A new study found that precision medicine for oncology is less precise for people of Latin American, African, and Asian ancestry due to the lack of diverse genetic population data. A computational tool called LumosVar was created to help researchers sort out potentially inaccurate results and improve precision medicine.
A Keck School of Medicine of USC study found that teens vaping high-nicotine e-cigarettes were 14 times more likely to smoke traditional cigarettes per day. High nicotine concentrations increased the risk of becoming frequent smokers among youth.
A large international study found that schizophrenia affects the entire brain's communication system, with frayed white matter wiring evident throughout. The study's findings could lead to the identification of biomarkers for treatment and a better understanding of the disease's causes.
Researchers have created a new material that can store renewable energy efficiently. Metal-organic frameworks exhibit conductivity similar to metals, enabling large-scale storage of solar and wind power. This breakthrough could revolutionize intermittent renewable energy sources.
A USC research team has identified a potential therapeutic target for liver cancer treatment: mitophagy, the removal of damaged mitochondria. This process can cause tumors to proliferate, but temporarily halting it may reduce cancer stem cell growth, leading to tumor regression.
Researchers found that two psychological approaches, peer comparison and accountable justification, significantly reduced inappropriate antibiotic prescribing rates. However, when these interventions were removed after a year, some clinicians' bad habits returned, highlighting the need for long-term adoption of nudges to maintain bette...
Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering have developed a new type of microlaser that uses gold nanoparticles to improve frequency comb technology. This innovation enables the creation of smaller, more efficient systems for applications such as portable chemical spectroscopy and cybersecurity.
Researchers found that reading stories triggers unique patterns of brain activation, regardless of language or cultural origin. This study suggests exposure to narrative storytelling can have a widespread effect on triggering better self-awareness and empathy for others.
A new study by USC ISI uses Twitter bots to spread positive messages, finding that information becomes viral when people are exposed multiple times. The researchers' findings suggest a cumulative reinforcement effect, where repeated exposure increases the likelihood of adopting an idea.
Researchers found eight mutations associated with autism in the TRIO gene, which can lead to weaker or stronger connections between brain cells. Weaker connections may hinder information storage and processing, while stronger connections cause trouble communicating between brain cells.
A new study by USC researchers suggests that the TOMM40 gene, neighboring ApoE4 on chromosome 19, has a significant influence on late-life development of dementia and Alzheimer's. The research found that a TOMM40 variant was more influential than ApoE4 in decline of immediate memory.
A study by USC researchers found that women's sports receive nearly the same level of coverage as men's sports, with subtle sexism still present in mainstream broadcast coverage. Women's stories averaged only 77 seconds on SportsCenter, compared to men's stories, and are often framed in a 'gender-bland' way.
Research at USC Viterbi School of Engineering has provided evidence for the occurrence of ground ice on protoplanet Vesta, a NASA-sponsored study that utilized bistatic radar techniques. The findings suggest large, smooth areas on Vesta correlated with higher hydrogen concentrations, supporting the presence of ground ice.
Researchers found that cilia play an active role in filtering bacteria by creating a vortical flow field, and shorter cilia mix the local flow to enhance chemical screening. Cilia are essential for selective recruitment of symbiotic bacteria, as their dysfunction can lead to pulmonary conditions and infertility.
A new study found that fathers' testosterone levels after childbirth are linked to their own and partners' depressive symptoms. Low testosterone levels were associated with fewer symptoms of depression in women, while high levels led to more stress and relationship aggression.
A study by USC researchers found that white women with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's are more likely to develop the disease during a critical decade in their lives. The study, which included data from over 57,000 participants, contradicts long-held beliefs about who is at greatest risk for Alzheimer's.
A USC researcher has identified a novel protein variant that can be targeted to prevent the human immunodeficiency virus from harming HIV-positive individuals. This approach differs from traditional methods of targeting viruses and may offer a more effective solution to treating acute HIV infection.
A USC study found that the Zika virus targets specific white blood cells in pregnant women, handicapping their immune system and increasing the chances an unborn baby will be harmed. The virus exploits this weakness to infect and replicate, particularly during the first and second trimesters.
Researchers found that plants growing in dry climates have higher concentrations of leaf wax, a natural protective barrier. The team bred winter wheat cultivars with increased wax production, which enabled them to tolerate drought and produce high yields.
Researchers developed algorithms that pinpoint individuals most likely to influence peers to get tested for HIV status, resulting in a 70% reach compared to current methods. The AI-powered approach encouraged testing, with 37% of peers getting tested when selected by HEALER and 25% by DOSIM.
A study found that prices for generic antibiotics vary significantly across different types of pharmacies, with independent pharmacies offering lower prices when using online coupons. The researchers estimate that consumers can save up to $100 or more by shopping around.
Researchers found elevated sulfur acidification in glacial samples due to oxidized pyrite, leading to CO2 release into the atmosphere. This process may play a role in regulating Earth's climate over long cycles.
A new map of brain protein interactions could lead to more effective treatments for complex brain disorders like autism and schizophrenia. The map, created by USC researcher Marcelo P. Coba, highlights problematic pathways that current drugs are not targeting.
USC researchers found that disinformation campaign on MacronLeaks was mostly consumed by foreigners on social media, with 18% of promoters being bots. The campaign's impact on French voters appeared to be limited despite being tweeted nearly 350,000 times.
Scientists at USC and Caltech have accelerated calcite dissolution in seawater, which could neutralize carbon in deep ocean waters. This process, known as buffering, naturally occurs billions of years and can help mitigate atmospheric CO2.
