The locus coeruleus is a critical brain region that releases norepinephrine, regulating heart rate, attention, memory, and cognition. It is vulnerable to toxins and infection, making it the first place affected by late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
A new study found that behavioral interventions, such as peer comparison and accountable justification, significantly reduced unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions for acute respiratory infections. The study built upon prior research and resulted in a 16 percentage point reduction in prescription rates.
For the first time, researchers have directly converted carbon dioxide from the air into methanol at relatively low temperatures. This process uses renewable energy to transform the greenhouse gas into a clean-burning fuel for internal combustion engines and fuel cells.
A new study combining computer science, moral psychology, and sociology found that concerns about purity are the best predictor of social distance between people. The research team analyzed over 731,000 tweets and behavioral experiments to determine how five basic moral values affect social connections.
Researchers found that stories dealing with core values activate the default mode network in the brain, which was previously thought to be an autopilot system. The level of activation varied across cultures, with Iranians showing the greatest response.
Scientists at USC have discovered the Achilles heel of hepatocellular carcinoma, a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Researchers identified the carcinogenic pathway of stem cell marker NANOG, which promotes cancer spread by rewiring metabolism in mitochondria.
A USC study surveyed 3,310 ninth-grade students and found that those with moderate mental health problems who vape e-cigarettes have emotional and behavioral issues midway between smokers and non-vapers. E-cigarette use has tripled among teens in recent years, with flavors like Skittles enticing young people.
A new study by USC researchers found that people with high anxiety levels have a 48% higher risk of developing dementia. The study analyzed data from the Swedish Adoption Twin Study of Aging and found that chronic anxiety is linked to damage in the brain, including the hippocampus and frontal cortex.
A study of fossil corals and mollusk shells reveals no connection between strong seasonal variations and El Niño, contradicting top nine climate models. The research provides insight into the fundamental physics of El Niño and highlights deficiencies in current climate modeling.
A new study reveals that Latinos from Mexico have the lowest chance of getting colorectal cancer, while those from Central or South America are diagnosed with the disease before age 50 at a higher rate. The research aims to pave the way for personalized cancer care and reduce disparities in treatment
A new study has found that combining the blood thinner warfarin with certain diabetes medications increases hospitalizations for falls, altered mental state, and insulin shock among Medicare patients. The study's findings have significant implications for patient safety and healthcare costs.
Researchers found that door holders who made a high effort were more likely to receive reciprocation, with recipients saying "thank you" more often. The study also showed that small favors can inspire reciprocal acts, but verbal thanking and helping are not inherently correlated.
Researchers at USC, University of Washington and University of Utah developed a machine-learning algorithm that detects high-empathy or low-empathy speech in therapist-patient sessions. The tool uses automatic speech recognition and natural language processing to analyze over 1,000 therapy sessions.
A newly discovered mechanism in worms suggests that mothers sacrifice their health for future generations, fueling egg cell development with fats. This phenomenon raises the possibility of a similar trait in humans, potentially impacting reproductive success and lifespan.
The study found that cancer metastasis is neither random nor unpredictable, with survival depending on the location of the first metastatic site. Breast cancer patients who developed metastasis in specific organs had significantly different chances of long-term survival.
Researchers at USC discover enzyme MMP-20 that can regrow tooth enamel, reducing lesions by up to 70%. The breakthrough could lead to a new treatment option for tooth decay and sensitivity.
Research finds men carrying ApoE4 gene suffer more tiny brain bleeds and memory loss than women with similar diagnoses. The study provides new insights into the effects of ApoE4 on Alzheimer's disease in humans.
Researchers at USC and Sangamo BioSciences have developed a more efficient method for editing genes in blood-forming stem cells (HSPCs), which could potentially treat diseases such as HIV and other blood disorders. By combining two delivery methods, the team achieved unprecedented efficiency rates ranging from 15 to 40 percent.
A new study by Emilio Ferrara and Zeyao Yang found that positive emotions spread virally through Twitter feeds, with about 20% of users deemed highly susceptible to 'emotional contagion'. These users were four times more likely to produce positive tweets than negative ones.
A newly discovered fossil sea urchin has been found in Texas, pushing the evolution of this type of sea urchin back by 10 million years to the Roadian age. The discovery provides valuable insights into the processes that occur during major evolutionary changes.
A new study by researchers at USC, Harvard and Stanford universities found that spending more on patients lowers doctors' malpractice risk. The study analyzed Florida physician and claims data and found an inverse correlation between adjusted hospital spending per physician year and malpractice claim rates.
Scientists have discovered a new function of the nuclear membrane: repairing catastrophically broken DNA strands. The membrane fixes heterochromatin breaks, preventing chromosome aberrations and potentially fatal cancer formation. This study may reveal how organisms become more predisposed to cancer as they age.
A new study suggests that variations in complex carbohydrates found in breast milk, called human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), are associated with variations in infant growth and obesity. Higher levels of certain HMOs at 6 months of age were linked to greater fat mass, while others were protective against obesity.
A new study led by USC researcher Cleopatra Abdou found that people who encountered negative stereotypes in healthcare settings reported adverse effects, including hypertension, depression, and poor self-rated health. The researchers highlight the need for inclusive policies to reduce healthcare stereotype threat and promote health dis...
Researchers mapped the human brain's experience of gratitude using Holocaust survivors' testimonies, revealing areas responsible for feelings of reward and moral cognition. The study also showed that gratitude enhances empathy and understanding of historical events.
