What can voters expect from the 2020 debates?
USC experts share what they’ll be watching for when Trump, Biden, Pence and Harris hit the podium in late September and beyond.
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Food insecurity expands beyond low-income Angelenos during the pandemic
Research from USC Dornsife’s Public Exchange reveals that food insecurity peaked in April and remains significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels.
USC students offer tips for succeeding in virtual internships
Even if you’re interning remotely, classic work strategies like self-discipline and time management will still pay off.
Los Angeles Times
No place to study, hunger and inadequate computers hurt Eastside and South L.A. kids
About three-quarters of families surveyed by researchers from USC and the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools had experienced a pandemic-related loss of income and food insecurity. Yet 1 in 3 families made investments to support online learning, including paying for internet access. “This isn’t a trivial amount of money for our families,” USC Rossier’s Stephen Aguilar says.
CNN
Wildfire-weary Californians consider uprooting their lives
Movement in the U.S. has traditionally been based on economic opportunities. USC Viterbi’s Bistra Dilkina, who has modeled migration patterns from sea-level rise, thinks that’s going to change as the intensity of climate-driven disasters increases.
NBC News
L.A. nurse treats the virus ‘that knows no boundaries’
“We’ve seen so many lives lost, so many families hurting,” says Monica Escobar, an ICU nurse at Los Angeles County+USC Medical Center. “But not coming to work is not an option for me.”
Popular Science
The best thing for back pain is actually more movement
The traditional advice — to rest and not stress your back — actually runs counter to what we now understand to be the best course of action, says Eric Robertson of the USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy.
The Washington Post
Uncertainty fuels anxiety — and the pandemic can magnify the angst
Some people view uncertainty as a threat or a loss, while others seem more inclined to view it as a challenge, says USC Dornsife’s Beth Meyerowitz says. But the aspects of the pandemic that can be met as challenges may also provide opportunities for personal growth, she says. (The Washington Post)
Los Angeles Times
As wildfires foul L.A.-area air, is it safe to exercise outside?
If you can see and smell smoke outdoors, “it’s probably not a good idea to be exercising outside,” says Ed Avol of the Keck School of Medicine of USC. That’s because exerting yourself outside when the air quality is poor has potential short- and long-term risks.
USA Today
School at home: How to keep attending virtual classes from being a real pain in the neck
Ergonomic issues with home workstations can cause a variety of ailments — with low back pain and neck pain among the most common, says Jared Vagy of the USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy.
KCRW-FM
How L.A. heat waves disproportionately impact low-income and minority residents
Some 30% of Southern California residents don’t have air conditioning. USC Viterbi’s Kelly Sanders notes that many of them live in “urban heat islands” — areas with fewer parks and greenery to absorb the heat caused by the urban environment.
Capital Public Radio
As California wildfire seasons worsen, what’s the long-term impact on children’s health?
“Children growing up in more polluted areas have slower growing lungs and don’t attain the kind of lung health that other children grow to,” says Edward Avol of the Keck School of Medicine of USC. “And we have no proof that those children catch up.”
Los Angeles Times
Does L.A. count its homeless, or make its best guess?
A little of both, it turns out — and that’s OK, says Patricia St. Clair of the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics. “There is error in every number and it’s really a range,” she says. “For policy decisions I think you want the best numbers you can get, so that’s why we try to make them more precise.”
KTTV-TV
How to deal with evictions during a pandemic
A perfect storm means a deluge of evictions may be on the horizon. The situation in L.A. is particularly dire because so many people here are renters, and because rents take such a large amount of people’s income, says Gary Painter of the USC Price School of Public Policy.
USA Today
TikTok and privacy: What’s the problem?
USC Annenberg’s Karen North told her two teenage kids they could have any app on their phones, with one exception: the widely popular TikTok. Her reason: “Their data is being mined, and the company doesn’t have to adhere to our privacy laws.”
COVID-19 proves to be a test of faith for believers, churches and communities
While in-person worship remains risky, some congregations are reimagining their communities online. USC experts address the intersections of religion, a pandemic and a historic social movement.
From deepfakes to fake news, an array of influences aim to shape voter decisions
As the U.S. prepares for a hugely consequential election, numerous forces are lining up to potentially manipulate voters. USC experts discuss the barrage of influences on today’s voting public.
