News from NYU Langone Health
CBS News
Thirteen-year-old Elias Manolis, who has a rare congenital kidney disease, received a life-saving kidney transplant from a living donor, Tim Fitzpatrick. The successful procedure took place at NYU Langone. Laura Malaga-Dieguez, MD, medical director, Pediatric Kidney Transplant Program, and division director, Pediatric Nephrology, Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital, and part of Elias's care team, highlighted the benefits of a living donor, explaining that it shortens the wait time and that kidneys from living donors last longer. The surgeries were performed by Dr. Bruce Gelb and Dr. Jonathan Berger, who noted that Elias is recovering well and should soon be able to live a "totally normal life." The two families, who live just minutes apart, have since formed a close bond.
4/23/2026
Scientists reveal the biological pathways linking childhood trauma to chronic gut pain
PsyPost
Two recent studies provide new insights into the connection between early life events and long-term gut and brain health. The research was led by Kara G. Margolis, MD, director of the NYU Pain Research Center and a professor at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. In one study, researchers found that targeting serotonin specifically in the gut of mice could reduce anxiety and depression-like behaviors without the negative side effects of systemic medications. A related human study showed that infants exposed to certain serotonin-altering medications in the womb had a higher risk of developing functional constipation. A second study using a mouse model demonstrated that early life stress, such as maternal separation, led to heightened gut pain and sex-specific digestive movement issues in adulthood. Dr. Margolis noted that these findings could lead to novel therapeutic targets for disorders of gut-brain interaction.
4/26/2026
Do GLP-1 Supplements Work for Weight Loss? What Doctors and Experts Say
TODAY
Over-the-counter GLP-1 supplements offer minimal weight loss compared to prescription drugs, according to experts. While supplements may slightly increase the body's natural GLP-1, the effect is short-lived. Melanie Jay, MD, director of the NYU Langone Comprehensive Program on Obesity Research, explains that the natural hormone's effect lasts only seconds to minutes, whereas prescription GLP-1 medications remain active for days. The article notes that supplements do not contain the active ingredients found in drugs like Wegovy or Zepbound and should not be considered an alternative.
4/24/2026
How To Induce Labor Safely When You're Past Your Due Date
Health
For those past their due date, several methods may help induce labor, though none are guaranteed. One technique is having a doctor perform a "membrane sweep," which can release chemicals that soften the cervix. Melissa R. Peskin-Stolze, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist at NYU Langone Long Island Women's Health Associates, Long Island, explained that the effectiveness of this procedure depends on the cervix's initial condition. "For women who have an already-soft cervix that's partially dilated, she's more likely to go into labor in 12 hours," she said. Dr. Peskin-Stolze also cautioned against nipple stimulation at home, as it can sometimes hyperstimulate the uterus, and advised against using certain herbal remedies like black cohosh due to potential fetal risks.
4/24/2026
Debate grows over robotics in lung transplantation
icthealth.org
The use of robotics in lung transplantation is a topic of growing debate, with experts divided on its clinical value. At a recent conference, Stephanie Chang, MD, surgical director, Lung Transplantation Program, NYU Langone Transplant Institute, argued in favor of robotic-assisted surgery, highlighting its potential benefits. She stated that the technology allows for smaller incisions and greater precision, which may lead to reduced complications and shorter hospital stays. Dr. Chang also suggested that as the procedures become less invasive, they could "expand access to transplantation" for older and more vulnerable patients.
4/25/2026
ICIs Show Favorable Responses in Mediastinal B-Cell Lymphoma
Medscape
A real-world study in the American Journal of Hematology found that immune checkpoint inhibitors pembrolizumab and nivolumab show high response rates for relapsed or refractory primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma. The average overall response rate was 64%, with a nivolumab-brentuximab vedotin combination showing a higher rate than pembrolizumab alone. Catherine Diefenbach, MD, director of the Clinical Lymphoma Program at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, commented that the study confirms clinical trial findings in a real-world population, showing manageable toxicity and comparable efficacy, and that both regimens offer patients potential for long-term disease control.
4/24/2026
Study Reveals Why Some Cancer Therapies Don’t Work for All Patients
The Good Men Project
A new MIT study has uncovered why some targeted cancer therapies, specifically tyrosine kinase inhibitors, are not effective for all patients. Researchers found that many drug-resistant tumors have a "hardwired" backup survival pathway regulated by SRC family kinases, which allows them to continue growing even when the primary pathway is blocked. Commenting on the findings, Benjamin Neel, MD, PhD, a professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, stated that the work suggests combining tyrosine kinase inhibitors with SRC inhibitors could increase the number of patients who benefit. "This strategy merits testing in new clinical trials," he said. The study also found that this combination of drugs was effective at killing resistant cancer cells in the lab.
4/26/2026
Getting Outside Could Combat Loneliness
Women's Health
A new study published in the journal Health & Place found that engaging in activities in nature can reduce feelings of loneliness, even when alone. According to Thea Gallagher, PsyD, clinical associate professor of psychology and director of Wellness Programs in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Langone Health, natural environments may help by calming the brain's “social threat mode.” She explains that being in nature can lower stress and help people feel safer and more open, which can set the stage for more meaningful social interactions. While not a full replacement for human connection, spending time outdoors is a useful strategy.
Also reporting was: Yahoo Health, Aol
4/24/2026
