A new study suggests reducing prescription sleep medications among older adults could provide substantial health and economic benefits. Avoiding these medications would reduce falls by 8.5% and cognitive impairment by 2.1%, increasing life expectancy by 1.3 months.
A USC Dornsife study found that combining two types of brain scans improves predictions of future anxiety in teens, shedding light on how the adolescent brain responds to mistakes and identifying at-risk youth sooner. The research may eventually lead to earlier, more personalized mental health interventions.
The USC team created the first optical device that follows the emerging framework of optical thermodynamics, introducing a fundamentally new way to route light in nonlinear systems. The device uses simple thermodynamic principles to guide light naturally, without switches or digital addressing.
The 340B program has grown into the nation's second-largest drug purchasing program, with significant revenue generated from spread pricing, which disproportionately benefits providers with more commercially insured patients. Eliminating this distorted incentive is essential to ensuring safety-net providers receive benefits.
A new study published in Cell found that relying on stand-in reference DNA from similar but different species can significantly distort research findings for vulnerable species. Using the wrong genome can miss up to a third of genetic variations and lead to misleading conservation decisions.
A team of scholars from USC, UC Riverside, and Carnegie Observatories will develop computer models to simulate the birth of structure in the universe, testing theories about galaxy formation. The Lyman-Alpha forest Research Collaboration aims to reveal quantum properties of dark matter and neutrino particles.
A new white paper from the USC Schaeffer Center recommends FDA reforms to streamline clinical trials, provide clearer guidance on newer technologies, and improve agency efficiency. This could reduce development time and costs, pushing down prices and improving patient access.
Only 4 in 10 US retail pharmacies carry buprenorphine, a highly effective opioid addiction treatment, with disparities persisting in minority neighborhoods. Tight pharmacy regulations discourage pharmacies from carrying the treatment, limiting access to vulnerable communities.
A new study from the University of Southern California has found that measuring brain blood flow dynamics may be key to understanding and treating Alzheimer's disease. The research team developed a novel 'physio-marker' called the Cerebrovascular Dynamics Index (CDI) using non-invasive Doppler ultrasound and near-infrared spectroscopy.
Researchers discovered a unique partnership between two microbes that work together as a living electrical network to consume methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The finding sheds light on how microorganisms naturally reduce methane emissions and could lead to innovative strategies to control methane release in various environments.
A modest gift card significantly increased enrollment of low-income individuals in a patient registry designed to accelerate Alzheimer’s disease clinical trials. Targeted outreach may be more cost-effective than offering larger prizes.
A new study by USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology researchers finds that Americans with less education are aging faster, with the gap growing over 30 years. The study measured biological aging, which looks at how well organs and systems work, and found that people with more education have slower biological aging.
Most Channel Islands foxes developed larger brains to adapt to survival demands in isolated conditions, defying the assumption that island animals have smaller brains. Brain size appeared to be shaped more by local habitat conditions than isolation or island size alone.
A new study finds reported conflicts of interest on CDC vaccine panels had been at historic lows for years before Kennedy's dismissal. The type of conflict typically considered most concerning, income from vaccine makers, was virtually eliminated among panel members.
A new study demonstrates how a single type of 'neglecton' particle can make Ising anyons universal, enabling any quantum computation through braiding alone. The breakthrough uses non-semisimple topological quantum field theories to overcome unitarity issues and unlock the full power of Ising-based systems.
A large study found that Medicare beneficiaries with multiple sclerosis who received broader coverage of MS treatments had significantly lower risk of developing new or worsening symptoms. Researchers warn that formulary exclusions for specialty drugs could lead to worse health outcomes.
Researchers at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences found that empathy can be trained by associating someone's happiness with personal reward. This effect was subtle but meaningful and lasted even when no rewards were involved.
A new study by USC researchers reveals that social media susceptibility clusters among users' friends, leading to a phenomenon called the Susceptibility Paradox. This pattern is strongest in influence-driven sharing, where users are more likely to post content if their friends have done so before.
ShadeLA aims to reduce heat risk by expanding tree canopy and shade infrastructure in key public spaces, targeting major sporting events and heat waves. The initiative builds on USC's Urban Trees Initiative and engages community-based organizations to create locally driven solutions for a more comfortable L.A.
Researchers at USC have developed a new understanding of how the human brain organizes its visual memories by sorting them into categories. The study, published in Advanced Science, used human patient brain recordings and machine learning to decode the category of visual image being recalled from precise neural timing.
A new analysis finds that delinking PBM compensation from list prices could lower US annual drug spending by nearly $100 billion. Shifting to a transparent payment model would reduce costs without undermining pharmaceutical innovation, according to USC Schaeffer Center Director Geoffrey Joyce.
A wearable sensor could revolutionize lithium monitoring for people with bipolar disorder by tracking medication levels through sweat. The USC-made device, which is the first of its kind, eliminates the need for blood draws and offers a personalized and easily accessible monitoring system.
Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering developed AI model Allegro-FM, simulating billions of atoms simultaneously. This enables simulations 1,000 times larger than previous models, accelerating materials design and discovery.
Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering developed AI model Allegro-FM to simulate behavior of billions of atoms simultaneously, enabling simulations 1,000 times larger than previous models. This breakthrough accelerates development of carbon-neutral concrete with unprecedented scalability.
A team of physicists has developed a tiny device that can detect and control antiferromagnetic resonance, enabling ultrafast and energy-efficient electronics. The breakthrough allows for a compact, electrically tunable platform to manipulate electron spins.
