News from NYU Langone Health

Brain Health Challenge: Try the MIND Diet

The New York Times

The MIND diet, developed by researchers at Rush University, can help slow cognitive decline and lower dementia risk. The diet emphasizes foods like berries, leafy greens, whole grains, nuts, and fish, which are rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber that support brain health. It recommends limiting red meat, cheese, sweets, and fried foods. Joel Salinas, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at NYU Langone Health, suggests incorporating these foods into existing meals, such as adding a handful of nuts or berries to breakfast, to make the diet more accessible.

Also reporting was: WDC News 6, Time.News

1/05/2026

NYU Langone hospital names chief medical officer

Becker's Hospital Review

Oscar Lahoud, MD, has been named chief medical officer of NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn. He joined NYU Langone Health in 2024, serving as section chief of hematology at its Brooklyn hospital and director of strategy and network operations at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center. Most recently, he was deputy chief clinical officer of the cancer center. Prior to joining NYU Langone Health, Dr. Lahoud was senior medical director for strategic partnerships at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He specializes in the treatment of blood cancers using advanced therapies.

1/05/2026

Residential Neighborhood Disadvantage May Lower Kidney Transplant Access

HCP Live

New research indicates that a neighborhood's systematic disadvantage is linked to lower access to kidney transplantation and waitlisting for residents with end-stage kidney disease. According to study investigator Mara A. McAdams-DeMarco, PhD, professor in the Departments of Surgery and Population Health at NYU Langone Health, associate vice chair, Research, Department of Surgery, and colleagues, these findings connect racial and ethnic disparities with transplant access. The study found that individuals in high-disadvantage neighborhoods had a reduced likelihood of being waitlisted or receiving a transplant. The disparities were more pronounced for Asian, Black, and Hispanic residents compared to White residents, prompting calls for interventions to dismantle structural barriers.

1/05/2026

7 Ways to Avoid a Weight-Loss-Messaging Spiral in January

Mental.

An article explores strategies to protect mental health from pervasive weight-loss messaging, which has intensified with the popularity of GLP-1 medications. Experts advise creating an action plan, setting boundaries in conversations, and curating social media feeds to avoid triggering content. Other recommendations include seeking professional support and focusing on self-acceptance over body transformation. Rachel Goldman, PhD, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, suggests prioritizing self-care as a key preventive measure against negative thoughts and behaviors, and as a reminder of one's self-worth.

1/03/2023

The 19 Best Heart-Healthy Foods To Add To Your Diet

British Vogue

Diet plays a central role in heart disease risk by influencing blood pressure, cholesterol, and inflammation, according to Heather Hodson Py, RD, CDN, a registered dietitian at the Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease at NYU Langone Heart. Py explains that reducing saturated fat is key, as it is associated with high LDL cholesterol. She recommends limiting daily saturated fat intake to no more than six percent of calories. Py also suggests avoiding deep-fried foods and added sugars, instead creating meals based on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats like those found in avocados and salmon.

1/05/2026

Deadly fungal ‘superbug’ silently spreading in hospitals, researchers warn

Staten Island Advance

Researchers are warning about the rapid spread of Candida auris, an invasive, drug-resistant fungus, through U.S. hospitals. Cases have tripled since the pandemic, posing a major risk to immunocompromised individuals with a mortality rate between 30% and 60%. The CDC has designated C. auris as an 'urgent antimicrobial resistance threat.' According to Marc Siegel, MD, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health, new anti-fungal treatments are currently in development. He noted that while the fungus is often resisted by humans, this resistance is waning amid the pathogen's growing drug resistance.

Also reporting was: Daily Express

1/05/2026

Scientists have discovered real reason why humans no longer have tails

indy100

Researchers, including a senior author from NYU Langone Health, have identified the genetic mutation responsible for the loss of tails in human ancestors. The study, published in *Nature*, found a unique DNA mutation within the TBXT gene. Bo Xia, a graduate student at New York University, initiated the research. Itai Yanai, PhD, scientific director of NYU Langone’s Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories and a senior author, noted the discovery's significance. The team found that two repetitive DNA sequences, called Alu elements, caused a change in RNA splicing, leading to tail loss. This evolutionary change may have facilitated bipedalism.

1/05/2026

NYU Langone adopts crypto donation platform

Becker's Hospital Review

New York City-based NYU Langone Health has partnered with BitGo Bank & Trust to enable cryptocurrency donations. The collaboration allows the health system to accept digital asset contributions through BitGo’s infrastructure, which provides regulated custody insured up to $250 million. The funds will support NYU Langone Health's clinical, educational, and research initiatives. BitGo’s platform automatically converts the digital assets to U.S. dollars, enabling efficient processing of the contributions in line with internal policies.

1/05/2026