News from NYU Langone Health
Fertility expert details egg freezing process
Spectrum News NY1
A growing number of women are freezing their eggs at younger ages, with one study finding the number of procedures quadrupled between 2014 and 2021. In an interview on the topic, Frederick Licciardi, MD, a fertility specialist at NYU Langone’s Fertility Center and professor of obstetrics & gynecology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, discusses common misconceptions about egg freezing. The article also notes that Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez recently began sharing her own experience with the process on social media.
8/19/2026
Cannabis consumption patterns may help identify people at risk of addiction
Medical Xpress
A new study led by NYU Langone Health researchers shows that using cannabis in multiple forms is linked to daily use and increased addiction risk. The research, published in Addictive Behaviors, found people who use cannabis in nearly every form available have the highest rates of daily use and cannabis use disorder. According to lead author Omar El-Shahawy, MD, PhD, MPH, assistant professor in the Department of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, these findings suggest multi-form use could be a red flag for addiction. Senior author Joseph Palamar, PhD, MPH, professor in the Department of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, also noted concerns about health risks from the overlap between smoking cannabis and cigarettes.
Also reporting was: eTurboNews, MSN, News Medical
8/19/2026
Long Island Advance
Sara Siddiqui, MD, a pediatrician at NYU Langone Health, provides comprehensive guidance for parents preparing for the new school year. She recommends starting routines several weeks early by aligning sleep schedules and meal times with the school day. Key health tips include ensuring immunizations are current, resetting technology boundaries, and keeping backpacks under 10% of a child’s body weight. Dr. Siddiqui also emphasizes the importance of emotional health, urging parents to use open communication to address anxieties. If a child exhibits persistent school refusal, she advises collaborating with pediatricians and school counselors to identify underlying issues.
8/19/2026
Cancer vaccine shows promise in preventing recurrence of melanoma
iHeartRadio
An experimental mRNA cancer vaccine from Moderna and Merck, when combined with the immunotherapy drug Keytruda, has shown promising results. A Phase 2b study found the combination reduced the risk of melanoma recurrence or death by 49% in high-risk patients. The vaccine utilizes a patient's tumor-specific genetics to train the immune system. Janice Mehnert, MD, director of melanoma and cutaneous medical oncology at NYU Langone Health and associate director of clinical research at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, stated that the combination therapy could improve clinical outcomes for melanoma patients. A Phase 3 trial is now underway.
8/19/2026
mRNA vaccines may help increase long-term disease control in PDAC
OncLive
In an interview, Paul Oberstein, MD, associate professor of medicine, service chief of the Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology Program, and assistant director of the Pancreatic Cancer Center at NYU Langone's Perlmutter Cancer Center, discussed promising early data for autogene cevumeran, a personalized mRNA vaccine for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The vaccine is unique as it is customized to an individual's tumor to help the immune system prevent cancer recurrence. A phase 1 trial showed that patients with a robust immune response to the vaccine had significantly better long-term disease control. An ongoing phase 2 trial will provide a more definitive answer about its broader efficacy.
Also reporting was: OncLive
8/19/2026
9 things to know about psoriatic arthritis and IBD
HealthCentral
People with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have a one- to four-fold increased risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). According to Jose Scher, MD, director of NYU Langone’s Judith and Stewart Colton Center for Autoimmunity and the Psoriatic Arthritis Center, as well as associate director of research and translational medicine for the Division of Rheumatology and the Steere Abramson Professor of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, there is a well-established connection between the two autoimmune conditions. David Hudesman, MD, professor in NYU Langone's Department of Medicine and director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, notes that a combination of genetic makeup and environmental triggers likely contributes to the risk. Because the conditions share similar origins, some biologic drugs can treat both simultaneously by addressing the overactive immune system.
8/19/2026
Alzheimer’s vs. brain fog: How to know when menopause is affecting your memory
Flow Space
The article distinguishes between menopause-related brain fog and early signs of Alzheimer’s disease, noting that while symptoms like forgetfulness can overlap, their progression differs. Mariya Rozenfeld, DO, an obstetrician–gynecologist and assistant professor in NYU Langone's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, states cognitive complaints are common during menopause, affecting about 60% of women. Dr. Rozenfeld emphasizes that menopause-related symptoms are typically mild and may stabilize, whereas progressive cognitive decline interfering with daily life needs evaluation. She also clarifies that hormone therapy is not prescribed to prevent dementia but can indirectly improve mental clarity by treating other menopausal symptoms.
Also reporting was: Yahoo Health
8/19/2026
Thinking about your weight? Here's how to talk to your doctor
Medical Xpress
Patients and doctors can both be reluctant to discuss weight, but it is a crucial conversation for health. Sean Heffron, MD, a preventive cardiologist at NYU Langone's Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and an assistant professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, explains that excess body weight adversely affects every organ system. Heffron notes that while some physicians may feel inadequately trained or fear a patient's reaction, they are often relieved when a patient initiates the conversation. He encourages patients to ask direct questions, such as inquiring if their weight is healthy, to begin the dialogue.
