Research found that workforce participation among people with diabetes remains low, despite significant health improvements, due to factors like health complications and workplace barriers. The study suggests expanded access to anti-obesity medications could have positive effects on the labor market.
A new AI-driven tool can forecast acute child malnutrition in Kenya up to six months in advance with high accuracy, enabling timely interventions. The model integrates clinical data and satellite information to identify emerging risk areas, providing a game-changing solution to address public health emergency in the country.
Researchers at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences have developed a powerful new method for selectively and reversibly breaking connections between brain cells, targeting specific synapses without harming neurons. The technique, inspired by the brain's own system for recycling proteins, allows for the elimination of eith...
Researchers have developed deterministic benchmarking (DB), a more detailed and efficient method for identifying specific types of quantum noise and errors. DB provides accurate information about both coherent and incoherent errors, enabling better calibration of quantum gates.
Retail pharmacies excluded from Medicare Part D networks faced a higher risk of closure over the past decade, with independent and minority-owned pharmacies more likely to be affected. The study found that pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) were contributing to this problem by steering beneficiaries away from non-preferred pharmacies.
A USC-led study shows that a quantum annealer outperforms classical algorithms in finding near-optimal solutions to complex problems. The researchers used a D-Wave Advantage processor and implemented error suppression techniques to overcome noise limitations.
Researchers have demonstrated a new quantum sensing technique that surpasses conventional methods by counteracting the limitation of decoherence. The study's coherence-stabilized protocol allows for improved sensitivity and detection of subtle signals, with up to 1.65 times better efficacy per measurement.
Researchers discovered that the brain suppresses the current action without using another mechanism to inhibit it, enabling seamless transitions between actions. This finding could lead to the development of biologically-inspired robotic systems and improve clinical treatments for Parkinson's patients.
The US Cost of Dementia Project estimates total economic burden at $781 billion, accounting for lost earnings, diminished quality of life, and unpaid care. The project aims to inform evidence-based policies reducing dementia's financial impact.
USC researchers developed a biocompatible material by adding calcium carbonate to poly (1,8-octanediol-co-citrate), an FDA-approved biodegradable material. The resulting material, POC-CC, is a safer alternative to traditional plastics and degrades in marine environments while maintaining strength.
A new USC study suggests that gut imbalances in children with autism may disrupt neurotransmitter production and influence behavioral symptoms. The research connects the dots between the 'gut-brain' axis and autism, raising possibilities for new treatments.
A team of researchers discovered that a robotic hand can learn to grasp and rotate objects even with incomplete or absent tactile sensation. The study highlights the importance of the sequence of learning experiences, also known as the curriculum, in facilitating learning.
Physicists have discovered a new theoretical framework called supermazes that redefine the concept of black holes, providing a more universal picture of their microstructure. Supermazes are based on string theory and offer a detailed portrait of the microscopic structure of brane black holes.
Researchers at USC Viterbi have developed a new type of immune cell that can sense and destroy cancer cells for extended periods using focused ultrasound. This technology could overcome obstacles in treating tumors with immunotherapy while keeping healthy tissue safe.
Researchers at USC have demonstrated the first optical filter capable of isolating and preserving quantum entanglement, a mysterious phenomenon at the heart of quantum computing. The filter uses anti-parity-time symmetry to strip away noise and reveal a pure, entangled state.
A new study from USC Dornsife's Brain and Creativity Institute found that nostalgic music engages the brain's default mode network linked to memory and self-reflection, as well as its reward circuitry. This discovery could support emotional well-being and cognitive function in individuals with memory impairments.
A new white paper finds that expanding access to anti-obesity medications can prevent or delay chronic disease by years, providing significant societal benefits. The study estimates a $10 trillion return on investment and 13% annual returns on investment for society.
A new study suggests that easing L.A.'s outdated tree planting rules could significantly grow the city's urban tree canopy without compromising safety. By relaxing restrictions near intersections, utility poles, gas lines, and other infrastructure, tree coverage in lower-income neighborhoods like Boyle Heights could increase by up to 26%.
The California Solar Canal Initiative brings together seven leading research universities to identify optimal locations for generating renewable energy and conserving land statewide. By covering large sections of the state's canal network with solar panels, researchers aim to conserve water, reduce air pollution and generate clean energy.
Researchers developed an electrochemical process to sequester carbon dioxide, transforming it into durable and fire-resistant materials. The resulting mineral-polymer composites demonstrate exceptional mechanical strength and fracture toughness, offering a promising solution for carbon-negative construction.
Researchers at USC's Keck School of Medicine discovered that mice display a form of 'first aid' behavior when helping unconscious peers, with actions ranging from gentle grooming to forceful tongue-pulling. This behavior is similar to human emergency responses and may be linked to the activation of oxytocin neuropeptides.
A new USC report reveals that most Americans support civics education in schools, with high levels of bipartisan agreement on issues like teaching about racism and promoting critical thinking. However, sharp partisan divisions persist on issues like diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and student free speech on college campuses.
Researchers at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences have made a breakthrough discovery about how tiny protein clusters form in cells. These nanoclusters play a crucial role in mechanotransduction, a process that fails in people with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy, leading to muscle weakness and heart problems.
A recent USC study found that Black immigrants in the United States have a 9% higher likelihood of being uninsured compared to U.S.-born white adults, despite having a 70.2% employment rate. The disparity is attributed to wage penalties and systemic barriers related to race and immigration status.
A new study provides the first nationwide picture of who knows about, carries, and uses naloxone to reverse deadly opioid overdoses. The survey found that people's perception of overdose risk correlates with their decision to carry naloxone, and those with high-risk profiles are more likely to carry the drug.
