The USC senior organized a group of student tutors who give the newcomers one-on-one help learning a new language.

? Year in review: USC stories kept us talking all year, from the debut of USC Village to a look at the benefits of coffee — not to mention Will Ferrell’s unforgettable commencement speech.

For USC sociologist Jody Agius Vallejo, the findings underscore how fluid racial and ethnic identities can be among people with Hispanic ancestry.

A priority of the Republicans’ tax overhaul was simplification, but much of the proposed simplification fell by the wayside. “The basic problem,” says USC’s Edward Kleinbard, “is you can’t be both simple and fair at the same time.”

Fake social media accounts already have a reputation of swaying political discourse, but a Keck School of Medicine of USC researcher says these automated accounts are even more dangerous — they can be bad for your health.

Social bots are automated accounts that use artificial intelligence to influence discussions and promote specific ideas or products. USC researchers focused on how these bots promoted the notion that using electronic cigarettes helps people stop smoking, a conclusion not definitively supported by research.

After two surgeries, a patient finally finds relief from back pain through physical therapy at USC.

A national movement for ethnicity-based student services led to its creation four decades ago.

Automated Twitter accounts spread unsupported claims that electronic cigarettes help people stop smoking, USC researchers say.

Leaders of top institutions, including USC’s C. L. Max Nikias, agree that Americans often don’t realize the benefits that universities bring — from curing diseases and creating jobs to providing millions of dollars in student financial aid. "We should not take for granted that the general public knows the difference we make,” Nikias said. (Politico)

USC’s Kevin Hur, who co-authored a surprising study that looked at how sinusitis and hay fever affect depression, sleep and work, thinks inflammation may play a key role. (Psychology Today)