USC researchers produce groundbreaking map of human neuro-receptor


A USC research team comprising scientists from the Keck School of Medicine and the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine have produced the world’s first high-resolution images of the Alpha 7 receptor. The α7 is the molecule responsible for transmitting signals between neurons, especially in the regions of the brain considered to be associated with learning […]

Breaking Benjamin releases greatest hits album


Despite being on an indefinite hiatus since the summer of 2010, Breaking Benjamin has finally released its heavily-anticipated greatest hits compilation album, Shallow Bay: The Best of Breaking Benjamin, released through Hollywood Records, a Walt Disney-owned record label. This is the first compilation album from the alternative rock band, following four successful studio albums. Shallow Bay tries […]

NASA discovers ‘Star Wars’-like planet that orbits two suns


A team of NASA scientists recently discovered a unique planet in outer space that orbits two different suns. Kepler-16b, named after NASA’s Kepler mission, is located within the western part of the Cynus constellation (more commonly known as the swan). The planet has garnered instant Star Wars comparisons due to a scene with Luke Skywalker […]

No happy ending for Phone Story app


This week Apple banned from its store the iPhone application Phone Story just three days after its release. The game depicts a cartoon character working through the realistic and often unpleasant processes of creating Apple merchandise, highlighting the uglier side of electronics production. Players of the app can take of the role of an employee […]

Foreign Documentary Gets Up-Close and Personal


Despite the fact that Marina Goldovskaya’s film played to a relatively thin crowd (Maya Angelou’s appearance emptied houses all over campus), “A Bitter Taste of Freedom” left anything but a sour taste in the mouths of audience members. On Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. in the Ray Stark Family Theater, USC’s School of Cinematic Arts […]