A recent study reveals thousands of times more bacteria on the seafloor than in the water above, with higher diversity and abundance compared to hydrothermal vents. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of the deep-sea carbon cycle and the emergence of life.
A USC study found that pre-menopausal women with metastatic colorectal cancer lived longer than younger men, while older women had significantly worse overall survival. The study also showed ethnic differences in survival rates, with Hispanics and Asians having better outcomes than Caucasians and African-Americans.
USC researchers have identified specific genetic markers in cancer cells that predict the benefit of a novel cancer drug. The study suggests that patients with tumors exhibiting these gene expression profiles may experience increased patient benefit from the incorporation of the drug into their treatment.
A recent PNAS study reveals that temperature drives biodiversity in tropical regions, contradicting previous assumptions that light was the key factor. The study found that bacterial samples from warm waters contained many species, suggesting that photosynthesis has little influence on diversity.
Researchers at USC have discovered a method to keep embryonic stem cells undifferentiated by shielding them from differentiation signals. This breakthrough could lead to the large-scale production of specialized cells for future therapeutic use.
The USC Viterbi School has received a $4.3M DARPA grant to create continuously tunable optical delays for high-speed photonic data processing. This technology could enable accurate synchronization and multiplexing of photonic data streams, potentially revolutionizing data transmission and processing.
A new study found that those with at least a high school education spend more years without cognitive loss, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and dementia, but die sooner after the impairment becomes apparent. Those with higher levels of education can expect to live 14.1 more years without cognitive impairment.
The University of Southern California will establish a five-story laboratory building with 53,000 assignable square feet to carry out stem cell research in three categories. The new facility will facilitate basic and clinical research, accelerating the pace of research toward clinical application and patient care.
A new study reveals that highly educated women weigh less than less educated women in wealthier countries due to rapidly growing obesity rates. In contrast, better-educated women in poorer countries tend to weigh more, as they exit under-nutrition and adjust their diet.
Researchers have found a new model to explain how signals between cells in the embryo control limb development. Growth factors at the distal tip of the embryonic limb act as instructive molecules controlling bone pattern along the limb length in an animal model.
Researchers at USC Information Sciences Institute have developed a method to manufacture miniscule closed containers for precise drug delivery. The new technique uses micro-origami to fold up small shapes, which can be used to create 'voxels' - tiny volume-enclosing structures.
Researchers at USC School of Dentistry have found a connection between bisphosphonate drugs and jaw infections, with biofilms playing a key role in the deterioration of jaw tissue. The study aims to develop effective treatments or prevention methods for osteonecrosis of the jaw.
Theoretical physicists discovered that measuring quantum particles causes interference, leading to a 'relaxed' state analogous to classical chaotic scattering. This finding has implications for quantum computing and information theory.
A USC study found that specific gene variants linked to colon cancer result in opposite survival outcomes for men and women. Women with certain variants had higher overall survival rates, while men with the same variants had lower survival rates.
A USC Marshall study finds that associating a new product with rivals helps create new markets in the minds of journalists and audiences. By dignifying competition, firms can get more attention and boost consumer demand.
A team of Israeli and Palestinian archaeologists, guided by UCLA and USC experts, has reached the first-ever agreement on the disposition of the region's archaeological heritage. The 39-point document proposes repatriation of artifacts to their original state, protection of cultural sites, and equal access for scholars and the public.
A large-scale study found that men are more likely to tolerate discrimination than women, but both sexes tend to accept prejudice against poorly educated immigrants and Arab-American airplane travelers. The study also revealed a significant sex gap in tolerance levels, with men more willing to accept discrimination.
A long-term study of twins has led USC researchers to find potential links between Hodgkin lymphoma and levels of an immune response protein, interleukin-12. Lower levels of this protein may increase susceptibility to the disease.
The USC project, led by Gully A.P.C. Burns, aims to develop software for laboratory use, creating a small-scale knowledge base for storing scientific articles locally. The project seeks to alleviate information overload and enable researchers to quickly find and retrieve data.
Researchers at USC have found that fasting for two days protects healthy cells from chemotherapy, while leaving cancer cells vulnerable. This discovery holds promise for developing more selective and less toxic chemotherapy treatments.
Researchers Isabelle Brocas and Juan D. Carrillo present a situation where one party controls public opinion despite having access to the same information as others. This phenomenon, known as 'influence through ignorance,' occurs when power comes from controlling the flow of public information rather than possessing private information.
A new study by researchers at the University of Southern California and University of Pennsylvania reveals that male infants in developed nations are more likely to die than female infants. The disparity has narrowed in recent decades due to medical advancements such as C-sections and intensive care units.
Researchers at the University of Southern California found that combined positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) imaging yields greater accuracy when evaluating response to radiation therapy. This method helps identify complete responders and reduces the need for unnecessary chemotherapy treatments.
Researchers from the US and China have confirmed the effectiveness of a simple treatment for amblyopia in laboratory and clinical trials. The treatment, which involves training on a visual task, has shown promising results in improving vision and challenging traditional theories about critical periods.
Researchers at USC have identified A20 as an antigen presentation attenuator that prevents excessive inflammation of dendritic cells. By inhibiting A20, they found a new way to overcome regulatory T cell-mediated suppression and trigger strong antitumor immunity.
Researchers discovered that bats can generate a leading-edge vortex, increasing lift by up to 40%, allowing them to hover in mid-air. This finding challenges quasi-steady state aerodynamic theory and has implications for the design of slow-flying surveillance planes.
