News from NYU Langone Health
I’m A Doctor – Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Breast Cancer. (New York Post)
The New York Post (10/14) Elizabeth Comen, MD, associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Perlmutter Cancer Center, advises that women at average risk for breast cancer should begin annual mammograms at age 40, emphasizing the importance of understanding personal risk factors and family history; she also discusses modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors, such as age, gender, family history, diet, and alcohol consumption, and highlights the significance of early detection through self-breast exams and awareness of symptoms like lumps, nipple discharge, and rashes, while noting advancements in treatment options for various stages of breast cancer.
NYU Langone Health Physician Discusses Breast Cancer. (The View)
The View (10/11) Elizabeth Comen, MD, associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Perlmutter Cancer Center, discusses breast cancer awareness, screening methods, and doing a breast self-exam with the panel on The View.
NYU Langone Health Launches Molecular Oncology Program, Names Leader. (Becker’s Hospital Review)
Becker's Hospital Review (10/11) NYU Langone Health has appointed Shridar Ganesan, MD, PhD, as the director of NYU Langone Health’s Perlmutter Cancer Center’s newly established Center for Molecular Oncology, where he will collaborate with various teams to incorporate genomic sequencing into personalized cancer care plans.
The Cutting-Edge Hearing Aids That You May Already Own. (The New York Times)
Paywalled* The New York Times (10/12) Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 earbuds, paired with new software approved by the FDA, will soon function as inexpensive hearing aids for those with mild-to-moderate hearing loss, offering customizable sound settings via compatible iPhones or iPads, yet Nicholas S. Reed, PhD, member of the faculty in the Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Population Health, expressed skepticism regarding the impact of over-the-counter hearing aids, saying, “We have no evidence that O.T.C. hearing aids have dramatically changed the hearing market.”
NIH Grant Aids Work To Diagnose, Monitor Parkinson’s Via Eye’s Retina. (Parkinson’s News Today)
Parkinson's News Today (10/9) NYU Langone Health has received a two-year, $1.6 million NIH grant to explore eye changes as early indicators and progression markers of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, with the potential for renewal up to $4.8 million; this research, part of the Oculomics Initiative, involves visible-light optical coherence tomography (OCT) to detect molecular-level retinal changes, with Laura J. Balcer, MD, vice chair of Department of Neurology, leading the project to distinguish neurological disease through retinal imaging, while Vivek J. Srinivasan, PhD, associate professor in the Departments of Ophthalmology and Radiology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, describes the eye as an “easily accessible window to the brain,” and Kathryn A. Colby, MD, PhD, department chair and the Elisabeth J. Cohen, M.D. Professor of Ophthalmology, emphasizing the NIH’s recognition of the eye’s role in understanding cognitive health.
Black Plastic Items Could Contain Harmful Chemicals, Study Finds. (CBS News)
CBS News (10/11) Leonardo Trasande MD, MPP, the Jim G. Hendrick, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, vice chair of research in the Department of Pediatrics, and a professor in the Department of Population Health, joined CBS News to discuss a new study that “found that black plastic items found in home products could contain bromine, a toxic flame retardant, through recycled electronics.”
Disturbed Sleep Linked To Mental Health Problems In Natural Disaster Survivors.
(Crisis Response Journal)
Crisis Response Journal (10/11) Preliminary results from a study led by Judite Blanc, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Healthful Behavior Change within the Division of Health and Behavior in the Department of Population Health, indicate that sleep disturbances are significantly correlated with mental health problems, including PTSD and depression, among survivors of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, with 94% experiencing insomnia symptoms and 42% showing clinically significant PTSD two years post-disaster, underscoring the necessity of addressing sleep health in disaster preparedness and public health programs globally.
How Vagus Nerve Stimulation May Enhance Perceptual Learning, Boost Hearing Abilities. (Hearing Review)
Hearing Review (10/11) A study from NYU Langone Health reveals that mild electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve enhances perceptual learning in mice, with potential applications for improving hearing in humans. “Our findings suggest that activating the vagus nerve during training can push past the limits of what animals, and perhaps even humans, can learn to perceive,” says Kathleen Martin, BS, a graduate student at the Neuroscience Institute. “These results highlight the potential of vagus nerve stimulation to speed up hearing improvements from cochlear implants,” says Robert Froemke, PhD, the Skirball Professor of Genetics in the Department of Neuroscience and Physiology.
