News from NYU Langone Health
Budgie Brains Have A Map Of Vocal Sounds Just Like Humans. (New Scientist)
New Scientist (3/20) Michael A. Long, PhD, the Thomas and Suzanne Murphy Professor of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, and professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and Zetian Yang have discovered that budgerigars’ brains contain a vocal sound map similar to a key speech region in the human brain, using silicon probes to record electrical activity in the central nucleus of the anterior arcopallium, a region known for motor control of vocalizations, and found neurons active for specific sounds, which Long compares to a keyboard, and Long suggests that other parrots may have similar brain features, which could eventually aid in understanding human speech disorders, such as aphasia.
Also reporting are Popular Science (3/19), Science News (3/20), Ars Technica (3/19), NPR (3/20), and NPR (3/20).
NYU Langone Health Physician Discusses Men’s Health Concerns. (WNYW-TV New York)
WNYW-TV (3/20) Steven Lamm, MD, clinical professor, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Clinical Innovation, the Preston Robert Tisch Center for Men’s Health, discussed the importance of men attending regular doctor visits to prevent diseases and manage health issues, such as sleep apnea and low testosterone, through sleep, stress management, exercise, and nutrition, while addressing audience questions on topics including CPAP machine usage, the impact of obesity and opioid use on testosterone levels, and the effectiveness of testosterone supplements, suggesting that men should consult with healthcare professionals for accurate assessments and appropriate treatments.
NYU Langone Hospital’s Suffolk Expansion. (Long Island (NY) Press)
The Long Island (NY) Press (3/20) NYU Langone Health has fully merged with the 306-bed Long Island Community Hospital, now renamed NYU Langone Hospital-Suffolk, incorporating the Knapp Cardiac Care Center and expanding services like robotic surgery, gynecologic oncology, and infusion services, with Robert I. Grossman, MD, dean and CEO, stating, “Our newest hospital has made incredible strides in quality and safety to better serve patients in Suffolk County,” while Marc S. Adler, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Clinical Innovation, chief, Hospital Operations, NYU Langone Hospital—Suffolk, said, “This didn’t happen overnight. This has been a three-year transition.”
Low-Dose Doxycycline Effective For Managing Lymphocytic Scarring Alopecia Symptoms. (HCP Live)
HCP Live (3/19) A study conducted by NYU Langone Health found that lower doses of doxycycline may effectively manage lymphocytic scarring alopecia symptoms with fewer side effects, as compared to higher doses, based on an analysis of 241 patients’ medical records, according to Kristen Lo Sicco, MD, associate professor, the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, chief, service and director, Skin and Cancer Unit, who noted, “Studies that advance the management of these conditions are critical to addressing not only hair loss itself but also the psychological and social consequences that accompany it.”
NYU Langone Health Honors Therapy Dog For Helping With Spinal Cord Surgery Patient. (NBC)
NBC (3/20) Rusk Rehabilitation at NYU Langone Health in New York is honoring Dotty, a three-year-old lab, for her role in helping five-year-old Liam re-learn how to walk after recovering from major spinal cord surgery. Jackie Haight, certified child life specialist, Rusk Rehabilitation, said that Dotty’s gentle nature and ability to perform over 30 commands made her a perfect match for children like Liam, who has been visiting the hospital since he was six months old and has made significant progress due to physical therapy and Dotty’s motivational presence.
Also reporting are NBC News New York (USA) (3/20) and WNBC-TV (3/20).
Explainer: The Science Of Xenotransplantation. (Cosmos Magazine (AUS))
Cosmos Magazine (AUS) (3/20) Robert Montgomery, MD, DPhil, the H. Leon Pachter, MD, Professor of Surgery, chair, Department of Surgery, NYU Langone Transplant Institute, performed a xenotransplant in July 2023, transplanting a genetically modified pig kidney into a 58-year-old brain-dead patient, as part of a growing trend in xenotransplantation, which is gaining traction as an alternative for end-stage diseases, especially for those with high sensitivity to human antigens.