8/19/2026
Regulatory gaps behind NYC’s deadly e-scooter crisis
New York Law Journal
A recent Level 1 Trauma Center study from NYU Langone Health, published in the journal Neurosurgery, is highlighted as key evidence in a shift in micromobility litigation in New York. The study identified a more than 50% increase in catastrophic injuries from micromobility incidents at city trauma centers between 2018 and 2023. This data, alongside a fatal Queensboro Bridge crash, is enabling plaintiffs to pursue claims against manufacturers and distributors of high-speed e-scooters, arguing they are foreseeably dangerous, rather than focusing solely on rider negligence.
8/19/2026
Bachelor Nation’s Joe Amabile has 23 staples removed after brain surgery: ‘Feels like nothing’
Us Weekly
Reality television personality Joe Amabile is recovering from brain surgery to remove a tumor. His wife, Serena Pitt, thanked the team at NYU Langone Health for their care and compassion following the procedure. Amabile, who was diagnosed with a low-grade astrocytoma, recently had 23 staples removed. While the tumor was successfully removed, he will be on a daily medication regimen as part of his ongoing treatment. He had initially discovered a lesion in his brain after receiving a full-body scan.
8/19/2026
Can you reverse kidney disease?
HealthCentral
Acute kidney injury is often reversible when treated quickly, but chronic kidney disease (CKD) has no cure. Early detection is key, according to Stephen Yang, MD, a clinical assistant professor of medicine and assistant director of Health Systems Science at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, who notes that even with severe acute kidney disease, function may not be fully restored. The primary goal for CKD is to slow its progression by addressing root causes like hypertension or diabetes. Lifestyle changes, including a balanced diet, exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight, alongside medications to protect the kidneys, can help manage the condition.
8/19/2026
Not all fatigue is equal: Here’s what each type means—and what to do about it
Outside Magazine
This article outlines seven types of exercise-related fatigue and provides expert advice on recovery. Aashaun Khedaru, supervisor of the Sports Performance Center at NYU Langone Orthopedic Center, advises prioritizing sleep, rest, proper nutrition, and hydration for muscle soreness. For high-intensity workouts that cause burning muscles, he recommends incorporating active recovery to help the body reconvert lactate into fuel. Khedaru also addresses mental burnout, suggesting athletes dial back volume and find ways to make running enjoyable again, noting that a missed run will not break an entire training cycle.
8/19/2026
Dementia prevention research expands beyond traditional vascular risk factors
Patient Care
A new analysis found that a greater number of vascular risk factors in midlife, including hypertension, diabetes, and smoking, was associated with fewer years lived free of dementia. The study followed over 12,000 adults for a median of 26 years. In a commentary, corresponding author Josef Coresh, MD, PhD, the founding director of the Optimal Aging Institute and the Terry and Mel Karmazin Professor of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, discusses the next phase of dementia-prevention research. He explores the potential role of biomarkers in identifying patients at increased risk and the need to understand which preventive interventions have the greatest effect.
8/19/2026
The best foods for brain health, according to neurology experts
Prevention
An article on foods for brain health highlights the MIND diet, a combination of Mediterranean and DASH diets shown to reduce risks of cognitive impairment. According to Jordan Weiss, PhD, assistant professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine in the Optimal Aging Institute, the overall dietary pattern is what consistently shows benefits for the brain, rather than any single food in isolation. The piece lists several recommended foods including leafy greens, fatty fish, berries, walnuts, and olive oil. Nicole Avena, PhD, professor of neuroscience at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, also provides commentary.
8/19/2026
Medical Daily
A national analysis of Medicare-linked data found that older adults treated in geriatric emergency departments were 39 percent less likely to be admitted to the hospital and had a 38 percent lower 30-day mortality rate. The research was led by Ula Hwang, MD, professor in NYU Langone's Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine and professor in the Department of Population Health. She noted that for this population, hospital admission may not be the best outcome due to risks like infection and deconditioning. The study highlights benefits of senior-specific protocols in emergency care.
8/19/2026
So you got a bad sunburn—are you doomed to get skin cancer?
Reader's Digest (U.S.)
The article examines the link between sunburns and skin cancer risk. While one severe burn does not automatically cause cancer, it significantly increases cumulative UV damage and future risk. According to Doris Day, MD, clinical professor in the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, one blistering sunburn during childhood or adolescence can approximately double a person's lifetime melanoma risk. She clarifies that a tan is evidence of skin damage, not a sign of sun safety. Dermatologists weigh factors like cumulative exposure and family history to assess risk.
8/19/2026
Billionaire businessman Mark Cuban rejects claims AI will replace radiologists
Radiology Business
Billionaire businessman Mark Cuban argued that artificial intelligence will not replace radiologists, noting that AI models are costly, become outdated upon release, and lack human judgment. On social media, Cuban stated that while AI will not replace the specialty, every radiologist will use AI as a tool. Several radiologists agreed with his position. Laura Heacock, MD, associate professor in the Department of Radiology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, commented that rising imaging volumes mean there will be an increasing number of complex cases that require review by a human-AI team.
8/20/2026
Abby’s Angle: Breaking up isn’t a college requirement
The Post
In an opinion piece, a student argues that students entering college do not need to end long-term relationships to have a fulfilling experience. The column suggests that if partners respect each other’s independence and personal growth, the relationship can succeed. The article quotes Akeem Marsh, MD, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, who states that relationships in college are different because students arrive with more varied expectations, which underscores the importance of clear communication about boundaries and goals.
8/20/2026
