News from NYU Langone Health
People who avoid 3 key things live nearly 13 years longer without dementia: study
New York Post
A new study finds people who avoid smoking, high blood pressure, and diabetes in midlife live nearly 13 years longer without dementia. The research suggests these individuals live about 30 years free of the condition, compared to 17 years for those with these risk factors. The study’s senior investigator, Josef Coresh, MD, PhD, founding director of the Optimal Aging Institute and the Terry and Mel Karmazin Professor of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, stated that findings argue for actively averting these factors to preserve brain health. He also noted that vascular risk reduction may particularly benefit Black adults, who are at higher risk.
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8/06/2026
When does it make sense to build software instead of buy? One health system’s answer.
Healthcare Dive
NYU Langone Health and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have collaborated to create Solavia Decision Suite, a digital oncology tool designed to help clinicians make treatment decisions. Piloted at NYU Langone Health in June, the tool integrates with electronic health records to align patient data with relevant clinical research. In an interview, Nader Mherabi, executive vice president and vice dean, chief digital and information officer at NYU Langone, explained the decision to develop the product in-house rather than buy one. He noted that the partnership creates a highly integrated, scalable, and intuitive tool for oncologists.
8/05/2026
Top US neurology and neurosurgery hospitals ranked
Medscape
For the second consecutive year, NYU Langone Hospitals has been ranked the number one hospital in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report for 2026-2027. The report also listed Northwestern Medicine-Northwestern Memorial Hospital at number two, followed by UCSF Health-UCSF Medical Center at three. NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia and Cornell was ranked fourth. Additionally, NYU Langone Hospitals was recognized on the publication’s ‘honor roll’ of 20 institutions demonstrating excellence across multiple areas of care, along with competitors Mount Sinai Hospital and NewYork-Presbyterian.
8/06/2026
One Florida hospital declared among best in country in study. Where is it?
Yahoo
U.S. News & World Report has released its 2026-2027 ‘Best Hospitals’ rankings, which evaluate performance on measures such as mortality rates and patient experience. The report highlights top regional hospitals across major metropolitan areas. In the New York City area, NYU Langone Hospitals was ranked No. 1, sharing the top spot with Mount Sinai Hospital and New York-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia and Cornell. The analysis recognized 28 institutions as ‘Best Hospitals’ in the New York region. While the article’s main focus is on Florida hospitals, it specifically lists this achievement for the New York market.
Also reporting was: The Daytona Beach News-Journal, Florida Times-Union
8/06/2026
FDA approves first-ever mRNA flu vaccine for millions of older Americans
Fox News
The FDA approved Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine, the first of its kind in the US. It received full approval for adults aged 50-64 and accelerated approval for those 65 and older. Clinical trials indicated a 27% reduction in flu cases compared to standard vaccines. While it has more mild, temporary side effects, no major safety issues were reported. Marc Siegel, MD, a primary care physician and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health, noted that the vaccine allows for rapid updates to match circulating strains and is significantly more effective than current shots, especially for protecting older adults.
8/06/2026
No one knew why she fainted so often. A clinical trial gave her hope. | Medical Mystery
The Philadelphia Inquirer
After suffering from frequent fainting and receiving multiple misdiagnoses, patient Janet Mercel was correctly diagnosed at NYU Langone Health. Consultations with physicians including Stuart Dickerman, MD, cardiologist at NYU Langone Health, identified a severe form of neurocardiogenic syncope. Larry Chinitz, MD, director of Cardiac Electrophysiology and the Heart Rhythm Center and co-director of NYU Langone Heart, enrolled her in a clinical trial for a leadless pacemaker. The device, implanted at NYU Langone, successfully treated her dangerously low heart rate, significantly reducing fainting episodes.
8/06/2026
Glyphosate exposure during pregnancy linked to preterm birth
HealthDay
A study from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine suggests that glyphosate exposure during the middle months of pregnancy may increase the likelihood of preterm birth. The research, published in Environmental Pollution, analyzed 1,450 participants in New York City. According to the findings, glyphosate concentrations between 18 and 25 weeks of gestation were associated with a higher probability of both preterm and spontaneous preterm birth. Teresa Herrera, MPH, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, noted that the results contribute to growing evidence about the potential long-term health concerns of early-life glyphosate exposure.
8/06/2026
Forget Ozempic and protein shakes — Sardinemaxxing is the Internet’s new health craze
TVOvermind
An article examines the ‘sardinemaxxing’ diet trend, which involves eating only sardines for several days to achieve rapid weight loss. The piece explores the diet’s risks, citing commentary from David Goldfarb, MD, a nephrologist and clinical director of the Division of Nephrology at NYU Langone Health. He states that while a short-term fast is low-risk for healthy individuals, the underlying ketogenic nature of the diet is associated with kidney stones. The article also discloses Goldfarb’s conflict-of-interest management plan with NYU Langone regarding his company, Moonstone Nutrition.
