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.
Researchers have identified a genetic factor leading to forehead and frontal bone malformations, which can cause severe craniofacial defects. A potential therapy using FGF supplements may help prevent these defects in embryos with missing TGF-beta genes.
A new study published online by Vision Research documented a 70 percent improvement in eye chart performance in 19-year-old subjects with lazy eye. The training program involved detection of a small "gabor" exercise that generalized to marked improvement in standard vision tests.
Children with a specific gene variation are more susceptible to respiratory illness when exposed to second-hand smoke. The USC study found that these children are four times more likely to miss school due to lower-respiratory illness, and their risk increases with exposure to multiple smokers.
Feather stem cells are distributed in a ring configuration around the inner wall of the vase-shaped feather follicle. This unique arrangement allows for continuous growth, shedding, and regeneration of feathers.
Researchers propose an alternative mode for characterizing and quantifying information, focusing on individual perception and attention. Their theory outperforms existing methods in capturing human bias toward surprising locations, with potential applications in data mining and understanding complex environments.
Researchers will investigate how brains perceive novelty and importance using a computational theory of surprise. The project combines experiments, modeling, and neurophysiological studies to develop a new understanding of how the brain codes for these concepts.
A USC study reveals that high sugar intake during childhood may play a key role in the development of diabetes in Latino children. The research found that children who consumed more sugary drinks had signs of decreased beta cell function, implying they were heading toward type 2 diabetes.
Researchers at USC discovered that deleting the SIR2 gene can extend life span up to six times longer than normal when combined with caloric restriction. Human cells with reduced SIR2 activity also confirm its pro-aging effect, pointing to a new direction for human anti-aging research.
A recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that regular physical activity may lower breast cancer risk in both black and white women. Women who exercised for at least 1.3 hours a week had a 20% lower risk of breast cancer compared to inactive individuals.
A USC-led study found that higher ozone levels during pregnancy are associated with lower birth weight and increased risk of intra uterine growth retardation. The researchers monitored ozone and carbon monoxide levels in Southern California communities and analyzed birth records from over 3,900 children.
Researchers have detected methane-producing bacteria in arid desert soils, which is a promising sign for future life detection missions to Mars. The study suggests that methane could be used as a biological signature for certain living organisms.
A meta-analysis of 15 trials found that atypical antipsychotics increased the risk of death in dementia patients by 1.54 times compared to placebo. The study suggests that clinicians should use antipsychotics cautiously and consider alternative treatments.
The USC TREC Center will investigate how to prevent cancer by controlling obesity in children and adolescents, with a focus on high-risk ethnic groups.
The consensus panel recommends minimizing open surgical biopsies in favor of minimally invasive needle breast biopsies, which can help reduce complications and costs. They also suggest using sentinel lymph node biopsy and MRI for accurate staging and diagnosis.
A USC study of over 12,250 patients found that those treated at level I trauma centers had nearly a 20% lower mortality rate than those at level II centers. Patients also had better functional outcomes and were less likely to be severely disabled after discharge.
A study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that pathological liars have a surplus of white matter and a deficit of gray matter in their brains. This suggests they have more tools to lie but fewer moral restraints than normal people.
A recent study using lipid biomarker techniques has identified complex and productive microbial ecosystems in prehistoric rocks from southeastern Brazil. This finding challenges the 'Snowball Earth' theory by suggesting that thin ice might have allowed for photosynthesis to occur during extreme glaciation.
Children living closer to freeways are more likely to develop asthma, according to a new study published in the journal Epidemiology. Higher levels of nitrogen dioxide around their homes also increased the risk of developing asthma.
A University of Southern California-led study found that air pollution poses a greater danger to health than previously thought, with a two- to three-fold increase in chronic health effects compared to earlier estimates. The study revealed a significant link between fine particle levels and increased risk of death from heart disease, l...
A recent USC study found that popular sixth-grade students were more susceptible to smoking and more likely to actually smoke than their peers. The association existed across ethnicities and genders, with non-white boys being the strongest group.
