A July 9 report in Oncology Nurse Advisor referenced an editorial by Heinz-Josef Lenz, professor of medicine and preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine, about a new blood test that may identify cancer before a tumor develops in the colon. “MiR-21 may not be ‘just another brick in the wall,’ but rather may be the keystone leading to a molecularly justified, miRNA-based biomarker era in colorectal cancer,” Lenz said.

 

A July 6 broadcast of CNN’s The Next List” featured Leslie Saxon, professor of clinical medicine at the Keck School of Medicine,  and her work using technology to improve health. As executive director of the USC Center for Body Computing, Saxon researches digital tools that allow doctors and patients to monitor health data together. “After 20 years, I finally understand that just telling the patient what to do in a paternalistic way doesn’t result in good outcomes. Patients have to partner with you,” Saxon said. The broadcast also featured an interview with Joshua Lee, chief information officer of USC Health.

 

A July 5 article in the Los Angeles Business Journal featured research by Pat Levitt, Provost Professor of neuroscience, psychiatry, psychology and pharmacy at USC, and Natasha Leporé, assistant professor of research in radiology at the Keck School of Medicine, that could improve treatments for children with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder respectively. Brent Polk, chair of pediatrics and vice dean for child health at the Keck School of Medicine, was quoted in the story.

 

A July 4 broadcast on ABC News Los Angeles affiliate KABC-TV featured research by Natasha Leporé, assistant professor of research in radiology at the Keck School of Medicine, and Douglas Vanderbilt, assistant professor of clinical pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine, pinpointing difference in the developing brain that may increase the risk of cognitive disorders like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. “If we can show that’s predictive of developmental problems, it could allow us to intervene early,” Vanderbilt said.

 

A July 5 story on KPCC-FM quoted Daryl Davies, associate professor of clinical pharmacy and pharmaceutical economics & policy at the School of Pharmacy, about the impact of federal funding cuts on his research for a drug that could help alcoholics kick their addiction.

 

A July 3 broadcast on NBC News Los Angeles affiliate KNBC-TV quoted Jeffrey Upperman, associate professor of pediatric surgery at the Keck School of Medicine, about firework safety. “Keep kids well away if you’re going to do a show,” Upperman said. “Only adults should be around where they’re going to light these.”

 

A July 2 broadcast on ABC News Los Angeles affiliate KABC-TV featured Ismael Nuño, assistant professor of clinical cardiothoracic surgery at the Keck School of Medicine, concerning his book “The Spirit of the Heart,” about the death of his daughter through anorexia. His book also covers the life and death experiences he’s witnessed as a heart surgeon. The book’s intention is “to have the reader feel the silence of death – not bad, not good, but a beautiful, different silence.”