Although majority of classes were on break for the summer, research and innovation at the university continued to flourish. From research studying how to change our inability to recover hearing ability to research showing underrepresented minority groups in Alzheimer’s neuroimaging research, innovation was thriving in the month of August. Because of this, USC continues to maintain its reputation as one of the nation’s top universities.
Below is a compilation of the USC news and research that has been released in July:
- Study shows all U.S. racial and ethnic minority groups are underrepresented in Alzheimer’s neuroimaging research: In a comprehensive review of U.S.-based Alzheimer’s disease brain imaging studies, USC researchers found minority groups are underrepresented, but that the gap is narrowing.
- Controversy brings opportunity: USC experts navigate tough questions about AI: New center and initiative position the university as a leading institution on artificial intelligence policy discussions, best practices and ethical decision-making.
- What are Hollywood actors and writers afraid of?: USC Cinema scholar Holly Willis does a deep dive into how AI is significantly changing the movie and TV business.
- An ethical approach to power, water conservation that protects the poor: USC engineer Bhaskar Krishnamachari and economist Matthew Kahn have a sustainability plan that targets the biggest users.
- Blockchain expert Jimmy Nguyen uses USC law degree as springboard to business possibilities: Nguyen founded Blockchain for All to encourage the adoption of blockchain around the world.
- The reason behind what causes mudslides and floods after wildfires may not be what scientists thought: Researchers have found that burnt ground can absorb water, a discovery that can help them more accurately predict flooding and mudslides after a fire.
- New laser-array processor could vastly improve AI computing efficiency: A team of USC and MIT researchers conducted a study to show a 100x improvement over previous technology.
- Researchers unlock mystery of cartilage regeneration in lizards: Scientists from the Keck School of Medicine of USC identify key cells involved in lizards’ regeneration, a discovery that could offer insights into novel approaches to treating osteo arthritis.
- Social Media’s addictive loop makes you mindlessly share things: USC Dornsife study reveals frequent and infrequent users of social media respond differently to social rewards.
- People can’t recover the ability to hear – or maybe they can: USC Stem Cell scientists explain why sensory hearing cells of the inner ear don’t regenerate, and how we might be able to change that.
- Computer science student makes strides in Queer in AI movement: As a member of the award-winning international group, Trojan Nathan Dennler is empowering LGBTQ+ voices in AI research.
- Study shows how changes in lipid metabolism affect how cells respond to stress: Research identifies a gene vital for balancing lipids and proteins within cells that may play a role in neurodegenerative disorders.
- USC researchers believe that AI is capable of teaching other AI: USC Viterbi experts say that computers can learn a lot by sharing and exchanging information with other computers, just like how people do.
- USC-supported startup receives major grant for a clinical trial of a promising eye treatment: USC researcher Mark Humayun receives an estimated $12.4 million award from California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, which will go towards a stem cell patch that’s under development to treat advanced dry age-related macular degeneration.
- USC Dornsife receives gift to expand the understanding and clinical management of migraine and other debilitating neurological pain: Trojan Alumni and wife, Arnold and Roberta Mahler, aspire to break down silos, accelerate treatment progress and bring hope to patients and families.
- Older adults with mild cognitive impairment may struggle with everyday decision-making: Researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of USC found that the condition, which can be a precursor to dementia, was linked to worse decision-making abilities.
- What can Native American knowledge, and now AI, teach us about fire?: With the demand for prescribed fire increasing across California, experts explore traditional and modern methods for building wildfire resilience in a burning world.
- Latest solar venture powers USC toward a greener future: With USC accelerating its transition to renewable energy, the university is edging closer to its ambitious sustainability goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2025.
All of the above stories can be found on the USC News website, which also showcases stories and research done in the fields of arts, business, health, and so many more.
Photo by iStock and USC Dornsife.