Beth Newcomb
(She/Her)
Articles by Beth Newcomb
How old are you really? Study explains what makes 'epigenetic clocks' tick, debuts new prediction tools
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain What do "epigenetic clocks" actually measure? These lab tests have become popular tools for studying biological aging, or how the body's cellular function changes at a faster or slower rate than expected. However, the underlying biology behind each of these measurements has remained largely unknown until now.
How old are you really? Study explains what makes 'epigenetic clocks' tick, debuts new prediction tools
What do "epigenetic clocks" actually measure? These lab tests have become popular tools for studying biological aging, or how the body's cellular function changes at a faster or slower rate than expected. However, the underlying biology behind each of these measurements has remained largely unknown until now. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest sci-tech news updates.
Mediterranean Diet May Activate Secret Anti-Aging Proteins Inside Your Cells
The Mediterranean diet is a plant-focused dietary pattern traditionally followed in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. It emphasizes olive oil, fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and fish while limiting ultra-processed foods and refined sugars. Credit: Shutterstock The findings highlight a new frontier in “precision nutrition,” where biomarkers could help personalize diets to support better health and longer life.
Biology of Aging PhD Grad Appreciates Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Community
What led you to the USC Leonard Davis School and to your research focus? Maxim Averbukh PhD in Biology of Aging ’26: I became deeply interested in aging research during my early undergraduate years. When I was applying to PhD programs, USC Leonard Davis clearly stood out as one of the most focused and interdisciplinary institutions in the field, and it was a place where I could truly see myself growing as a scientist.
2026 PhD in Gerontology Grad Works to Improve Care and Safety for Older Adults
What led you to the USC Leonard Davis School PhD in Gerontology and to your research focus? Eleanor Batista-Malat PhD ’26: I came to USC for my PhD training because of the unique opportunity to study aging from multiple perspectives. Although I’m unlikely to regularly read neuroscience papers going forward, understanding the fundamentals of different areas of aging research will help me better communicate with the diverse colleagues I’ll have throughout my career.
2026 BS in Human Development and Aging Grad Finds Belonging, Embraces Research and Leadership
Tiffany Wang, member of the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology Class of 2026, came to USC as a nervous first-generation student searching for belonging. This spring, she finishes her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Aging as an award-winning researcher and a confident leader helping fellow students find their own place in the school community. “Coming into USC, I saw gerontology as a stepping-stone toward becoming a doctor.
2026 MS in Nutrition, Healthspan and Longevity Graduate Cares for Fellow Veterans
How did you find your way to USC and the Master of Science in Nutrition, Healthspan and Longevity program? Faith Huss, MSNHL ’26: As an Army veteran, I found myself in a bit of a transition after serving 10 years in the military followed by 5 years in the self-care industry.
Mediterranean Diet May Boost Mitochondrial Signals Linked to Heart and Brain Health
A new study led by researchers at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology suggests that the benefits of the Mediterranean diet may be driven, in part, by tiny proteins hidden within our mitochondria, opening a new window into how diet shapes aging and disease risk.
Digital Reminiscence App Could Reduce Grief and Improve Relationships Between Dementia Patients and Caregivers
A web tool designed to spark reminiscence could help people with dementia and their caregivers feel more connected to each other and less impacted by feelings of pre-death grief, according to a clinical trial co-led by USC and Weill Cornell Medicine that was published in JAMA Network Open.
First-Ever USC Asian Health and Longevity Symposium Emphasizes Innovation, Care and Community Partnership
Researchers, clinicians and community leaders gathered at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology on Feb. 27 for the inaugural USC Asian Health and Longevity Symposium, a groundbreaking daylong event focused on the factors shaping health and well-being for Asian and Asian-American communities. The first-of-its-kind symposium highlighted how biology, culture, migration histories and social environments influence health across the lifespan.
Mediterranean diet may boost mitochondrial signals linked to heart and brain health
A study led by researchers at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology suggests that the benefits of the Mediterranean diet may be driven, in part, by tiny proteins hidden within our mitochondria, opening a new window into how diet shapes aging and disease risk. The findings are published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition . Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest sci-tech news updates.
Fecal transplants from older mice found to significantly improve ovarian function and fertility in younger mice
A new study details how fecal transplants from older female mice significantly improve ovarian function and fertility in young mice. The surprising results reveal a direct link between the microbiome (the collection of all bacteria and other microbes present) of the gut and ovarian health and function. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest sci-tech news updates.
