A USC study has identified the brain region responsible for rapid scene comprehension, which enables humans to quickly grasp unfamiliar scenes. The lateral occipital cortex is found to play a key role in this process, with no significant contribution from the intraparietal sulcus.
Researchers at USC are creating a high-tech navigation system to help the visually impaired, including a guide vest that provides tactile messages to alert users about objects in their path. The system uses cameras and SLAM software to build maps of the environment, enabling users to avoid falls and injuries.
A genome-wide association study found a novel risk variant on chromosome 17q21 that is common in African American men but rare in other populations. This discovery builds on previous research identifying a risk region on chromosome 8q24, suggesting a genetic contribution to racial disparities in prostate cancer risk.
Researchers deciphered how hair stem cells communicate with each other to encourage mutually coordinated regeneration, holding potential for finding a cure for alopecia. The study's findings provide insight into potential stem cell behavior in other organs, which holds ramifications for regenerative medicine research.
The USC Viterbi team built a carbon nanotube synapse circuit that reproduces neuron input behavior, a significant step towards developing brain prostheses. The fabricated synapse is simplified, but understanding the process of human intelligence could lead to breakthroughs in prosthetic technology and intelligent cars.
A groundbreaking study by USC researchers shows the human placenta synthesizes serotonin, providing a new source of this neurotransmitter to the fetal forebrain. This discovery has implications for treating health impacts such as cardiovascular disease and mental illness.
The US Coast Guard has begun trials of the PROTECT system, a computer application developed by USC-engineered that randomizes response vessel schedules to prevent adversaries from exploiting patterns. The system, designed to optimize deterrence effects, is being tested in Boston Harbor with a force of five to ten response boats.
A new study reveals that exposure to vehicle pollution can cause significant brain damage in mice, including signs of memory loss and Alzheimer's disease. The tiny particles from burning fossil fuels and weathered car parts are too small for filters to trap, raising concerns about human health.
Research identifies four major PTSD symptoms with varying effects on quality of life, challenging common assumptions about the disorder's impact. Symptoms tied to heightened arousal, such as trouble sleeping and irritability, were found to have a significant association with lower quality of life among PTSD patients.
A 22-year study found no cases of diabetes and only one non-lethal case of cancer in individuals with Laron syndrome, a growth-stunting mutation. In contrast, relatives without such mutations had higher rates of diabetes and cancer. The study suggests that blocking growth hormone activity may be protective against these diseases.
A study by researchers from the Brain and Creativity Institute at USC found that White Americans respond faster to pictures of themselves than to pictures of their boss, while Chinese people in China respond fastest to pictures of their direct supervisor. This suggests cultural differences in responses to authority figures.
The study, led by Martin Hilbert, found that humankind is able to store at least 295 exabytes of information, equivalent to a galaxy of data for every person in the world. This represents just one percent of the information stored in all human DNA molecules.
A recent Internet census reveals that only 14% of allocated IPv4 addresses are visible on the public Internet, highlighting an uneven shortage. The IPv6 protocol offers more addresses, but its implementation may involve significant transition costs.
A new study found that hospital spending is associated with lower death rates for patients with life-threatening conditions, including heart attacks, strokes, and pneumonia. High-spending hospitals had a 19% lower mortality rate compared to low-spending hospitals.
The smart sensor system recognizes spatio-temporal patterns of perimeter intrusion by foot, fence, or vehicle to protect remote perimeters against unauthorized access. It actively raises alerts for fence climbing and human footsteps while ignoring typical visitor activity.
The US Department of Homeland Security has signed a 5-year, $16 million contract to expand and improve the DETERlab testbed at USC's Information Sciences Institute. The new project, DETECT, aims to advance cybersecurity research and provide a controlled environment for scientific inquiry.
A new study finds that extending data exclusivity periods would result in higher drug costs in the short term but also lead to more than 200 extra drug approvals. This could potentially increase life expectancy in several decades.
A study by UC Merced marine biologist Michael Beman reveals that rising greenhouse gases are making ocean water more acidic, fundamentally altering the way nitrogen cycles throughout the sea. This change could have significant impacts on all forms of marine life.
A new study revisits the 'Easterlin Paradox', finding that long-term happiness does not increase with income growth, despite short-term correlations. The research, led by Richard Easterlin, examines 37 countries and concludes that economic growth is not a key driver of happiness.
Research finds that patients increasingly value nonclinical hospital amenities over clinical quality, affecting health care costs and outcomes. Improved perks can increase hospital volume and attract more patients.
Researchers at USC College have made a groundbreaking discovery about sour flavors, revealing that protons from acids directly activate taste cells. This finding has important implications for understanding how different tastes interact and may lead to practical applications in cooking and food industry.
The 'M8' simulation, a magnitude 8.0 earthquake on the southern San Andreas Fault, shakes a larger area with greater detail than previously possible. The development of this simulation advances state-of-the-art in speed and efficiency for such calculations.
A new study from USC Marshall School of Business suggests that brand attachment has a stronger impact on consumers than previously believed. Consumers' emotional bonds with brands can lead to sacrifices in time, money, energy, and reputation to maintain the connection.
A recent study published in PLoS ONE explains that no pitcher can make a curveball break or a fastball rise, as it appears to be an illusion. The researchers argue that batters perceive the ball as breaking due to their eyes' natural tendency to follow motion and shift between central and peripheral vision.
