Research Archives

Oct 21

The actin cytoskeleton structure of cells

Mechanical Stress’ Surprising Effects on Health & Longevity

By Beth Newcomb Featured, Research, Students

How does the stress of a less forgiving environment affect cells? Simply hardening the surface on which tiny worms grow offers possible insights into aging, cancer and more.

Sep 25

2024 Hanson-Thorell Family Research Awards Launch New Studies to Improve Alzheimer’s Disease and Sarcopenia Treatments

By Orli Belman Featured, Honors and Awards, Research

As recipients of the 2024 Hanson-Thorell Family Research Awards, Assistant Professor Michelle Keller and Research Assistant Professor Hiroshi Kumagai each received $25,000 for one-year pilot projects aiming to improve how Alzheimer's and sarcopenia might be treated and potentially lower the costs for doing so.

Aug 12

Downtown Los Angeles covered in a layer of smog.

Study: Drug Protects Against Air Pollution-Related Alzheimer’s Signs in Mice

By Beth Newcomb Alzheimer's and Dementia, Featured, Research

Mice that had been fed the drug GSM-15606 had lower levels of Aβ42, a longer form of the amyloid beta protein, a major component of the telltale plaques seen in human brains with Alzheimer’s.

Jul 24

The pathways in the brain highlighted are those most affected by concussion. Image/Benjamin Hacker et al.

Do You Have A Mild Concussion? New AI Might Aid Diagnosis

By Beth Newcomb Alzheimer's and Dementia, Featured, Research

USC Viterbi undergraduate’s research with Andrei Irimia of USC Leonard Davis could help diagnose traumatic brain injury earlier.

Jun 20

Portrait of Michelle Keller with her title beside it, Assistance Professor of Gerontology

Assistant Professor Michelle Keller: Deprescribing and medication management for older adults

By USC Leonard Davis Communications Alzheimer's and Dementia, Caregiving, Podcast, Research

Michelle Keller is an assistant professor of gerontology and the Leonard and Sophie Davis Early Career Chair in Minority Aging at the USC Leonard Davis School. She spoke to us about her research focused on improving patient-clinician communication, medication management, and the identification of dementia in minority older adults. Here…

Jun 13

DNA, helix model medicine and network connection lines for technology concept on blue background

Study: regulators of “jumping genes” could be new targets for aging research and treatment

By Beth Newcomb Featured, Research

Transposons, genes that can relocate to different parts of the genome, are repressed earlier in life but get more active with age and are associated with age-related disease and decline.

May 30

Molecules Derived from Sea Sponge Show Promising Effects in Mitochondrial Function and Cancer

By Beth Newcomb Featured, Research

Mycothiazole and its synthetic derivative target the mitochondria’s electron transport chain and show targeted toxicity against human cancer cells as well as anti-aging properties in worms.

Apr 26

Jaime Guevara-Aguirre, Valter Longo, and several of the Laron study participants at the USC Leonard Davis School

People with Rare Longevity Mutation May Also Be Protected from Cardiovascular Disease

By Beth Newcomb Featured, Health and Wellness, Research

Study: patients with growth hormone receptor deficiency, or Laron syndrome, appear to have lower than average risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Apr 23

White placebo pills on blue background. Reducing medication intake, Pharmaceutical histogram, Chart down. Design element

Study: direct-to-patient educational material helps older adults reduce their benzodiazepine use

By Beth Newcomb Featured, Health and Wellness, Research

Patients who received brochures about risks, alternatives, and tapering recommendations were more likely to successfully quit taking benzodiazepine medications, drugs which pose particularly high risks for older adults.

Mar 23

Study: Newly Discovered Beneficial Mutation in Mitochondrial DNA Appears to Help Alzheimer’s Gene Carriers Live Longer, Stay Sharper and Represents a New Direction in Drug Discovery

By Beth Newcomb Alzheimer's and Dementia, Featured, Health and Wellness, Mitochondria, Research

Findings suggest the rare variant prevents Alzheimer’s onset by clearing away amyloid-beta buildup in long-lived carriers of APOE4, the gene most strongly associated with disease risk.

Research