News from NYU Langone Health
Brain boosting foods for cognitive health
Asian American Life June 2026 Episode
Yu Chen, MPH, PhD, professor of epidemiology at the Department of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, co-authored a study demonstrating that heart-healthy eating significantly protects against cognitive decline. Research from NYU Langone found that women who followed the DASH diet starting in midlife reported a 20% lower risk of cognitive complaints, such as memory loss, in their 70s and 80s. Dr. Chen emphasizes that many people are unaware that hypertension and heart disease are major risk factors for dementia. By prioritizing fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, individuals can proactively safeguard their brain health.
6/14/2026
Former athletes use magic mushrooms to help treat traumatic brain injuries
ABC News
Shae Datta, MD, sports neurologist, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Neurology and co-director of the NYU Langone Concussion Center, discusses what occurs to the brain when someone experiences concussion. Dr Datta explains that psilocybin acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory for the brain. Comparing a concussion to a "bruise," she likens the drug’s effect to taking Advil to help symptoms fade over time. However, Dr. Datta warns that psilocybin carries significant risks. She stresses that it must be used under professional supervision, as it can trigger or worsen conditions like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia in individuals with certain family histories.
6/08/2026
Single sigmoidoscopy cuts colorectal cancer risk for more than 20 years
The Epoch Times
A Norwegian study of nearly 100,000 adults found that a single flexible sigmoidoscopy in midlife can reduce the risk of developing and dying from colorectal cancer for at least two decades, with stronger benefits for men. Commenting on the findings, Aasma Shaukat, MD, MPH, the Robert M. and Mary H. Glickman Professor of Medicine and director of outcomes research in the division of gastroenterology and hepatology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, explained the benefits were smaller for women because they tend to have more cancers in the upper colon, which the procedure does not reach. She also noted that women generally have a lower baseline risk for the disease than men.
6/12/2026
CMS adopts performance-based standards for CRC biomarker tests; evidence questions linger
Healio Gastroenterology
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services established a new national framework setting performance thresholds to qualify noninvasive, biomarker-based colorectal cancer screening tests for coverage. Aasma Shaukat, MD, MPH, the Robert M. and Mary H. Glickman Professor of Medicine and director of outcomes research in the division of gastroenterology and hepatology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, stated the benchmarks will help new tests gain coverage but expressed concern that the criteria seem retrofitted to existing tests. She also noted the criteria are missing important measures like sensitivity for advanced precursor lesions. Under the new decision, CMS will cover qualifying tests every three years for average-risk adults.
6/12/2026
Organs-on-a-chip offer “elegant solution” to quandary of animal models in drug design
Inside Precision Medicine
The article discusses 'organs-on-a-chip' technology as an alternative to animal models in drug design. Weiqiang Chen, PhD, professor of biomedical, mechanical, and aerospace engineering at NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering, helped develop the first immunocompetent leukemia-on-a-chip, commissioned by NYU Langone Health. This technology allows for patient-specific therapeutic response observation and can accelerate drug screening. Additionally, the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Sage Bionetworks received a $25 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to launch a data hub for a program aimed at complementing animal research in experimentation.
6/12/2026
The forgotten few: Why the kidney transplant system is failing its most complex patients
Pharmaphorum
The US kidney transplant system is failing its most complex, highly sensitized patients, for whom finding a compatible organ is nearly impossible. In a discussion on the topic, Robert Montgomery, MD, PhD, the H. Leon Pachter, MD Professor of Surgery and chair of the Department of Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, and director of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute, argues that a 2014 reform to the allocation system has not significantly improved access for this group. He notes their five-year mortality rate remains at 50%, worse than most cancers, and criticizes the complacency that led many centers to abandon desensitization research, leaving these patients with false hope.
6/12/2026
How to stay safe while traveling during extreme heat
The Press Democrat - By Associated Press
As travelers prepare for summer trips amid scorching temperatures, experts offer advice on staying safe. Alexander Azan, MD, assistant professor of population health and medicine at NYU Langone Health, advises preparing for extreme heat similarly to preparing for extreme cold. The article recommends checking forecasts, planning strenuous activities for cooler times of the day, and being aware of companions who are more vulnerable to heat, such as older adults and young children. It also stresses the importance of recognizing signs of heat illness, like dizziness and nausea, and seeking immediate help if symptoms worsen.
