USC’s residential education director shines in the geek spotlight at Comic-Con
Emily Sandoval takes her message to a sympathetic audience: Embrace your ‘nerdidentity’ and you can succeed in college academically and socially.
Top Stories
Editor's Picks
New map may lead to drug development for complex brain disorders
A study of protein interactions could be the first step to finding treatments that focus on problematic pathways, USC researcher says.
Biologist takes artistic view of science — and the results are stunning
Amanda Kwieraga uses acrylic and ink on wood panels to create ‘Art for Science’s Sake.’
The Conversation
Do challenges make school seem impossible or worthwhile?
Some studies suggest that motivation, rather than ability or skill, is the best predictor of educational and professional attainment. But, USC Professor Daphna Oyserman and PhD candidate Oliver Fisher ask, is motivation just one thing or are there many different kinds of motivation?
KTLA Morning News
Taking lots of photos actually helps you remember an event
Kristin Diehl of the USC Marshall School explains how taking photos increases an individual’s enjoyment of an experience. The same is true for negative experiences: Those who take photos enjoy it even less than others.
Daily Breeze
Biotech explodes in L.A. County, tackling everything from sickle-cell anemia to spider-free silk
Among the efforts: A group of USC engineers, scientists and biomedical practitioners are planning a biotech business park in East Los Angeles called L.A. Bioscience Hub.
KNBC-TV
USC doctor researches depression and disability in aging Latinos
Maria Aranda never left the east side of Los Angeles, a community where she was born and raised and where she’s now doing research aimed at helping an older generation of Latinos. “I see the immense need in our community,” she says.
The Guardian
Grindr, virtual reality and vlogging: New ways to talk about sexual health
Almost half the world’s population is online and billions of young people use social media. So, USC’s Sofia Gruskin asks, why doesn’t more sex education happen across these channels?
Los Angeles Times
First startup from USC Iovine and Young Academy: augmented reality firm Mira
Three students are behind Mira, which unveils its first product Tuesday. It resembles a large sun visor, except it holds up a smartphone in front of your face. Images from the phone are projected onto the shield’s lenses, making it seem as if 3-D objects are floating before you.
The San Diego Union-Tribune
California’s Poet Laureate Dana Gioia talks rhyme (and reason) as he tours the state
The USC professor is on a mission to visit all 58 counties and nurture an appreciation for what he calls “the conversation of the spirit.”
The Washington Post
Spreading fake news becomes standard practice for governments across the world
USC’s Emilio Ferrara finds that many of the Twitter bots that spread messages supporting Donald Trump also worked against French President Emmanuel Macron.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
Breaking down barriers across disciplines
USC is among the institutions recognizing the need for interdisciplinary research, and taking concrete steps to see that it is encouraged.
KPCC
USC impacted as federal government ends teen pregnancy prevention grants
The university is one of more than 80 institutions losing millions of federal grant dollars that had been allocated for studying and implementing evidence-based sexual health education programs.
Los Angeles Daily News
The Coliseum as a nine-hole golf course? But of course
It’s a bizarre convergence of a historical sports landmark masquerading as a golf course, as the famed stadium is set up as a unique one-weekend-only golf venue.
International Business Times
Brain plaques may be earliest sign of Alzheimer’s
According to a Keck School of Medicine of USC study, adults can develop elevated levels of amyloid plaque in the brain up to 10 years before they experience any of the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s. Discovering these plaques so early could help certain patients take better preventive measures.
Scientists have more data to back their findings: The Earth is getting warmer
An international group upgrades global database that tracks global shifts in temperatures.
Drinking coffee could lead to a longer life
Whether it’s caffeinated or decaffeinated, coffee is associated with lower mortality, which suggests the association is not tied to caffeine.
USC Libraries initiative aims at producing new research
The project puts curators in direct working relationships with scholars who will use the collections to produce findings at USC and beyond.
Medicare, Medicare Advantage physician rates nearly equal
USC researchers compare physician reimbursement by Medicare Advantage plans to traditional Medicare rates. Until now, experts knew little about the differences.
Alumnus turns to photography amid the peace and beauty of Buddhist culture in Bhutan
Dentist Barry Shaffer shoots striking pictures in the Himalayas — a land of ancient monasteries and sweeping vistas.
Trojan dentist uses her CPR skills to save a life
After a daylong CPR certification course, Diana Sedler never expected to have her skills tested just hours later at a sushi restaurant.
As temps soar, USC experts have hot ideas on what it means for us
Sweltering conditions can have an effect on flights, pollution and your health.
Training program leads to collaboration among grad students in chemistry and biology
Two-year program aims to build innovative thinkers and solve biological problems.
Jacob Soll takes on the finances of Greece — now, in Greek
The professor of history and accounting and USC President C. L. Max Nikias present Soll’s book to the prime minister of Greece.
Undocumented student at USC brings hope to others just like her
By working with a nonprofit, Guatemala native tries to fill gaps where the government and educational system are failing young people.
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles named top pediatric hospital in California by U.S. News & World Report
The Keck School of Medicine affiliate also makes the publication’s Honor Roll of Best Children’s Hospitals for excellence in multiple specialties.
Kale chips and gluten-free are the Prada handbag of the new elite
‘Aspirational class’ moves away from material goods, toward prudent decisions about health and kids, says USC professor.
Teen Court judges juvenile offenders with a jury of their peers — and gives them a second chance
USC Gould program in Boyle Heights offers high school students practical experience in criminal justice.
The molecule that might fight off frailty and foster fitness as we age
USC Davis doctoral student’s research looks at muscle mass and improved physical performance.
Can genetics play a role in education and well-being?
USC researcher outlines a vision of how social science can be incorporated into the work that economists do.
Break the law — with some style — and you may get away with it, for a while
USC Marshall research suggests that creative cheating or unethical behavior is seen by some as a valuable trait.
Why dementia-causing plaques become trapped in the brain
USC researchers plan to explore whether constricted vessels could be targeted by existing drugs that were approved for treating other health conditions.
Earthquake Center interns leave lab behind, getting their hands on real faults
The students are spending the summer doing important research at the Southern California Earthquake Center, considered an international leader in earthquake forecasting.
Lessons from afar help alum gain international business expertise — to share
Julian Leuthold credits his success to an open-minded approach when first visiting India, the country that has become a second home.
USC President Nikias receives honorary degree from Scottish university
The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow honors Nikias for his ‘dynamic leadership in higher education.’
USC researcher looks for a pattern in ALS cases
Kim Staats is drawn to the clinical relevance of research in Justin Ichida’s lab, which explores ALS mechanisms.
Summer Programs give high schoolers a taste of college life — and credits for comedy
From comedy performance to criminal justice, USC Summer Programs give teens the experience to help them decide on a major or even a career.
Tiny shelter built by architecture students could offer a solution to homelessness
Sample house is built with materials from the streets and alleys of L.A., then raffled off to benefit rescue mission.
Josh Adam named USC women’s rowing head coach
He comes to USC after seven seasons at Washington State, during which the Cougars advanced to the NCAA championship six times.