Scientists discovered distinct brain regions processing gender, ethnicity and facial identity, contradicting previous assumptions about face recognition. These findings have implications for understanding conditions like autism spectrum disorders and may lead to improved methods for enhancing face recognition abilities.
Researchers have modeled past tsunamis to determine the likelihood of future waves and potential impacts on cities along the Sumatran coast. The study reveals that coastal communities face substantial exposure to tsunami surges, particularly in cities like Bengkalu and Padang.
Researchers at USC discovered that children without asthma suffered from severe symptoms during the 2003 Southern California wildfires. The study found that wearing masks and staying indoors reduced health problems, suggesting simple protective measures can mitigate effects of wildfire smoke.
A new study by USC researchers reveals that baby boomer adults are more committed to caregiving their aging parents than their parents were. Adult children's sense of duty towards parents has strengthened over time, contradicting the popular notion of a declining family institution.
The study found that 43% of Internet users feel strongly about their virtual communities compared to their real-world ones. Online communities lead to offline actions and social activism, with a significant majority logging in daily.
A new grid computing system enables doctors to share high-resolution medical images quickly and securely across North America. This breakthrough improves diagnosis accuracy, allows for second opinions from specialists anywhere easily, and enhances monitoring of ongoing clinical research.
Children who smoke cigarettes have nearly four times the risk of developing asthma in their teens, and those exposed to cigarette smoke in utero face an even higher risk. The study draws on data from the Children's Health Study, a longitudinal study of respiratory health among children in southern California communities.
A USC study has identified a crucial protein involved in the formation of myelin, which could lead to new treatments for conditions such as multiple sclerosis. The research discovered that a protein called Par-3 plays a central role in regulating myelination by interacting with other molecules.
A new study of 20,000 patients found that contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) significantly reduces costs compared to digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The study, conducted by the VA Cooperative Studies, suggests that CE-MRA could have saved the system over $13 million in costs during a 6-year period.
Research led by USC earth scientist David Bottjer suggests the Earth's environmental stressors led to mass extinction, contradicting meteorite strike theory. The study proposes a warming Earth and reduced ocean circulation as key factors in creating an environment where toxic hydrogen sulfide dominated, leading to species disappearances.
A USC study found that grandparents in three-generation households have a more positive attitude than those living alone, thanks to stronger emotional bonds with children and remittance from adult children. This arrangement fulfills China's cultural ideal of tending to kin while fueling the nation's economic expansion.
Researchers at USC have made significant discoveries in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. A study found that hormone replacement therapy may lower Alzheimer's risk by as much as 50 percent in younger women. Additionally, a new treatment approach for ALS and Parkinson's disease has shown promising results, with exercise interventio...
A nationwide study led by USC professor Lon Schneider found that most Alzheimer's patients prescribed antipsychotic drugs discontinue use due to severe side effects, despite showing some effectiveness in managing delusions and agitation. The study suggests that these medications should be used with caution and only when necessary.
A new study from the University of Southern California found that post-menopausal women's hormone levels vary by ethnicity and race, potentially explaining differences in breast cancer rates. Native Hawaiians have a higher risk of breast cancer due to their high estrogen levels.
A novel genome mapping method has been extended to humans, offering a faster and more cost-effective tool than traditional DNA sequencing. The algorithm makes it possible to optically map the human genome, revealing large-scale structure and detecting genomic abnormalities. This breakthrough may accelerate research in cancer biology.
Researchers found that nearly all tumor cells in the bone marrow of early-stage breast cancer patients have a putative breast cancer stem cell phenotype, increasing the risk of disease progression. This study provides evidence that these stem cells may be responsible for metastases and has significant implications for cancer treatment.
Gary D. Thomas, a Raytheon engineer, has been honored by the USC Center for Systems and Software Engineering (CSSE) for his seminal contributions to systems and software cost models. His work on COCOMO, a widely used tool for estimating costs and time required for software development, has had a lasting impact on the field.
Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering have developed a method to use entangled photons as part of the message stream, allowing for the use of highly efficient turbo codes. This breakthrough enables quantum computing systems to operate close to theoretical limits of efficiency.
A study led by USC researchers found that low-income adults are more likely to have high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a risk factor for heart disease. This association may be linked to the effects of poverty on health, particularly among African Americans, Hispanics, and women.
A study published in Current Biology found that the brain's premotor cortex displays the same activity pattern when subjects watch an action as when they hear a verbal description of the same action. This suggests a strong mental link between talk and action.
A recent study reveals that older women have as many risk factors for heart disease as men in their 60s and more by their 70s. The research, led by USC demographers, shows a shift from previous decades where older men were at greater risk.
A University of Southern California-led research group used X-ray crystallography to study the struggle between LTag, a cancer-causing protein, and p53, a key tumor suppressor. The study found that LTag inhibits p53's role by tying up six molecules, but p53 fights back by preventing virus replication.
A new study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that dogs in the home can increase cough, phlegm production, and bronchitis responses in children with asthma. The researchers speculate that endotoxin from dog dander may be the cause of this increased response.
Researchers at USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center discovered a new biological marker in tumors that can indicate whether a woman's breast cancer will respond to chemotherapy. Women with high levels of GRP78 protein in their tumors are more likely to have cancer recurrence, but may benefit from additional taxane treatment.
A new study by University of Southern California researchers reveals that most bacteria species are predictable and follow specific conditions. By understanding these patterns, scientists can improve models for ocean change, providing a more accurate prediction of how the oceans will evolve.