A new study from the University of Southern California reveals that just 30 days of guided mindfulness meditation can significantly enhance key aspects of attentional control. The study demonstrates that even short-term meditation can lead to measurable cognitive improvements, particularly in reaction speed.
Researchers investigate whether language alone is sufficient to understand color metaphors and find that hands-on experiences using color unlock deeper conceptual representations in language. ChatGPT generates consistent color associations but struggles with novel metaphors and embodied explanations.
A USC-developed shipboard system using limestone and seawater can remove up to half of carbon dioxide emitted from shipping vessels, cutting maritime CO2 emissions by 50%. The process mimics a natural chemical reaction in the ocean, where CO2 is absorbed into water pumped onboard and then neutralized through a bed of limestone.
A new device created by USC biomedical engineers could help sufferers avoid the need for opioids. The UIWI stimulator is designed to provide real-time, personalized pain management through machine learning algorithms and wireless power supply.
Most Medicare beneficiaries will likely see their drug costs go up due to Part D plans' shifting cost-sharing burden. The new $2,000 annual out-of-pocket limit won't reach most beneficiaries, leading to higher deductibles and coinsurance for many.
A USC study found that high levels of iron in the brain contribute to cell damage and oxidative stress, accelerating Alzheimer’s symptoms in individuals with Down syndrome. This connection could lead to targeted treatments and improved outcomes for those at risk.
A new study by USC researchers demonstrates an unconditional exponential quantum scaling advantage on IBM quantum processors, solving Simon's problem with a significant performance gap over classical computers. The team achieved this through optimal circuit design and error correction techniques.
A new laboratory earthquake model connects the microscopic real contact area between fault surfaces to earthquake occurrences, offering insights into earthquake mechanics and potential prediction. Continuous monitoring of physical properties could provide new tools for short-term systems and reliable prediction.
Researchers discovered that Nup98 forms droplet-like structures to protect broken DNA in tightly packed zones, allowing for accurate repairs and reducing genetic mistakes. This finding has implications for cancer and aging, with potential applications for therapies that mimic Nup98's protective functions.
A study published in Communications Earth & Environment reveals how AI can help combat global wildlife trafficking by identifying key airport nodes. Researchers analyzed nearly 2,000 airports and predicted 307 potentially involved airports, including two US airports that had not been previously flagged. The model also identified signif...
A new USC-led study finds that a focused intervention combining storytelling, peer support, and provider incentives can reduce provider bias in family planning clinics and improve care for young women. The intervention expanded contraceptive access for the most marginalized groups.
Gold mining in the Amazon depletes land of its water, creating harsh conditions where replanted seedlings can't survive. Researchers suggest flattening sand piles and filling in ponds could improve moisture retention and boost regrowth.
A new study reveals that even weak tropical cyclones significantly increase infant deaths in low- and middle-income countries. The researchers analyzed nearly 1.7 million child records from seven economically disadvantaged countries, finding an average increase of 11% in infant mortality rates.
Research found that workforce participation among people with diabetes remains low, despite significant health improvements, due to factors like health complications and workplace barriers. The study suggests expanded access to anti-obesity medications could have positive effects on the labor market.
A new AI-driven tool can forecast acute child malnutrition in Kenya up to six months in advance with high accuracy, enabling timely interventions. The model integrates clinical data and satellite information to identify emerging risk areas, providing a game-changing solution to address public health emergency in the country.
Researchers at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences have developed a powerful new method for selectively and reversibly breaking connections between brain cells, targeting specific synapses without harming neurons. The technique, inspired by the brain's own system for recycling proteins, allows for the elimination of eith...
Researchers have developed deterministic benchmarking (DB), a more detailed and efficient method for identifying specific types of quantum noise and errors. DB provides accurate information about both coherent and incoherent errors, enabling better calibration of quantum gates.
Retail pharmacies excluded from Medicare Part D networks faced a higher risk of closure over the past decade, with independent and minority-owned pharmacies more likely to be affected. The study found that pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) were contributing to this problem by steering beneficiaries away from non-preferred pharmacies.
A USC-led study shows that a quantum annealer outperforms classical algorithms in finding near-optimal solutions to complex problems. The researchers used a D-Wave Advantage processor and implemented error suppression techniques to overcome noise limitations.
Researchers have demonstrated a new quantum sensing technique that surpasses conventional methods by counteracting the limitation of decoherence. The study's coherence-stabilized protocol allows for improved sensitivity and detection of subtle signals, with up to 1.65 times better efficacy per measurement.
Researchers discovered that the brain suppresses the current action without using another mechanism to inhibit it, enabling seamless transitions between actions. This finding could lead to the development of biologically-inspired robotic systems and improve clinical treatments for Parkinson's patients.
The US Cost of Dementia Project estimates total economic burden at $781 billion, accounting for lost earnings, diminished quality of life, and unpaid care. The project aims to inform evidence-based policies reducing dementia's financial impact.
USC researchers developed a biocompatible material by adding calcium carbonate to poly (1,8-octanediol-co-citrate), an FDA-approved biodegradable material. The resulting material, POC-CC, is a safer alternative to traditional plastics and degrades in marine environments while maintaining strength.
A new USC study suggests that gut imbalances in children with autism may disrupt neurotransmitter production and influence behavioral symptoms. The research connects the dots between the 'gut-brain' axis and autism, raising possibilities for new treatments.
A team of researchers discovered that a robotic hand can learn to grasp and rotate objects even with incomplete or absent tactile sensation. The study highlights the importance of the sequence of learning experiences, also known as the curriculum, in facilitating learning.