8/06/2026
New findings begin to resolve theta sweep debate
The Transmitter
New research from three independent studies indicates that brain theta sweeps serve a dual function, helping to resolve a long-standing debate. The findings show these neural signals passively scan an environment by default but can switch to active, targeted sweeps during goal-directed movement. This allows for environmental sampling and short-distance planning. Commenting on the studies, György Buzsáki, MD, PhD, the Biggs Professor of Neuroscience and professor of neurology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, noted that brain rhythms like theta waves are crucial for organizing information for neural communication.
8/06/2026
Patients comfortable with AI-created portal messages if clinicians provide oversight
HemOnc Today
A study finds many patients have high comfort with AI-written portal messages, viewing them as a way to receive information quickly while reducing clinician workload. Kellie Owens, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, who led the research, notes that this comfort is conditional on clinician oversight and transparency. Patients see AI as a tool to assist clinicians, not replace human judgment. The research showed that most interviewees use the portal for transactional purposes and want assurance that a clinician has reviewed any AI-generated communication before it is sent.
8/06/2026
Case report: The purpuric puzzle
The Rheumatologist
A case report details an unusual presentation of adult-onset Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV) in a 65-year-old woman who developed periorbital ecchymosis and pharyngeal erythema. The authors note these symptoms have not been previously documented in adults with IgAV and represent a potential expansion of the disease phenotype. Co-authors from NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine include Kristina Belostocki, MD, a clinical assistant professor of medicine; Elise Belilos, MD, assistant professor and section head to the Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island; and Steven E. Carsons, MD, professor and vice dean of NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine.
8/06/2026
Patch
John Gillen, a retired NYPD sergeant and a 40-year veteran of the Wantagh Fire Department, is in search of a Type-O living kidney donor. Following a quadruple bypass, Gillen’s kidneys are now functioning at approximately 15 percent. His family has launched a campaign, ‘a hero needs a hero,’ to aid in the search for a donor. The article highlights his extensive service as a first responder and the personal impact of his health condition. Potential donors are directed to register through NYU Langone Health’s program, connecting the health system to the community effort.
8/06/2026
Want to run the N.Y.C. marathon? You may have to enter another lottery. *
The New York Times
New York Road Runners announced it will change its 9+1 program for guaranteed entry into the New York City Marathon, making participation based on a lottery starting in 2028. The program will be limited to roughly 15,000 participants. The organization’s CEO said the change aims to make the popular system more equitable and manageable. Juan Esteban Baus, an assistant research scientist at NYU Langone Health and qualified for the 2025 marathon through the program, commented on his positive experience, saying it created a sense of community and allowed him to see different parts of the city.
8/06/2026
Yahoo
A new environmental study led by Judith T. Zelikoff, PhD, a professor of toxicology and environmental health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, has identified a ‘hot spot’ of toxic heavy metals in Keyport, New Jersey. The research, commissioned by NJ.com, analyzed soil in residential yards and parks near a closed dump. The team found elevated levels of arsenic, lead, and other metals exceeding state safety standards. These findings suggest a potential pathway for human exposure to toxins, which Zelikoff called ‘potentially very dangerous,’ and indicate a need for more extensive testing by state officials.
8/06/2026
Everyone wants ‘Reta.’ The real Retatrutide isn’t even available yet.
Flow Space
Eli Lilly’s experimental drug Retatrutide is generating significant online discussion for its weight-loss potential, with trial results showing an average 28.3% body weight loss. The article cautions that the drug is not yet FDA-approved and warns against unregulated versions available online. Holly Lofton, MD, director of NYU Langone’s Medical Weight Management Program, calls the effects ‘promising’ but notes the treatment is not suitable for everyone. Experts stress that products sold online are not the same as the medication being clinically tested.
Also reporting was: Yahoo Health
8/06/2026
Private philanthropy: We need ethics to match It — Ethicist
Medscape
In a commentary, Arthur Caplan, PhD, founding head of the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and professor emeritus of population health, discusses the need for improved ethics in private philanthropy for medicine and biomedical research. Citing the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, he argues that as government funding for research declines, reliance on private donors increases. Caplan asserts that leaving individual doctors and researchers to manage donors without proper institutional oversight is inadequate. He calls for new policies, training on vetting potential donors, and centralized administration to ensure that gift-giving aligns with the missions and values of healthcare and research institutions.
8/06/2026
