Mapping a life’s worth of changes in a mysterious brain structure
A five-year, $1.4 million study led by USC researchers will investigate the role of perivascular spaces in brain function across the human lifespan.
Beyond changing DNA, mutagens also cause errors in gene transcription
The USC research discovery opens new avenues of research for diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Stem cells may correct deformity and restore brain function after childhood disorder
USC scientists have regenerated parts of the skull affected by a common birth defect called craniosynostosis.
‘Junk DNA’ plays a key role in regulating our circadian clocks
USC research on the impact of microRNAs on circadian rhythms could reveal novel ways to treat or prevent specific diseases.
Largest, most diverse prostate cancer study in history shows genetic role in health disparities
The research — co-led by the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center — identified 86 new genetic variations that increase the risk of prostate cancer.
To better understand aging, look at both biological and social factors
Incorporating socioeconomic status and childhood adversity alongside biological mechanisms is critical for improving aging research, a USC study finds.
How USC researchers advanced science in 2020 — even during a pandemic
Learn more about this year’s accomplishments in the lab and the field — including discoveries about Alzheimer’s disease, earthquakes and COVID-19.
Men over 50 have same success with vasectomy reversal as younger men
Older men who undergo the surgery achieve roughly the same rate of pregnancy with their partners as those under the age of 50, a USC study reveals.
Metal found in cigarettes linked to higher death rates in people with flu or pneumonia
Cadmium — which can be found in food as well — could also contribute to poorer outcomes for people with COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, a USC study finds.
Even before the pandemic, struggling L.A. renters cut back on food, clothes and transportation
Researchers with the USC Sol Price Center for Social Innovation say that rent-burdened households’ spending cutbacks have become semi-permanent changes, impacting their quality of life.
Young adults who identify as Republicans more often ignore COVID-19 safety precautions
From infrequently social distancing to visiting more indoor venues, a new USC study finds that young Republicans are more likely than their peers to disregard public health recommendations.
How sucrose, the ‘real’ sugar commonly found in sodas, can disrupt your appetite
Sugar-sweetened drinks interfere with the hunger-suppressing hormones that signal a sense of feeling full, a new USC study finds.
What history tells us about the long-term effects of a pandemic
USC research showed that people born during or just after the 1918 flu pandemic faced increased heart disease risk more than 60 years later. The legacy of COVID-19 could be worse.
High-stress emergencies have a long-lasting impact on ER doctors — longer than expected
As COVID-19 surges and patients pile into emergency rooms, researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC emphasize that even the quickest medical emergencies can have serious aftereffects.
Social work research expands on behavioral health effects of COVID-19
Professors at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work are investigating how the pandemic is affecting our mental well-being and working to develop strategies for recovery.
5 Ways USC and UCLA Researchers Joined Forces for Your Health
In labs and clinics across Los Angeles, Trojan and Bruin researchers partner to help Americans live longer and better.
Studying tiny worms could unlock new insights into human life
Two USC studies on diet and sperm quality in C. elegans illustrate how changes in the worm species could lay the groundwork for further research on human lifespan and reproduction.
Does air pollution increase women’s risk of dementia?
High levels of fine particle pollution are associated with brain shrinkage patterns common in Alzheimer’s disease, a USC study finds.
Measuring the response to COVID-19 in diverse communities
Cross-campus research will examine why certain communities encourage behaviors like mask-wearing and social distancing more than others.
Most Medicare beneficiaries don’t receive cognitive screenings at annual wellness visits
Despite the importance of detecting cognitive impairment as early as possible, only a quarter of the respondents to a USC survey reported receiving a yearly structured assessment.
Predicting the long-term effects of prenatal COVID-19 exposure
Infants born to mothers infected by the virus that causes COVID-19 could suffer from developmental difficulties and accelerated aging down the line, USC research finds.
National plan needed to address COVID-19’s impact on mental health, USC review finds
USC researchers catalog physical and mental issues that have been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.
How social factors impact our genes — and our health
A $2.9 million grant to Eileen Crimmins of the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology supports multination research on how life circumstances influence gene expression and affect health.
As the pandemic progressed, younger and older adults resumed risky behaviors
A USC study also found that being female, Black, Hispanic or Asian and trusting CNN more than Fox News were all linked with practicing more preventive behaviors.