Potential New Standard Of Care For Leptomeningeal Metastases. (Medscape)
Medscape (10/14) Research presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology 2024 Annual Meeting reveals that proton craniospinal irradiation (CSI) may establish a new standard of care for leptomeningeal metastases; Jonathan T. Yang, PhD, MD, a member of the faculty in the Department of Radiation Oncology, stated, “This study also marks the first time two radiation techniques have been compared head-to-head for leptomeningeal metastases,” emphasizing the importance of administering proton CSI early in the disease course without pausing systemic therapies.
Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: An In-Depth Review For Urologists. (Urology Times)
Urology Times (10/11) Jesse Persily, MD, and Sameer Thakker, MD, both urology residents at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, along with Katie S. Murray, DO, MS, professor in the Department of Urology, discuss treatment methods of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), a rare form of urothelial cancer affecting primarily older men.
A Healthier Heart Means A Healthier Brain. (Everyday Health)
Everyday Health (10/11) A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association, published in the journal Stroke, underscores the bidirectional relationship between heart and brain health, with Yu Chen, PhD, MPH, professor in the Department of Population Health, explaining that cardiovascular issues can reduce blood flow and affect cognitive functions.
Are Olives Healthy? Be Mindful Of This 1 Thing, Dietitians Say. (TODAY)
TODAY (10/11) Heather Hodson, a clinical nutritionist at the Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease at NYU Langone Heart, provides insights into the nutritional benefits of olives, saying, “Olives can be eaten daily in moderation and as part of a balanced diet, but keep sodium content in mind, especially if you’re monitoring your salt intake.”
Health Rounds: Radiation Therapy Side Effects Are Under-Diagnosed In Black Patients. (Daily Mail)
Daily Mail (10/11) New research presented by Juhi M. Purswani, MD, research instructor in the Department of Radiology Oncology, at the American Society for Radiation Oncology meeting reveals that cancer patients with dark skin face a higher risk of severe radiation dermatitis, partly because the National Cancer Institute’s primary screening tool, which detects skin reddening, is ineffective for darker skin tones that tend to darken instead.
News from NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn
NYU Langone Health Family Health Centers Host Breast Cancer Awareness Event In Brooklyn. (Brooklyn Reader)
Brooklyn Reader (10/12) “The Family Health Centers at NYU Langone Health hosted a breast cancer awareness campaign at the Women’s Health Center in Sunset Park, offering community resources, educational materials, health screenings, and giveaways, with Meleen Chuang, MD, medical director of Women’s Health at the Family Health Centers at NYU Langone, stating, “The campaign seeks to empower the community with knowledge but also emphasizes the role awareness and education play in combating breast cancer,” and Larry K. McReynolds, executive director of the Family Health Centers at NYU Langone Health, adding, “With the increasing number of breast cancer diagnoses in our borough, it is crucial to provide accessible care and education to reduce disparities.”
Also reporting was Philanthropy News Digest (10/11).
NYU Langone Health Launches Program For High School Students. (Becker’s Hospital Review)
Becker’s Hospital Review (10/11) NYU Langone Health, in collaboration with New York City’s department of education, has initiated a program to prepare Brooklyn South high school students for careers in nursing and clinical research by hosting monthly six-hour visits to NYU Langone Hospital – Brooklyn, where students will explore healthcare career pathways, develop project management and leadership skills, and earn course credit while collaborating with industry professionals.
6 Things Vein Doctors Never, Ever Do. (Buzzfeed)
Buzzfeed (10/12) Sheila N. Blumberg, MD, clinical associate professor in the Department of Surgery, and vascular surgeon at NYU Langone Hospital — Brooklyn, advises against smoking and exposure to smoke due to its irreversible damage to veins and arteries, adding, “I avoid dehydration and try to drink at least 32 ounces of water a day.”