A new study of twins found that genetic susceptibility to Multiple Sclerosis is significantly increased among those born in the northern environment, with a higher concordance rate among identical twins. Northern residence also contributed to an earlier onset of the disease, suggesting environmental factors play a crucial role.
The USC-Harvard team identified a protein switch that regulates the immune response, shedding light on the balance between tolerance and aggression in autoimmune diseases. The finding supports the combinatorial control theory of gene expression, with implications for understanding signal transduction and transcriptional networks.
A University of Southern California study found that strength training exercise can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes in overweight teens. Overweight Latino teenage boys who lifted weights twice per week for 16 weeks significantly reduced their insulin resistance, a condition common in obese children and precursor to diabetes.
A recent study at the University of Southern California found that motivated students excel in Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS), while disengaged students surprisingly show high levels of learning-oriented behavior. The research suggests that ITS can reach struggling students through private learning opportunities, and future models ...
A study by USC researchers identified a protein called EphB4 that protects tumor cells from the immune system. Turning off this protein could make cancer cells more vulnerable to attack, and future therapies may aim to block its function.
A USC study found that the environment plays a big role in women starting to smoke, while genetics are a stronger influence for men. The study suggests that societal interventions can help prevent smoking initiation and highlight the importance of peer influence and social networks.
The brain's craving for a fix motivates humans to absorb knowledge at an optimal rate, driven by the release of natural opiates. This theory, proposed by USC Professor Irving Biederman, suggests that knowledge addiction has strong evolutionary value due to its correlation with perceived intelligence.
A new test has been developed to detect prostate cancer spread in lymph nodes at an earlier stage, which may lead to better treatments and improved patient outcomes. The test was found to be more sensitive than existing methods and associated with increased recurrence and decreased survival rates.
Researchers discovered that Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 bacteria protect metals like copper, aluminum, and mild steel from corrosion. The study found increased resistance to electrical currents and reduced pitting in metals exposed to the bacteria.
A new method of user-testing in interactive games is being developed using 'immersidata,' which captures machine-readable records of commands sent by players. The tool, ISIS, analyzes these records to identify problems in game design and development, including navigation errors and emotional responses.
A USC Information Sciences Institute system identifies alpha chatterers in online communities, enabling the extraction of statistically correct answers. The method integrates speech act analysis, lexical similarity, and poster trustworthiness to create links for interpretation.
The USC/Duke team has made significant improvements in controlling light pulses, achieving a slowdown of up to 20-fold increase over previous methods. By using a simple optical fiber and exploiting the Brillouin effect, they can potentially accommodate higher data rates and enable more efficient processing with photonics.
A recent study found that bacteria can utilize DNA as a critical food source, enabling them to outcompete other microbes and survive longer. The study identified eight genes necessary for this process, known as nutritional competence, which could have applications in medical research and the development of genetic antibiotics.
The USC Viterbi School of Engineering course analyzed musical characteristics using computer modeling, machine learning, and signal processing. Students mapped emotions to color patterns, and compared performances of Bach violin sonatas.
Researchers suggest that finding organic nitrogen on Mars would be a strong indication of past biological activity. The presence of nitrogen in the Martian atmosphere is unlikely due to the planet's lack of biological activity, making it an important target for search missions.
A recent study has found that children living within 75 meters of a major road are at a 50% greater risk of having had asthma symptoms in the past year. The research also showed that higher traffic volumes on roads were related to increased rates of asthma, with risk decreasing further away from the road.
Scientists have developed a statistical method to test for natural selection at the single-gene level, using genomic data. They applied this method to the FRIGIDA (FRI) gene in Arabidopsis thaliana and found evidence of natural selection changing the behavior of the plants.
Scientists create new OLED technology that enables 100% efficiency and prolongs lifetime by using a fluorescent dye, paving the way for mass-manufacturable, low-cost lighting solutions. The invention has the potential to revolutionize interior lighting and transform ceilings into giant light panels.
Researchers spin a molecular stick, creating a shock wave that destroys friction in the surrounding liquid, allowing it to rotate freely. The discovery challenges traditional models of liquid behavior and has significant implications for understanding chemical reactions.
A recent USC study found that Chinese teens who perceive themselves as overweight, even if they are normal or underweight, are at a higher risk for depression and school-related stress. Girls in the study reported lower grade point averages when they felt overweight, while boys exhibited more aggressive behavior.
The Broad Institute will be a pivotal hub for integrative biomedical research, bringing together researchers and biologists in one place. The institute will support the development of novel platforms in imaging, bioengineering, and nanotechnology for stem cell research.
A USC-developed system module called Social Puppet automates non-verbal expressions of mood and attention in game characters, mirroring human communication. This technology has implications for language learning and cultural understanding, as it helps simulate spontaneous non-verbal cues.
A large-scale study confirms that Alzheimer's disease has a significant genetic component, accounting for 79% of risk factors. The study analyzed data from over 11,800 twin pairs and found that identical twins showed only a 45% concordance rate for the disease.
Researchers found that specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IGF1 gene were linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer, accounting for 10% of cases. The study's findings suggest a biologic effect across different ethnic groups.
Researchers found that survivors of generations with rampant childhood infection were shorter and died sooner than those from less infected generations. Childhood diseases like respiratory infections and diarrhea reduced growth rates. Improved public health practices led to increased height and longevity.