News from NYU Langone Health
Cardiac Arrest Survivor Reunites with NYPD Officers and NYU Langone Team Who Helped Save His Life
WNBC-TV (New York, NY)
After spending nearly two weeks in a hospital recovering from a heart attack, Bill Riggio met with NYPD officers who saved his life. After suffering a heart attack in the Grand Central Subway station, NYPD officers jumped into action, performing chest compressions and transporting him to NYU Langone Health. "They were amazing," James Horowitz, MD, medical director, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at NYU Langone Health, said of the NYPD officers.
7/20/2026
Smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets major U.S. cities for third straight day
CBS News
From the Midwest to the mid-Atlantic, thick smoke from wildfires burning in Canada blanketed large areas in the United States for a third day. "There is evidence suggesting that wildfire smoke is more harmful. I think it is also important to highlight that wildfire smoke is particularly toxic to our bodies," Alexander Azan, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Population Health and Family Health Centers at NYU Langone Health, said.
7/17/2026
Baby not eating? Spitting up? The feeding red flags to watch for — and what’s actually normal
New York Post
Many infant feeding issues, such as spit-up, are normal parts of development, with about 50% of infants experiencing a functional gastrointestinal disorder. Melanie Greifer, MD, a pediatric gastroenterologist at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, explains that feeding is rarely predictable. She advises parents to watch for red flags like poor growth, changes in bowel habits, or persistent feeding refusal, which warrant a call to the pediatrician. Dr. Greifer also cautions against using online resources for diagnoses and encourages parents to consult their doctor with any concerns.
Also reporting was: USTimes Mirror, Time Bulletin USA
7/20/2026
Exercise oncology could unlock new therapeutic pathways against cancer
News Medical
In a new perspective, Dafna Bar-Sagi, PhD, executive vice president, vice dean for science, and chief scientific officer at NYU Langone Health, and a co-author argue that exercise oncology should serve as a discovery engine for new cancer therapies. They propose that by studying the molecular pathways activated during physical activity, researchers can develop pharmacological strategies for patients unable to exercise. The authors highlight three promising areas: exercise-induced metabolic remodeling, changes in the gut microbiome, and immune signaling pathways, which can inform new therapeutic targets independent of exercise itself.
7/20/2026
The Rising Burden of Kidney Stones
EMJ- European Medical Journal
David Goldfarb, MD, clinical director of nephrology and a professor in the Departments of Medicine and Urology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, discusses the changing landscape of kidney stone disease. He covers the science of stone formation, links to metabolic health, the impact of climate change on incidence rates, and the latest approaches to prevention, recurrence reduction, and personalized patient management.
7/20/2026
How much fiber do you need in a day? We asked a gastroenterologist.
Popular Science
An article examines the social media trend of 'fibermaxxing,' which involves consuming large amounts of dietary fiber for health benefits. Rabia De Latour, MD, gastroenterologist and associate professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, comments that while the medical community has long advocated for high-fiber diets, the trend's hashtag format could be beneficial if it reaches more people. She advises a gradual approach, recommending that individuals add five additional grams of fiber to their diet per day each week to avoid gastric distress, rather than making a sudden, significant increase.
Also reporting was: Yahoo Health
7/20/2026
When the ability to smell goes away
Aol
The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred new research into the sense of smell, which is closely tied to brain health and quality of life. Smell loss can be an early indicator of neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Scientists are still working to understand how the brain processes odors. Dmitry Rinberg, PhD, professor in the Department of Neuroscience at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, notes that researchers have not yet cracked the code of how the brain transforms airborne molecules into perception. The article also discusses olfactory training as a potential therapy to help restore smell.
Also reporting was: Gonzaga Bulletin
7/20/2026
About four in five kidney transplant candidates may never reach waitlist
Nephrology News & Issues
A study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that approximately four in five patients may never reach the kidney transplant waitlist due to individual and center-level factors. The research, led by Conor Donnelly, MD, surgical resident at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, analyzed data from over 720,000 patients. Findings showed only 10% of referred patients received a transplant, with lower odds for Black patients, unmarried individuals, and those with severe obesity. Dr. Donnelly noted that these disparities result from a mix of clinical factors, center practices, and structural barriers, highlighting the need for interventions to improve transplant access.
7/20/2026
What to know about testosterone replacement therapy as the U.S. military plans to test troops
CNBC
The U.S. military will begin testing service members' testosterone levels and offer replacement therapy, placing the treatment in the national spotlight. Marcus Goncalves, MD, PhD, director of the Holman Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at NYU Langone Health, stated that conditions like obesity, stress, and poor sleep can lower testosterone and that improving these factors is the correct approach. He noted that diagnosing a deficiency requires more than a single blood test and that intense military training can temporarily suppress testosterone. He also highlighted risks, such as increased red blood cell counts, which could lead to blood clots.