A new study suggests that extreme heat exposure accelerates biological aging in older adults, with participants experiencing greater increases in biological age in neighborhoods with more days of high heat. The study analyzed epigenetic changes and found a significant correlation between heat index values and biological age.
A new study from USC Dornsife finds that LA's urban greenery absorbs up to 60% of daytime fossil fuel CO2 emissions in spring and summer, providing valuable insights into the impact of trees on air quality. The research provides data-driven insights for future planting efforts and informs the USC Urban Trees Initiative.
A new AI model measures how fast the brain ages by analyzing MRI scans, providing a more accurate picture of brain health. The tool closely correlates faster brain aging with increased cognitive decline and dementia risk, offering potential for early biomarkers and personalized treatment.
A USC study has found a drastic increase in building collapses in Alexandria, Egypt, due to rising sea levels and seawater intrusion. The researchers used a three-pronged approach to assess the impact of shoreline changes on the city's buildings.
New research from USC reveals that Medicare Part D plans are increasingly tying patient costs to list prices, leading to substantially higher out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries. The study found that the share of stand-alone plans using coinsurance for preferred branded drugs grew from 9.9% in 2020 to 71.9% in 2024.
A randomized, placebo-controlled trial confirms that Ozempic reduces alcohol craving, drinking quantity and the frequency of heavy drinking days. The study found that nearly 40% of people treated with semaglutide reported no heavy drinking days in the last month of treatment.
A groundbreaking study analyzed data from over 78,000 cancer patients to identify nearly 800 genetic changes impacting survival outcomes. The research also discovered genes significantly associated with survival in various cancers, such as breast, ovarian, skin, and gastrointestinal cancers.
A new study from USC scientists has found that the near surface of the Earth's inner core may undergo viscous deformation, changing its shape and shifting at the inner core's shallow boundary. This discovery sheds light on the role topographical activity plays in rotational changes in the inner core.
A new USC study reveals that the US is facing a shortage of 4.5 million homes due to policy missteps in the early 2000s, which led to a historic housing bubble and subsequent Great Recession. The crisis has disproportionately affected millennials and people of color, with racial and ethnic disparities in homeownership widening over time.
A new study from the USC Schaeffer Center finds that people with mental health symptoms from low- and middle-income households experience a 71% decline in outpatient mental health visits after enrolling in Medicare. This decline is also associated with a 47% lower likelihood of receiving psychotropic drugs.
Researchers found microvascular trouble to be an early biomarker for dementia and potential target for therapy. People with memory problems showed blood vessel dysfunction, regardless of Alzheimer's-related brain changes.
A new study by USC Dornsife researchers reveals how Illinois' repeal of the 'pay-to-stay' law, charging inmates for room and board, can inform national reform efforts. The study found that lawmakers used a pragmatic approach to reform, highlighting the importance of data-driven decision making in advancing criminal justice reform.
Researchers suggest a scientific framework to operate the Nile's mega dams during droughts, balancing sustainable hydropower generation with minimizing downstream water deficit. The framework aims to increase resilience for over 300 million inhabitants in the Eastern Nile Basin living under uncertain climatic projections.
A USC study reveals that forming social ties relies on learning from positive outcomes, such as rewards, and tracking relational value. The findings help explain why we are drawn to certain people and how we navigate relationships, with implications for mental health and social behavior.
A new USC Dornsife study reveals that 25% of L.A. County households struggle with food insecurity, with Asian communities disproportionately impacted. The study also highlights significantly higher rates of nutrition insecurity, which affects 29% of residents.
A study by USC Dornsife scientists used satellite imagery, digital models, and field data to analyze the June 2021 Melamchi flood's triggers. The research found that heavy monsoon rainfall combined with excessive snowmelt overwhelmed river systems, causing catastrophic flooding.
A recent study found that approximately 1 in 3 U.S. retail pharmacies have closed since 2010, primarily driven by chain pharmacy closures and industry consolidation. This decline significantly impacts public health, making it harder for people to access prescriptions and essential health services.
Engineers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering have developed a new CRISPR toolkit that allows for precise, remote-controlled genome editing using focused ultrasound. This breakthrough enables the treatment of various genetic disorders and diseases by activating or silencing specific genes with precision.
A USC Schaeffer study found that over half of Medicare beneficiaries with stand-alone Part D plans did not switch due to lack of plan comparisons, with many unaware of how to change plans or missing out on better coverage options. This complacency allows insurers to exploit beneficiaries' inattention and boost profits.
A new USC study reveals that face masks make it harder for people of all ages to recognize emotions, especially sadness, behind masks. Parents reporting high stress levels struggle even more to decode sad emotions.
A new crowdsourcing system, FireLoc, uses a network of low-cost mobile phones to detect wildfires minutes—even seconds—after they ignite. The system prioritizes privacy and accurately maps wilderness fires to within 180 feet of their origin.
A USC study found that children living closest to the Salton Sea experience more respiratory issues due to airborne dust, triggering asthma, coughing, and disrupted sleep. The study also suggests that dust events have a greater impact on wheezing and sleep disturbances among children in these areas.
A USC study involving 8,500 children found that exposure to certain sources of air pollution, particularly ammonium nitrate, is linked to poor learning and memory performance in 9- and 10-year-olds. This study contributes to the mounting evidence that fine particulate matter PM2.5 can cause neurocognitive harm across the lifespan.
A new study finds that restricting sugar consumption in utero and early childhood significantly reduces the risk of midlife chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Low sugar intake by mothers before birth and continued restriction after birth increased health benefits.
A study by USC researchers estimates that 850,000 pounds of toxic metals have been released into the environment in the Western US from 2009-2021. The team found a range of heavy metals, including chromium and cadmium used as corrosion inhibitors, as well as arsenic in phosphate ores.