A study published in PNAS suggests that humans' unique genetic adaptation to meat-rich diets has increased lifespan but also made us more susceptible to diseases of aging such as cancer, heart disease, and dementia. ApoE4 carriers have higher rates of early onset coronary heart disease and Alzheimer's disease.
Recent studies have found a crucial role for calpain in the processes of learning and memory. Calpain is believed to mediate the effects of BDNF, a molecule considered a potential
Researchers at the University of Southern California have discovered a new bacterial behavior where Shewanella oneidensis harvests electrochemical energy and swims in response to metal presence. This finding could improve the efficiency of microbial fuel cells, producing usable energy.
Researchers found that estrogen stimulates parts of the brain dedicated to learning and memory through a protein called calpain. This discovery may lead to better drugs against Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases by targeting calpain directly.
Research by University of Southern California scientists found a positive association between adolescent fitness and adult cognitive performance. Fit teenage boys scored higher on intelligence tests, logical performance, and mechanical skills, while muscle strength did not have a similar impact.
A trio of papers in Nature suggests a new method of predicting earthquakes, focusing on the stresses inside the Earth's crust. The forecasting model can estimate stress levels and provide an indirect measure of future quake sizes and locations.
Humans uniquely susceptible to aging diseases due to genetic adaptations to inflammation and high cholesterol diets. The 'meat-adaptive gene' ApoE3 may contribute to human lifespan, while ApoE4 impairs neuronal development and shortens lifespan by four years.
Researchers at USC School of Dentistry have successfully reversed a cleft palate in fetal mice by regulating signaling molecules. The study's findings suggest that close monitoring and regulation of the protein Shh during palate formation may one day allow for non-surgical reversal before birth.
A new MEMS sensor can detect changes in bulk resistance for plaque characteristics and identify spots where back currents may be promoting plaque formation. This technology has the potential to improve heart attack treatment by distinguishing between stable and unstable plaque.
Researchers at USC's CRES are evaluating robots as exercise coaches for adults of all ages, particularly the elderly. The study examines how physical presence affects robotic exercise motivation in older subjects.
A new study found that publicly blaming others increases the likelihood of spreading blame, as individuals try to protect their egos. Blame creates a culture of fear, leading to negative outcomes in organizations.
A new study published in Psychological Science suggests that the brain's ability to understand shapes is innate and develops without exposure to modern geometric objects. African tribal people and Western college students both showed greater sensitivity to non-accidental properties of objects, indicating a universal sense of geometry.
A new USC study estimates that heavy traffic corridors in Long Beach and Riverside contribute significantly to childhood asthma cases, with 9% of cases in Long Beach and 6% in Riverside linked to air pollution. Ship emissions from the Los Angeles-Long Beach port complex also exacerbate asthma symptoms.
A PLoS ONE study suggests that hydrogen peroxide, produced by mitochondria as a by-product of oxygen combustion, may act as a signal molecule regulating daily rhythms and behavior. The research found dramatic effects on fruit fly activity levels and daily rhythms when exposed to hydrogen peroxide.
Physician-researchers at USC have received a nearly $16 million grant to develop a stem cell-based treatment for age-related macular degeneration. The four-year study aims to replace damaged retinal cells with healthy ones derived from human embryonic stem cells.
Researchers will use DNA sequencing and profiling technologies to create an atlas of gene expression during key periods of development. The findings aim to provide insights into the origins of mental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
A new study found that prenatal exposure to the H1N1 strain of influenza A during the 1918-1919 pandemic increased the chances of heart disease later in life, particularly in men. Men born during the height of the epidemic were 23.1% more likely to develop heart disease after age 60.
A new speech-to-speech translation system aims to improve communication between healthcare providers and patients who speak different languages. The system, developed by USC researchers, will use prosodic information, discourse cues, and user state information to enhance human communication capabilities.
A new study by Jenifer Whitten-Woodring found that media freedom in countries without democratic institutions is associated with greater oppression of human rights. In the absence of other outlets for dissent, media freedom can lead to cycles of violence and repression.
A new USC study reveals that prenatal tobacco smoke exposure is associated with detectable changes in DNA methylation patterns, which may impact childhood asthma and cardiovascular disease. Researchers found that children exposed to maternal smoke had lower global methylation levels and higher methylation in certain genes.
Researchers at USC have identified novel genetic mechanisms that govern an individual's risk of developing prostate cancer, highlighting the role of gene 'deserts' and regulatory sequences. The study found that genetic variations in these regions can modulate gene expression, increasing the risk for certain diseases.
A recent study published in PLoS ONE suggests that heart attacks and strokes were rare in human history. The Tsimane Amazonian tribe, with a traditional lifestyle, shows low levels of atherosclerosis, contradicting the expected high risk of cardiovascular disease.
A new study reveals that children living in three-generation households with a grandparent are substantially less likely to live below or near the poverty line. Grandparents' contributions to household income, including cash transfers and Social Security income, play a crucial role in easing financial difficulties.
A comprehensive survey of video game characters reveals that the industry does not better represent American society than television. Latino characters are virtually absent, with only non-playable background characters being represented. Women, Native Americans, children, and the elderly also lack representation. Meanwhile, males, whit...
Overweight youth are twice as likely to have overweight friends, according to a USC study that found strong social connections contribute to obesity. Researchers also discovered that overweight girls tend to name more friends but be less popular among their peers.
Researchers describe an exquisitely efficient process for DNA repair, revealing the key attributes of the 'sloppier copier' enzyme and its crucial role in conserving energy. The study also solves two other mysteries about the mechanics of DNA repair.
