University Of Southern California

This study tested a method of delivering two chemotherapy drugs directly into the liver's artery for people with liver cancer that cannot be removed by surgery. The main goals were to see how long it took for tumors to grow after treatment, monitor side effects, and measure how l…

This study looked at whether keeping a protective cast on longer helps skin grafts heal better. It involved 75 adults who had skin grafts after facial reconstruction surgery. Researchers compared the standard 5-7 day cast period against a longer 10-14 day period to see which led …

This study tested whether combining an experimental drug (sEphB4-HSA) with an approved immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) could help control advanced lung or head/neck cancers that had worsened after standard chemotherapy. It involved 42 patients who received both drugs by IV infusion…

This study tested whether wearing a nicotine skin patch daily for two years could improve memory, thinking, and daily function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Researchers enrolled 348 participants aged 55-90 who were experiencing early memory problems but not full…

This study tested whether a special mindfulness program could help women stay in residential addiction treatment and avoid relapse. Researchers worked with 200 low-income women in California who were already in treatment for substance use disorders. They compared a mindfulness-ba…

This small, early-stage study tested the safety of a less invasive procedure called targeted microwave ablation (TMA) for prostate cancer. Researchers used imaging to guide a probe that heats and destroys the tumor with microwaves. The goal was to see if this approach could effec…

This study tested whether managing eczema through an online team of doctors works as well as traditional in-person visits. 300 patients with eczema were randomly assigned to either use the online system or continue with regular office appointments for one year. Researchers compar…

This study tested whether the chemotherapy drug eribulin could help control advanced or recurrent cervical cancer. Thirty-two women with cervical cancer that had spread or returned after treatment received eribulin infusions every three weeks. Researchers measured how long the ca…

This study tested whether notifying doctors when their patients had an opioid overdose would make them prescribe fewer opioids. Researchers worked with 61 doctors across three US healthcare systems. Some doctors received letters about their patients' overdoses, while others conti…

This study tested a new approach to prevent type 2 diabetes in people with prediabetes. Latino community health workers wore a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) for 20 days and shared their experiences. The goal was to use their video stories, translated by AI, to create education…

This study aimed to see if a very low-dose combination birth control pill (with estrogen and progestin) works better at preventing ovulation than a progestin-only pill with a similar progestin dose. Researchers enrolled 58 women to take one of the two pills for one month and meas…

This study tested if the simple act of ringing a bell on the final day of radiation therapy could improve how patients remembered the distress of their cancer treatment. It involved 82 people who had completed radiation therapy with curative intent. Researchers compared the memor…

This study tested a new clear gel called PuraSinus to see if it could make cleanings after sinus surgery more comfortable. Researchers compared it to standard dissolvable nasal packing in 30 patients who had surgery for chronic sinus disease. The main goal was to see if using the…

This study tested a new online coaching program based on cognitive behavioral therapy, delivered either through immersive virtual reality or on a regular computer screen. Researchers compared these two methods against a group receiving no coaching to see which was most effective …

This study tested whether using virtual reality (VR) games during dental sealant placement could help children feel less anxious, behave better, and experience less pain compared to the dentist's usual calming techniques. It involved 20 healthy children, aged 6 to 18, who each tr…

This small study explored whether 'narrative medicine'—using storytelling, reflective writing, and discussion—could improve the sense of well-being for people with digestive system cancers. Eight patients participated in three workshops to see if focusing on their personal storie…

This study explored how people who have received cochlear implants learn to appreciate music again after hearing loss. Researchers worked with 120 teenage and adult cochlear implant users to understand the challenges they face with music and to test whether special pitch training…

This study aimed to understand how social media influencers affect teenagers' views on e-cigarettes. Researchers showed 700 California teens aged 14-17 different short videos of influencers promoting vaping, some with fitness themes. They then measured how the teens perceived the…

This study aimed to understand how a new type of genetic test, which checks 25 genes linked to hereditary cancers, is used in real-world medical care. Researchers enrolled over 1,500 people at high risk for hereditary cancers to take the test. They then followed participants for …

This study aimed to understand how Alzheimer's disease develops by tracking changes in the brain over time. It followed over 1,100 older adults, some healthy, some with mild memory issues, and some with early Alzheimer's, for up to five years. Researchers used brain scans, memory…

This study aimed to understand how often a new eye implant might touch the inner lining of the cornea, which could be harmful. Researchers used special imaging on 100 adults to measure eye anatomy and predict contact. The goal was to identify which patient factors might increase …

This study explored whether daily breathing exercises, combined with brain training games, could influence markers of brain health and learning ability in healthy adults aged 50-70. For 12 weeks, 91 participants did daily online brain training and followed specific breathing rout…

This study aimed to understand how different types of birth control pills might affect breast tissue. Researchers compared breast cell growth in young women taking pills with different estrogen levels. The goal was to see if lower-estrogen pills, which help prevent some cancers, …

This study looked at whether a brief, stressful experience causes immediate changes in the levels of certain proteins in the blood that are linked to Alzheimer's disease. Researchers tested 38 healthy adults, measuring their blood before and after a stress task. The goal was to u…

This study looked at whether one week of daily meditation could change levels of certain proteins in the blood that are linked to Alzheimer's disease risk. Researchers enrolled 94 healthy adults aged 18-35. Participants either meditated daily for a week or did no special task, an…