Bulk RNA-seq analysis of ovaries from young and estropausal female FMT recipient mice. Credit: Nature Aging (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s43587-026-01069-3 A new study details how fecal transplants from older female mice significantly improve ovarian function and fertility in young mice. The surprising results reveal a direct link between the microbiome (the collection of all bacteria and other microbes present) of the gut and ovarian health and function.
Study: Shingles Vaccine Linked to Slower Biological Aging in Older Adults
Shingles vaccination not only protects against the disease but may also contribute to slower biological aging in older adults, according to a new USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology study. Using data from the nationally representative U.S. Health and Retirement Study, researchers examined how shingles vaccination affected several aspects of biological aging in more than 3,800 study participants who were age 70 and older in 2016.
Rapid blood pressure fluctuations linked to early signs of brain degeneration in older adults
Even when blood pressure is well controlled, older adults whose blood pressure fluctuates widely from one heartbeat to the next may be at greater risk for brain shrinkage and nerve cell injury, according to a new study led by the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.
Rapid Blood Pressure Fluctuations Linked to Early Signs of Brain Degeneration in Older Adults
Even when blood pressure is well controlled, older adults whose blood pressure fluctuates widely from one heartbeat to the next may be at greater risk for brain shrinkage and nerve cell injury, according to a new study led by the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.
New NIA-Funded Center to Help Older Adults Live Longer, Healthier Lives
A new Los Angeles research hub will take on one of today’s most pressing challenges: helping people live not just longer, but healthier and more independent lives as they age. The National Institute on Aging has awarded a $6.5 million, five-year grant to create the Los Angeles Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (LA OAIC).
Study: Education Gap Linked to Differences in Biological Aging
A new study by USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology researchers shows that Americans with less education are aging faster than their peers with more schooling, and the gap has grown over the last 30 years. The study examined “biological aging,” which goes deeper than simply counting birthdays. Biological aging measures how the body is changing over time, including how well organs and systems are working.
Education gap linked to differences in biological aging
A new study by USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology researchers shows that Americans with less education are aging faster than their peers with more schooling, and the gap has grown over the last 30 years. The study examined "biological aging," which goes deeper than simply counting birthdays. Biological aging measures how the body is changing over time, including how well organs and systems are working.
Study: Education Gap Linked to Differences in Biological Aging
A new study by USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology researchers shows that Americans with less education are aging faster than their peers with more schooling, and the gap has grown over the last 30 years. The study examined “biological aging,” which goes deeper than simply counting birthdays. Biological aging measures how the body is changing over time, including how well organs and systems are working.
USC Leonard Davis Faculty Honored for Research and Mentorship
The Gerontological Society of America (GSA), the US’s oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization focused on aging, has recognized two USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology faculty members for extraordinary research and mentorship in the aging field. Both awards will be presented during GSA’s 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting, scheduled for November 12–15, 2025, in Boston, Mass.
Study: Mindfulness Meditation Can Sharpen Attention in Adults of All Ages
A new study from the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology reveals that just 30 days of guided mindfulness meditation can significantly enhance key aspects of attentional control — especially how quickly and accurately people direct their focus — regardless of age. The study is among the first to use eye tracking, a powerful and objective measure of attention, to test the effects of mindfulness training on young, middle-aged, and older adults.
Study: Iron Plays a Major Role in Down Syndrome-Associated Alzheimer’s Disease
Scientists at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology have discovered a key connection between high levels of iron in the brain and increased cell damage in people who have both Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease.
Aging's roll of the dice: How molecular randomness may drive differences in lifespan
"Biological stochasticity"—random events at the molecular and cellular level—might be one of the biggest, most overlooked drivers of differences in how we age, says Ryo Sanabria. How long you live may be determined not just by one's genes and lifestyle but also by metaphorical rolls of the dice happening inside the body, according to a new scientific review led by the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.
Iron levels may play a major role in Down syndrome-associated Alzheimer's disease
Scientists at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology have discovered a key connection between high levels of iron in the brain and increased cell damage in people who have both Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease.
How Much of Aging is a Roll of the Dice?
How long you live may be determined not just by one’s genes and lifestyle but also by metaphorical rolls of the dice happening inside the body, according to a new scientific review led by the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. Published in the journal GeroScience, the study posits that randomness at the molecular and cellular level — what the researchers call “biological stochasticity” — is a key part of why living things age differently, even when everything else is the same.