A new study by University of Southern California economist Guillaume Vandenbroucke reveals that the decrease in transportation costs and population growth were key drivers of US Westward Expansion. The study found that technological innovation played a significant role in reducing transportation costs, leading to an increase in land ac...
A team led by Katrina Edwards is drilling into the ocean floor to study subseafloor microbes, which may affect ocean chemistry and global climate. The five-year project will use complex engineering and instrumentation to conduct long-term experiments and uncover new details about these microbes.
The Argus II is the second-generation electronic retinal implant designed for treating blindness caused by Retinitis Pigmentosa. It consists of an array of 60 electrodes attached to the retina, conducting information from an external camera to provide rudimentary sight to implanted subjects.
A USC biomedical engineer examines the intricate circuitry between hand manipulation skills and specialized neural circuits in the brain. The study found that the human nervous system employs a time-critical strategy for tapping and pushing, which is necessary for executing fine finger movements.
A team of researchers from the University of Southern California has developed a novel 49-pixel probe-and-camera system that can create a 2D through-the-walls radar imager using a small CMOS chip. This technology has potential applications in medical imaging, emergency rescue missions, and security monitoring devices.
A comprehensive review of tsunami hazards concludes that the 2004 catastrophe was not the worst possible in many Indian Ocean borderlands. The study highlights areas of high risk, including Madagascar, the Mascarene Islands, and Africa's east coast, which could be affected by tsunamis generated by earthquakes in South Sumatra and Java.
The University of Southern California (USC) has been selected for a major funding round to establish a new institute for stem cell research. The grant, worth up to $262 million, will support the construction of a facility for basic and discovery stem cell research, as well as preclinical and clinical studies.
Researchers at USC have identified a novel signaling mechanism that coordinates stem cell activity and regulates hair regeneration in large populations of hairs in animal models. The study found that periodic expression of bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp) in the skin macro-environment is key to coordinated hair stem cell activation.
Scientists at the University of Southern California have achieved a 10-fold life span extension in baker's yeast through dietary and genetic changes. The study, published in PLOS Genetics, suggests that calorie restriction and specific gene mutations may hold the key to controlling cell longevity and preventing age-related diseases.
The Bering Sea's rich food web could fray as algae adapt to greenhouse conditions, affecting top predators like pollock and hake. A shift away from diatoms towards smaller phytoplankton could undermine the biological pump, making the ocean less able to soak up atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Researchers have visualized cold-sensing fibers led by the gatekeeper protein TRPM8, revealing a single pathway for detecting various types of cold. The study provides evidence that TRPM8 is involved in several cold-sensing mechanisms, including pain and sensation.
A recent study assesses global brain-computer interface (BCI) research, finding that BCI technologies are rapidly growing and approaching first-generation medical practice. The report predicts significant influence on the medical device industry and accelerated growth in non-medical arenas, including gaming and robotics.
Researchers at USC suggest epigenetics plays a role in male infertility, with abnormal DNA methylation linked to low sperm counts. The study finds high levels of methylation in sperm DNA from men with fertility issues, potentially leading to new treatments for male infertility.
A recent study has found that progesterone has limited benefits for mice with Alzheimer's symptoms, but inhibits some of estrogen's beneficial effects when taken together. The study suggests that the constant daily dosage of progesterone may be antagonizing its potential benefits.
A large USC study of over 6,000 Los Angeles-area children found that older children are more likely to develop vision disorders like strabismus and amblyopia. The study highlights the need for early screening and intervention programs to prevent lifelong visual impairments.
Researchers discovered that different ethnic groups living in California manifest the disease very differently, with African Americans and Caucasians developing tongue cancer at higher rates. Cultural habits such as cigarette smoking and areca nut chewing contribute to the prevalence of oral cancer in certain groups.
A recent study of chimpanzees in western Tanzania suggests that early humans may have dug potato-like foods with tools, challenging the long-held assumption that meat was more important for brain evolution. The research found that chimps only dig for roots during the rainy season, when other food sources are abundant.
A new study led by USC researchers identifies distinct changes in DNA structures that silence cancer cell genes. The findings enable the exploration of new therapies to switch genes back on, potentially leading to novel treatments for human cancers.
A USC study found that driving in LA can expose people to harmful air pollutants for up to half their day. The biggest contributors are diesel-fueled trucks on freeways and hard accelerations on surface streets.
A new study suggests that the Great Dying 250 million years ago may have been caused by creeping environmental stress from volcanic eruptions and global warming. The research finds that organisms in the deep ocean died first, followed by those on ocean shelves and reefs, supporting a model that attributes the extinction to enormous vol...
A new bus scheduling algorithm, developed by a University of Southern California engineer, aims to reduce waiting times and improve transit reliability. The algorithm analyzes the impact of slack time on buses and finds that building in between 15 and 20 percent slack time is optimal, depending on total round trip travel time.
A USC Davis School of Gerontology study found that caregivers showed few negative mental or physical health effects, contrary to myths about caregiving. The research analyzed ethnic differences among caregivers tending to people with dementia and found unique health risks for African-American caregivers.
Researchers at USC Information Sciences Institute completed a comprehensive census of the Internet, sending over 3 billion pings to every assigned address. The resulting atlas shows the Internet's structure and dynamics, providing insights into its growth, security, and evolution.
A USC study found that social network-tailored prevention curricula can significantly reduce substance use among teenagers, with a 15% decrease in high-risk teens. The program's success depends on how peer influence is channeled, with positive influences boosting participation and negative influences hindering it.