Sunscreen produces persistent free radicals when exposed to light, a recent study finds

New research from the Department of Environmental Health Sciences explores how common sunscreen ingredients behave under light exposure. Led by associate professor Eric Vejerano, the team tested seven commercially available sunscreens. ow.ly/8KLM50XVuT9 #ResearchThatMatters @uscresearch.bsky.social

photo of Laura Langan Text: Measles outbreak surveillance confirms utility of wastewater-based epidemiology for monitoring infectious disease surges

New research led by environmental health sciences assistant professor Laura Langan has provided further support for the effectiveness of wastewater-based epidemiology.
ow.ly/wPTe50XSpSI #ArnoldSchoolExperts #ResearchThatMatters @uscresearch.bsky.social

And that’s a wrap!
This terms Seminar Series closed with Prof. Eva Lloyd - a brilliant session. We've an exciting line-up for next term, including sessions on truth & finance, youth volunteering, arts-based research, caregiving & expert witness practice.
More details in Jan!
#ResearchThatMatters

photo of Peiyin Hung and Curisa Tucker New Research Black individuals in urban areas were at highest risk of postpartum readmission. Rural residence was also associated with increased readmission risk and seemed to eclipse differences in readmission rates by race/ethnicity.

Research led by @peiyinhung.bsky.social (top photo) and Curisa Tucker untangles residence and race when looking at postpartum hospital readmissions. Learn more with their recent @jamanetworkopen.com publication ➡️ ow.ly/3Iji50XGPtM #ResearchThatMatters @uscresearch.bsky.social

Journalist Sammy Fretwell interviews environmental health sciences faculty Geoff Scott and Alan Decho for a comprehensive article in The State on the growing threat of Vibrio bacteria in SC waters. 🦠📰ow.ly/jSoA50XBrom #ArnoldSchoolExperts #ResearchThatMatters #ThisIsPublicHealth

photo of pregnant woman on bed; text: More and more pregnant people are planning births outside of hospitals, but at what risk?

A recent study led by Ph.D. in Epidemiology candidate Marion Howard compared the health outcomes of planned hospital births vs planned community births. Which is safer?
ow.ly/wCGm50Xy8wb #ResearchThatMatters
@uscresearch.bsky.social

photo of child and adult collecting tomatoes with text overlay: New study moves beyond food security to advance nutrition security by bolstering SNAP incentive programs

“Interventions like these can improve nutrition for children and families – making their SNAP benefits go further while improving health." Elizabeth Adams, assistant professor of exercise science

Exercise science assistant professor Elizabeth Adams is using her expertise in healthy dietary patterns among children and families to lead a five-year study focused on improving nutrition through SNAP. ow.ly/9tnw50XxtUY
#ResearchThatMatters 🍓🥦 @uscresearch.bsky.social

photo of woman in labor and text: Half of rural SC families bypass local hospitals to deliver their babies in urban settings and experience worse outcomes

📰New Research Alert: 47% of rural mothers are opting to deliver in urban hospitals over local facilities in SC and end up facing worse outcomes than if they had stayed close to home. ow.ly/qNPq50XvKcm #ResearchThatMatters #ArnoldSchoolExperts @uscresearch.bsky.social @peiyinhung.bsky.social

SC anti-addiction partnership aids cities, counties in treating victims of the opioid crisis • SC Daily Gazette The S.C. Center of Excellence in Addiction aids cities and counties in deciding the best ways to spend opioid settlement money.

@scdailygazette.com reports on findings from the SC Center of Excellence in Addiction, which is co-led by HSPM associate professor Christina Andrews and alumna Sara Goldsby. ow.ly/7uLW50XuTYu #ArnoldSchoolExperts #ResearchThatMatters @uofscnewsy.bsky.social

map of SC and text: Leila Larson applies global health expertise to complex condition affecting many South Carolinians during pregnancy

Ever heard of Pica? It's the craving and consumption of non-food items (think: ice, soil, paper products), and it's more common than you think — especially during pregnancy.

