The USC team aims to design visual displays that enhance certain parts of an image to help people with AMD digest visual information better. They will use techniques from computer vision and computational neuroscience to build visual displays that compensate for neural loss.
The University of Southern California has received a five-year, $8.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to survey the genetic, physical and behavioral profiles of children with autism. The grant will increase the reach and ethnic diversity of the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) database.
LAX police are experimenting with a system developed by USC researchers that uses game theory insights to create unpredictable vehicle security routines. The system, called ARMOR, was created to thwart potential terrorists at the earliest stages of planning.
A new study suggests that deep-sea temperatures warmed about 1,300 years before the tropical surface ocean and well before the rise in atmospheric CO2. The finding indicates that rising greenhouse gas was likely a result of warming and may have accelerated the meltdown, but was not its main cause.
The University of Southern California has received a $7.5 million grant to establish a Comprehensive Center of Excellence in Minority Health, focusing on reducing type 2-diabetes and cardiovascular disease among minority youth. The center will analyze fitness activity, nutrition education, and body weight to develop preventive strategies.
A study by USC researchers found that a storyline on ER about teen obesity and healthy eating habits positively impacted viewers' attitudes and behaviors, with men showing the strongest effects. The study highlights the potential of entertainment television as a medium for health communication.
Scientists have identified unique stem cells within adult tendons that can proliferate and self-renew, regenerating tendon-like tissue in an animal model. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new treatments for tendon injuries caused by overuse and trauma.
Postmenopausal women consuming two or more alcoholic beverages daily may double their risk of endometrial cancer, according to a USC study. The study found that lean women are more sensitive to alcohol's effects on hormone levels, increasing their cancer risk.
Research suggests that human testes can multiply mutations, making it easier for disease-causing genes to be passed to offspring. This phenomenon could explain why certain genetic disorders, such as Apert syndrome, occur more frequently than expected.
The Los Angeles basin has entered a relatively quiet period of seismic activity, with smaller and less frequent earthquakes reported over the past thousand years. The study's findings suggest that seismic clusters in the Mojave Desert alternate with periods of calm in the urban fault network.
A new study by USC researchers suggests that children with specific genetic variations are more susceptible to developing asthma, particularly if they live near major roadways. The study found that high levels of microsomal epoxide hydrolase enzyme in response to vehicle emissions increased the risk for lifetime asthma.
A recent PNAS study found that the current Earth system has improved heat regulation compared to 60 million years ago when small tectonic plates existed. The research suggests that plate size and number significantly affect heat loss, with smaller plates leading to greater heat escape from the mantle.
A widely studied plant species has revised its understanding of sex evolution and genetic heritage, with self-pollination emerging at least a million years ago. This finding contradicts previous estimates and suggests that sex may be more trouble than it's worth in plant evolution.
A study by University of Southern California researchers found that bacteria-free fruit flies lived as long as their bacterial counterparts, challenging conventional wisdom about the impact of microbes on lifespan. The finding suggests that factors other than bacterial load may limit life span.
A University of Southern California study reveals that sugar molecules attached to the surface of the receptor act as a hinge, opening a gate in the cell membrane and transmitting news of nicotine's arrival. The research also identifies a water molecule deep in the receptor's core, which may enable the receptor to alter its shape.
Researchers infer complete chromosome sequences from existing data using a statistical method that exploits genetic mutations in organisms with high variability. The study confirms the conserved function of junk DNA and its potential role in regulating gene function.
A new USC study finds that Hispanics born in the US are more likely to suffer from conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure compared to those who emigrate from Mexico. This contradicts the long-held 'Hispanic Paradox,' which suggested Hispanics in the US were healthier than whites despite being poorer and less educated.
Researchers at the University of Southern California have identified a common genetic risk factor for colorectal and prostate cancer. The study found that one variant previously associated with prostate cancer also increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer.
USC researchers applied nanoscale imaging to study Anabaena oscillarioides, clarifying the mechanism of nitrogen fixation. The study revealed a key step in the nutrient cycle, allowing for better understanding of global carbon and nitrogen dynamics.
Researchers at USC have found that norepinephrine transmits a 'low blood sugar' message from the hindbrain to the paraventricular hypothalamus, triggering the release of energy stores to replace missing sugars. This discovery provides new insights into glucose sensing mechanisms in the brain and may hold potential for treating diabetic...
Researchers at USC are training a new breed of robotic dog, called LittleDog, to navigate challenging terrain. After 15 months of experimentation, the dogs can now move, albeit slowly, and will be trained to run faster in the next phase of the study.
Researchers at USC Information Sciences Institute have found a new source of artificial intelligence computing power in people's collective tagging activities on the social web. By extracting metadata from these interactions, they can improve information classification, reliability, and meaning.
Scientists have discovered a single protein that can inhibit aging, which could hold implications for human longevity and treatment of diseases. The technique used to make the inhibiting proteins opens the possibility of developing new therapeutics.
Researchers at USC have identified specific molecular markers that may help predict tumor recurrence in stage II and III colon cancer patients. The study found that genes involved in angiogenesis pathway play a critical role in tumor relapse.
USC and Childrens Hospital Los Angeles will receive $6.4 million in Shared Research Laboratory Grants from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to build shared laboratory space for researchers. The grants will fund dedicated lab space, equipment, and training programs for stem cell research.
A USC study found that sex-specific genomic profiling can predict clinical outcomes in colorectal cancer patients. The study, led by Dr. Heinz-Josef Lenz, identified molecular markers that differ between men and women, providing new insights into personalized chemotherapy treatments.
