Leigh Hopper
Leigh Hopper is a media relations specialist with USC University Communications. She previously worked in communications for UCLA, in state government at the Texas Medical Board and as a medical reporter at the Houston Chronicle.
Stories by Leigh Hopper:
Coronavirus infections more widespread than expected in L.A. County
A newly published, USC-led study has confirmed that, though many more L.A. County residents had COVID-19 antibodies than previously thought, most people have not been infected.
Alzheimer’s gene triggers early breakdowns in blood-brain barrier, predicting cognitive decline
Although scientists have long known APOE4 is a leading risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, they were unsure how exactly it drives a decline in memory. USC researchers now believe they have an answer.
Early antibody testing suggests COVID-19 infections in L.A. County greatly exceed documented cases
USC and L.A. County Department of Public Health officials have released the preliminary results of their antibody tests, which show a surprising number of residents have been infected with the coronavirus.
If you have questions about USC COVID-19 antibody testing in L.A. County, he has answers
Neeraj Sood of the USC Price School describes his partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and explains what the tests can teach us about the novel coronavirus.
USC-L.A. County antibody testing may reveal when it’s safe to go back to work
Researchers are testing the blood of 1,000 randomly selected individuals for a study that could help determine a path to post-pandemic life.
Using certain e-cigarette devices can lead to smoking more cigarettes
A USC study finds that teens who vape — especially those who use modifiable e-cigarette devices — end up smoking far more cigarettes than those who don’t.
Do pregnant women face special risks from COVID-19?
Pregnant women and new mothers want to know how the coronavirus will affect their newborns. From breastfeeding safety to viral transmission in the womb, Keck Medicine of USC maternal-fetal medicine specialist Marc Incerpi, answers burning questions about pregnancy during the pandemic.
Repurposed antidepressant could be a new treatment for recurrent prostate cancer
A USC pilot study — the first clinical trial of this drug in cancer patients — reported lower prostate-specific antigen levels in more than half of the participants.
Secondhand smoke may be abetting rise of chronic liver disease in children and adults
Smoke exposure can alter how the liver processes fats, according to lab research, ultimately contributing to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Alzheimer’s study aims to see if drug can block brain plaques linked to disease
Keck School of Medicine of USC is launching a large clinical trial that targets amyloid plaques in the brain. The goal: to see whether a drug can clear or slow this plaque in people who have early Alzheimer’s or who appear clinically normal.
‘Dabbing’ teens more likely to keep using cannabis and increase its use
USC-led study finds that, although the total number of high schoolers who were dabbing was low, those adolescents had nearly six times the likelihood of continuing to use concentrates.
USC 2019 | Research that makes a difference in health, the environment and more
✌ Year in review: USC scientists are serious about changing the world. Take a look at some of this year’s discoveries that are already positively affecting people’s lives.
Social media bots often tweet fake health claims about cannabis, USC study reveals
Researchers analyzed tens of thousands of tweets and found that social bots frequently shared false information about cannabis’s medicinal benefits.
NIH funding for USC Alzheimer’s research grew by more than 400% in 4 years
Funding from the National Institutes of Health — the world’s largest public funder of biomedical research — was $68 million last year, a substantial increase from $13 million in 2015.
Averting Alzheimer’s through exercise, clean air and an active social calendar
November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, and USC scientists are researching healthy lifestyle choices and certain drugs that might reduce the risk of developing the disease.
USC study connects air pollution, memory problems and Alzheimer’s-like brain changes
Women in their 70s and 80s who were exposed to fine particle pollution had declines in memory and physical brain changes that were not seen in women who breathed cleaner air.
Teen vapers choose mint as their favorite e-cigarette flavor
Findings in a new USC study could impact pending legislation intended to reduce the growth of e-cigarette usage among teens.
Alzheimer’s disease impacts women in higher numbers and different ways
As Alzheimer’s Awareness Month begins, USC researchers examine how the disease affects men and women, including theories on estrogen depletion and higher life expectancy.
USC study implicates flavored e-cigs in teen vaping epidemic
Researchers found that 64% of teens using flavored e-cigs were still vaping six months later, compared to 43% who used more traditional flavors.
Research reveals why breast cancer spreads to the brain
USC researchers have determined how cancer cells target certain organs, which could help develop treatments to slow or stop the disease from spreading.
Breakthrough in testosterone-producing cells could lead to treatment for ‘low T’
Low testosterone can affect men’s mood, sex life and health. USC scientists say they’ve hit upon a potential new solution.
E-cig use jumps 46% among young adults in one year
New research co-led by USC scientists suggests hundreds of thousands of young adults took up vaping between 2017 and 2018.
USC researchers receive $12.5 million grant to build out unique facial database
The project seeks new research data for FaceBase, a freely available collection of DNA samples, data and images related to abnormalities of the head and facial bones.
Can the circadian clock in cancer cells help defeat a deadly brain cancer?
USC scientists and colleagues have discovered a novel potential target for treating glioblastoma, the deadly cancer that took the life of Sen. John McCain and kills 15,000 Americans a year.