and nerve connections in vivid detail. The study aims to provide a resource for scientists to better understand the brain's memory bank and develop strategies to target neurons for treatment.
A $3 million grant will support a two-year effort to develop a strategic plan for a Cyberinfrastructure Center of Excellence at USC ISI. The project aims to enhance existing cyberinfrastructure and provide a forum for knowledge sharing among large facilities and users.
A study by USC Dornsife researchers found that an extra year of education contributed to weight loss in individuals at greatest risk of becoming obese. The study used genome data from 250,000 people and found that the change in mandatory attendance age had a significant impact on health outcomes.
A new USC study reveals that sudden price hikes for some generic drugs are becoming more common, reflecting emerging strategies by generic manufacturers to target therapeutic areas with limited competition. The study found that prices for most generic drugs declined over time, but the fraction of drugs with prices that at least doubled...
A study of 10th-graders in Los Angeles finds that most teens who have tried marijuana use it in multiple forms, including smokable, edible, and vaporized products. The research raises concerns about the health implications of cannabis use among adolescents amid a growing market with sleek packaging and health benefits claims.
Researchers propose using blood-brain barrier breakdown as an early warning sign for Alzheimer's disease, which could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment. Healthy blood vessels are crucial for normal brain functioning, and damage can be detected with imaging tests such as MRI.
Researchers have discovered a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, which may lead to new treatments. Humanin, a naturally occurring mitochondrial peptide, decreases with age and is associated with an increased risk of diseases linked to older age.
A new USC Dornsife study reveals that genetic mutations can behave unpredictably due to interactions with the environment and pre-existing genetic differences. This complexity makes it difficult to predict how these mutations will affect individuals, even for well-studied diseases.
USC research reveals that air pollution alters thyroid development in fetuses, increasing the risk of health impacts later in life. Thyroid hormone levels were found to increase with exposure to particulate matter, highlighting a potential link between air pollution and fetal growth and metabolism.
A new USC Dornsife study finds that genes can help an organism survive, rather than just being a negative trait associated with aging. This challenges the long-held hypothesis of 'antagonistic pleiotropy', which suggests that genes that enhance reproduction contribute to aging.
Researchers will develop AR experiences varying in visual immersion and interactivity to understand their impact on learning and engagement. The project aims to dispel misconceptions using AR to provide additional information about the Tar Pits' history and discoveries.
A team of engineers and physicians at USC and UC San Francisco developed a novel decoding technology that can predict mood variations from neural signals in the human brain. The study may lead to new closed-loop, tailored therapies for depression and anxiety disorders.
Researchers developed a new way to identify molecular markers of breast cancer tumors using machine learning. This technology can rapidly sort images of breast tumors to determine prognosis and treatment options, potentially leading to faster and more cost-effective treatments for millions of women.
Researchers have developed a new nanoparticle that can target kidney cells and deliver medication directly to the site of the disease, potentially reducing side effects. This innovation may prove critical in addressing chronic kidney disease, which affects one in three Americans.
Researchers at USC have found that the Southern California coast has some of the world's highest concentrations of domoic acid, a neurotoxin produced by microscopic algae. The study suggests that man-made sources of nutrients and environmental conditions contribute to the formation of algal blooms.
A USC study found that kids stressed over public acts of discrimination show increased behavioral problems, including depression and substance use. The study tracked 2,572 11th-grade students in L.A. County and found a significant association between concern about discrimination and adverse behavioral outcomes.
A USC study found that when clinicians are given information about a patient's fatal overdose, they prescribe fewer powerful painkillers. Clinicians who received a letter from the county medical examiner were 9.7% less likely to prescribe opioids in the following three months.
Researchers identified nearly 1,300 genetic variants associated with educational attainment, explaining about 4% of variation in individuals. The polygenic score combining these variants predicts the length of formal education as well as demographic factors.
A new study by USC researchers links digital media use to increased risk of ADHD symptoms in teenagers. The study found that teens who frequently used smartphones and multimedia devices were twice as likely to show symptoms of ADHD.
A new USC Dornsife-led psychology study shows that conservatives tend to feel their lives have meaning or purpose. The results suggest a unique aspect of political conservatism provides people with this sense. Other factors like personal characteristics and situational influences also play a role.
Scientists discovered that mitochondria and nuclear genomes co-evolved to independently cross-regulate each other. This understanding could lead to greater insights into aging and disease, as well as new treatments based on mitochondrial DNA.
