U.S. drug overdose death rates the highest among wealthy nations, USC study finds
The nation’s death rate is double that of the Nordic countries, which have the next highest rates, and more than 27 times higher than in Italy and Japan.
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USC Kaufman dance students prepare for New York debut
The showcase at the historic Joyce Theater celebrates the first four years of USC Kaufman, which will graduate its first class in May.
Why it’s important to see marginalized communities in pop culture
As the Oscars near, USC anthropologist and playwright Dorinne Kondoto argues that we all need to be ”mirrored” in popular culture, media and the arts.
Smithsonian
The complex role faith played for Japanese-Americans incarcerated during World War II
“Religious difference acted as a multiplier of suspiciousness,” writes USC’s Duncan Ryuken Williams, “making it even more difficult for Japanese-Americans to be perceived as anything other than perpetually foreign and potentially dangerous.”
PC Magazine
Sorry, very few things actually ‘break the internet’
Kristina Lerman of the USC Information Sciences Institute explains why it’s very hard to go viral and how our brains can’t truly process all the information we’re seeing on social media.
NBC News
California youth and Latino vote jumped last year
About 27 percent of young Californians voted in 2018, up from about 8 percent in 2014, while 36 percent of eligible Latinos voted, up from 17 percent. The numbers come from the California Civic Engagement Project at the USC Price School of Public Policy.
Pacific Standard
Will autonomous vehicles make us better people?
In a series of experiments, participants programmed their self-driving vehicles to act more economically — saving energy and helping the environment — than if they were driving themselves, according to USC researchers and colleagues.
CNBC
Twitter bots more active during the 2018 midterms than previously known
More than 15,000 Twitter accounts identified as robots used the #ivoted hashtag on Election Day, according to a study from USC’s Information Sciences Institute and a Swiss researcher. In virtually every state, more than a fifth of those posting about the elections were robots.
KNBC-TV
Football and concussions: Tracking every hit
About 40 Crescenta Valley players are part of the unique study that gives doctors a baseline to analyze players’ brains. “We don’t know if adolescent brains are more or less vulnerable to these repeated head impacts,” says USC’s Brad Peterson.
U.S. News & World Report
Study: Youth e-cigarette use increased odds of cigarette use
USA Today
Company hikes price of blood pressure drugs after competitor recall
Companies that hike prices significantly in response to market changes represent a small but growing segment of the generic drug market, according to USC research led by Geoffrey Joyce.
Voice of America
A virtual human teaches negotiating skills
Whether it’s haggling for a better price or a higher salary, there’s a skill to getting a good deal. Researchers at the USC Institute for Creative Technologies are looking at how a virtual negotiator may be able to teach the art of negotiating.
The Washington Post
Study says number of female filmmakers at Sundance improving
The study by USC’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative and the Sundance Institute found that 28 percent of feature-length and episodic projects submitted were directed by at least one woman.
Los Angeles Business Journal
Keck School of Medicine of USC launches Office of Social Justice to promote fair health care
As associate dean, Ricky Bluthenthal — a professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine — will lead the new office to advocate for better health care in underserved communities. Bluthenthal will create the Office for Social Justice to advocate for fair distribution of health services and treatment, while reducing disparities and unequal access to quality care.
KPCC
How making public transit more hospitable for women could increase ridership
USC’s Marlon Boarnet describes his research on travel habits of women living near the Expo Line and why they increased rail use only half as much as men. Among the reasons: perceptions of safety and fear of harassment.
Glowing deep-sea creatures inspire new cancer therapies
A new laboratory tool developed by USC researchers could improve the development and effectiveness of treatments that use patients’ immune systems to fight cancer.
Is the keto diet safe? USC experts have some serious concerns
Dietitians may recommend the popular high fat, very low carbohydrate plan for certain patients, but most of us can get the same results without going to such extremes.
All the things one USC dental student overcame to pursue her dream career
Shannon Grady was discouraged throughout high school, but an ADHD diagnosis at 24 changed everything. Now in her late 40s, she’s proving everyone wrong.
USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center names new director
Caryn Lerman returns to USC, where she earned her master’s and doctorate, to lead Southern California’s highest-ranked cancer care provider.
Spring admits have new resource to ease their worries about adjusting to college: their peers
Seasoned USC students share their spring admit experience with incoming freshmen and transfer students through a new ambassador program.
E-cigarette users show cancer-linked genetic changes
E-cigarettes may not be risk-free: A USC study shows users develop some of the same molecular changes as cigarette smokers.
USC State of the University: ‘I really believe this is a defining moment’
In the president’s annual address, Wanda M. Austin praises staff and faculty accomplishments and calls for USC to cultivate a community that works together.
New course on thriving at USC and beyond earns rave reviews
In a low-stress class geared toward incoming freshmen, students develop skills to lead balanced and fulfilling lives.
USC partners with nonprofit to sponsor African-American youth art project
Four commemorative posters reflect the theme of social justice and change.
Surprises from the past: What 5 paintings reveal about how our view of love has changed
The modern Valentine card was born in Victorian England in a time when weight put on marriages based on love and companionship as opposed to convenience, strategic alliances or money.
How undersea gases once helped superheat our planet
Undersea carbon reservoirs have caused global warming before — and it could happen again, according to research by an international team of scientists led by USC.
Valentine’s Day in the digital age: Yes, just about everything has changed
USC experts agree: Online dating and shopping have many of us wondering if a day dedicated to romantic love might be passé.
Vivian Mo named chief medical officer of USC Care Medical Group
An associate professor of medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, Mo will provide oversight to the medical group’s quality and patient safety agenda and work to improve the patient experience.
Meet the lawyer-turned-professor behind USC Gould’s Small Business Clinic
Michael Chasalow’s innovative program turns law school upside down, taking real-world experiences and making them an academic exercise. Students love it — and so do the clients.
Home lending discrimination report wins USC Annenberg’s Selden Ring Award
The Center for Investigative Reporting’s Reveal wins the prize, which recognizes the best in investigative journalism.
Leave No Trace and A Very English Scandal win USC Libraries’ Scripter Awards
The award, in its 31st year, recognizes the year’s best adaptation for the screen and honors the original author as well as the screenwriter.
USC Thornton alumni take home Grammy Awards
Trojan honors at Sunday’s ceremony include Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
Researcher’s goal: Detect cerebral palsy in infants earlier than ever before
USC’s Barbara Sargent is studying whether a particular type of movement can be used to diagnose cerebral palsy in early infancy — work that could have a huge impact on how the babies learn to walk.
USC Price School of Public Policy kicks off 90th anniversary festivities
The City Hall event marks the Feb. 28, 1929, establishment of the school — the second public affairs school in the nation and first in the West.
Veterans initiative helps the heroes — and their families
A new USC Marshall certificate program, With Your Shield, provides veterans and their spouses special access to civilian business networks and educational opportunities.
Scientists’ discovery could mean less-expensive smartphones, TVs
Iridium has been generating light and color for screens on smartphones and TVs, but it’s the rarest metal on Earth. USC scientists found a way to make copper work.
USC interim President Wanda M. Austin honored at L.A. City Hall event
The university leader is presented the Hall of Fame Award at the city’s African American Heritage Month Celebration.
USC senior creates elementary school dance outreach program
Jackie Schiffner is helping 40 kids at an Orange County school learn a variety of dance styles.
Study sheds light on continued challenges facing women in music industry
The USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative report finds a shortage of women in all levels, from performers to producers and songwriters.