The University of Southern California has developed a risk analysis system called Risk Analysis Workbench (RAW) to aid policymakers in quantifying risk estimates. The system, which will be used at all eight DHS research centers, uses data from web resources and artificial intelligence to perform 'what-if' risk analyses in a uniform way.
A new study from USC researchers found that treadmill exercise can improve balance and stability in patients with Parkinson's Disease. The study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, suggests that exercise may help the brain work more efficiently by allowing remaining dopamine-producing neurons to function harder.
Researchers found that bat flight is distinct from bird flight, particularly at small scales, due to its collapsible membrane and twisting wing path, generating different wakes and lift during the upstroke.
The Globus MEDICUS project is recognized for its potential to enable advanced healthcare by securely exchanging bandwidth-intensive medical resources and images. The project aims to create a technological platform for seamless communication between healthcare providers, researchers, and patients.
A University of Southern California researcher has improved a technique to create custom-made gene chips, allowing researchers to detect specific message sequences in samples. The new method uses precise directional soundwaves to synthesize DNA bases on thin membranes, enabling the creation of high-quality microarrays.
Women who delayed first-time pregnancy after age 25 can reduce their breast cancer risk through breastfeeding, a new study suggests. The research found that breastfeeding has a protective effect against both estrogen and progesterone receptor-positive and negative tumors.
A USC study found that patients with later stage cancer diagnoses were more likely to live in unsafe neighborhoods, use public transportation, and travel long distances to receive medical care. The study suggests that addressing neighborhood conditions and prioritizing health care can help reduce late-stage cancer diagnoses.
A team of researchers is building a prototype system to automate scientific workflows, addressing the growing issue of data analysis overload in various fields like climatology and high-energy physics. The Windward project integrates AI and grid computing to create an efficient workflow management system.
A study led by USC and Harvard researchers identified multiple genetic risk factors that predict a man's probability of developing prostate cancer. The findings highlight the importance of this region in prostate cancer, providing potential tools for early screening and prevention efforts.
The MONARCH system-on-a-chip demonstrates exceptional compute capacity, flexible data bandwidth capability, and beyond state-of-the-art power efficiency. It has been shown to provide sustained throughput of 64 gigaflops in preliminary tests.
A study by neuroscientists from Harvard, USC, and Caltech finds that damage to the frontal lobe's ventromedial prefrontal cortex leads to abnormal moral choices. The research suggests that emotions play a crucial role in moral judgments, but also leaves intact other moral problem-solving abilities.
Scientists at USC have identified a small molecule, IQ-1, that prevents embryonic stem cells from differentiating into specific cell types. This discovery allows for the potential growth of human stem cells without risk of contamination from mouse feeder cells.
A new mathematical model developed by USC College computational biologist Peter Calabrese simulates the evolution of genetic recombination hotspots in the human genome. The model reveals that hotspots are not as fixed as previously thought, but rather vary across populations and can be found in multiple ethnic groups.
A USC study found that Healthy Kids coalitions in 28 California counties linked 85,000 kids with health insurance coverage. The success of these coalitions was attributed to diverse stakeholder groups and strong leadership.
A recent USC-led study suggests that long-term recreational physical activity plays a protective role against invasive and in situ breast cancer. Women exercising for five or more hours per week experienced a greater decrease in risk of breast cancer compared to less active women.
A new communication protocol, SCP-MAC, has been developed to optimize energy efficiency for wireless sensor networks, reducing monitoring time from 2-3% to under 2 minutes per day. This improvement enables sensornets to watch wildlife or oilfields with longer-lasting batteries.
Researchers at USC have developed SuperBot, a modular and multifunctional robot system that can reconfigure into different configurations for various tasks. The system consists of Lego-like autonomous robotic modules with internal and external sensors, enabling flexible bending, docking, and continuous rotation.
Researchers at USC's Keck School of Medicine and Childrens Hospital Los Angeles will explore the therapeutic potential of stem cells in retinal degeneration and Ewing's sarcoma. The $3.4 million grant aims to accelerate discoveries in stem cell research.
Researchers at USC have developed an advanced retinal implant, the Argus II, designed to help patients with retinitis pigmentosa regain some vision. The device, approved by the FDA, uses an external camera and video processing system to provide rudimentary sight to implanted subjects.
The USC researchers have created two novel CMOS architectures for 'biometric radar' and automobile accident avoidance systems. One chip can detect living victims in rubble by analyzing minute movements caused by breathing and heartbeat, while the other uses a low-cost CMOS chip to detect ultrawideband signals.
A new model proposes that sexual differentiation may exact a high biological cost, reducing function of mitochondria and influencing longevity. The model predicts which genes regulate life span and suggests testable hypotheses for exploring the biggest question in aging research.
Scientists have developed a potential neuroprotective treatment using a decoy peptide that tricks the toxic enzyme calpain, preventing over-excited receptors in the brain from causing cell death. The technique may lead to new drugs for stroke and Alzheimer's patients.
Researchers at the University of Southern California have identified approximately 350 genes influencing oyster growth rate, revealing new insights into hybrid vigor. This discovery has implications for efficient and sustainable domestication of oysters and other ocean species.
A recent USC study reveals that children who live within 500 meters of a freeway have substantial deficits in lung function by age 18 compared to those living farther away. This highlights the importance of reducing exposure to traffic pollution for healthy lung development.