The PAGES 2k Consortium has upgraded its global temperature database, adding nearly 200 new records and improving accuracy to track global warming. The updated database confirms that the Earth is warming at an unprecedented rate in recent geological history.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that moderate to heavy coffee consumption was linked to a lower risk of death from various causes. The research, which analyzed data from over 215,000 participants, suggests that the association is not tied to caffeine.
A new USC-led study reveals that Medicare Advantage plans pay physicians similar prices to traditional Medicare, with most procedures seeing reimbursement rates near parity. The researchers also found that commercial insurance pays higher prices for many services.
Researchers at USC and Georgia Tech will develop a powerful new data-analysis platform to process massive amounts of graph data in real-time, with potential applications in security, consumer applications, and predicting cyber attacks. The goal is to achieve a 1000-fold speed-up in processing data.
Researchers at USC found that stiff brain vessels and decreased blood flow are associated with the build-up of harmful plaque and cognitive decline. The study used patient data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative to explore cerebrovascular resistance, a new way to calculate it, and its link to dementia.
The University of Southern California has been selected to lead a consortium to build 100-qubit quantum machines that can solve complex optimization problems. The $45 million contract aims to develop computational frameworks and design quantum annealers for enhanced quantum optimization.
Researchers discovered two ancient fossils from the Triassic Period that connect Kermit the Frog's relatives to wormlike creatures with sharp teeth. These findings expand the history of modern amphibians by 15 million years, closing a major gap in early caecilian evolution.
A team of international scientists has identified a critical gene-regulating protein, Bdf1, essential for the survival of Candida albicans. Compounds that bind to this target can disrupt fungal growth, opening the way for novel drug treatments. The discovery offers a promising alternative to existing antifungal therapies.
A study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association found that elevated brain amyloid plaques are an early precursor to Alzheimer's disease, which can lead to faster mental decline. The research suggests that intervening against amyloid levels could slow or even stop the onset of the disease.
A new USC study found that a poor diet, combined with the ApoE4 gene variant, can increase the development of Alzheimer's plaques in mice. The study suggests that lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise may play a role in regulating the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers developed a 3-D crystal structure of the disease's molecular interactions with a neural receptor, providing a clear view of how it attacks and destroys proteins. The model could accelerate research and lead to new therapies for myasthenia gravis, which affects an estimated 36,000 to 60,000 Americans annually.
USC researchers found that smiling during victory can hurt future cooperation chances, but smiling during a loss can increase success odds. The study used emotion-tracking software to analyze participants' facial reactions during the Golden Balls game show.
A new study by the University of Southern California found that overweight children experience more unreciprocated friendships and frenemies than their thinner peers. This social exclusion can lead to mental, social, and physical tolls, including loneliness, depression, poor eating habits, and illness.
A new USC study found that most US air travelers (60-80%) are unwilling to trade off convenience and wait longer for equal treatment in aviation security screenings. Only about half of respondents would be willing to pay up to $15 or tolerate more contraband on flights.
A new USC-led study suggests that the prescription opioid epidemic is creating a heroin epidemic, which may lead to an injection drug use epidemic. The study found that individuals born in the 1980s and 1990s are more likely to progress from first illicit drug use to drug injection than previous generations.
A global consortium has created the first map of bipolar disorder's impact on the brain, revealing clear differences in brain regions controlling inhibition and emotion. The study found significant thinning of gray matter in patients with bipolar disorder, particularly in areas responsible for emotional regulation.
Researchers at USC Viterbi are working on three MURI projects: one on cybersecurity to combat increasing threats, another on advancing quantum computing, and a third on developing improved polymers for energy use. These grants bring $8.4M in funding to support innovative research in these areas.
In Los Angeles, single-family home add-ons and paved property features led to a 14-55% loss of green cover. Urban forests' benefits, such as reduced energy use and improved health, were compromised.
Scientists at USC Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute have created a new method to generate hydrogen fuel from methanol, producing a carbon-neutral and potentially carbon-positive energy source. The research aims to develop renewable sources of energy that can mitigate climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
A mobile sensing system developed by researchers at USC can detect conflict in relationships and send alerts or meditation prompts to reduce stress. The algorithm achieved an accuracy of up to 86% in detecting conflict episodes, using data from wearables, phones, and bio-signals.
Researchers have developed a new class of semiconductor materials that can be used as light absorbers in solar cells, potentially using one hundred times less material than silicon. These materials have superior performance, reduced toxicity, and show promise for developing high-performance optoelectronic devices.
USC scientists discovered unexpected characteristics of the AT2 protein, which interacts with the angiotensin II hormone regulating blood pressure. The study reveals potential new paths to drugs controlling cardiovascular disease and pain, offering an important first step towards targeted therapies.
Researchers found that common cancer drugs increase blood sugar levels, which can damage healthy cells and make them more vulnerable to chemotherapy. Fasting or glucose reduction reversed this increase in toxicity in mice.
A team of USC researchers has identified the intraflagellar transport 88 (IFT88) gene as a potential cause of human cleft lip and palate. The study found that three siblings born with the condition shared a common gene mutation, which was also present in mouse models.
A study at Kern Health Systems found that pharmacists with expanded roles can reduce readmission rates for high-risk patients by up to 28% and 32%. The program, which included post-discharge counseling and medication management, also showed promise in reducing long-term hospital readmissions.