News from NYU Langone Health
Teen's Parents Issued a Plea to Find a Kidney Donor Match, Then a Caring Neighbor Responded
People
Tim Fitzpatrick donated a kidney to 15-year-old Elias Manolis, who has a congenital kidney condition, after his family made a public plea for a donor. The transplant surgery took place at Hassenfeld Children's Hospital at NYU Langone. Laura Malaga-Dieguez, MD, PhD, a pediatric nephrologist at NYU Langone Health, division director, Pediatric Nephrology and medical director, Pediatric Kidney Transplant Program, explained that adult kidneys can be used in pediatric patients as long as the donor is a compatible match. After the successful surgery, the donor and recipient discovered they live just 10 minutes away from each other.
4/18/2026
CBS News
A 33-year-old woman experienced heart failure during labor from a rare condition called peripartum cardiomyopathy. Adam Small, MD, associate medical director of the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program at NYU Langone Health, explained that the condition occurs when the heart spontaneously weakens late in pregnancy or shortly after birth. According to Dr. Small, it affects about 1 in every 5,000 pregnancies and is difficult to predict. He noted that warning signs can include shortness of breath, and a feeling of dread could be caused by fluid in the lungs or low blood pressure.
4/18/2026
AACR 2026: More strong data for Revolution Medicines’ KRAS drug
STAT
At the American Association of Cancer Researchers’ annual meeting, Revolution Medicines presented strong data for its KRAS-targeting drug, zoldonrasib, showing a 55% overall response rate in certain lung cancers. The meeting also highlighted new cancer drugs from Chinese drugmakers. In a discussion on clinical trials, Anirban Maitra, MD, a noted pancreatic cancer researcher, director of the Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center and associate dean for cancer research at at NYU Langone Health, commented on former FDA official Rick Pazdur’s argument for forgoing randomized trials in favor of external controls for highly effective agents.
4/19/2026
Immunontherapy For Glioblastoma: Could It Be More Effective Before Surgery?
SurvivorNet
A new clinical trial led by Duke Cancer Institute is testing whether administering immunotherapy before surgery could be more effective for glioblastoma. The strategy aims to prime the immune system while the tumor is intact, potentially improving the body's ability to recognize and attack cancer cells. The article also details the diagnostic process. Alexandra Miller, MD, chief of Neuro-Oncology Division at NYU Langone Health and co-director of Brain and Spine Tumor Center, explains that if a tumor is suspected, surgeons will first take a piece to confirm it is cancerous before resecting it.
4/17/2026
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting
Orthopedics Today
Research from NYU Langone Health, presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting, found that adding a tibial tubercle osteotomy did not improve graft survivorship in patients undergoing patellofemoral osteochondral allograft transplantation. Laith Jazrawi, MD, chief of the division of sports medicine and director of sports medicine fellowship at NYU Langone Health, noted that the procedure did not improve outcomes and was associated with more complications. The study, presented by Vishal Sundaram, a fourth-year medical student at NYU Langone Health, showed patients with the osteotomy had lower reoperation-free survivorship rates at two years.
4/17/2026
Nondisclosure Agreements Illegal in Healthcare, Says Ethicist
Medscape
In a commentary, Art Caplan, PhD, the Drs. William F. and Virginia Connolly Mitty Professor of Bioethics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, argues that nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) in healthcare are illegal and unethical. He notes their use in fields like cosmetic surgery and concierge medicine to prevent patients from discussing their care online or suing for malpractice. Caplan asserts that these agreements are unenforceable in court, as consumer protection laws allow patients to share their experiences. He advises providers to respond to negative feedback on social media rather than attempting to censor patients.
