Researchers found that individuals tend to default to positive habits, such as eating a healthy breakfast or going to the gym, even when stressed. This suggests that the underlying routine is more important than self-control in meeting goals.
Scientists at USC have found a class of drugs, TSPO ligands, that can reduce measures of pathology and improve behavior in both young adult and aged mice with Alzheimer's Disease. The treatment showed promising results, including a significant decrease in symptoms and improvements in memory.
A new study from USC reveals that adding social gaming elements to a behavior tracking program led participants to exercise more frequently and decrease their body-mass index. The effects were stronger in groups that started with gaming and were sustained after gaming elements were removed.
A new tool called P3 removes small amounts of data from photos and encrypts them, allowing cloud file-sharing services to use the unencrypted portion while keeping the owner's sensitive information secure. With P3, photo owners can choose how their photos are shared, retaining rights to the complete photo and ensuring privacy.
A new study by the USC Schaeffer Center and RAND Corporation found that patients with high deductibles pay roughly the same amount as traditionally insured patients for most outpatient services. The study suggests that lack of transparency about medical costs and patient loyalty to primary care physicians hinder price comparison, leadi...
A new study finds that lifestyle choices in adulthood impact height loss over time, particularly cognitive health and socioeconomic factors. Urban dwellers and those who completed primary school have less height loss than rural residents and illiterate individuals.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to analyze lung cancer spread patterns, revealing that cancer cells move around the body in multiple directions. The study identified specific areas of the body as 'spreaders' and 'sponges,' which could guide physicians to targeted treatment options.
A new study warns that widespread adoption of the 'test and treat' policy for HIV could lead to a significant increase in multi-drug resistant HIV cases. The study suggests that this approach could double the number of MDR cases among men who have sex with men (MSM) in LA County over the next 10 years.
Researchers identified protein MCM that changes DNA topology, forming 'supercoils.' This can lead to cancer cells growing out of control. The study provides new insight into MCM's role in gene regulation and cancer.
A study of 137 mummies from around the world reveals that preindustrial hunter-gatherers suffered from clogged arteries, challenging the assumption that modern lifestyles are the primary cause. The researchers found artery plaque in every single population studied, indicating a more basic connection to inflammation and aging.
Scientists have discovered two structural apparatuses that collaborate to protect repetitive DNA during replication. Disrupting both heterochromatin and replication fork proteins increases abnormal chromosomes and cell death.
USC scientists have developed an algorithm to predict the value of DNA sequencing, which could make it more affordable for clinics. The algorithm uses a model from ecology known as capture-recapture to estimate population sizes, with potential applications in public health, astronomy, and biology.
Mice with Alzheimer's-like pathologies showed improved memory and slower disease progression on a low-protein diet supplemented with specific amino acids. The study found reduced levels of IGF-1 and increased blockade of its effects, suggesting potential non-invasive treatments.
Researchers isolated and ablated neurons expressing TRPM8 protein, which senses cold temperatures in the skin. Mice without these neurons couldn't feel cold but still responded to heat and touch, shedding light on pain treatment advancements.
Researchers at USC have created a new lithium-ion battery design that uses silicon nanoparticles to improve capacity and recharge more quickly. The batteries hold three times as much energy as comparable graphite-based designs and can recharge within 10 minutes.
A new analysis of vegetation change over 12 million years reveals that grasslands dominated the landscape, challenging the idea of bipedalism as a response to forest encroachment. The study provides insights into the environment and plant life in Africa's Rift Valley during human evolution.
A new USC study found that the brain works hard to understand those with different bodies when watching them in action. Increased visual exposure improves understanding and can alleviate stigma. Individuals with higher empathy levels showed more activity in motor regions when observing actions made by residual limbs.
During Hurricane Sandy, internet outages in the US nearly doubled to 0.43%, affecting New Jersey and New York most significantly. The USC study provides valuable insights into disaster preparedness, informing how ISPs allocate resources to restore access after a disaster.
A team of chemists at USC developed a method to convert fluoroform, an ozone-destroying chemical waste product, into useful reagents for producing pharmaceuticals. The discovery is based on the precise conditions needed to coax fluoroform into useful compounds, including trifluoromethanesulfonic acid.
Research from USC finds that expectant mothers' beliefs about family roles predict higher birthweights and lower asthma rates in their children. The study suggests that cultural values can provide tangible physical health benefits.
Researchers found that certain 'checkpoint mutants' ignore the normal signal to stop replicating DNA after losing nucleotides, instead continuing to unwind and create damaged DNA strands.
A team of USC researchers has successfully grown carbon nanotube semiconductors with predefined structures, paving the way for their potential use in future electronics. The breakthrough, known as 'nanotube cloning,' involves using pre-selected and separated carbon nanotubes as seeds to control the growth of longer nanotubes.
Multicellular bacteria have been found to function as living power cables, transmitting electrons across large distances as part of their respiration and ingestion processes. The discovery reveals a previously unknown type of long, multicellular bacteria that act as biological power cables.
A study by USC researchers reveals that social factors can affect brain activity related to motor actions, leading to 'differential processing'. This effect is specific to watching movement and is not influenced by physical appearance or group membership.
Scientists at USC have discovered a new type of drug that works by targeting Protein Disulfide Isomerase (PDI) in ovarian cancer cells. The drug, PACMA31, has shown promise in reducing the number of doses needed and making it effective for patients with resistant cancer.
