A majority of all Californians think that things in California are going in the right direction.

The small fossil is evidence that the super-continental split likely occurred more recently than scientists previously thought and that a group of reptile-like mammals that bridge the reptile and mammal transition experienced an unsuspected burst of evolution across several continents.

The ancient find, unearthed in Utah, bridges the transition from reptiles to the beginning of mammals and changes our view of continental drift, too.

USC Dornsife’s Antonio Damasio argues that feelings are the basis for consciousness and lead to the development of cultures. If this is the case, the consciousness pursued for artificial intelligence is not the same as human consciousness.

An op-ed by USC’s Dana Goldman and colleagues argues that a 30-year low in the birth rate could have devastating impacts on Social Security and Medicare, and is well below the level needed to maintain existing population levels.

USC eliminated student evaluations of teaching this spring. Students will still evaluate their professors, with some adjustments, including a new focus on students’ own engagement in a course. But those ratings will not be used in high-stakes personnel decisions.

USC study also finds that people are more likely to condone using violence to defend their beliefs when they think others share their moral values.

With an alumna’s gift, USC Dornsife’s Joint Educational Project is expanding its Little Yoginis program for neighborhood students, helping them find tranquility in the midst of chaos.

Alumnus Fred Ryan notes key responsibilities facing lawyers and journalists in the current “fake news” environment.

Leading experts on hepatitis C treatment policy are recommending a new novel pricing strategy, implemented at the state level, that could help many more patients access the treatment.