4/17/2026
Gut Bacteria Predict Skin Cancer Recurrence Only When Matched by Microbial
SCIENMAG
A study led by researchers from NYU Langone Health and its Perlmutter Cancer Center has identified a significant link between the gut microbiome and melanoma recurrence risk following surgery and immunotherapy. Published in the journal Cell, the research on 674 patients found that specific gut bacteria could predict cancer relapse with up to 94% accuracy. The team developed a computational method to create consistent microbial predictors across diverse geographic locations. According to senior author Jiyoung Ahn, PhD, MPH, professor in the Departments of Population Health and Medicine, these discoveries could help tailor treatment strategies for high-risk individuals.
4/17/2026
Your gut bacteria could determine your skin cancer risk - but there’s a catch
The Independent (US)
A new study led by researchers from NYU Langone Health and its Perlmutter Cancer Center found that gut bacteria could determine a patient's risk of melanoma recurrence. The research, published in the journal *Cell*, analyzed stool samples from 674 patients and found that differences in key bacterial groups predicted recurrence with up to 94% accuracy. However, the bacterial markers that signal risk differed based on the patient's geographic location. Senior author Jiyoung Ahn, PhD, MPH, professor in the Department of Population Health and Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, said the findings will help tailor treatment. Study author Richard B. Hayes, DDS, PhD, MPH, professor in the Department of Population Health and Department of Environmental Medicine, envisions using this data to guide therapy from the start.
Also reporting was: UK-Times, The Independent (UK), Yahoo News UK, Aol, AOL UK
4/17/2026
Three common sleep issues may be early warning signs of dementia, experts warn
Daily Mail
Three common sleep issues—insomnia, acting out dreams, and nighttime wandering—may be early warning signs of dementia, according to experts. Chronic poor sleep can disrupt the brain's glymphatic system, which clears toxic proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease during sleep. Jeremy M. Liff, MD, a neurologist at NYU Langone Health, commented that certain neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's, often start with sleep disturbances. He added that REM sleep behavior disorder, in particular, can be a strong predictor that a neurodegenerative disease is developing.
4/19/2026
NYU Langone Health Neurologists Unveil Latest Clinical Findings and Research at AAN 2026
SCIENMAG
At the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting, NYU Langone Health's Department of Neurology presented over 80 findings. Highlights included research from Jonathan E. Howard, MD, neurologist and psychiatrist at NYU Langone Health and director, Neurology Service Bellevue Hospital, on combating medical misinformation. Jacqueline A. French, MD, epileptologist at NYU Langone Health and division director, Epilepsy, led the successful Phase 3 X-TOLE2 clinical trial for a new epilepsy drug, azetukalner, which showed a 53.2 percent reduction in seizure frequency. Additionally, Mihir Kakara, MD, a neurologist at NYU Langone Health, shared a study on barriers to healthcare access for patients using mobility aids.
4/19/2026
Conference Demands and Daily Workloads Fuel Burnout-Reducing Conversations in Oncology
OncLive
High rates of burnout among oncologists, exacerbated by demanding conference schedules and clinical responsibilities, are driving efforts to improve team-based care and physician wellbeing. A global study found 56.1% of oncology professionals met the criteria for burnout. In the article, Costas Bizekis, MD, a thoracic surgeon at NYU Langone Health, discusses the multiple responsibilities of patient care, research, and mentoring. He credits the growth of his clinical team and a collaborative environment for affording physicians the ability to attend conferences while ensuring continuous patient care and resident teaching.
4/17/2026
Community paramedic initiative improves outcomes for dementia patients, study finds
McKnight's Long-Term Care News
A new study found that a program using community paramedics for home visits after hospital discharge can improve outcomes for people with dementia and reduce avoidable emergency department visits. Research from the University of Wisconsin, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center found the Community Paramedic-led Transitions Intervention reduced the odds of ED revisits within 30 days by 75% among patients with cognitive impairment. The intervention is part of a large, nationwide clinical trial funded by a $55 million National Institutes of Health grant.
