Innovators across USC make news every day for their discoveries and their commitment to transform health. Get an inside look at their latest work below.
Direct-to-patient educational material helps older adults reduce use of drugs like Valium, Xanax
Study finds that patients who received brochures about risks, alternatives and tapering recommendations were more likely to successfully quit taking benzodiazepine medications.
Laws requiring doctors to report a dementia diagnosis to the DMV may backfire
USC researchers investigate whether state reporting mandates are associated with clinicians’ likelihood of underdiagnosing dementia.
USC researchers find genetic variant contributing to disparities in childhood leukemia risk
The variant helps explain why Latino children face a higher risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and offers insights about what causes the disease.
Sweeping review reveals latest evidence on diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of ADHD
A comprehensive literature review from USC researchers will inform updated clinical practice guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
People with rare longevity mutation may also be protected from cardiovascular disease
Patients with growth hormone receptor deficiency, or Laron syndrome, appear to have lower than average risk factors for cardiovascular disease, according to a new study.
Keck Medicine of USC opens transplant care clinic in Las Vegas
The clinic is the first in Nevada to offer in-state heart transplant services.
Few hospitals are promoting potentially predatory medical payment products
A recent USC study finds concerns about hospitals offering medical payment products may be overblown.
Residency classmates-turned-USC faculty achieve simultaneous funding success
The National Institutes of Health gave ophthalmologists Sun Young Lee and Benjamin Xu reason to celebrate.
2 USC faculty members named 2024 Guggenheim Fellows
Mathematician Paul Newton will use the prestigious fellowship to investigate cancer models; composer Nicolás Lell Benavides will complete several musical works.
Take it from the rats: A junk food diet can cause long-term damage to adolescent brains
Rats fed a diet full of fat and sugar in adolescence suffered memory impairment, USC researchers found. The study reinforces the important link between the gut and the brain.
USC-led study leverages artificial intelligence to predict risk of bedsores in hospitalized patients
The study presents a new model for predicting patients most at risk of bedsores in hospitals.
Using art for medical healing
A vibrant collection of USC programs infuses arts activities into health care to soften the hospital setting, support patients’ recovery and lift their spirits.
Meet some of the doctors healing USC’s athletes
How the orthopedic specialists at Keck Medicine of USC and USC Student Health keep the Trojans moving.
Study examines if ‘inoperable’ pancreatic tumors can be safely removed
Clinical trial will examine if chemotherapy followed by a novel surgical procedure developed by USC surgeons can improve patient outcomes.
Aging well: Marilou and Mark Hamill share their thoughts
Married since 1978 and the parents of three grown children, the longtime USC supporters have always made family their first priority.
USC surgeon-scientist receives $2.7M grant for liver research
“We really need new strategies to be able to provide a timely transplant for our patients,” Linda Sher says.
Study explores the future of at-home cancer treatment
A first-of-its-kind clinical trial from Keck Medicine of USC will investigate if immunotherapy administered at home can achieve the same outcomes as in-clinic therapy.
Mutation in mitochondrial DNA appears to help Alzheimer’s gene carriers live longer, stay sharper
The discovery by USC researchers represents a new direction in drug development.
How online echo chambers make eating disorders worse
USC researchers found that social platforms create a feedback loop of eating disorder content, trapping vulnerable individuals within pro-anorexia echo chambers.
Advanced oculofacial plastic surgery course expands to invite surgeons, fellows and more from around the world
Surgeons and trainees gather at USC for one of the most popular and unique oculoplastic plastic surgery courses offered in the U.S.
Is social media scrambling our sanity?
USC scholars explain why social media is so all-consuming — and how we can help break the habit.
USC student Deena Fetahi uses her training to save infant’s life during baby and mother fitness class
“The moment Deena arrived to help I felt reassured everything was going to be OK,” says Blake Robbie, the baby’s mom.
More than 11% of U.S. 12th graders used new hemp-based THC products last year
USC researchers conducted one of the first nationally representative studies of adolescent use of the psychoactive products, which have intoxicating effects that resemble marijuana.
Shifting paradigms, saving lives
Economist Neeraj Sood isn’t afraid to buck conventional wisdom when it poses a barrier to public health. His groundbreaking research on childhood illness in India is just the tip of the iceberg.
Large-scale study explores link between smoking and DNA changes across 6 racial, ethnic groups
USC scientists conducted one of the largest-ever multiethnic studies of smoking and epigenetics. It could lead to better ways of predicting risk of smoking-related disease.
