USC Viterbi School of Engineering researchers introduce platinum as a non-toxic catalyst to transform toxic aldehydes into harmless carboxylic acids in wastewater. The breakthrough enables the production of clean and reusable water, addressing growing concerns about water shortages and regulatory requirements.
A new USC study found that stress accelerates immune aging, leading to a weaker immune system and increased risk of chronic diseases. The study identified lifestyle factors like poor diet and low exercise as contributing to accelerated immune aging, while CMV vaccination may be a potential intervention.
Researchers at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences found evidence of the inner core's six-year cycle of super-rotation and sub-rotation. The study suggests the inner core changed direction in the six-year period from 1969-74, causing variations in the length of day.
Researchers at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences have elucidated the structure of a small protein carrying GABA into neurons using cryogenic electron microscopy. This breakthrough could lead to more effective drugs for conditions such as epilepsy, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and autism spectru...
Current predictive models underestimate tsunami severity by as much as 100%, according to USC researchers who found a correlation between tsunami strength and outer wedge width. The study identifies high-risk subduction zones, including Iran and the Cascadia zone, which could experience massive tsunamis.
Researchers simulated COVID-19 transmission on a university campus, finding that universal mask usage and high vaccination rates can curb new infections. The study suggests that at least 93% of students should be vaccinated during highly transmissible variant outbreaks.
Researchers developed a preference-driven model that uses human users to fine-tune virtual textures, allowing for more accurate and personalized tactile experiences. The technology has applications in various fields, including video games, fashion design, and surgical training.
A new software uses natural language processing to predict vaccine hesitancy on a community level, providing an early warning system for policymakers. The study shows that publicly available Twitter data can be sufficient to detect zip code-level vaccine hesitancy with reasonable accuracy.
A study found nearly 40% of Venmo users shared sensitive information, such as health conditions and political leanings, due to inadequate privacy settings. Researchers identified specific groups, like AA membership, that exposed user payments through public notes.
A multi-pillar approach to nutrition can help increase lifespan by promoting optimal carbohydrate intake from non-refined sources, low but sufficient protein from plant-based sources, and enough plant-based fats. The 'longevity diet' may also involve intermittent fasting and a 5-day cycle of a fasting or fasting-mimicking diet every 3-...
Researchers used AI technologies to conclude that male characters are four times more prevalent in literature than female characters. The study's findings also showed that the discrepancy between male and female characters decreases under female authorship.
A new study by USC researchers uses focused ultrasound technology to stimulate the retina of blind rats, demonstrating the potential for a non-surgical solution to restore sight. The technology generates sound waves that activate neurons and send signals to the brain, bypassing traditional light-based stimulation.
Researchers have developed a new 3D printing technique to fabricate microfluidic devices with precise channels at the microscale. This breakthrough allows for accurate creation of channels in clear resin, enabling applications such as COVID-19 detection and cancer research.
Researchers have discovered 15 genomic loci that either accelerate or decelerate brain aging, offering potential new drug targets to combat Alzheimer's disease and other degenerative brain disorders. The study, led by USC researchers, found overlap with genes involved in depression, schizophrenia, and cognitive functioning.
A USC-led team discovered that bacteria size and type influence the speed of carbon transfer to the ocean's deepest waters. The research enables a computer model for estimating carbon transfer rates, which could help understand Earth's natural carbon cycle.
Researchers analyzed 240,000 yeast strains to uncover the genetic basis of heritable traits. They found that a handful of key loci have major additive and dominance effects, but genetic background can modify or mask these effects due to genetic interactions.
Researchers discovered two Amazonian indigenous groups, Tsimane and Moseten, with remarkably low dementia rates, only 1% among older adults. These populations' pre-industrial lifestyles appear to offer clues to preventing Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
Researchers have identified a specific location in the hippocampus called the dentate gyrus where schizophrenia may originate. Studying rats with damaged SAP97, they found changes in activity in this region, directly linking alterations to the development of schizophrenia.
A USC discovery demonstrates the safety and efficacy of a stem-cell derived retinal implant for treating advanced dry age-related macular degeneration. The implant successfully improved visual function in some patients and survived without rejection for up to two years.
USC researchers develop highly accurate model to predict Covid-19 risk by combining anonymized cellphone location data with mobility patterns. The system shows a 50% improvement in accuracy compared to current systems, enabling targeted policy decisions at neighborhood or zip code levels.
Researchers propose a new way to store renewable energy by speculatively performing computations in large data centers when energy is abundant, and retrieving the results later. This approach offers better efficiency than traditional battery storage methods and could reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A symmetrical, 2x3 km buried formation in Qatar suggests evidence of a sedentary civilization with advanced engineering skills. The site's unique soil composition and landscaping point to irrigation systems and crop cultivation.
Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering have created a molecular device capable of recording and manipulating its surrounding bioelectric field. The device has the potential to provide ultra-fast, 3D high-resolution imaging of neural networks without damaging healthy cells or tissue.
Researchers at USC produced the first snapshots of memory in a living animal, revealing that learning causes synapses to proliferate and disappear in certain areas. This breakthrough may help explain why certain memories are stronger than others.
A new model suggests that cell-to-cell communication plays a crucial role in determining cell fate, particularly in the development of blood cell types. This finding has significant implications for understanding cancer development and identifying leukemia cells of origin.
