Rachel B. Levin - Freelance Writer, Los Angeles

For many Americans, the total solar eclipse on April 8 will be an occasion for gathering and revelry. Cities, towns, parks, universities and organizations across the United States are hosting various celebratory events and festivals, some of which will...

*This article was the recipient of an award for Best News/Feature Writing (1,000+ words) by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE District VII).
WHEN TODD BOYD FIRST ARRIVED AT USC in the fall of 1992, an explosive cultural transformation was underway. The former hip-hop emcee and newly minted professor at the USC School of Cinematic Arts had come to the university with the goal of shaping the...

Anyone who’s healed from a cut or a scrape has witnessed the incredible regenerative power of stem cells. These cells can create identical copies of themselves, creating new cells and tissues that replace damaged ones.
Stem cells are active in some areas of our body throughout our lives, like the skin and blood. But in many critical organs, including the heart and kidneys, stem cells are absent. When such tissues are damaged due to aging, injury or disease, they don...

Near the southwest shore of the Salton Sea, a billboard greets visitors. Its brightly colored banners depict an array of activities: golf, boating, fishing, camping and nature trails. A large red arrow pointed toward the lake suggests these recreational...