Discovering that mouse hair has a circadian clock — a 24-hour cycle of growth followed by restorative repair — researchers suspect that hair loss in humans from toxic cancer radiotherapy and chemotherapy might be minimized if these treatments are given late in the day.

The study, which appeared May 20 in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that mice lost 85 percent of their hair if they received radiation therapy in the morning, compared to a 17 percent loss when treatment occurred in the evening. … Read More »

By Josh Grossberg

The frequency of childhood infections is a determinant of adult height, according to a new study recently conducted by a team of researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of USC led by Wendy Cozen, professor of preventive medicine and pathology, and conducted by Amie Hwang, post-doctoral fellow.

The study, published in the April issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology, is important because increased height is positively associated with some types of cancer, including breast cancer and lymphoma, and negatively associated with cardiovascular disease and stroke. … Read More »

Photo courtesy Los Angeles County Medical Association

At a recent Los Angeles County Medical Association mayoral roundtable focusing on health care are, from left: Donald Larsen, … Read More »

By Amy E. Hamaker

Glen Miller could never have guessed that a 15-year-old X-ray from a snowmobile accident would lead him to the USC doctor who would change his life.

Excellent care and kind treatments prompted Glen Miller and his wife Wendy to help establish the Glen and Wendy Miller/Inderbir Gill Kidney Cancer Research Program.
Courtesy Glen Miller

“Other than a busted ego, I was basically fine after the accident,” said Miller, CEO of Diversified Financial Management Corp. and one of the founders of the Glen and Wendy Miller Family Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation located in Bannockburn, Ill.

The X-ray became important again, years later when Miller’s doctor found a growth on his kidney after prostate problems. “You can see the growth on the old X-ray, although the emergency room staff hadn’t been looking at my kidneys at the time,” he said. … Read More »

As USC celebrates the 40th anniversary of the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Weekly will run in each issue through the end of the year items highlighting key moments in the history of the institution.

… Read More »