Each year, USC programs and faculty research are highlighted in print, broadcast and online stories throughout the world. Highlights of recent news coverage are compiled by USC Media Relations.
USC in the News 5/22/2012
Featured Stories
The New York Times featured research by Jicheng Gong, Duncan Thomas and Junfeng Zhang of the Keck School of USC and colleagues, finding that a short-term reduction in a city's air pollution can improve residents' cardiovascular health. The study was conducted during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. "The largest contribution was from traffic control," Zhang said. "Decreasing traffic not only decreases traffic jams but increases cardiovascular health. That's something for people to think about from a policy standpoint." The research was also covered by BBC News (U.K.), GlobalPost, Europa Press (Spain), Press TV (Iran), NTV (Turkey), Acik Radyo (Turkey) and Southern Weekend News (China).
The New York Times ran a Q&A with Dana Goldman of the USC Price School and the USC School of Pharmacy about the cost of not investing in preventive health care. Goldman, director of the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, said that estimates of obesity-related costs are as high as $93 billion, and estimates of smoking-related spending are as high as $96 billion. "We think of health care as an expense, but we really should be thinking of health care as an investment," he said. "We want to invest where we have the greatest return. I would put prevention in that bucket."
USA Today, in an Associated Press story, reported on the arrests of two suspects in the deaths of two USC students. The news was also covered by Los Angeles Times, a second Los Angeles Times story, a third Los Angeles Times story, Associated Press, another Associated Press story, Reuters, Xinhua News Agency (China), Shanghai Daily (China), Agence France-Presse, World Journal, CBS News, ABC News Los Angeles affiliate KABC-TV, a second KABC story, NBC News Los Angeles affiliate KNBC-TV (additional stories available on request), Fox News Los Angeles affiliate KTTV-TV, L.A. Weekly, LAist and L.A. Observed.
Yahoo! Sports reported that 16 USC football players recently traveled to Haiti to build houses and deliver aid to orphanages and schools. "I think it sparked something in me that I'm going to continue to do the rest of my life," said one of the participants, USC student Devon Kennard. The trip was organized by Les Barkley, the father of USC student Matt Barkley.
La Repubblica (Italy) featured research by Richard Easterlin of the USC Dornsife College and colleagues, finding that economic growth in China hasn't led to greater life satisfaction for the majority of citizens. Easterlin is considered to be the father of happiness economics, the story stated.
Scientific American ran a story on science writer and USC alumna Casey Rentz, noting that K.C. Cole of the USC Annenberg School inspired Rentz to join the Annenberg School's Specialized Journalism master's program. Cole, author of "Universe in a Teacup," heads the program's science concentration. "At USC, I learned a lot about what it means to be a journalist today (ethically and practically speaking)," Rentz said.
The Huffington Post ran a column by Martin Kaplan of the USC Annenberg School about campaign finance during this election season. "Billionaires are buying civic mindshare," Kaplan wrote. "Thanks to the Supreme Court's punting on disclosure, these billionaires are able to hack our elections secretly."
Experts Quoted
Los Angeles Times quoted Stanley Rosen of the USC Dornsife College about the Dalian Wanda Group's acquisition of movie theater chain AMC Entertainment Inc.
Los Angeles Times quoted Glenn Melnick of the USC Price School about the acquisition of a health care company by dialysis chain DaVita Inc.
Los Angeles Times quoted Elizabeth Currid-Halkett of the USC Price School about the effect of celebrity ownership on home prices.
The Times (U.K.) quoted Ira Kalb of the USC Marshall School about a network of bloggers McDonald's has hired for public relations purposes.
Daily Maverick (South Africa) cited Dowell Myers of the USC Price School about Europe's changing demographics.
MSNBC interviewed Dan Simon of the USC Gould School about issues surrounding witness testimony. Fort Worth Star-Telegram also quoted Simon on the subject.
Reuters quoted Naj Meshkati of the USC Viterbi School about the resignation of U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Gregory Jaczko.
Star-Tribune quoted Jonathan Samet of the Keck School of USC about a study that linked sleep apnea to cancer risk.
KPCC-FM's "AirTalk" interviewed Heidi Rummel of the USC Gould School about the so-called "Zoloft defense."
La Opinion quoted Neeraj Sood of the USC School of Pharmacy about insurance companies having to repay millions of dollars.
La Opinion quoted Ira Kalb of the USC Marshall School about the Facebook IPO.
La Opinion quoted Sherry Bebitch Jeffe of the USC Price School about Newt Gingrich's effort to appeal to conservative Latino voters.
News at a Glance
The Washington Post, in a story by The Wrap, reported that a USC student is among the winners of the 2012 Student Academy Awards.
PCWorld covered research by Richard Brutchey of the USC Dornsife College and USC postdoctoral researcher David H. Webber, who found a way to produce stable liquid solar cells that can be printed on clear surfaces.
The Huffington Post highlighted the USC School of Theatre commencement address given by Gary Ross, director of "The Hunger Games." The story noted that Ross is a past recipient of the USC Libraries' Scripter Award.
The Huffington Post published a commencement address by new USC alumna Mary Ellen Jebbia.
Curbed L.A. reported on a lawsuit filed against USC by the families of two students.
Scientific American ran two columns (second link here) by USC student Nathaniel Kinsey on the USC Dornsife College's Guam and Palau Program. Scientific American also ran a column by USC student Kaitlin Mogentale.