How Much of Aging is a Roll of the Dice?
How long you live may be determined not just by one’s genes and lifestyle but also by metaphorical rolls of the dice happening inside the body, according to a new scientific review led by the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. Published in the journal GeroScience, the study posits that randomness at the molecular and cellular level — what the researchers call “biological stochasticity” — is a key part of why living things age differently, even when everything else is the same.
Arts and Healthy Aging Center Fund launched with $2.5M gift and $1M matching opportunity
USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology Board of Councilors member Mary Lou Dauray and emeritus board member Alan Davis have provided a generous gift of $2.5 million from the Leonard and Sophie Davis Fund to support the school’s new Arts and Healthy Aging (AHA) Center. The gift creates an endowment fund supporting the AHA Center’s study of the connections between the arts and aging.
Who Carries and Uses Naloxone in the U.S.?
A new USC-led study provides the first nationwide picture of who knows about, carries, and uses naloxone to reverse deadly opioid overdoses.
Study: Extreme Heat May Speed Up Aging in Older Adults
A new USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology study suggests greater exposure to extreme heat may accelerate biological aging in older adults, raising new concerns about how climate change and heat waves could affect long-term health and aging at the molecular level.
New AI Model Measures How Fast the Brain Ages
A new artificial intelligence model measures how fast a patient’s brain is aging and could be a powerful new tool for understanding, preventing and treating cognitive decline and dementia, according to USC researchers. The first-of-its-kind tool can non-invasively track the pace of brain changes by analyzing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.
A Powerhouse of Innovation
It’s a simple statement, but it’s true: “Perseverance is the key to scientific success,” says Pinchas “Hassy” Cohen, dean of the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology and USC Distinguished Professor of Gerontology, Medicine and Biological Sciences. He would know. Nearly 25 years ago, Cohen — a professor at UCLA at the time — led a study on a growth hormone called insulin-like growth factor (IGF) that unintentionally revealed the existence of a small peptide called humanin.
C. elegans study reveals surprising effects of mechanical stress on health and longevity
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A new model for mechanical stress describes how growing organisms on a stiffer substrate can paradoxically worsen certain health outcomes while increasing lifespan, according to a USC Leonard Davis study. The study "Growth on stiffer substrates impacts animal health and longevity in C.
Mechanical Stress’ Surprising Effects on Health & Longevity
A new model for mechanical stress describes how growing organisms on a stiffer substrate can paradoxically worsen certain health outcomes while increasing lifespan, according to a USC Leonard Davis study. “The study of mechanical stress is important because many tissues become stiffer with age, and several age-associated diseases – like cancer – are associated with increased tissue stiffness,” said Assistant Professor Ryo Sanabria, the senior author of the study.
Drug Lowers Alzheimer's-Related Protein in Mice
A new study led by the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology shows how feeding mice a drug called GSM-15606 provided protection against air pollution-related increases in proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Senior author Caleb Finch, USC University Professor and holder of the ARCO/William F.
USC Family Caregiver Support Center launches innovative caregiving educational program
The USC Family Caregiver Support Center (FCSC) is offering a newly created, free caregiving training program to improve the skills and career opportunities for both paid and unpaid caregivers in Los Angeles County, especially for those who care for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The program is funded by the CalGrows workforce training and development grant program, part of California’s Master Plan for Aging.
USC Leonard Davis School awarded $3 million to enhance financial and workplace security for family caregivers
The USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology received $3 million from the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to support family caregivers in maintaining financial stability and workplace security. Funding will be used to develop and curate a variety of resources and tools, including a website offering comprehensive information on financial and workplace security tailored to caregivers’ diverse needs.
Transposons could be new targets for aging research and treatment
A new USC Leonard Davis School-led study highlights how transposons—commonly called "jumping genes" because of their ability to move to different parts of the genome—are associated with age-related disease and decline, as well as how additional genes governing transposon expression may one day be therapeutic targets for aging. The study, "An eQTL-based approach reveals candidate regulators of LINE-1 RNA levels in lymphoblastoid cells," was published in PLOS Genetics on June 7, 2024.
Study: regulators of “jumping genes” could be new targets for aging research and treatment
A new USC Leonard Davis School-led study highlights how transposons – commonly called “jumping genes” because of their ability to move to different parts of the genome – are associated with age-related disease and decline, as well as how additional genes governing transposon expression may one day be therapeutic targets for aging. Transposons make up approximately 45% percent of human DNA, and their activity is largely repressed in younger, healthy cells.