4/20/2026
Extreme Heat May Increase ED Visits in Older Adults With Low Income
Medscape
A study led by Evan Siau, MD, MPH, a hospitalist and clinical assistant professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, found that extreme heat was linked to higher emergency department use among adults 65 and older at a safety-net hospital serving low-income, minoritized populations. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, found no similar association at an ED serving predominantly white, privately insured patients. These findings highlight significant socioeconomic disparities in heat-related health risks and suggest that tailored heat warning strategies should be further studied for vulnerable populations.
4/20/2026
Busy? More Time-Saving Tips Won’t Help, but This Will
Medscape
An article on physician burnout highlights a program at NYU Langone Health called “About Me,” which is built into the electronic health record. The prompt allows patients to share personal information, which clinicians can see. According to Katherine Hochman, MD, MBA, director of the Division of Hospital Medicine and associate chair of Quality of Care at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, the program was created to improve patient experience but has also been found to improve the joy of practice for clinicians by fostering human connection. The article notes that nearly 45.2% of US physicians report burnout symptoms.
4/20/2026
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting
Healio
Research presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting found that concomitant tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO) did not improve graft survivorship for patients undergoing patellofemoral osteochondral allograft transplantation. The study, co-authored by Laith M. Jazrawi, MD, chief of sports medicine and director of the sports medicine fellowship at NYU Langone Health, showed patients with TTO had a 67% reoperation-free survivorship rate at two years, compared to 82% for those without. Presenter Vishal Sundaram, a fourth-year medical student at NYU Langone Health, noted the difference was largely due to TTO-related hardware complications.
4/17/2026
OncLive
The 2026 Society of Gynecologic Oncology Annual Meeting highlighted practice-changing data, including the ROSELLA and KEYNOTE-B96 trials, which introduced new FDA-approved regimens for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Experts from institutions including Memorial Sloan Kettering and NYU Langone Health discussed the findings. Bhavana Pothuri, MD, professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, director of Gynecologic Oncology Research, medical director of the Clinical Trials Office at Perlmutter Cancer Center, and director of Gynecologic Oncology Clinical Trials at NYU Langone Health, noted the ROSELLA and KEYNOTE-B96 data represent exciting new treatment options for patients, calling the presentation of these practice-changing trials very exciting.
4/17/2026
Loneliness may be silently eroding your memory, new research reveals
LiveNOW from FOX
A new study found that older adults reporting higher levels of loneliness performed worse on memory tests, but their rate of memory decline over seven years was similar to less lonely peers. Commenting on the findings, Jordan Weiss, PhD, assistant professor in the division of precision medicine and the Optimal Aging Institute at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, suggested this may mean loneliness causes its damage earlier in life. He noted that by the time individuals are in their late 60s, decades of social connection patterns are already established, making it difficult to pinpoint when the effects of loneliness began.
Also reporting was: WTVT-TV (Tampa, FL), WTXF-TV (Philadelphia, PA), KSAZ-TV (Phoenix, AZ), WNYW-TV (New York, NY), WNYW-TV (New York, NY), WTTG-TV (Bethesda, MD), KCPQ-TV (Seattle, WA), WFLD-TV (Chicago, IL), WAGA-TV (Atlanta, GA), KDFW-TV (Dallas, TX), KRIV-TV (Houston, TX)
4/19/2026
KitKat, Gatorade or granola bars? What’s banned under new SNAP rules are mixed.
The Washington Post
New rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are creating complex restrictions for retailers and recipients in nearly two dozen states, barring the use of food stamps for items like soda and candy. The changes aim to address chronic diseases by discouraging unhealthy purchases. Marion Nestle, a retired professor of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University, commented on the debate, noting the tension between not funding unhealthy drinks and stigmatizing low-income people. Brian Elbel, PhD, MPH, the Muriel G. and George W. Singer Professor of Population Health, and director, Section on Health Choice, Policy and Evaluation, Department of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, highlighted the need to study how the changes affect consumer behavior.
