News from NYU Langone Health

Is motion sickness preventable? *

The New York Times

Motion sickness is thought to be caused by a conflict between the senses, with symptoms ranging from dizziness to nausea. While over-the-counter medications like Dramamine can be effective, they often cause drowsiness. Behavioral approaches can also help prevent symptoms. Erich Voigt, MD, an otolaryngologist at NYU Langone Health and director of the Division of General Otolaryngology and Sleep Surgery, recommends staying near the center of planes and above deck on boats where the horizon is visible. Other strategies include driving and focusing on the road as a passenger.

8/18/2026

Jets downplay Breece Hall’s groin strain with chance to test their depth

New York Post

New York Jets running back Breece Hall has been diagnosed with a strained groin. Daniel Kaplan, MD, a sports orthopedic surgeon at the Joseph S. and Diane H. Steinberg Ambulatory Care Center—Cobble Hill, who did not examine Hall, provided expert commentary on the injury. He explained that a minor strain involves pulling a muscle without tearing fibers, mainly limiting stopping and quick movements. Dr. Kaplan estimated that a low-level strain would likely sideline Hall for 7 to 10 days, or up to two weeks, and he should be ready for the season opener.

Also reporting was: Yahoo Sports

8/17/2026

How young is too young to walk to school alone? What California law says

The Sacramento Bee

California has no specific law setting an age for when a child can walk to school alone, leaving the decision to parents. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests many children are ready around age 10, but this depends on the child’s maturity and environment. Parents should teach children safety rules, such as using crosswalks and avoiding strangers. Sara Siddiqui, MD, a pediatrician and clinical assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, recommended that to prepare a child, parents can drive part of the way and have the child walk a short distance in the beginning.

8/17/2026

Experts weigh vitiligo's cosmetic label as oral therapies near

American Journal of Managed Care

At a New York roundtable, clinicians and payers discussed treatment challenges for vitiligo, including insurers classifying the autoimmune disease as cosmetic. This classification creates barriers to accessing newer therapies like topical ruxolitinib. Prince Adotama, MD, assistant professor in the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, highlighted that patients are often discouraged from pursuing treatment, leading to disease progression. He also identified insurance coverage as the greatest unmet need. Panelists, including experts from Mount Sinai and Weill Cornell Medicine, noted the high cost of upcoming oral JAK inhibitors as a major hurdle.

8/17/2026

Vascular burden in midlife linked to increased risk for dementia, death

Psychiatry Advisor

Maintaining optimal midlife vascular health is associated with more dementia-free years of survival, according to a study published in *Neurology Open Access*. Researchers found that individuals with three vascular risk factors—diabetes, hypertension, and current smoking—had a significantly higher risk of dementia and death compared to those with zero risk factors. The study's senior author, Josef Coresh, MD, PhD, director of the Optimal Aging Institute at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, stated in a statement that people should actively work to prevent these factors in midlife as a strategy to preserve brain health.

8/17/2026

A new oral pill may regrow hair faster than anything else available

NewBeauty

Early data from a Phase 2 trial for an experimental pill, VDPHL01, suggests a faster alternative for treating female pattern hair loss. According to Jerry Shapiro, MD, professor in the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine the oral minoxidil treatment showed rapid and dense hair regrowth within two months, a significant improvement over existing options. He also highlighted the drug’s favorable safety profile, noting it has minimal side effects and avoids the hormonal disruptions or cardiac concerns associated with other treatments. The extended-release pill is developed by Veradermics and is still undergoing larger trials.

8/17/2026

What geriatric emergency departments do differently

KFF Health News - in partnership with The New York Times

Geriatric emergency departments (GEDs) are being redesigned to address the needs of older patients, leading to reduced hospital admissions and mortality. According to Ula Hwang, MD, MPH, professor in NYU Langone's Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine and medical director of Geriatric Emergency Medicine, GEDs prioritize screening for delirium and cognitive impairment, unlike standard emergency units. A study co-authored by Dr. Hwang found that patients in GEDs had a 39% lower likelihood of hospital admission and a 38% reduction in mortality over 30 days. An earlier study she led also found the units saved Medicare up to $3,000 per visit.

8/18/2026

You were worried tuition-free universities aren’t good, so we checked

Study International

NYU Grossman School of Medicine is featured in an article exploring high-quality, tuition-free university programs in the US. The piece highlights that the school covers full tuition for its MD students who maintain academic progress standards. It also notes that while tuition is free, students still face significant living expenses in New York City, estimated at around $35,000 per year. The analysis concludes that the program at NYU Grossman School of Medicine is a genuinely excellent option, challenging the perception that free educational offerings are of lower quality.

8/18/2026

Patients’ wait times for cancer surgeries keep growing

Medscape

A study in JAMA Surgery using the National Cancer Database found that wait times for cancer surgeries have risen by up to 50% over the last decade, with the longest delays occurring at high-volume academic centers. Researchers suggest this trend is complex, partly due to more sophisticated pre-operative planning, but that system-level changes are needed to reduce inefficiencies. Commenting on the findings, Noah Cohen, MD, section chief for complex GI Surgical Oncology in the Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, noted the study does not address whether longer waits lead to worse outcomes, pointing out that extra time may allow for better treatment planning based on biomarker testing.

8/17/2026

Glyphosate exposure during pregnancy linked to preterm birth

Psychiatry Advisor

A study led by Teresa Herrera, M.P.H., a doctoral candidate in the Department of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, found that exposure to glyphosate during mid-pregnancy may increase the chance of preterm birth. The research, published in Environmental Pollution, included 1,450 participants in New York City. Researchers discovered that glyphosate concentrations at 18 to 25 weeks of gestation were associated with a higher likelihood of preterm and spontaneous preterm birth. Herrera stated the findings contribute to evidence about health concerns from early-life glyphosate exposure. [Note: Staff credentials require verification]

8/17/2026

Longtime Walt Whitman administrator takes on new South Huntington role

Patch

Scott Muller, PhD, has been appointed as the South Huntington School District's new Supervisor of Science, Engineering, and Research. In his new role, Muller plans to strengthen connections between students and major Long Island science institutions. He specifically noted his intention to reach out to NYU Langone Health regarding its proposed 500-bed hospital and academic medical center in Melville. Muller views the potential facility as a future resource for providing South Huntington students with graduate-level connections and real-world learning opportunities.

8/17/2026

Multistate controversy highlights ‘gray areas’ around surrogacy, bioethics expert says

KERA News (Dallas, TX)

A multistate surrogacy controversy is raising significant ethical questions, according to expert commentary. Arthur Caplan, PhD, founding head of the Division of Medical Ethics and professor emeritus of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, explained that the case, involving a surrogate who refused the biological parents’ request for an abortion, highlights numerous legal 'gray areas.' Caplan noted the lack of clear laws governing which state has jurisdiction, whether anyone can be forced to have an abortion, and the dangers of government officials intervening in medical decisions. He said the case underscores the need for clear legislation to provide a framework for surrogacy arrangements.

8/17/2026