Beth Newcomb
Stories by Beth Newcomb:
As COVID-19 spreads, end-of-life planning is more important than ever
The seriousness of the coronavirus pandemic should encourage conversations about care preferences and end-of-life wishes, says an associate professor at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.
Bridging generational divides can help people of all ages fight COVID-19
COVID-19 media coverage has largely pitted younger people against those whose age makes them more vulnerable to the virus. But USC gerontologists say intergenerational programs that efforts to bring seniors and young people together in everyday life could build more understanding.
Nutrition or pathogen? Balancing healthy metabolism and stress resistance
A study led by the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology indicates that the negative long-term effects of fighting off infections could be mitigated by tweaking how a specific gene directs cells to respond to stressors.
For these student researchers, time off from school means more time in the lab
The USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology hosted a diverse group of students interested in unlocking the science behind aging.
Tiny region of the brainstem has big effects on brain aging
USC Leonard Davis Professor Mara Mather, co-author of a new study on the locus coeruleus, explains its role in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline.
Empowering health care professionals and the public to spot elder abuse
Laura Mosqueda, dean of the Keck School of Medicine of USC, wants to reshape how physicians and the general public talk and think about elder abuse.
Fighting ageism at USC: How to create a more age-friendly campus
Think beyond the stereotypes to help Trojans of all ages feel welcome in classrooms and on campus, say USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology experts.
How health care policy can affect patient well-being
Economist and USC Leonard Davis faculty member Mireille Jacobson finds fascination and frustration in the health care market.
USC joins the Age-Friendly University Global Network
It is the first university in California to endorse the 10 principles of the international Age-Friendly University Initiative, which highlights how higher education can respond to the challenges and opportunities of an aging population.
Why people become more prone to distraction with age
A specific network in the brain may be to blame, according to a USC-led study on stress.
$10 million grant supports research on disease prevention, fasting and aging
USC Professor Valter Longo, an expert on dietary restriction and regeneration, leads team of USC and Harvard researchers looking to slow aging and prevent disease.
Older Americans are experiencing ‘delayed aging’ — and better health
USC and Yale study reveals some good news, especially for men.
How your brain records the memory of a stressful experience
A study of a tiny region of the brainstem reveals the processes that determine which memories are preserved during highly emotional circumstances.
Service to minorities shapes the health and aging research of a first-generation Trojan
PhD candidate Catherine Pérez researches health disparities while studying at USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.
Hormone replacement therapy may protect memory, USC-led study finds
The findings suggest that estrogen treatment after menopause protects the memory needed for short-term cognitive tasks.
Older island-dwelling Puerto Ricans in better health than older adults in the U.S.
Findings from a USC gerontology study show that Puerto Ricans were less likely to report limitations in their activities.
Understanding what shortens the American lifespan
Demographer and sociologist Jessica Ho’s research finds that more Americans die before age 50 than in other countries.
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.
The possible long-term complications of traumatic brain injury
USC researcher uses sophisticated techniques to understand the effects of such injuries among older adults.
Studying the social factors that influence health outcomes
Reginald Tucker-Seeley looks beyond simple income measures to find out how a person’s finance-related feelings and behaviors affect disparities in physical and mental health.
How to stay sane: Give emotional support to friends and family, but let them help you, too
An imbalance in social support — whether someone provides more than they receive or vice versa — is associated with worse psychological health, according to a USC study.
Fasting during chemotherapy may offset some side effects of cancer-fighting drugs
A short-term diet change may counteract increases in blood sugar and possibly protect healthy cells.
Fasting-mimicking diet may reverse diabetes
Periodic cycles of fasting reprogram pancreatic cells and restore insulin production, USC researchers find.
In memoriam: Alfonso Gonzales, 96
The oldest graduate in USC history and World War II veteran officially completed his zoology degree in May.