News from NYU Langone Health
Hazardous Chemicals In Food Packaging Can Also Be Found In People. (NPR)
NPR (9/20) Thousands of chemicals used in food packaging and production are leaching into food, with more than 3,600 of these chemicals also found in human bodies, according to a study published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology; pediatrician Leonardo Trasande, MD, MPP, the Jim G. Hendrick, M.D. Professor of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, and professor, Department of Population Health, vice chair, research, Department of Pediatrics, said, “The effects of these chemicals can accumulate over time, contributing to chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease.”
Everyday Health (9/20) Linda G. Kahn, MPH, PhD, assistant professor, Departments of Pediatrics, and Population Health, remarked on the potential dangers of these chemicals, saying, “Endocrine disruption is a big concern – a lot of these chemicals mess with your hormones, which can result in reproductive and metabolic problems.”
Semaglutide Bests Liraglutide In Long-Term Weight Loss. (Medscape)
Paywalled* Medscape (9/20)* Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic found that patients with obesity or type 2 diabetes who adhered to semaglutide for a year experienced more weight loss compared to those who took liraglutide; Michael A. Weintraub, MD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Medicine, the Holman Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, remarked that the study “adds to the literature in terms of what we might expect and what things we should look out for when we want to obtain the maximum degree of weight loss and attain overall better metabolic health for our patients.”
NYU Langone Health: How ASCs Can Easily Add Spine Procedures. (Becker's Orthopedic & Spine Review)
Becker’s Orthopedic & Spine Review (9/20) Outpatient spine surgery has seen significant growth in recent years; for NYU Langone Health, the transition to outpatient endoscopic spine cases has been smoother due to existing equipment at their outpatient centers, as spine surgeon Charla R. Fischer, MD, associate professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, explained: “If you have an ASC up and running and they’re doing knee arthroscopes and shoulder arthroscopes, it’s one extra tray to do a unilateral biportal endoscopy.”
I’m A Doctor – These Are 5 Things I Do To Protect My Hearing. (New York Post)
The New York Post (9/20) Daniel Jethanamest, associate professor, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, advises using ear protection in noisy environments to prevent hearing loss, stating, “If you’re going to be around very loud sounds for an extended amount of time, such as at a music venue, you should wear ear protection.”
75 People Aboard P&O Cruise Ship Sick In Gastrointestinal Illness Outbreak. (USA Today)
USA Today (9/20) More than 70 individuals on P&O Cruises’ Arcadia ship fell ill with gastrointestinal symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhea, with Sarah E. Hochman, MD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases & Immunology, section chief, Infectious Diseases, Tisch Hospital, clarifying that such outbreaks are common in congregate settings and not unique to cruise ships.
Dr Stacy Loeb On What A Typical Week Looks Like For Her. (Urology Times)
The Urology Times (9/20) “Thriving in Urology,” a video series hosted by Dr. Amy M. Pearlman of the Prime Institute in Coral Gables, Florida, features an interview with Stacy Loeb, MD, professor, Departments of Urology, and Population Health, Perlmutter Cancer Center, who discusses her balanced weekly routine that includes clinical practice, research, physical activity, and volunteer work; Dr. Loeb remarks, “I love working with the residents and being involved in training the next generation,” and emphasizes the importance of pursuing one’s passions without feeling constrained by traditional career paths.
Coffee Protects Against Heart Disease And Diabetes. (Everyday Health)
Everyday Health (9/20) A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism suggests that drinking three cups of coffee daily may reduce the risk of developing multiple cardiometabolic conditions like heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes by 48 percent, with epidemiology professor Yu Chen, MPH, PhD, professor, Department of Population Health, explaining, “Moderate coffee consumption may help reduce chronic low-grade inflammation, a key factor in the development of cardiometabolic diseases.”
Breast Milk Lowers Asthma Risk In Babies. (Earth)
Earth (9/20) A recent study led by NYU Langone Health and the University of Manitoba reveals that breastfeeding for over three months supports the gradual maturation of the infant’s microbiome, reducing the risk of preschool asthma, with Liat Shenhav, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Microbiology, explaining, “Just as a pacemaker regulates the rhythm of the heart, breastfeeding and human milk set the pace and sequence for microbial colonization in the infant’s gut and nasal cavity, ensuring that this process occurs in an orderly and timely manner.”
Are Sleep Medicines An Option For Kids With Atopic Dermatitis? (National Eczema Association)
National Eczema Association (9/20) Children with atopic dermatitis (AD) often experience sleep disruptions due to itching, which can severely affect both them and their families, with Kanwaljit Rupam Brar, MD, associate professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Allergy & Immunology, advising that sleep medicines should be used under physician guidance, noting, “some sleep medicines, like first-generation antihistamines, can sometimes make children more hyperactive instead of sleepy.”
Over 50? Nutritionists And Geriatricians Are Begging You Eat These Foods. (HuffPost)
HuffPost (9/21) Nina Blachman, MD, associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care, advises those over 50 to limit salt intake and use herbs like parsley, saffron, or rosemary for seasoning, while dietitian Tara Tomaino recommends incorporating beans, low-fat cottage cheese, dark leafy greens, berries, salmon, nuts, seeds, and whole grains into the diet for their various health benefits, including heart health, blood-sugar management, and weight control.
Latest COVID Variant, XEC, Has Spread To Half Of US States, Reports Say. (Fox News)
Fox News (9/20) A new COVID-19 variant, XEC, has been detected in at least 25 states, with Marc K. Siegel, MD, clinical professor, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Clinical Innovation, noting that “the current 2024-2025 vaccines should cover the emerging XEC subvariant,” recommending the updated vaccine for the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, those with chronic illness, and young children who did not get previous COVID-19 vaccines.
News from NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn
Oldest And Largest Multi-Neighborhood Festival Returns For Its 49th Year. (Brooklyn (NY) Daily Eagle)
The Brooklyn (NY) Daily Eagle (9/20) The Atlantic Antic Festival returns for its 49th year on Sunday, Sept. 29, spanning 1.5 miles through Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, Downtown Brooklyn, and Brooklyn Heights, featuring 50 Atlantic Ave. merchants and over 300 vendors offering global cuisine, fashion, and crafts; major sponsors include NYU Langone Health, Maimonides, Weill Cornell Medicine, TF Cornerstone, MetroPlus Health, and Crunch, each providing unique experiences at the festival, which also includes family-friendly entertainment, carnivalesque acts by Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, and various live performances across multiple stages.
News from NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island
Farm-To-Table Replaces Hospital Fare, From Valley Stream To Stony Brook. (Newsday (NY))
Newsday (NY) (9/21) “In Mineola, NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island runs an annual farmer’s market from June to mid-September,” bringing “nearly a dozen local vendors who sell fruits, vegetables, seafood, cheese and other foods,” as well as conducting “live demonstrations showing patients how to incorporate produce into their diets and distributes recipe cards featuring market ingredients.”