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6/12/2026
A popular sunscreen ingredient can finally be sold in the United States
Science News
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved bemotrizinol, a new sunscreen ingredient that has been available in Europe for over 25 years. The chemical is more stable than current ingredients, offers better protection against skin-aging UVA1 radiation, and is not readily absorbed into the bloodstream. Jennifer Stein, MD, PhD, dermatologist at NYU Langone Health, associate vice chair of Faculty Group Practice, and the Stewart J. Rahr Professor of Dermatology, Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, notes that unlike some physical sunscreens, chemical options rub in better. She explains that bemotrizinol is a large molecule, making it too big to be absorbed into the bloodstream, addressing a common patient concern.
6/12/2026
What we know about weight-loss drugs is rapidly changing
Miami Herald - NYT News Service/Syndicate Stories
The understanding of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs is evolving quickly due to widespread use. Melanie Jay, MD, director of the NYU Langone Comprehensive Program on Obesity, commented that the medical community is learning how to use these medications in real time. The drugs are now approved for conditions beyond diabetes and obesity, such as reducing heart attack risk and treating sleep apnea, with researchers exploring their potential for long COVID and substance use disorders. The article also covers issues like weight regain after cessation, varied patient responses, and side effects ranging from 'Ozempic breath' to muscle loss.
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6/12/2026
The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
An analysis of GLP-1 drugs highlights their transformative potential for treating obesity and other chronic conditions, as well as their broad economic impact. The article notes the remarkable velocity of innovation in this space. Quoted in the piece, Melanie Jay, MD, director of the NYU Langone Comprehensive Program on Obesity, observes that with GLP-1s, 'everyone is kind of iterating in real time.' The piece also examines challenges like cost and insurance coverage, and the downstream effects on industries such as fast food, apparel, and alcohol.
6/12/2026
Can you 'outgrow' asthma symptoms?
Health
Some children can outgrow asthma symptoms, a phenomenon known as asthma remission, where symptoms disappear for at least 12 months. According to Robert Giusti, MD, pediatric pulmonologist and director of the Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Center at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, this is particularly true for children who begin wheezing at a young age. While there is no cure for the chronic lung disease, treatment can help manage symptoms and potentially lead to remission. Factors that may increase the chances of remission include early treatment, avoiding smoking, and having mild asthma that developed during childhood.
6/13/2026
America’s best hospitals for specialized care 2026
Newsweek
Newsweek released its 'America’s Best Hospitals for Specialized Care 2026' rankings, recognizing several NYU Langone Health entities. NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital ranked third for orthopedic care. NYU Langone's Tisch Hospital achieved top-ten rankings in multiple specialties: cardiac care (No. 4), neurological care (No. 3), endocrine care (No. 5), pulmonary care (No. 5), and gastrointestinal care (No. 6). NYU Langone Health's Perlmutter Cancer Center was ranked No. 14 for cancer care. Additionally, NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn was recognized for neurological care (No. 84) and pulmonary care (No. 54).
6/12/2026
Telehealth booms as demand for GLP-1s surges and questions mount about safety, oversight
Boston Herald - Tribune News Service
The surge in demand for GLP-1 weight loss drugs has fueled a boom in telehealth prescriptions, raising significant concerns about patient safety and oversight. A KFF Health News review of FDA data shows medication errors involving these drugs have exploded. Critics worry some online companies prescribe the medications, including cheaper, non-FDA-reviewed compounded versions, with inadequate patient evaluation or follow-up care. Arthur L. Caplan, PhD, the Drs. William F. and Virginia Connolly Mitty Professor of Bioethics and founding head of the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Department of Population Health, commented that the consent process is often inadequate, with no probing to ensure patient understanding.
