About Melissa Masatani

This author has not yet filled in any details.
So far Melissa Masatani has created 2179 blog entries.

Study highlights crucial health disparity in living-donor transplant candidates

Lifesaving living-donor liver transplants are out of reach for patients in several demographics according to a new study conducted by Keck School of Medicine of USC faculty. Researchers found that patients who had lower incomes and education levels, were Read More »

August 9th, 2021|Announcements, Keck Net Intranet|

COVID-19 vaccine refusal increases after being overlooked during distribution process

Last winter, public officials had to decide which groups would receive priority for the limited quantities of newly approved COVID-19 vaccines. A new USC Schaeffer Center study finds that how vaccines are allocated may contribute to vaccine hesitant individuals later Read More »

August 6th, 2021|Announcements, COVID-19, Keck Net Intranet|

How Black church leaders and USC are overcoming vaccine hesitancy in Watts

Alvin Stafford faced a critical challenge when he became pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church last November: Los Angeles was in the midst of its second COVID-19 wave.

Being the pastor of a Black church in Watts gave him a front-row Read More »

August 5th, 2021|Announcements, COVID-19, Keck Net Intranet|

New study points to toxic potential of hydroxychloroquine in mammalian cells

During the height of the pandemic, as scientists worldwide raced to develop a vaccine, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) emerged as a flashpoint of controversy. Pitting proponents of using the drug to fight COVID-19 against skeptics citing a lack of evidence of efficacy, Read More »

August 5th, 2021|Announcements, COVID-19, Keck Net Intranet|

USC Norris partners with institute to advance drug development

To accelerate the development of groundbreaking cancer treatments, the Rosalie and Harold Rae Brown Center for Cancer Drug Development (CCDD) at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center at the Keck School of Medicine of USC announces its Read More »

August 4th, 2021|Announcements, Keck Net Intranet|

COVID-19 Delta variant rise looms as K-12 schools prepare to reopen

Infections from the COVID-19 Delta variant are rising across the country just as most K-12 schools are preparing to reopen.

Children aged 12 and older can get vaccinated — and nearly 58% of them in America have done so, according to Read More »

August 4th, 2021|Announcements, COVID-19, Keck Net Intranet|

New center aims to improve access, delivery of care to vulnerable groups

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted vulnerable populations and the multiple barriers they face in accessing quality health care. In this era of rising costs and harsh social inequities, public hospital and clinic professionals are searching for novel ways to improve Read More »

August 3rd, 2021|Announcements, COVID-19, Keck Net Intranet|

Scientists explore the latent regenerative potential of the inner ear

Scientists from the USC Stem Cell laboratory of Neil Segil have identified a natural barrier to the regeneration of the inner ear’s sensory cells, which are lost in hearing and balance disorders. Overcoming this barrier may be a first Read More »

August 3rd, 2021|Announcements, Keck Net Intranet|

Racial and ethnic disparities discovered in post-operative breast cancer surgery outcomes

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women and surgery is a primary treatment for these women. Among women receiving surgery, up to 13% will have a post-operative visit to an emergency department, according to recent research.

A Read More »

August 2nd, 2021|Announcements, Keck Net Intranet|

From survival to revival: Mapping the road to a better future

COVID-19 attacked not just the body but the mind as well. The stress of losing a job, loneliness brought on by extended isolation, depression resulting from a friend or loved one’s death, fear of becoming infected with the virus and Read More »

July 30th, 2021|Announcements, COVID-19|

Experts discuss increased cases, breakthrough infections, masking mandates and vaccine requirements

COVID-19 continues to keep us on our toes, as the country now faces increased cases and hospitalizations, breakthrough infections, new masking mandates and vaccine requirements. Keck Medicine of USC experts weigh in on the latest developments and Read More »

July 29th, 2021|Announcements, COVID-19, Keck Net Intranet|

Tokyo Olympics take center stage amid global uncertainty

Athletes are hoping to achieve their dreams in Tokyo at a fragile time in human history: COVID-19 has taken another turn with a rise in delta variant cases around the world, particularly in India, the United Kingdom and the United Read More »

July 29th, 2021|Announcements, COVID-19, Keck Net Intranet|

Ostrow researcher investigates environmental pollution’s contribution to birth defects

Nearly 120,000 babies will be born with birth defects this year. 

While there are a number of causes — genetics and chromosomal issues, infections during pregnancy, maternal malnutrition and exposure to certain medicines, illicit drugs and alcohol — one well-documented Read More »

July 27th, 2021|Announcements|

Keck Medicine of USC ranked in most-ever specialties by U.S. News & World Report for 2021-22

Keck Medicine of USC has been recognized as being among the top hospitals in the nation for a record number of specialties by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals. The rankings, which consider overall patient care as well as Read More »

July 26th, 2021|Announcements, Keck Net Intranet|

L.A. eating habits changed significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic

More than half of Los Angeles County residents made changes to their diet during the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than a quarter of them reporting that they ate more healthily, according to a new study by USC researchers.

To continue Read More »

July 26th, 2021|Announcements, COVID-19, Keck Net Intranet|

Multi-cancer blood tests can reduce late-stage cancer diagnosis in Black and Latino patients

The stage at which cancers are detected is one of the most important factors in determining patient survival. Yet not everyone regularly receives recommended routine screenings for common cancers, which contributes to disparities in cancer survival rates among Black and Read More »

July 23rd, 2021|Announcements, Keck Net Intranet|

Department of Surgery receives NIH training grant for young researchers

The Department of Surgery has received a grant to join the National Institutes of Health’s Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (StARR) program, an innovative push to recruit and develop talented young researchers. The Keck School of Medicine of USC’s Read More »

July 23rd, 2021|Announcements, Keck Net Intranet|

COVID-19 vaccination mandates for employees and students are effective tool against virus spread

While two-thirds of the U.S. adult population has received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, vaccination rates remain highly variable across, and within, states. This is of increasing concern as communities reopen and more contagious variants of the virus spread, Read More »

July 22nd, 2021|Announcements, COVID-19, Keck Net Intranet|

Top scientists and research institutions propose improvements to cell- and gene-based therapy development

Scientists around the world are achieving significant advances in the fight against devastating diseases like cancer, severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) disorder and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) thanks to leading-edge cell- and gene-based therapies. But numerous obstacles to progress could slow Read More »

July 22nd, 2021|Announcements, Keck Net Intranet|

Jehni Robinson, MD, named president of USC Care Medical Group

Keck Medicine of USC has named Jehni Robinson, MD, as president of USC Care Medical Group (USC Care), a faculty practice plan composed of Keck Medicine physicians at hospitals and ambulatory locations. Robinson, who Read More »

July 21st, 2021|Announcements, Keck Net Intranet|