News from NYU Langone Health
NYU Langone Health Gets $15M Gift. (Becker's Hospital Review)
(5/15) NYU Langone Health has been awarded a $15 million donation from the Blavatnik Family Foundation to support research on gene regulation, antibiotic resistance, and cellular mechanisms related to cancer and aging, with Evgeny A. Nudler, PhD, the Julie Wilson Anderson Professor of Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, saying, “This kind of support allows us to attract and retain top talent — the most precious resource in our lab — and gives us the investigative freedom to drive discoveries that could transform people’s lives.”
(5/15) Robert I. Grossman, MD, dean and CEO, said, “Meaningful advances in health and science depend on top talent working in an environment that bolsters them and removes roadblocks to their success.” He added, “Thanks to incredible partners like the Blavatnik Family Foundation, we have been able to both recruit outstanding leaders in research and create our culture of exceptionalism, where they can truly thrive.”
Dr Sanjay Gupta: At The Forefront Of Organ Transplants, Patients Are The Pioneers. (CNN)
(5/16) The field of xenotransplantation, which involves using animal organs for human transplants, is advancing with the help of pioneering patients and the development of CRISPR technology, as explained by Robert Montgomery, MD, PhD, the H. Leon Pachter, MD, Professor of Surgery, chair, Department of Surgery, NYU Langone Transplant Institute, who said, “Because less than 1% of the people who die every year die in a way that they could ever even be considered as organ donors, we need a sustainable, renewable source of organs from something else other than humans dying,” with notable cases including Towana Looney’s 130-day survival with a pig kidney at NYU Langone Health, illustrating both the promise and challenges of this burgeoning field.
Oswaldo Cabrera’s Options After Gruesome Ankle Injury. (New York Post)
The (5/15) “Daniel J. Kaplan, MD, assistant professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, joins Brandon London for the weekly ‘Injury Report’ segment to explain the long recovery process that Oswaldo Cabrera will have to go through to return to action after the Yankees’ utility man suffered a fractured ankle while sliding into home plate late in a win against the Seattle Mariners.”
Opinion: The Power Blackout In Spain And Portugal Wasn’t A Fluke. It Was The Future. (Chattanooga (TN) Times Free Press)
(5/15) In an opinion piece, Kelly R. McKinney, vice president of Emergency Management and Enterprise Resilience, writes that catastrophic failures in complex systems like power grids are inevitable, as demonstrated by a blackout affecting Spain and Portugal, noting that instead of seeking to eliminate every fault, society should focus on resilience, ensuring critical infrastructure like transportation, communications, energy, and healthcare can absorb shocks and continue functioning.
Scientists Reveal Stunning Death Toll Linked To Products We Use Every Day: ‘A Tremendous Danger To Human Health’. (The Cool Down)
(5/15) Researchers from NYU Langone Health “conducted an analysis that focused on the chemical di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, or DEHP, which is used in food containers, medical equipment, and other soft, flexible plastic products,” with Sara Hyman, lead author and associate research scientist, saying, “By highlighting the connection between phthalates and a leading cause of death across the world, our findings add to the vast body of evidence that these chemicals present a tremendous danger to human health.” Senior author Leonardo Trasande, MD, the Jim G. Hendrick, M.D. Professor of Pediatrics, vice chair of research in the Department of Pediatrics, professor, Department of Population Health, said, “Our results underscore the urgent need for global regulations to reduce exposure to these toxins.”
Five Tips For Overall Women’s Health And Wellness. (Long Island (NY) Advance)
The (5/15) In honor of Mother’s Day, NYU Langone Health-Suffolk is encouraging women to prioritize self-care and preventative health, with Melissa D. Fana, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Perlmutter 鶹Ƶapp Center, chief of service, Breast Surgery, NYU Langone Hospital—Suffolk, providing five health tips: schedule regular checkups and screenings, incorporate daily physical activity, focus on a balanced diet with whole foods, prioritize quality sleep, and support mental health through therapy and mindfulness, as “the mind is an organ just like any other organ in the body and it can be affected by stress and mood changes,” she said.
Also reporting are (5/15) and (5/15).