The Keck School's grant will train graduate students and post-doctoral fellows across 27 departments, developing courses on bioethics and cutting-edge gene-transfer technology. The program aims to create a pipeline of highly trained researchers for CIRM-funded projects.
Researchers at USC and UTexas will build a detector for single photon computers, which could perform certain tasks far faster than traditional chips. The project aims to create ultra-small devices that generate single photons, one at a time, using 'quantum dots' and nanoscale technology.
A study by USC researchers has identified two competing proteins, DSP and DPP, that influence the strength of tooth enamel. Over-expression of DSP increases enamel hardness, while over-expression of DPP creates pitted and chalky enamel prone to fracture and wear.
A US-led research team discovered a potent cancer-fighting drug, dimethyl-celecoxib (DMC), which overcomes the limitations of its anti-inflammatory cousin celecoxib. DMC halts tumor growth even in drug-resistant multiple myeloma cells and may reduce cardiovascular side effects.
A USC oceanographer's long-term study confirms that the marine food chain depends largely on atmospheric nitrogen, which nourishes teeming life near the surface. The finding also demonstrates the oceans' substantial role in absorbing greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide.
A nationwide study found that immigrants spend half as much on healthcare as native-born Americans, with many receiving lower levels of care. Immigrant children receive significantly less care in doctors' offices and emergency rooms compared to U.S.-born children.
Researchers at USC discovered that anti-angiogenesis drugs increase glucose regulated protein 78 levels, blocking cell death and leading to drug resistance. Suppressing GRP78 gene expression can overcome resistance to chemotherapy drug etoposide.
A multidisciplinary team at USC Viterbi School created a two-way voice translation system that turns doctor's English questions into Persian and vice versa. The Transonics Spoken Dialog Translator uses a combination of human observation, computer code, and machine learning to achieve fluent communication.
Researchers at USC College of Letters, Arts and Sciences have found a link between early exposure to inflammatory diseases like gum disease and an increased risk of Alzheimer's. The study, which analyzed data from the Swedish Twin Registry, suggests that chronic gum disease may be a preventable risk factor for Alzheimer's, adding to th...
Researchers found teen-age boys with Type 1 diabetes have significantly higher intima-media thickness than those without the disease, indicating greater atherosclerosis progression. Smoking and poor glucose control are key risk factors for cardiovascular disease in this population.
Researchers found that taking pioglitazone for three years significantly reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in women who had previously had gestational diabetes. This is promising news for preventing and treating type 2 diabetes, as it may help stabilize beta-cell function.
The study highlights the catastrophic effects of the December 26, 2004 tsunami on Banda Aceh and Lohknga in Indonesia. Water reached 9 meters at the shoreline and over 15 meters inland, with wave-driven sea water inundating areas up to 25 meters above sea level.
Dyslexia researchers propose that the condition stems from difficulty in filtering out visual noise, affecting pattern recognition and language comprehension. The study suggests that programs helping children form sharper perceptual categories could supplement existing interventions.
The Expression Synthesis Project (ESP) interface, devised by Elaine Chew, allows users to control musical performance using familiar driving metaphors. By analyzing the structure of a piece of music, ESP creates a virtual 'road' that guides the user's decisions.
Research suggests long-term cancer survivors may experience increased cognitive impairment, with 15% showing signs of cognitive dysfunction. The study's findings highlight the need for further research into potential causes and possible treatments.
Researchers at USC's IMSC have developed new haptics systems that challenge stroke patients to perform tasks like grasping, pinching, and squeezing in virtual environments. These interfaces provide precise control over rehabilitation programs, allowing physical therapists to tailor exercises to each patient's level of impairment.
A magnitude 7.2-7.5 earthquake on the Puente Hills fault could result in 3,000-18,000 deaths and up to $250 billion in property damage, according to a study by the USGS and USC. The disaster would be the costliest in U.S. history due to the fault's location under Los Angeles County and adjacent areas.
A study by USC researchers found that children living within 75 meters of a major road had a nearly 50% greater risk of having asthma symptoms. The study included over 5,000 5- and 6-year-old children living in Southern California.