Dr. Leila Larson is studying this complex condition and how it impacts health. ow.ly/mipO50XuHSM 🤰🏼🤰🏾
#ResearchThatMatters

🎓 For 100+ years, UNC Sociology has led with groundbreaking research and world-class teaching. Our faculty and students don’t just study society—they shape it. We're proud of our students, faculty, and alumni driving change locally and globally.

#TarHeelSociology #ResearchThatMatters #unchapelhill

Mixed heritage in the family: Racial identity, spousal choice, and childrearing Join this event to hear Professor Miri Song analyse the dynamics of mixed-heritage families across generations.

What does it mean to raise a mixed-heritage family?
Join Professor Miri Song on 20 Nov, 12–1pm, as she explores racial identity, partner choice and childrearing across generations.
bit.ly/3JTrlnp
#BelongingAndIdentity #ResearchThatMatters
@sriucl.bsky.social @ioe.bsky.social

USC researchers offer insights on how the intersection of modern diets, climate, and food systems is increasing inflammation

"Modern food systems, which are designed to produce convenience foods that tend to have high inflammatory potential, exacerbate environmental degradation and shape the interwoven challenges of climate, nutrition and health."
—James Hébert ow.ly/lFLC50XrGnc
#ResearchThatMatters #ArnoldSchoolExperts

Women are not small men USC researchers are tackling the issues that underlie the women’s health care gap. In the Arnold School of Public Health, assistant professor Katie Hirsch is working to address the research shortage. ...

USC features exercise science asst professor Katie Hirsch's efforts to make health research more inclusive by incorporating new methods to include women and remove barriers that have deterred scientists from including them previously. ow.ly/J6RM50Xr2J5 #ResearchThatMatters @uofscnewsy.bsky.social

Research is an ongoing, iterative process where each new insight encourages us to revisit, refine, and strengthen earlier phases, promoting continuous learning and shared innovation across disciplines. Sayema Akter, Ph.D. in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior Student

26-author publication on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias harnesses power of collaboration using Team Science approach. ow.ly/6ZSt50XnIL0
#ResearchThatMatters #ArnoldSchoolExperts @uscresearch.bsky.social @uofscnewsy.bsky.social

photo of family on flooded street

📊 Big data may unveil the impacts of extreme weather events on child health and development in the U.S. A new study led by Dr. Leila Larson will find out ➡️ ow.ly/SmlM50Xmola ⛈️
#ResearchThatMatters #ArnoldSchoolExperts @uscresearch.bsky.social @uofscnewsy.bsky.social

Leila Larson has been awarded nearly three million dollars from the National Institutes of Health to lead a five-year study aimed at improving childhood health and development.
ow.ly/JOK050XggyX #ResearchThatMatters #ArnoldSchoolExperts #GlobalHealth
@uscresearch.bsky.social

Most of your actions are driven by habit, not thought – here’s why that’s not a bad thing And how you can use psychology to help you break out of the habits you want to lose.

ICYMI: Amanda Rebar's most recent #habits research is hot off the press. Check out this synopsis from The Conversation. #ArnoldSchoolExperts #ResearchThatMatters ow.ly/kMBy50XbowA @us.theconversation.com @amandarebar.bsky.social

Meet Pengfei Guo! The new epidemiology assistant professor studies the health impacts of environmental exposures on women and children. ow.ly/bbIq50X9NoN #ResearchThatMatters #ArnoldSchoolExperts @uscresearch.bsky.social @uofscnewsy.bsky.social

Each brings us closer to earlier diagnosis, more personalised care, and better patient quality of life.

Because science only matters if it changes lives, and that’s the dream that keeps us moving forward.

#WorldArthritisDay #WAD2025 #RMDreams #Inmusc #Rheumatology #ResearchThatMatters #EUProjects

(5/5) #AffiliateScholar #EquityInResearch #InclusiveGovernance #ScholarlyImpact #ResearchThatMatters #ImpactfulScholarship #EquityInAction #AcademicLeadership #BuildingImpact #GenderEquity #InnovationInResearch #LeadershipThroughKnowledge #LGBTQStudies #PublicEmploymentEquity #PolicingResearch