A study found that maximal voluntary force produced by a finger is independent of movement speed, contradicting long-held theories. This paradoxical result has implications for human rehabilitation and robot hand design, suggesting that neuromuscular systems can be pushed to their limits even in seemingly simple tasks.
New research published in PLOS ONE found that men under stress are more likely to engage in risky behavior, including gambling, while stressed women tend to moderate their choices. The study used the Balloon Analogue Risk Task to assess participants' risk-taking tendencies.
Researchers at USC identified a key mechanism that causes chromosomal breakages in blood cells, leading to the development of human lymphoma. The RAG complex enzyme occasionally cuts chromosomes at off-target sites, causing cancerous cell proliferation.
Researchers at USC School of Dentistry and Viterbi School of Engineering developed a non-thermal plasma dental probe that destroys bacterial colonies and disinfects hard-to-reach areas. The tool uses pulsed power to create a room temperature plasma with antibacterial properties.
Researchers from USC's Keck School of Medicine have developed a Mobile Body Area Network that monitors obesity indicators in minority youth. The KNOWME device uses wearable wireless sensors to measure physical activity, stress, and body fat, providing immediate feedback for interventionists and health professionals.
A recent study published in the Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization found that life satisfaction decreased significantly in communist-bloc countries after the fall of the Iron Curtain. Despite economic growth, people experienced a decline in work-life balance, family life, and health, while their material circumstances improved.
Researchers from USC's Keck School of Medicine presented new findings on the role of exercise in preventing post-exercise hypoglycemia and ways to modulate pancreatic beta cell mass to prevent type 2 diabetes. The studies aim to improve diabetes treatment guidelines, including medication timing and exercise recommendations.
A new device has been developed that can detect viruses and biological materials more quickly and cheaply than existing methods. The device uses synthetic antibody mimic proteins attached to nanowires to create a sharp measurement of current, allowing for rapid detection in under 10 minutes.
Researchers at USC have identified a critical molecular mechanism that allows the influenza virus to evade the body's immune response system. The study reveals that the virus targets the ubiquitin ligase TRIM25, inhibiting its ability to activate RIG-I and trigger an alarm signal.
Researchers at USC and Rhenovia Pharma will use large-scale computer modeling to predict synergistic interactions within glutamate systems that might be targets for new drugs. The goal is to find a way to home in on specific neural cells without disturbing others, addressing malfunctions in diseases like schizophrenia.
Researchers discovered a sorting mechanism that filters proteins into dendrites and axons, enabling finer control over neurons. The study's findings may enable more precise targeting of neurological disorders and basic research applications.
Researchers from USC have discovered a potential treatment for Huntington's disease using gene therapy. They found that over-expressing the RCAN1-1L gene can rescue cells from the toxic effects of the disease. This breakthrough offers new avenues for treatment and may have implications for other CAG repeat-related diseases.
Researchers at USC have identified a new compound that targets both tumor cells and surrounding blood vessels, potentially leading to more effective treatment options for brain tumors. The study found that the compound reduced tumor growth and blood vessel density in animal studies.
A new study led by USC neuroscientists found that admiring others' virtues or feeling compassion for physical or social pain takes time to fully respond to, unlike faster reactions to fear and pain. The research suggests a need to allow for reflective moments in digital media culture.
A new study published in PNAS reveals that Trichodesmium separates its carbon and nitrogen fixation processes by time, with the process switching between the two every day. The stunning images obtained using advanced imaging technology show where the fixed nitrogen is stored within a cell and how it changes over time.
Researchers at the University of Southern California have created a new type of supercapacitor that is both transparent and flexible, allowing for potential applications in 'e-paper' displays and conformable products. The device stores an energy density of 1.29 Watt-hour/kilogram, significantly higher than conventional capacitors.
Researchers at USC have identified a key mechanism that guides the migration of blood-forming stem cells to the bone marrow. The finding may lead to improved efficiency in bone marrow transplants by activating a specific signaling pathway.
A new book by Louise Nelson Dyble uncovers corruption and lack of transparency in the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District, a special district responsible for infrastructure spending. The district's history is seen as a case study of how bureaucratic power can lead to accountability issues.
A new study finds that black girls are 50% more likely to exhibit bulimic behavior, including binging and purging, compared to white girls. The study also reveals that girls from low-income families are significantly more likely to experience bulimia than their wealthier peers.
Bacteria in biofilms evolve to become more resilient with age, resisting antibiotics and outcompeting younger cells. This study provides evidence of natural selection in a single species bacterial biofilm, offering insights into the emergence of dominant microbial populations.
A daily folic acid supplement increased prostate cancer risk by more than two-fold compared to placebo, according to a USC-led study. The findings contradict previous observations suggesting folate might lower prostate cancer risk.
A new study reveals that a tiny part of the brain's hypothalamus is key to animals' fear responses, contradicting long-held assumptions about the amygdala. The research found that neutralizing this region eliminates fear in rodents, who instead exhibit bold and aggressive behavior towards predators.
A gene variant in the MET gene may contribute to increased risk of co-occurring medical conditions in individuals with autism. The study found that disrupted signaling of the MET gene is linked to a syndrome including autism and gastrointestinal dysfunction.
A large-scale study found that computerized brain exercises can significantly improve memory and lead to faster thinking in older adults. Participants who used the Brain Fitness Program for 40 hours over eight weeks showed a 131% improvement in response time and scored as well as those ten years younger on memory and attention tests.