Diet linked to preeclampsia among low-income Hispanic women during pregnancy
A new USC study suggests that interventions in diet during pregnancy could help address this health disparity faced by Latinas.
11 USC researchers named National Academy of Inventors senior members
The honor recognizes innovation that has a real impact on the welfare of society.
First NEMO Prizes fund research partnerships at the intersection of health and engineering
Awards were given to two USC research teams to fund collaborations between engineering and one or more of the university’s five health sciences schools.
Could AI help us prepare for the next pandemic?
Elizabeth Ondula, a USC doctoral student in computer science, examines how policymakers and administrators can leverage AI to prepare for an infectious disease outbreak.
Shri Narayanan named USC vice president for presidential initiatives
With expertise bridging a wide range of disciplines from computer science to linguistics and medicine, Narayanan will focus on bringing together presidential “moonshots” and expanding their reach.
Fasting-like diet lowers risk factors for disease, reduces biological age in humans
A USC study shows how cycles of a fasting-mimicking diet reduce insulin resistance, liver fat, immune system aging and biological age in clinical trial patients.
This common medication could save half a million children’s lives each year. So why is it underprescribed?
A new study by researchers at USC explains why kids aren’t getting a cheap, effective treatment for diarrhea.
A common medication could save half a million children each year. So why is it underprescribed?
A new study by USC researchers explains why kids aren’t getting a cheap, effective treatment for diarrhea.
Did the ancient Greeks and Romans experience Alzheimer’s?
Medical texts from 2,500 years ago rarely mention severe memory loss, suggesting today’s widespread dementia stems from modern environments and lifestyles, a new USC analysis shows.
How hyperpartisan bullying threatens democracy
USC experts explain why polarization erodes civility in public discourse, turning private citizens and elected officials into targets.
Supporting the future of aging research
A new, NIH-funded program at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology lets undergraduates take part in aging research.
USC research spending surpasses $1 billion for the first time, federal report shows
The spending included significant investments in USC President Carol Folt’s “moonshots” in computing, health and sustainability.
SCOTUS Preview: Key cases to watch and USC experts to connect with this term
USC experts are available to discuss key issues on the Supreme Court's docket.
Genetic mutation protects against Parkinson’s disease offers hope for new therapies
Newly discovered variant is a mitochondrial microprotein that could be key to developing future pharmaceutical interventions
Newly discovered genetic mutation protects against Parkinson’s Disease, offers hope for new therapies
The beneficial variant could be key to developing future pharmaceutical interventions.
23 for ’23: The year’s top stories
This year has been one of groundbreaking accomplishments, ambitious launches and moving moments for the Trojan Family. Check out all 23 of our favorite stories of 2023.
Why some California hospitals are still struggling after COVID-19
A study from USC Price’s Glenn Melnick found that California’s hospitals still face a challenging financial outlook in the wake of the pandemic.
Alzheimer’s diagnosis signals risk of shortened lifespan in patient’s siblings
USC and Swedish researchers find shorter lifespans among Alzheimer’s patients’ siblings, even those without the disease.
Elder abuse can be prevented, USC-led study shows
A new caregiver intervention program is found to lower rates of abuse.
She found her calling in hunting down Alzheimer’s
USC’s Meredith Braskie turned her knack for numbers into a mission to demystify dementia.
How old is too old to be president?
The candidates’ ages are a concern for many ahead of the 2024 elections, but significant life experience has its advantages, USC experts say.
Fixing palliative care’s image problem could boost its use
Often confused with hospice, palliative care has a champion in USC gerontologist Susan Enguídanos, who has dedicated herself to expanding access to this beneficial resource.
Lower-middle-class Americans near retirement are worse off than 20 years ago
Study finds 'forgotten middle' Americans face poorer health, worse economic outcomes and lower homeownership rates, along with increased disability in old age.
Liquid biopsies provide breakthrough in diagnosing retinoblastoma
The aggressive eye cancer, which affects babies and young children and can lead to loss of vision, had baffled oncologists. Now they can get a very specific map of each child’s disease from
Entrepreneur turns to USC online health administration program to help launch startup
Ryan Nazar started Practical Healthcare to improve patient satisfaction, especially when it came to difficult disease and injury diagnoses.
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Joel Smith
Senior Associate Vice President
USC Health Sciences Advancement