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.
Researchers create a system to detect eating behaviors and emotional responses using wearable devices, aiming to reduce obesity. The M2FED approach uses sensors to measure mood and conversation, with high accuracy rates for detecting emotions such as anger, anxiety, boredom, happiness, and sadness.
A new study found that children with delayed visual perception after head injuries may experience structural changes in their brains, leading to normal development interruptions. Early intervention may help identify patients at risk for prolonged recovery and develop targeted treatments.
A new study found that even small amounts of fructose in breast milk are associated with increased body weight and muscle content in babies. The study, published in the journal Nutrients, involved 25 mothers and infants and provided preliminary evidence for the risks of 'secondhand sugars' on infant health.
Nation's top environmental scientists say the EPA should continue to engage with the broad community of scientists to inform policy decisions. The authors call for enhanced research funding and environmental scientific capacity to address key uncertainties and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A new primate species from India has been discovered, revealing a previously unknown branch of the evolutionary tree. The ancient Ramadapis sahnii existed around 11-14 million years ago and is connected to lemurs and humans through its Sivaladapidae family ties.
A fasting-mimicking diet has been shown to reverse diabetes in mice by promoting the growth of new insulin-producing pancreatic cells. In humans, the diet also increased expression of a protein that accelerates insulin production in type 1 diabetes patients, suggesting potential for alleviating symptoms.
Researchers created a new membrane that improves the cycle life of lithium-sulfur batteries by reducing the shuttling of dissolved polysulfides. The MCM layer preserves energy density without losing capacity over time, leading to 100% capacity retention and up to four times longer life compared to batteries without it.
A phase III trial of a fasting-like diet shows significant benefits for 'at-risk' patients, reducing cardiovascular risk factors, inflammation, and fasting glucose levels. The regimen also shrunk waistlines and resulted in weight loss, with sustained effects even after returning to normal daily eating habits.
Maja Matarić will present her research on socially assistive robots designed to support stroke patients, children with autism, and people with Alzheimer's disease. These robots use AI to decipher emotions, body language, and social cues to provide personalized interactions.
Hispanic immigrant and African American men face the highest average workplace injury rate, with Hispanic immigrant men having a rate of 13.7 per 1,000 workers. The study highlights disparities in economic opportunities for minorities leading to hazardous job assignments that increase their risk of injury and disability.
A new study found that high levels of air pollution can make insulin-creating cells less efficient, increasing the risk for type 2 diabetes in obese Latino children. Exposure to poor air quality during childhood increases the risk for obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
USC-led study finds that older women living in areas with high PM2.5 levels are 81% more at risk for global cognitive decline and 92% more likely to develop dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Exposure to air pollution particles may accelerate brain aging and promote Alzheimer's disease.