University Of Southern California

This study tested a mindfulness-based program designed for low-income women in residential treatment for substance use disorders. The goal was to see if the program could help them stay in treatment and reduce the chance of returning to drug or alcohol use. Researchers enrolled 2…

This study tested the chemotherapy drug eribulin in 32 women with advanced or recurrent cervical cancer that had not responded to other treatments. The goal was to see how long the drug could keep the cancer from growing and to check for side effects. Researchers measured progres…

This study tested two chemotherapy drugs, cisplatin and mitomycin-C, given directly into the liver artery for people with liver cancer that cannot be surgically removed. The goal was to see how long it takes for tumors to grow and to monitor side effects. The study also looked at…

This study tested a tool called PainTracker to help doctors guide older adults (65+) who have been on long-term opioid therapy toward safer pain management. The tool asks about a range of pain-related problems, not just opioid misuse, to encourage referrals to non-opioid treatmen…

This study looked at whether ringing a bell on the last day of radiation therapy helps cancer patients remember their treatment as less painful or distressing. 82 cancer patients were involved, and researchers compared their memories of distress between those who rang a bell and …

This study tested a clear gel called PuraSinus to see if it makes follow-up cleanings after sinus surgery more comfortable. 30 adults with chronic sinus disease took part. The gel was compared to standard nasal dressings to measure pain during the cleaning procedure.

This small study tested if narrative medicine—using close reading, writing, and discussion—can improve well-being in people with digestive system cancers. Eight patients receiving infusional therapy participated. The goal was to see if this approach is feasible and helps patients…

This study tested whether wearing virtual reality goggles during dental sealant placement helps children feel less anxious and in less pain. Twenty healthy kids aged 6 to 18 each had one side of their mouth treated with VR distraction and the other side with standard care. Resear…

This study looked at whether a short stressful event can quickly change levels of certain proteins in the blood that are linked to Alzheimer's disease. Researchers tested 38 healthy adults by exposing them to a brief stressor and then measuring their blood protein levels over the…

This study looked at whether a very low-dose estrogen birth control pill (10 mcg) works as well as a progestin-only pill at preventing ovulation. 58 women aged 18-45 took part. Researchers measured ovulation and checked cervical mucus to see how well each pill worked.

This study looked at whether MDMA-assisted psychotherapy can change how certain stress-related genes work in people with PTSD. Researchers collected saliva samples from 45 participants before and after treatment to measure changes in gene activity. The goal was to see if these ge…

This study tested a simple idea: if doctors are reminded about the negative effects of opioid misuse, will they prescribe fewer opioids? Researchers sent letters to 61 clinicians highlighting patient overdoses. The goal was to see if this approach could reduce the number of opioi…

This study looked at how two types of meditation affect blood markers linked to Alzheimer's disease in healthy adults aged 18-35. Participants meditated daily for a week and gave blood samples before and after. The goal was to see if meditation could change these markers, not to …

This study followed over 1,100 older adults with normal memory, mild cognitive impairment, or early Alzheimer's to track how their thinking, memory, and brain scans change over time. Researchers used memory tests, brain imaging, and blood or spinal fluid samples to find better wa…

This study looked at whether daily breathing exercises could influence memory, attention, and blood markers linked to Alzheimer's disease. Healthy adults aged 50-70 did memory training plus either relaxing or alertness-boosting breathing for 10 weeks. Researchers measured changes…

This study looked at how social media influencer marketing affects how teenagers think about and might use e-cigarettes. 700 teens from California watched videos of influencers promoting e-cigarettes, with some videos showing fitness activities and others not. The researchers mea…