A new study suggests that the D614G variant of COVID-19, which was prevalent in the US during the first wave, may have been more infectious because it often started with a cough. This order of symptoms may increase our understanding of how disease spreads and inform future research.
A USC study found that people whose moral beliefs align closely with their online community are more prone to radicalization, posting hate-speech messages. The research also replicated findings in another extremist network on Reddit, highlighting the role of morality in fueling online radicalization.
Researchers at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences have created a process that increases the chances of finding effective drugs in a fraction of the time and at significantly less expense than current methods. V-SYNTHES, a virtual method developed by Vsevolod Katritch and colleagues, uses synthons to efficiently puzzle t...
A new mathematical model developed by USC researchers uses a generator-based approach to analyze mutations in genomic datasets, allowing for the prediction of virus evolution and detection. This tool can be applied to various pathogens, including crops, enabling proactive protection measures.
A new study by researchers at USC, UT Austin, and ASU found that virtual conferences increase diversity and inclusion in STEM fields. Virtual events can reach the scientific community and improve inclusion and diversity in science and engineering.
A new study by USC researchers uses GANs to generate synthetic neurological data that can be fed into machine-learning algorithms to improve BCI usability. This approach improved BCI training speed by up to 20 times and enabled rapid adaptation to new subjects.
A new brain-inspired computing device harnesses randomness to improve AI and machine learning performance. The device, called hetero-memristor, emulates the stochastic properties of neurons, allowing for more efficient optimization and reduced power consumption.
A new AI tool has been developed to evaluate cognitive behavioral therapy sessions with high accuracy, improving therapist skills and patient outcomes. The tool analyzed over 1,100 real conversations between therapists-in-training and patients, matching human evaluators' assessments with 73% accuracy.
A USC Schaeffer study finds that middlemen in the insulin distribution chain now capture approximately 53% of net proceeds, up from 30% in 2014. Meanwhile, manufacturers receive a decreased share, but the total cost to the healthcare system remains relatively flat.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in Free Space Optical Communication (FSOC) by sending two laser beams together, reducing distortion caused by atmospheric turbulence. This innovation promises to improve wireless communication speeds and security for applications such as high-speed internet, airplanes, drones, and satellites.
A study analyzing data from 3,438 trainees has identified key factors associated with success in Recon Marine training, including prior life experience, athletic experience, and physical performance metrics. The research aims to inform military recruitment and training strategies, advancing novel ways to recruit and retain for the U.S....
A USC-led study has improved lizard tail regeneration through stem cell-based therapy, leading to the creation of tails with skeletal and nerve tissue on both sides for the first time in history. This breakthrough informs efforts to improve wound healing in humans, particularly for injuries that don't naturally regenerate.
Researchers found that regular cycles of a fasting-mimicking diet in mice helped counteract the negative effects of a high-fat, high-calorie diet. The study suggests that this diet may have potential as 'medicine' to prevent obesity and heart disease.
A USC study finds men and women equally bad at salary negotiation, but women tend to value stocks less than men. Participants who negotiated against a virtual agent secured $13,000 more on average.
The USC Environmental Health Sciences Research Center has received a five-year, $8 million NIH grant to continue its research on reducing diseases caused by environmental exposures. The center conducts research on various topics including air pollution, climate change, and health disparities.
A new study suggests that Greece's computer algorithm 'Eva' caught nearly twice as many asymptomatic infected travelers as traditional testing methods, helping to curb COVID-19's spread. The AI-powered system used real-time data to identify high-risk visitors for targeted testing, revealing its potential in managing the pandemic.
Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering have discovered a way to boost the effectiveness of CAR T-cell therapy for treating solid tumors, including breast and melanoma. By engineering CAR T-cells to produce an enzyme called adenosine deaminase, they break down an immune-suppressive microenvironment, allowing cancer-killing cel...
A new USC study found that infants with histories of reported maltreatment are two to three times more likely to die from medical causes. Foster care placement was also found to reduce the risk of infant death due to medical causes by roughly half.
A new study finds that U.S. residents have difficulty understanding terms frequently used by scientists to describe climate change, such as 'mitigation' and 'tipping point.' Participants suggested simpler language alternatives, highlighting the need for more accessible communication.
The NSF I-Corps Hub: West Region will foster a culture of invention, innovation and entrepreneurship among diverse backgrounds. USC will train entrepreneur teams, host technology scouting showcases and study incentives for world-changing technologies.
A new study reveals that the small protein MOTS-c prevents the destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic cells in mice with autoimmune diabetes. MOTS-c treatment supports regulatory T-cells and reduces the activation of killer T-cells, effectively preventing disease onset.
Researchers found that even a one-vote margin of control changed the policy agenda and outcomes, contrary to conventional wisdom. A 50/50 party balance in today's Senate could have significant implications for policy due to high polarization.
A study published in Nature Communications suggests that a county's moral values, particularly binding values, can predict the prevalence of hate groups and extreme behavioral expressions of prejudice. The research used geospatial modeling and psychological experimentation to analyze data from over 3,100 US counties.
Researchers at USC have developed a new simulator that accurately predicts the forces acting on a knife as it cuts through soft materials, enabling applications in safer food processing and surgical robotics. The system uses 'differentiable' simulation to automatically tune parameters from real-world measurements.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated changes in healthcare, including optimized patient flow and the integration of telemedicine. The experience gained will inform future healthcare system improvements.