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6/12/2026
I read the fine print on at-home DNA and health tests - watch out for these risks
ZDNet
An examination of at-home DNA and health tests highlights risks related to data privacy, accuracy, and interpretation. Many direct-to-consumer testing companies are not covered by HIPAA, and their policies often permit sharing de-identified data for research or marketing. According to Arthur L. Caplan, PhD, the Drs. William F. and Virginia Connolly Mitty Professor of Bioethics and founding head of the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Department of Population Health, consumers may receive information that is too complex to understand without expert guidance. He cautions that many results are presentations of possible risk, not diagnoses, and overemphasizing genetics can wrongly place the blame for poor health on individuals.
Also reporting was: NewsAnyway
6/13/2026
Specialists practically begging people to eat these 3 foods that actually lower dementia risk
BuzzFeed
Specialists recommend eating leafy green vegetables, fatty fish, and blueberries to lower the risk of dementia. Jordan Weiss, PhD, an assistant professor of medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, supports the consumption of leafy greens, noting they contain folate, vitamin K1, lutein, and nitrate, which are beneficial for an aging brain. He cites data from the Rush Memory and Aging Project, which found that individuals eating about one serving of greens daily appeared cognitively 11 years younger than those who rarely ate them. Other experts recommend fatty fish for its omega-3s and blueberries for their antioxidants.
Also reporting was: Aol
6/13/2026
Medical AI just lost to a general model
Psychology Today
Researchers at NYU Langone Health compared specialized medical artificial intelligence models, such as OpenEvidence and UpToDate Expert AI, against three general frontier models. The study, published in Nature Medicine, challenged the models across medical licensing examinations, clinician-alignment benchmarks, and 100 real physician queries. The results, blindly reviewed by clinicians, showed that the frontier models outperformed the specialized tools in all three categories. Furthermore, the specialized clinical AIs performed no better than Google Search AI Overview, suggesting that as general models become more capable, the competitive advantage in healthcare AI may shift to other areas like workflow integration.
6/13/2026
For thousands of Knicks fans, a dream come true: NBA champions
Newsday
The New York Knicks won their first NBA championship since 1973, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 and sparking widespread celebrations. Among the fans quoted was Jamie Grifo, MD, PhD, program director of the NYU Langone Fertility Center and professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He commented on the long wait for the victory, calling it sweet. The article details the reactions of fans across New York City and Long Island, including street parties and gatherings to watch the historic game.
6/15/2026
5 exercises you should do in the morning, according to experts
HuffPost
Experts suggest that a morning workout can have lasting positive effects on the entire day. According to Magdalena Cadet, MD, rheumatologist and adjunct assistant professor at the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, physical activity boosts mental clarity and judgment by helping the body produce endorphins. She adds that morning exercise also benefits metabolism and can enhance sleeping habits, with studies suggesting 7 a.m. may be the optimal time. The article recommends several exercises, including a full-body warmup, Tree Pose, Downward-Facing Dog, Dead Bug, and squats, which Cadet favors for improving mobility and joint support.
Also reporting was: MSN Italy, Yahoo Tech
6/14/2026
New sunscreen with bemotrizinol is coming to the U.S. Here's what Long Islanders need to know.
Newsday
The FDA has approved bemotrizinol, a new chemical sunscreen ingredient used in Europe and Asia for years, for use in the U.S. for the first time in over two decades. Nicole Golbari, MD, MPH, a dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon at NYU Langone Ambulatory Care in Garden City, commented that European and Asian sunscreens offer better UVA blockage and are more stable than current U.S. options. She noted this is why many dermatologists bring back sunscreens from abroad. Raman Madan, MD, of Northwell Health, also discussed the benefits of the new ingredient.
6/15/2026
Is the great wealth wealth transfer a mirage?
Wealth Management
An analysis suggests that the projected $124 trillion generational wealth transfer may be overestimated due to factors like increased longevity, higher spending among baby boomers, and rising healthcare costs. The piece highlights that health-related expenses, particularly for dementia, are expected to deplete many nest eggs. Citing data from NYU Langone Health, the article notes that 42% of Americans are expected to develop dementia after age 55, and the associated long-term care costs will likely diminish inheritances for many families.
6/12/2026
