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.
Researchers discovered that the Nrf2 protein plays a crucial role in protecting cells from oxidative stress, which is often exploited by cancer cells to become resistant to treatment. By selectively inhibiting Nrf2, cancer cells may become more susceptible to chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Researchers at USC and international partners successfully built a quantum computer inside a diamond, showcasing solid-state computing's potential. The device protects against decoherence, a major obstacle to quantum systems, by utilizing microwave pulses to stabilize electron spin rotation.
A recent US study found that higher out-of-pocket costs for children's medication are associated with reduced medication use and increased hospitalizations. The study, which analyzed data from over 8,000 patients, suggests that parents may be less sensitive to cost when making decisions for their younger children.
Researchers found protons can move efficiently in stacked systems of molecules, common in plant biomass, membranes, DNA, and elsewhere. This discovery could lead to better catalysts, fuels, and drugs.
Researchers found that faces are recognized more by their features than the entire face, contradicting the long-held belief in holistic processing. This study may help understand rare facial recognition disorders.
Researchers will use hydrodynamic computer modeling to evaluate tsunami currents and their effects on ports and harbors in California. The study aims to create hazard maps and determine safe evacuation depths to mitigate damage caused by these late-arriving surges.
A new study by USC researchers reveals that creativity requires both hemispheres of the brain, with the left hemisphere playing a crucial supporting role. The study found that visual creative tasks lit up the left hemisphere more than non-creative tasks, indicating its potential importance in creative thinking.
Researchers at USC have discovered an abnormal amount of Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGF-β) outside cells, which may indicate Loeys-Dietz syndrome. This finding could enable rapid diagnosis and treatment of the life-threatening birth defect.
A new study found that short fasting cycles can work as well as chemotherapy to treat cancer in mice, and combining both greatly improves survival rates. Fasting alone also effectively treated a majority of cancers tested in animals, including those from human cells.
Scientists have found microbial succession in microbes on deep-sea hydrothermal vents, where life adapts to replace extinct communities with iron and sulfur-rich environments. Researchers at USC uncovered evidence of ecological succession on dormant vents, replacing heat-dependent microbes with new species.
A multi-national team, including USC scientists, found that indoor pollution has been drastically reduced at the church housing the famous painting by 88 and 94 percent. However, fatty lipids from visitors' skin still pose a threat of soiling on the Last Supper, despite strict visitor access regulations.
A new study reveals that the recipient's immune system, specifically T-cells, alternately discourages and encourages stem cells to regrow bone and tissue. Administering regulatory T-cells or anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin increases the rate of bone growth and defect repair.