7/20/2026
What Happens To Your Blood Sugar When You Take CoQ10?
Health
There is insufficient evidence to recommend the supplement coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) for blood sugar management, according to experts. While some small studies suggest modest benefits, they have significant limitations and long-term data is lacking. Rachel Pessah-Pollack, MD, endocrinologist and clinical professor in NYU Langone's Department of Medicine, notes that proposed mechanisms for any benefit range from improved insulin signaling to better pancreatic beta cell function. However, she emphasizes that lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, along with diabetes medications, provide significantly more consistent and effective results for managing type 2 diabetes than CoQ10.
7/20/2026
New scientific discoveries reveal the lifelong impact of childhood trauma
PsyPost
Two studies published in Gastroenterology explored the biological pathways linking childhood trauma to chronic gut pain. Kara Margolis, MD, clinical associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, guided investigations that found early life stress shapes the long-term health of the digestive system. In a mouse model, early stress increased serotonin-producing nerve fibers in the intestinal walls, leading to heightened gut pain sensitivity. The article also reviews other recent scientific literature showing how childhood adversity leaves enduring marks on the brain, body, and future social relationships, impacting individuals throughout their lifespan.
7/20/2026
Medical Daily
The FDA has approved Merck's Lipfendra, the first once-daily oral PCSK9 inhibitor for treating high cholesterol. Clinical trials showed the pill reduces LDL cholesterol by 56% to 59%, an efficacy comparable to existing injectable treatments. The new oral format is expected to improve access for patients with barriers to injections. Commenting on the approval, Jeffrey Berger, MD, the Charles Aden Poindexter Associate Professor of Medicine and associate professor in the Department of Surgery at NYU Langone Health, noted that while injectable PCSK9 inhibitors are potent, some patients face practical challenges with them. A cardiovascular outcomes trial for Lipfendra is ongoing, with results expected in 2029.
7/20/2026
Brain tumor found during preventive scan puts full-body MRIs back in the spotlight
Fox News
A debate over the benefits and risks of preventive full-body MRI scans has been renewed following celebrity endorsements. Proponents claim the scans can detect diseases like cancer early, but medical experts raise concerns about high costs, false positives, and overtreatment. Marc Siegel, MD, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health, advises against the scans with current technology. He states they are often overly sensitive and can lead to pursuing insignificant findings. Siegel advocates for more directed workups tailored to individual patients' symptoms, history, and genetics.
Also reporting was: Yahoo Health, WSFX-TV (Wilmington, NC), Aol
7/20/2026
National Institutes of Health
A study of 637 women in the Children's Health and Environment Study (NYU CHES) at NYU Langone Health examined associations between bisphenol and phthalate exposure and arterial stiffness. The findings suggest that routine exposure to these chemicals may be linked to vasorelaxation. A doubling of bisphenol A was positively associated with brachial artery distensibility, while a doubling of bisphenol S was negatively associated with mean arterial pressure. Certain phthalate metabolites were also associated with lower blood pressure, potentially due to the chemicals' estrogenic or antiandrogenic effects.
7/20/2026
UroToday
A prospective, multicentre study analyzed data from 540 patients across 14 countries to evaluate the utility of a ureteral access sheath (UAS) during flexible ureteroscopy with direct in-scope suction (DISS). The research found that using DISS with a UAS is preferable for larger or more complex stones. For smaller, simpler cases, DISS without a UAS was a safe and effective option, resulting in high stone-free rates and fewer low-grade complications. The study, published in the World Journal of Urology, was co-authored by Esteban Emiliani Sanz, MD, PhD, chief of endourology at NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn and professor in the Department of Urology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
7/20/2026
Intrarenal thermal and pressure dynamics during ureteroscopy: an in vitro study.
UroToday
An in-vitro study co-authored by Mariela Corrales, MD, urology resident in NYU Langone's Department of Urology, evaluated determinants of intrarenal temperature and pressure during laser lithotripsy. Researchers found that mean intrarenal temperature was associated with laser power and the irrigation strategy used. High-power settings of 40W frequently surpassed the thermal-risk threshold. The type of laser source did not influence temperature when power and irrigation were comparable. The findings suggest a need for advanced integrated irrigation-aspiration systems to enhance the safety of the procedure by controlling flow, pressure, and temperature.
7/20/2026