Researchers have discovered that specialized bacterial filaments, known as nanowires, can conduct electricity, allowing microbial colonies to thrive. The findings suggest a new way for bacteria to transfer electrons and support each other, potentially leading to breakthroughs in biofilm resistance and sustainable energy.
USC professor Andrea Armani is developing a real-time nanolaser instrument to locate carcinogens and their induced changes in living cells. This technology aims to create personalized cancer drug delivery systems, potentially within 10-15 years.
New research from the University of Southern California found that sparkling drinks activate pain sensors in the nasal cavity, similar to mustard and horseradish. The study discovered a specific type of cell responsible for this sensation, known as TRPA1.
A new study by USC researchers found that stressed men have diminished brain activity in regions responsible for understanding others' feelings, whereas stressed women show increased coordination. This sex difference is linked to the effects of stress on social behavior and empathy.
Researchers will model complex neural systems to understand how humans see, then embed parallel transactions into silicon systems. A series of prototypes with breadboard hardware will be created every six months as understandings emerge.
The Visibility app uses a smartphone's camera, GPS, compass, and accelerometer to estimate air quality. Users take a photo of the sky, and the app analyzes it to determine pollutant content.
USC neuroscientists use new method to trace brain circuits, revealing a distributed network that overcomes local damage and has alternate pathways. The study suggests the brain may be more like the Internet than previously thought.
A study by USC researchers found significant national differences in the degree of conflict between older parents and their adult children. In contrast to European countries, US parents were more likely to experience disharmonious relationships with their adult children.
A study by USC Marshall School of Business finds that luxury brands charge more for 'quieter' items with subtle logo placement and size, appealing to patricians. Counterfeiters predominantly copy lower-priced, louder luxury goods, while poseurs are more likely to express intent to purchase counterfeit bags.
A USC team has produced flexible transparent carbon atom films for low-cost and convenient electrical power from the sun. Graphene-based solar cells have significant advantages in physical flexibility, potentially enabling printed-on-fabric applications.
A study led by the University of Southern California found that SIRT1 protein is essential for recall in mice, but over-expression did not improve performance; instead, it raised questions about supplementing with sirtuin activators.
A new study reveals that regional variation in health-care spending and utilization is two to three times more pronounced in Medicare than the private sector. Adopting private-sector utilization management models could help improve efficiency in the Medicare program.
A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers witnessing employee incivility, even when it's directed at another employee, form negative impressions of the company. The researchers suggest that promoting employee civility through training and setting zero-tolerance expectations can enhance customer behavior.
The University of Southern California has received a $56.8 million Clinical and Translational Science Award from the NIH to support real-life applications of scientific discoveries in healthcare. The Los Angeles Basin CTSI will partner with community organizations and providers to address health issues in urban environments.
A study by neuroscientists at USC found that volunteers practicing a challenging arm movement with related tasks showed better retention of the skill. The prefrontal cortex was necessary for consolidating the memory, while constant practice focused on a single task did not retain the skill as well.
Scientists are developing a database of human emotion and behavior by collecting digital representations from actors. The USC CreativeIT Database will help predict patterns in human behavior, leading to potential applications in addiction treatment, customer care, and global security.
A new study suggests that newborn mice develop cold sensing neural circuits around two weeks after birth, indicating a delay in the maturation of this circuit. This finding provides insight into the development of cold sensing and its potential impact on human health, particularly in children with altered temperature sensitivity.
Scientists propose that mantle flow, rather than plate boundaries, drives uplift and volcanism in mobile belts. The study identifies two mountain ranges raised almost entirely by mantle flow in Spain and France.
Researchers at USC have identified a distinct molecular subtype of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) associated with improved clinical outcomes, including median survival time of over three years. The discovery was made using epigenomics and has potential implications for targeted drug treatments.
A team at the University of Southern California used a genome-wide association method to locate genes behind important plant traits such as flowering time and disease resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana. The study identified dozens of genes linked to these traits, with potential applications in agriculture and biofuels.
A new study proposes that slow-growing animals waste energy in two ways, making too much protein and then discarding excess. Fast-growing oysters, on the other hand, are more efficient at protein production, according to USC marine biologists.
Researchers at USC identified retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A, as a critical regulator of the Second Heart Field's tissue formation and septation process. Disruptions in this pathway can result in serious congenital malformations of the heart.
The University of Southern California has been awarded a $25 million National Science Foundation grant to establish the Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations. The center will explore the sub-seafloor biosphere in three main field projects at North Pond, Juan de Fuca and South Pacific Gyre.
A new institute will focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving combustion efficiency in marine diesel engines, which emit significant pollutants. The research aims to produce lab-scale prototype technology that can be scaled up for testing in full-size engines.
The US government's financial support for the news industry has declined sharply since the 1960s, with subsidies for mailing and public notices decreasing by 64% and 73%, respectively. The report recommends policy options to address this decline, including allowing newspapers to become non-profits, tax credits for subscribers, and expa...
A new study finds that people who use more empathetic language also have increased activity in brain regions responsible for producing and understanding intonation. This suggests a link between emotional intelligence and the ability to perceive prosody, or the 'music' of speech.