A multi-university team has developed a powerful laser-powered electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometer to study free radicals and nitrogen atoms in diamonds. This innovation allows for high-resolution analysis of tiny molecules, shedding light on their structure and behavior.
A new study by USC researchers shows that controlled fasting enhances the effectiveness of radiation therapy in treating gliomas, a type of brain tumor with a median survival of less than two years. Fasting improved survival rates in mice treated with radiation therapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy.
Researchers have developed a low-cost method for detecting neurological disorders like ADHD and Parkinson's by analyzing eye movement data while watching TV. The study found that patients with these conditions exhibited distinct patterns of eye movement, allowing for accurate diagnosis with high accuracy rates.
Researchers capture video footage of protein traffic inside a neuron using bioluminescent proteins, showing proteins are directed to compartments and then stopped. The new imaging technique provides insight into the brain's continuous renovation process.
Researchers from USC used earthquake data to model the Earth's mantle and reveal the strength of continents compared to the rest of the Earth. They found that a part of the South American plate, known as a cratonic keel, deflects and channels mantle flow.
A USC study found that poor oral health is connected to lower academic performance and more absences from school for disadvantaged kids. Children with tooth pain were four times more likely to have a low GPA, and dental problems caused an average of 2.1 days of missed school per year.
Vega is a general-purpose modeling software that allows users to simulate and move complex objects in real-time. With over 50,000 lines of software code, it offers a wide range of materials and deformable simulation methods, making it a powerful tool for animation, game artists, and engineers.
A USC-led team has developed an air-breathing battery that uses iron plates and oxygen to store energy, reducing energy loss by 4% and making it 10 times more efficient than previous models. The battery's capacity can store between 8-24 hours' worth of energy, with the potential to help California transition to renewable energy sources.
Researchers at USC's iLab discovered that men focus on a person's mouth when listening to an interview, while women shift their gaze between the speaker's eyes and body. Women are also more easily distracted by people entering the video frame than men.
A team led by USC scientists has identified long-hypothesized vitamin B deficient zones in the ocean using a new analytical technique. These 'vitamin deserts' may inhibit phytoplankton growth and affect the ocean's food chain. The discovery could lead to complex interactions among microbial populations.
A new study reveals a higher rate of elder abuse among Latino communities, with 10.7% experiencing physical abuse and 9% experiencing sexual abuse in the last year. The study highlights the need for culturally competent programs to raise awareness and prevent elder abuse within these communities.
A multi-national team has developed a system to transmit data at dramatically increased speeds using twisted beams of light, with rates of up to 2.56 terabits per second. This technology could be used for high-speed satellite communication links and fiber optic cables.
A new study found that STEM degrees are associated with significantly higher earnings for minority college students. Latinos reported the highest average earnings after college, with an average annual salary of $42,180. STEM majors also led to higher job salaries, with a 50% premium compared to non-STEM fields.
Researchers identify a critical neurological factor in aggression, blocking it in mice to suggest potential treatments for severe aggression. The study's findings have significant breakthrough potential for developing drug targets for pathological aggression.
A nationwide study of newly admitted nursing home patients found that 21% sustain a fall during their stay. Facilities with higher CNA-to-patient staffing ratios were associated with lower fall rates due to CNAs providing hands-on care during high-risk activities.
Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering have created a robot equipped with a tactile sensor capable of identifying natural materials by touch. The robot outperforms humans in identifying textures, enabling potential applications in prostheses and consumer product testing.
Scientists discovered that summer temperatures along the Antarctic coast were 20 degrees Fahrenheit warmer during the middle Miocene epoch, supporting substantial vegetation including stunted trees. This warming coincided with increased carbon dioxide levels and associated climate change.
Researchers at USC have demonstrated that quantum computing can potentially speed up web page ranking calculations, making it easier for search engines to keep up with the ever-expanding Internet. The study showed that a quantum computer could return the ranking of the most important pages in the web faster than traditional computers.
Researchers linked air pollution exposure to increased risk of cardiovascular problems, as shown by significant reductions in blood clotting and inflammation biomarkers during the Beijing Olympics. The study provides evidence that even short-term air pollution reduction improves cardiovascular health.
A study by economist Richard Easterlin reveals that Chinese people are less happy overall than they were two decades ago, despite unprecedented economic growth. Life satisfaction among the poorest Chinese has fallen dramatically, reflecting rising unemployment and deteriorating social safety nets.
New research from USC reveals a 100-fold decrease in lead and 400-fold decrease in copper and cadmium in Southern California's coastal waters over the past four decades. The cleaner water is attributed to improvements in sewage treatment regulations and phasing out of leaded gasoline.
A new study reveals that mesenchymal stem cell infusions can control autoimmune disorders by targeting and defeating overactive immune cells through the FAS/FAS-ligand pathway, showing promising results in both animal models and human patients.
Scientists at USC have created a pathway to affordable solar cells made from tiny nanocrystals that can be printed onto clear surfaces. The new method overcomes a key challenge in liquid solar cell technology by stabilizing the nanocrystals and allowing for efficient electricity transmission.
A dirty bomb attack on downtown Los Angeles' financial district could lead to significant economic losses, with estimated costs of nearly $16 billion over a decade. The study found that the public's fear and risk perception would have a larger impact than the immediate damage, with employees demanding higher wages to return to work.
A study reveals that cancer patients overwhelmingly prefer risky treatments with a chance of longer survival to safer options. This approach is driven by patients' desire for hope and limited remaining life expectancy, indicating a shift in how value should be defined from the patient's perspective.