Research found that people who experience cultural disfluency, such as encountering wrong holiday plates or non-traditional wedding photos, perform better on cognitive reasoning tests and are less likely to engage in mindless consumption. This shift to systematic thinking reduces stress levels and increases brainpower.
A new study from USC Viterbi School of Engineering identifies key factors that influence email response times. The study found that younger people respond faster, but write shorter replies, while older individuals take longer to respond. Additionally, the researchers discovered that platform usage and timing also impact response time.
The USC Viterbi School of Engineering Center has been awarded an $8 million grant under the White House Materials Genome Initiative to develop new nanomaterials. The center will use open-source software, experimental data, and immersive visualizations to accelerate innovation in materials science.
Researchers at USC and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have developed a brain prosthesis that mimics how memories are translated from short-term to long-term storage. The device has shown high accuracy in predicting neural signals with about 90% accuracy in hundreds of trials conducted with nine patients.
The study found that critical backup generators were built in low-lying areas at risk for tsunami damage despite warnings from scientists. The researchers identified arrogance, ignorance, design flaws, and regulatory failures as key factors leading to the disaster.
Research suggests that children who focus on their possible future selves and have strategies to attain these possibilities perform better academically and emotionally. In contrast, children who dwell on difficulties without planning for the future experience a negative impact on their optimism and fatalism.
A new study reveals that climate change will irreversibly force key ocean bacteria into high-speed reproduction, producing 50% more nitrogen. This accelerated growth can't be reversed and may lead to catastrophic die-offs of the microorganism and dependent species.
A USC study reveals inaccuracies in CPR depictions on TV, including lower survival rates and incorrect patient demographics. The findings highlight the need for improved physician-patient communication and discussions around advance care planning decisions.
Researchers have identified a key factor driving intraplate seismicity: convective currents of semi-liquid rock beneath the Earth's crust. This process interacts with surface motion, influencing earthquake locations and frequency. The study's findings offer new insights into seismic hazard mapping in plate interiors.
A recent study using fecal sampling and genetic analysis found hundreds of eastern chimpanzees inhabit a region of rapidly shrinking forest fragments in Uganda. The population is estimated to be between 250-320 individuals, three times larger than previously suspected.
A new MRI study found that having the opportunity to learn from failure can turn it into a positive experience. The study showed that certain circumstances can prompt the brain's reward mechanism instead of avoidance learning, leading to improved understanding and behavior.
Researchers have developed a yeast model to investigate a gene mutation that causes massive DNA damage and allows cells to continue dividing. The study reveals how cells ignore genetic damage and form micronuclei, which are commonly found in cancer cells.
A new study by USC researchers reveals that residential exposure to near-roadway pollutants can cause a significant burden of heart disease, particularly among older adults. The study's findings emphasize the need for zoning buffer areas between busy roadways and new housing developments.
A new USC-led study found that heart disease is the main reason for the disparity in life expectancies between men and women, with female death rates decreasing 70% faster than male death rates after 1880. The study suggests that biological differences may be at play, with potential factors including diet, exercise, and genetics.
USC Viterbi researchers have developed new layered semiconducting materials that can be adjusted to achieve unique electronic and optical properties. These materials have potential applications in LIDAR systems, infrared thermal imaging technology, and flexible night vision glasses.
Researchers found that up to 20% of a mosquito population's genome is subject to evolutionary pressures, leading to local adaptation and potential resistance to pesticides. The study provides insights into the contemporary evolution of mosquitoes and informs strategies to control populations.
A new study by USC's Valter Longo suggests that a periodic diet mimicking fasting can cut visceral belly fat, boost neural regeneration and improve learning and memory in old mice. In humans, the pilot study found evidence of reduced risk factors for aging, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer with no major adverse side effects.
Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering have developed a prototype synchronizing four nodes to an accuracy of three nanoseconds, introducing the
Researchers at USC have developed a portable device to measure a tumor's squishiness, which may help personalize cancer care. The device uses fiber optics and can accurately quantify the Young's modulus of various materials without damaging them.
Researchers from USC and CHLA found that adapting dental environments to be more calming for children with autism spectrum disorder significantly reduced psychological anxiety and pain intensity. The study used sensory adaptations such as soothing music, gentle lighting, and deep-pressure hugs to create a comfortable environment.
A USC study found that culturally relevant stories increased cervical cancer screenings among Latinas, while non-narrative approaches were less effective. The research used narrative videos with Mexican-American characters to reach this demographic and showed significant improvements in screening rates within six months.
Researchers found that thinking of the future as now can motivate individuals to accomplish their goals. By considering deadlines in days instead of months or years, people are more likely to start working on their objectives. This shift in time metrics reduces procrastination and increases willingness to save for long-term goals.
Using a sophisticated X-ray analysis, scientists revealed the molecular structure of the angiotensin receptor AT1R, an important regulator of blood pressure in humans. This discovery provides new insights into the mode of action and facilitates the development of new drugs with fewer side effects.
Researchers found a bacterium, Trichodesmium, with a unique genome that contradicts the understanding of free-living microbial genome architectures. The DNA sequence contains only about 63% expressed protein, breaking the mold for oligotrophs and challenging current knowledge.
Researchers have identified a key role for Gli1+ stem cells in skull development and facial bone repair. Transplanting these stem cells into injured areas may help restore normal anatomy and facilitate brain growth, offering potential treatment options for infants with craniosynostosis and patients with facial disfigurement.