A new study by USC researchers found that high school, middle school, and elementary school students in the US are using JUUL vaporizers to get hooked on nicotine. The discreet devices are being used undetected on school grounds, with over 1 in 25 tweets mentioning their use.
Researchers at USC Dornsife have discovered how the cell's emergency response team, known as paramedics, uses walking molecules to transport damaged DNA to the nucleus for repair. This process is crucial for preventing cancer formation and has implications for human health and genome editing.
Researchers have developed a new material with high birefringence properties that can improve infrared detection in dense fog and dark conditions. This technology may enable faster deployment of autonomous vehicles and create more efficient heat sensing tools for firefighters.
Researchers found that the vagus nerve's connection to the brain's memory center, hippocampus, plays a crucial role in spatial awareness and food recall. The study suggests that gut-brain axis may have been used by early humans as a navigational system, enabling them to remember food sources and return repeatedly.
A new study finds that blues and whites are worst for wildlife, while yellow, amber, and green are more benign. The research provides a method for developers and policymakers to choose wildlife-friendly lighting colors.
Researchers identified 63 new genetic markers associated with prostate cancer risk in a global DNA analysis of over 140,000 men. The findings suggest that one percent of at-risk men are six times more likely to develop prostate cancer, highlighting the potential for genetic screening and prevention strategies.
A USC research team discovered 150 proteins affecting brain development and cell activity that contribute to mental disorders. The study used stem cells to determine chemical reactions influencing nerve growth and cell functions in people.
USC researchers have discovered that the precise arrival of progenitor cells determines their form and function in the kidney. The study advances understanding of how to assemble building blocks to fashion kidney tissue, which can lead to breakthroughs in drug development and organ transplantation.
A USC study reveals that the brain's cerebrospinal fluid channels a hunger molecule, melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), which stimulates appetite. The researchers found that MCH release is influenced by circadian clock and daily mealtime routine.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that nearly half of concussion patients receive no follow-up care within three months of discharge from the hospital. The researchers used data from over 2,700 brain injury patients and found a significant gap in care for patients with lesions on their head CT scans.
A new prototype for a portable instrument capable of early-stage malaria detection has been developed by researchers at the University of Southern California. The device uses magnetic properties of a parasite byproduct to detect all malaria strains, making it suitable for low-resource environments.
A study found that tweets containing moral rhetoric may signal whether a protest will turn violent. Researchers developed a model to detect moralized language, which nearly doubled on days when clashes among protesters and police became violent.
A nearly 130-million-year-old fossilized skull found in Utah is evidence that the super-continental split occurred more recently than previously thought. The study suggests that early mammal relatives migrated across several continents during the Early Cretaceous period, occupying various niches similar to modern mammals.
The Los Angeles Cancer Surveillance Program, managed by Keck School of Medicine and USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, has improved the understanding, prevention, and control of cancer for nearly 50 years. The program is one of the largest and most comprehensive cancer registries in the US.
Leading experts recommend a novel pricing strategy to increase access to hepatitis C treatment, particularly for vulnerable populations. States can leverage competition among drug manufacturers to save money while ensuring treatment for a larger share of the population.
A new study by USC Institute for Creative Technologies found that avatar appearance may not affect player involvement in certain game contexts. The research used photorealistic self-similar avatars and found no negative effects on performance or subjective enjoyment among female players.
As we age, the locus coeruleus, a key brain network controlling focus, weakens, causing older adults to be more easily distracted by irrelevant information. This disruption can lead to decreased attention and increased susceptibility to emotional arousal.
The Keck School of Medicine of USC is launching a landmark $1.5 billion National Institutes of Health-led program to develop precision medicine. The program aims to create a demographically, geographically and medically diverse participant community, especially those underrepresented in biomedical research.
A new USC study shows that gentrifying neighborhoods become more white, with minority communities changing racial makeup in 18-30% of cases. Most ascending neighborhoods primarily black or Hispanic become mixed-race, while whites become the majority in only 11% of these areas.
A USC study reveals teenage minorities in Los Angeles are struggling with tanning addiction, associated with marijuana abuse and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The condition is more prevalent among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders, highlighting the need for targeted education and services.
A new USC study reveals that Yelp reviews of nursing homes tend to focus more on staff attitudes and responsiveness than government reviews. The study evaluated 264 Yelp reviews and grouped them into five categories, finding that nearly 53% of reviewers posted comments about staff attitude and caring.