10-Sep-2026 Physical activity may protect older adults from hearing loss, new study finds Arnold School of Public Health Researchers from the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (COMD) have partnered with faculty from across the Arnold School and USC to complete a study investigating the connections between physical function, blood pressure, hearing, and cognition among older adults. Published in Scientific Reports, the team found that participants who maintained higher levels of physical function (i.e., engaging in everyday physical activities) were less likely to experience hearing loss. Journal Scientific Reports
10-Sep-2026 Medicare Part D plan designs hold steady in initial wake of Inflation Reduction Act implementation, researchers find Arnold School of Public Health A recent study led by health services policy and management assistant professor David Anderson has examined changes in Medicare Part D plans (both Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage and standalone prescription drug plans) to assess how insurers may have changed various aspects of the plans in response to the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Published in Health Affairs, the researchers findings showed that insurers reacted primarily by lowering premiums and increasing deductibles. Journal Health Affairs
10-Sep-2026 West Nile virus more than ten times higher in South Carolina compared to national average Arnold School of Public Health With little historical data on the prevalence of the West Nile virus in the state of South Carolina, members of the Delores Marie Thomas Research Lab have assessed its presence in the Palmetto State. Led by epidemiology associate professor Melissa Nolan, the team published their findings in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Journal American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
10-Sep-2026 It’s time to change how we think about exercise, researchers suggest Arnold School of Public Health An abundance of clinical trials has shown that exercise reduces pain and facilitates everyday activities like climbing stairs for individuals with osteoarthritis. But researchers from the University of South Carolina, McMaster University and the University of Delaware believe it’s time for a mindset shift. Instead of viewing exercise as a temporary treatment for the condition, clinicians and patients should view physical activity as a lifelong behavior. Journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage
10-Sep-2026 Blue light boosts key medicinal compounds in Astragalus, study finds: Multi-omics and genetic tools uncover light-driven isoflavonoid biosynthesis Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science Astragalus mongholicus, a cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine, produces isoflavonoids—bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, and antiviral properties. Journal Horticulture Research
9-Sep-2026 Researchers chart new course for AI-powered biomedical discoveries University of Missouri-Columbia University of Missouri researchers have published a major review of flow matching, an emerging AI approach that helps scientists model how biological systems change over time, offering new opportunities in drug discovery, precision medicine and disease research. The work highlights how flow matching could ultimately help create AI-powered “virtual cells” that accelerate biomedical breakthroughs and improve understanding of living systems. Journal Nature Machine Intelligence
8-Sep-2026 Disease burden and productivity loss of T2DM in the Western Pacific region from 1990 to 2050: A modeling study using GBD 2021 KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. The present study investigated the disease burden and associated productivity losses attributable to T2DM among adults, while also forecasting the disease burden through 2050. The study adopted a quantitative approach and drew upon datasets obtained from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database, the World Bank, the United Nations, and the International Labor Organization. Projections based on the BAPC model indicate that the ASDR will rise to 2243.12 per 100,000 population by 2050. The estimated annual productivity loss attributable to T2DM in the region exceeds 220 billion U.S. dollar (USD). Comprehensive and sustainable interventions, including health policies, educational initiatives, and social protection measures, are needed to reduce disparities associated with T2DM. Journal Pharmacoeconomics and Policy
8-Sep-2026 Study finds social, financial, and healthcare factors shape resilience in adults with sickle cell disease Binghamton University A new study explores how individual and community health experiences of adults with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) shape resilience — the capacity to adapt to adversity. Journal Journal of Sickle Cell Disease
8-Sep-2026 Researchers unlock a new way to harness copper against disease University of Missouri-Columbia University of Missouri researchers discovered MKV3, the first compound that blocks key copper transport proteins, making bacteria and cancer cells more vulnerable to the toxic effects of copper. The early-stage breakthrough could lead to new treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections and cancer while also providing a powerful tool for studying copper transport across many forms of life. Journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