4/20/2026
'Microbial Fingerprint' of Gut Bacteria Can Predict Skin Cancer Recurrence
Technology Networks
A new study led by researchers from NYU Langone Health and its Perlmutter Cancer Center found that the specific mix of bacteria in a person's gut can predict the chances of melanoma recurrence after surgery and immunotherapy. The research, published in Cell, revealed that differences in key bacterial groups predicted cancer recurrence with up to 94 percent accuracy. According to study senior author Jiyoung Ahn, PhD, a professor in the Department of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and associate director of population research at Perlmutter Cancer Center, the findings identify gut bacterial types that can serve as markers of increased recurrence risk.
4/19/2026
6 Signs Your Child Might Be a People-Pleaser—and How to Help
Parents
Chronic people-pleasing in children can lead to low self-esteem, identity confusion, and difficulty setting healthy boundaries, explains Joseph Laino, PsyD, psychologist and assistant director at the Sunset Terrace Family Health Center at NYU Langone Health. He notes that these children often rely on external validation, which can fuel anxiety and stress. Dr. Laino identifies behavioral red flags, including frequent apologizing, constantly seeking reassurance, and avoiding conflict. To help, he recommends parents model how to say 'no' respectfully, reinforce assertiveness, validate a range of emotions, and teach their children about unconditional love.
Also reporting was: MSN Mexico, Yahoo Life, Aol
4/18/2026
Lisa Jarvis: Finally, real progress against pancreatic cancer
Miami Herald
Revolution Medicines' pancreatic cancer therapy, daraxonrasib, allowed patients with advanced disease to live twice as long as those on chemotherapy in a late-stage study. Manuel Hidalgo Medina, MD, co-director of NYU Grossman School of Medicine's Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, called the results 'the most important clinical trial data in pancreatic cancer, ever.' The drug extended patient lifespans to 13.2 months versus 6.7 months for chemotherapy alone. An oncologist from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center also commented on the drug's promise. Revolution Medicines plans to seek FDA approval for the therapy.
Also reporting was: Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Tacoma News Tribune, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Island Packet, San Luis Obispo Tribune, The State, Bradenton Herald, The Sun News, Tri-City Herald, The Modesto Bee, Merced Sun-Star, Rock Hill Herald, The Telegraph (Macon), The Olympian, The Herald-Sun (Durham, NC)
4/18/2026
3 Easy Ways To Help Prevent Dementia and Keep Your Memory Sharp for Years To Come
Woman's World
New research suggests simple lifestyle changes like exercise and adequate sleep can lower dementia risk. Jordan Weiss, PhD, assistant professor in the Division of Precision Medicine and Optimal Aging Institute at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, explains that normal aging involves slower recall, whereas dementia involves forgetting entire conversations. He notes that exercise increases blood flow and beneficial molecules in the brain, while prolonged sitting can damage brain vessels. Dr. Weiss also highlights that sleep is crucial for the brain's waste-clearance system, which flushes out proteins like amyloid-beta that are linked to Alzheimer's disease.
Also reporting was: Miami Herald, The State, The Telegraph (Macon), The Island Packet, Merced Sun-Star, The Modesto Bee, Centre Daily Times, The Sacramento Bee, Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, San Luis Obispo Tribune, Tri-City Herald, Tacoma News Tribune, Yahoo Health, Aol, Bradenton Herald, Fresno Bee, Yahoo Health, Aol
4/17/2026
How Long Does It Take to Increase Bone Density?
Women's Health
Increasing bone density is most effective before age 30, after which the focus shifts to preservation through lifestyle habits. Natasha Desai, MD, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and co-director of the Women’s Sports Medicine Center, states it is never too late to build healthy habits. Dr. Desai emphasizes strength training, which stimulates bone-building cells, and notes that fortified vegan foods are good calcium sources. She explains that while bone loss is minimal for menstruating women, it can accelerate to about three percent per year during menopause due to changing estrogen levels.
4/17/2026