USC’s Galen Center to serve as voting location
The arena — home to the Trojan men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball teams — will serve as a voting site from Oct. 30 through Election Day on Nov. 3.
Amy Diamond named USC chief investment officer
Diamond will play a critical role in ensuring the stability and growth of the USC endowment.
Workers and companies face new legal and financial threats as pandemic continues
Staying in business and staying financially solvent are part of surviving a pandemic. USC experts talk about stresses and uncertainties for employees, their employers and the unemployed.
USC coronavirus research expands to encompass full range of COVID-19 impacts
From locating drive-thru testing sites to conducting antibody testing in disadvantaged households, USC researchers seek solutions to the biggest problems caused by COVID-19.
Middle-aged Americans report more pain than the elderly
A new USC/Princeton study has found that today’s less-educated Americans experience higher levels of pain than did previous generations.
Telemedicine platform teaches parents how to play with their preterm babies
Premature babies get lots of attention in the neonatal ICU. USC’s Stacey Dusing, a pediatric physical therapist, is conducting research on the best ways to help them thrive at home — starting with play.
St. Agnes Catholic Church, with USC help, distributes hope to residents of South L.A.
When the coronavirus hit, neighbors’ need for food donations grew dramatically. So has St. Agnes’ distribution program, which now helps hundreds of families each week.
Alums’ 3D imaging software could help scientists beat COVID-19 from home
USC grads Kyle McClary and John Paul Francis are bringing imaging technology out of the lab and onto researchers’ laptops and cellphones.
Good nutrition can contribute to keeping COVID-19 and other diseases away
Eating right supports immunity and prevents type 2 diabetes and obesity. Avoiding these conditions can reduce COVID-19 complications.
Effects of West Coast wildfires go beyond evacuations and air quality
USC experts explain why the worst wildfires in California’s history are just a preview of climate change’s eventual impact on our everyday lives.
Beyond binary: USC dance student Zackery Torres finds their voice
For several years, Torres has been documenting instances of non-inclusive terminology still used in the dance world. Now, the USC Kaufman senior has turned those observations into a gender-inclusive guidebook.
Celebrate Constitution Day 2020 with USC
Congress designates Sept. 17 as a day to recognize the value and history of the guiding document.
$1 million gift from USC Gould alum provides scholarship support
David Howard and his wife, Susan, have established a new scholarship primarily for students who self-identify as the first in their family to graduate from college and pursue an advanced degree.
USC poll: Biden leads on everything but jobs and the economy
The latest USC Dornsife Daybreak Poll reveals 59% of registered voters have an unfavorable opinion of Donald Trump, compared to a 50% favorable rating for Joe Biden.
Students explore how the pandemic is disrupting social and cultural rituals
A course on communication and technology at USC Annenberg examined COVID-19-related changes to our daily practices, environments and relationships.
Fall 2020 update: Flu shots required by Nov. 1 for those in university-owned housing or in-person classes
Students living in off-campus residences and taking classes remotely are also strongly encouraged to get a flu vaccine.
Student develops AI tools to tackle hate speech and hate crimes
As AI makes its way into more areas of our lives, rooting out implicit bias is more crucial than ever, says computer science student Aida Mostafazadeh Davani.
USC’s first fully online sustainable hackathon tackles pollution and recycling
USC Viterbi’s fourth annual Sustain-A-Thon — featuring an appearance by President Carol L. Folt — saw a record-setting number of students propose solutions to improve our planet.
As fires rage, climate change is back on the election agenda
Will this be the year when American voters make their choice based on climate policy? USC experts examine how extreme weather and wildfires may influence the 2020 election.
Can sunlight convert carbon emissions into useful materials?
USC chemical engineers are developing an environmentally friendly way to upcycle carbon dioxide emissions into polymers, pharmaceuticals and other materials.
USC Annenberg faculty, students and alumni are giving voice to those facing trauma and injustice
Trojan communication pros are using an expanding repertoire of tools and media platforms to bear witness to those experiences and push for positive change.
To prevent cancer, USC researchers look beyond traditional risk factors
Big data studies in diverse populations will offer new insights into cancer risk and help USC investigators target outreach, screening and prevention efforts.