New Study aims to protect women's heart health during, after pregnancy

The Duke Endowment has awarded $650,000 to epidemiology professor Jihong Liu to continue developing a new program designed to protect the health of pregnant and postpartum women in SC. ow.ly/M5ye50X698L
#ResearchThatMatters #ArnoldSchoolExperts @uscresearch.bsky.social @uofscnewsy.bsky.social

(5/5) #NewPartnership #CommunityOfPractice #Collaboration #KnowledgeSharing #ResearchThatMatters #ImpactfulScholarship #EquityInAction #FutureOfScholarship #AcademicLeadership #BuildingImpact #ProfessionalCommunity #GenderEquity #InnovationInResearch #LeadershipThroughKnowledge #PublicLeadership

photo of woman giving herself an injection

“The rise of GLP-1RA medications presents a powerful obesity intervention with potential for obesity-related cancer prevention,” Hébert says. “Yet, rapid adoption for obesity treatment may outpace our understanding of the potential consequences for long-term cancer risk.”

Researchers warn that GLP-1RA medications may not be the magic bullet we're looking for when it comes to cancer.
ow.ly/wcEE50X3F6e #ArnoldSchoolExperts #ResearchThatMatters @uofscnewsy.bsky.social @uscresearch.bsky.social @natrevcancer.nature.com

Apolipoprotein E4 allele, antibodies against periodontal microorganisms, and cognition in older adults - PMC The presence of the apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) allele and periodontal disease are independently correlated with higher levels of amyloid-β and inflammation in the brain, worse cognition, and Alzheimer's disease. To assess whether the presence of the ...

Arnold School faculty recently published a study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Reports confirming the association between carriers of the APOE4 allele and cognitive decline/Alzheimer’s disease. Learn more about this new research ➡️ ow.ly/hqFA50WZzkE #ResearchThatMatters

photo of Ahmer Afroz

My passion as an educator is bridging the gap between public health theory and practice. So, I am most excited about weaving that throughout my courses with the assistance of all the programming and support the Arnold School provides. Ahmer Afroz Clinical Assistant Professor Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior

Meet Ahmer Afroz! The Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior's newest faculty member brings HIV/STI expertise and a passion for systems-level change to the Arnold School. ow.ly/yYTq50WYHKv #ArnoldSchoolExperts #ResearchThatMatters @uofscnewsy.bsky.social @uscresearch.bsky.social

photo of Grace Owojori

Environmental health sciences doctoral student Grace Owojori has been awarded AAUW’s International Fellowship to support her antimicrobial resistance research using wastewater-based epidemiology. Congratulations! 🎉 ow.ly/hubW50WXtyz
#ArnoldSchoolProud #ResearchThatMatters @uscresearch.bsky.social

Widespread presence of threadworm suggests other forgotten diseases may be making a comeback

“Threadworms are parasitic roundworms that affect up to one-third of the global population and can spread to animals such as dogs and cattle as well,” Nolan says. “They typically thrive in impoverished countries where residents have limited access to clean water and sanitation, so you wouldn’t expect to find cases of it in the United States.”

“Threadworm infections are particularly concerning for children because of their ability to cause chronic malnutrition and anemia, reduced cognitive functioning, and poor educational achievement,” Matthew Haldeman

Are measles outbreaks just the beginning?

USC researchers have found evidence of threadworm in SC, despite its typical association with impoverished nations.
ow.ly/pP1k50WVJhm #ResearchThatMatters @uofscnewsy.bsky.social @uscresearch.bsky.social

photo of Public Health Research Center building

A new Undergraduate Student-Faculty Research Matching Survey, news about the monthly Student Research Poster Contest, funding opportunities and more. Read it all with the latest Arnold School Office of Research Newsletter. ow.ly/qAqW50WTzaG #ResearchThatMatters

This study highlights a significant disparity in mortality between individuals with sickle cell disease and those with cystic fibrosis. Several factors contribute to this stagnation, including under resourced care systems, limited access to first-line therapies and challenges with new therapies, such as cost and access. Hiluf Abraha, Ph.D. in Epidemiology student

Individuals with these two genetic conditions are seeing increased, but unequal, life expectancies, according to new research published in @jamapediatrics.com 🧬 ow.ly/uiux50WUrRz #ResearchThatMatters
@uofscnewsy.bsky.social @uscresearch.bsky.social