Molecules derived from sea sponge show promising effects in cancer, mitochondrial function
A groundbreaking study led by the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology in collaboration with Dominican University of California explores how small molecules derived from sea sponges affect energy production in mitochondria and details their remarkably targeted effects on various types of cancers.
Molecules Derived from Sea Sponge Show Promising Effects in Mitochondrial Function and Cancer
A groundbreaking study led by the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology in collaboration with Dominican University of California explores how small molecules derived from sea sponges affect energy production in mitochondria and details their remarkably targeted effects on various types of cancers.
Master of Science in Gerontology Readies Student for Career in Global Public Health and Research
Alexander Woodman, MPH, MSG, PhD and Fulbright research scholar, has traveled across the globe to study public health and aging. From Southeast Asia to France and the Middle East, his guiding values as an investigator have been equity, justice and care. Woodman is currently a U.S. Fulbright Research Scholar at the Arabian Gulf University School of Medicine in Manama, Bahrain.
USC Leonard Davis Faculty Member Receives 2024 Vincent Cristofalo Rising Star in Aging Research Award
USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology Associate Professor Bérénice Benayoun has received the 2024 Vincent Cristofalo Rising Star in Aging Research Award from the American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR), a national non-profit organization whose mission is to support and advance healthy aging through biomedical research.
From Researcher to Policy Advocate: PhD Graduate Shifts Gears to Improve Healthspan
The typical path for many PhD students is a research career in academia, government or the private sector. Recent USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology graduate Brenda Eap, PhD chose a path less traveled — political advocacy. Eap is Vice President of Operations and Partnerships at the Alliance for Longevity Initiatives (A4LI). “Our mission at A4LI is to increase human healthspan, which is the part of life spent in good health,” Eap says.
Study: direct-to-patient educational material helps older adults reduce their benzodiazepine use
Providing brochures that contain information on benzodiazepine risks and ways to safely taper off of them can help older adults reduce their use of these medications, according to a new study. Benzodiazepines are medications that slow down activity in the brain and nervous system and are often used to treat anxiety, seizure disorders, and insomnia; well-known brand names in this class of medications include Valium, Ativan, and Xanax.
People with Rare Longevity Mutation May Also Be Protected from Cardiovascular Disease
A new study highlights possible cardiovascular health advantages in individuals with a rare condition known as growth hormone receptor deficiency (GHRD), also called Laron syndrome. GHRD, which is characterized by the body’s impaired ability to use its own growth hormone and results in stunted growth, has been linked in mice to a record 40% longevity extension and lower risks for various age-related diseases.
Role Models: Marilou and Mark Hamill on Healthy Aging
From snapshots of kids on Star Wars sets to a trio of small dogs trotting by a table bearing an Emmy statuette, the Hamill home gives a sense of the down-to-earth partnership and family life behind an out-of-this-world career in entertainment. For USC Leonard Davis School supporters Marilou and Mark Hamill, living and aging well calls for lots of love and laughter, the ability to let little things slide and an understanding of what matters most to them.
Study: Newly Discovered Beneficial Mutation in Mitochondrial DNA Appears to Help Alzheimer’s Gene Carriers Live Longer, Stay Sharper and Represents a New Direction in Drug Discovery
Researchers at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology have discovered a genetic mutation in a small mitochondrial protein that may promote longevity, preserve cognitive function, and protect against Alzheimer’s disease among carriers of APOE4, a gene associated with a dramatic increase in the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Fasting-Like Diet Lowers Risk Factors for Disease, Reduces Biological Age in Humans
Cycles of a diet that mimics fasting reduce signs of immune system aging as well as insulin resistance and liver fat in humans, resulting in a lower biological age, according to a new USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology-led study. The study, which appears in Nature Communications on February 20, 2024, adds to the body of evidence supporting the beneficial effects of the fasting-mimicking diet (FMD).
Newly Discovered Genetic Mutation Protects Against Parkinson’s Disease and Offers Hope for New Therapies
A previously unidentified genetic mutation in a small protein provides significant protection against Parkinson’s disease and offers a new direction for exploring potential treatments, according to a new USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology study. The variant, located in a mitochondrial microprotein dubbed SHLP2, was found to be highly protective against Parkinson’s disease; individuals with this mutation are half as likely to develop the disease as those who do not carry it.
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