Nina Raffio
Nina Raffio is a media relations specialist with USC University Communications.
Stories by Nina Raffio:

Unlocking the ocean’s secret: Natural carbon capture
Ocean-inspired methods for carbon capture hold promise for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing sustainability efforts. Experts from USC and Caltech join us for a Q&A from the docks at the Port of Los Angeles.

Countdown to G7: Economic uncertainty, war, climate change raise tensions ahead of summit
USC experts examine the issues on the table, including disruptions in agricultural growth, food insecurity, energy, trade, the U.S.-China clash over technology and the Russian war on Ukraine.

AI helps place drones in remote areas for faster emergency response
USC researchers harness the ability of AI-powered decision-making as part of a broader effort to use scarce data more effectively.

Colorado River water plan could trigger unprecedented supply cuts, ripple effects on key industries
The American Southwest braces for economic impact as pressure mounts in negotiations over the river’s dwindling water supplies.

EPA looks to accelerate the EV transition, but California sets the pace
USC experts flag hazards ahead of state and federal emissions caps and a surge in the number of electric vehicles on the road.

Too big to fail, too small to regulate: Silicon Valley Bank — and others
USC experts discuss the systemic issues plaguing the U.S. banking system and the regulatory gaps exposed by the financial collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and other institutions.

Without water, Native American tribes hit hard by the pandemic
Research into the pandemic experiences of the Navajo Nation and the Klamath Tribes underscores the need for the U.S. to honor tribal water rights legally recognized — but never delivered on — for over a century.

Physical spaces where kids live, play and learn have big impact on obesity, eating behaviors
A USC study identifies the strongest environmental predictor of childhood and adolescent obesity.

For clues to healthy brain aging, look to the Bolivian Amazon
USC research finds that the daily lives of people in the Indigenous Tsimané and Mosetén communities resemble those of pre-industrial societies and may provide clues for preventing heart disease and cognitive decline.

USC research identifies existential threats to the iconic Nile River Delta
Poor environmental and water management have turned the delta into one of the largest polluted areas on the planet. Millions of people and migrating birds are at risk of exposure to waterborne contaminants.

The water wars of the future are here today
Seven thirsty states including California are fighting over the dwindling waters of the Colorado River. USC experts look at how we got here — and why this was inevitable.

Researchers find music education benefits youth wellbeing
Results highlight areas for state legislators and school leaders to consider as they expand music education programs across California.

How old is your brain, really? Artificial intelligence knows
AI-powered analysis developed at USC accurately reflects risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease based on brain age.

What makes a movement go viral? Social media, social justice coalesce under #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd
A USC study is among the first to measure the link between social media posts and participation in the #BlackLivesMatter protests after the 2020 death of George Floyd.

Crypto’s reckoning: Bankruptcies, congressional inquiry this week come in wake of FTX’s collapse
USC experts forecast the future of cryptocurrency ahead of congressional hearings on FTX debacle.

Prices take flight ahead of Thanksgiving, Black Friday
Consumers may need to consider more cost-effective alternatives as compounding economic crises make it more expensive to enjoy holiday traditions we know and love. USC experts explain.

COP27 summit: Eyes on Russia-Ukraine as global energy, food insecurity threaten U.N. climate ambitions
USC experts weigh in on the impacts of the protracted conflict on climate change as world leaders convene for the annual climate summit — an event being held against the backdrop of Russian supply chain manipulation.

USC poll highlights the economy, homelessness and violence against election workers as top voter issues
A recent USC Price poll shows that Golden State voters agree on many issues, such as concerns about inflation and homelessness, but that they are significantly divided on questions about free speech and environmental regulation.

Nearly 3 years since start of pandemic, USC Dornsife report shows how life in L.A. is changing
Overall life satisfaction continues to decline and racial discrimination against Asian and Black Angelenos remains high, but fewer people are planning to leave the county, according to a new LABarometer livability and affordability survey.

What older adults do while they sit affects dementia risk, study indicates
Researchers at USC explored the link between sedentary behavior and risk of dementia, find that type of activity matters when it comes to brain aging.