How Realistic Is The Severance Procedure? Brain Surgeons Have Some Thoughts. (TIME)
TIME (3/20) Daniel A. Orringer, MD, associate professor, Departments of Neurosurgery, and Pathology, Perlmutter Cancer Center, expressed skepticism about the plausibility of memory control as depicted in the Apple TV+ series “Severance,” stating, “You could, for example, knock out short-term memory if you turned off or severed both hippocampi and the fornices,” while Dr. Howard Riina, vice chair of the department of neurosurgery at NYU Langone Health, remarked on the complexity of creating dual identities, saying, “Memory is so complex and involves many different areas of the brain,” emphasizing the challenges in achieving such feats with current technology.
FDA Crackdown On Poppers Prompts Rush On Popular Gay Party Drug. (Los Angeles Times)
The Los Angeles Times (3/21) Joseph J. Palamar, MPH, PhD, associate professor, Department of Population Health, warned of increasing ingestion-related poisonings from poppers, noting that “even a couple drops are enough to make you sick,” as the FDA’s recent crackdown on poppers, including a raid on Double Scorpio, has led to a nationwide rush on these products, which are often marketed as nail polish remover or liquid incense despite being banned for human consumption, raising concerns about potential underground markets and riskier drug alternatives.
Opinion: Sports Can Empower Young Women To Conquer Challenges. (Imperial (CA) Valley Press)
The Imperial (CA) Valley Press (3/20) In an opinion piece, Brian W. Hainline, MD, clinical professor, Department of Neurology, said, “Boosting the number of girls in sports could go a long way toward improving their mental and physical health, along with their general well-being,” while adding, “I can attest that sports are a great way to help young people develop emotional resilience” whether “it’s learning a new skill, working through a tough loss, or coming back from an injury, young athletes learn what it’s like to become goal-oriented and overcome setbacks in a supportive environment that is challenging and fun.”
Can You Really Lose 10 Pounds In A Week On The Military Diet? (Men's Health)
Men’s Health (3/20) Dietitians, including Holly F. Lofton, MD, clinical associate professor, Departments of Surgery, Division of Bariatric Surgery, and Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Clinical Innovation, have assessed the Military Diet’s effectiveness, recommending gradual dietary changes like reducing processed food intake and maintaining a balanced diet with vegetables and proteins.
The Biggest Mistake You’re Making With SPF Moisturizer. (The Cut (NY))
The Cut (NY) (3/20) Mary L. Stevenson, MD, associate professor, the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, confirmed that using a moisturizer with SPF is acceptable protection from UV rays, provided it is SPF 30 or higher and broad spectrum.
Lupus By The Numbers: What The Data Reveals. (Medscape)
Paywalled* Medscape (3/20)* Peter M. Izmirly, MD, professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, discussed the epidemiology of systemic lupus erythematosus in a Medscape InDiscussion podcast, highlighting that a meta-analysis found a prevalence of 72.8 per 100,000 person years, with higher rates observed in African American Black and Hispanic females.
New Jersey Student Tests Positive For Tuberculosis. (WNYW-TV New York)
WNYW-TV (3/20) A high school student in Woodbridge, New Jersey, has tested positive for tuberculosis, and the school principal said they are collaborating with health officials to screen those who had contact with the student; Devi E. Nampiaparampil, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, explained that tuberculosis is concerning due to its contagious nature and the potential for latent infection, which can remain hidden for years, complicating detection and treatment processes.
Ethicist Supports Assisted-Suicide Policies – With Safeguards. (Medscape)
Paywalled* Medscape (3/20)* Arthur L. Caplan, PhD, the Drs. William F. and Virginia Connolly Mitty Professor of Bioethics, Department of Population Health, Division of Medical Ethics, supports the recent passage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in England and Wales, which allows terminally ill individuals to choose assisted suicide under strict conditions, noting he thinks “safeguards are in place and the restriction of who can do it is appropriate.”