Dr Sabari On The Activity Of Zongertinib In Pretreated, Advanced, HER2-Mutated NSCLC. (OncLive)
(5/15) Joshua K. Sabari, MD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Perlmutter 鶹Ƶapp Center, discussed findings from the phase 1 Beamion LUNG-1 trial on the HER2-directed TKI zongertinib in HER2-mutated advanced NSCLC, revealing a 71% objective response rate and 96% disease control rate in cohort 1, with responses appearing early and lasting a median of 14.1 months; Sabari also mentioned the ongoing phase 3 Beamion LUNG-2 trial comparing zongertinib with standard therapy, potentially establishing it as a first-line option.
In a separate article, (5/15) Joshua K. Sabari, MD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Perlmutter 鶹Ƶapp Center, expressed enthusiasm for the phase 1/2 SOHO-01 trial, which investigates BAY 2927088 for HER2-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), noting its EGFR and HER2 inhibition and associated gastrointestinal toxicity; other experts, including Parth A. Desai, MD, and Angel Qin, MD, discussed various trials, such as the phase 3 DeLLphi-304 study for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and the phase 2 InTRist trial for unresectable NSCLC, which could potentially reshape treatment paradigms for these cancers.
Impact Of Oft-Overlooked Cell In Brain Function Revealed. (Science Daily)
(5/15) “An often-ignored type of cell in the brain plays a dynamic and surprisingly complex role in our ability to process information, according to new research from Oregon Health & Science University,” co-authored by scientists include Rachel D. Kim, PhD, postdoctoral fellow, Department of Neuroscience.
30 Interventional Cardiologists Named ‘Rising Stars’. (Becker's Hospital Review)
(5/15) The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions has awarded 30 early career interventional cardiologists, including Sibi Krishnamurthy, MD, clinical instructor, Department of Medicine, the Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, as “rising stars” at its 2025 scientific sessions held from May 1-3, highlighting their exceptional leadership, clinical excellence, and commitment to teamwork and service.
Men Twice As Likely To Die From ‘Broken Heart Syndrome,’ Study Finds. (San Francisco Chronicle)
The (5/15) A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association reveals that men are more than twice as likely as women to die from takotsubo cardiomyopathy, or “broken heart syndrome,” with 11.2% of men dying compared to 5.5% of women, despite women comprising 83% of cases; Harmony R. Reynolds, MD, the Joel E. and Joan L. Smilow Professor of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, the Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, said, “It seems to be a consistent finding that men don’t get takotsubo syndrome as much, but when they do, they do worse.”
How Many Days A Week Should I Walk To Improve My Heart Health? (TODAY)
(5/15) Nieca Goldberg, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine, the Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, emphasizes the importance of walking at a pace that naturally elevates heart rate for improving heart health, saying, “It’s important for people to do exercises that are natural to them and easy for them to do.”
When To Go To The Emergency Room Vs. Urgent Care. (TIME)
(5/15) Victoria Leybov, MD, clinical assistant professor, the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine, System Chief, Emergency Medicine Telehealth, advises on when to seek care at an emergency room versus an urgent care facility, noting emergency rooms have advanced imaging technology for serious health concerns, while urgent care centers can treat non-life-threatening conditions and refer patients to emergency rooms if necessary, with virtual urgent care as another accessible option.
Baby Receives CRISPR Treatment To Edit Out Mutation. (CBS)
(5/15) Jonathan D. LaPook, MD, the Mebane Professor of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, professor, Department of Population Health, discussed a groundbreaking treatment using CRISPR technology to edit out a genetic mutation in a baby named KJ, who was diagnosed with a rare, often fatal genetic condition; this treatment, conducted by doctors at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, involved three liver infusions and has shown promising results with KJ gaining weight and thriving, though he is still under close medical observation.
TikTok Just Rolled Out a Surprising New Feature-and Doctors Are Totally Here for It. (Well and Good)
(5/15) “Speaking of mental health, mindlessly scrolling can just give you a feeling that you’ve wasted your time,” says Thea Gallagher, PsyD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry, adding, “You can feel like you don’t have a lot of control over the process. Some social media can be fulfilling, but when you feel like you’re mindlessly doing something, it’s not a good feeling.”
The Very Best Sunrise Alarm Clocks. (The Strategist)
(5/15) Mandana Mahmoudi, MD, MPH, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, explains that light affects our internal clock, suggesting that in the evenings, the absence of light allows the brain to release neurotransmitters that induce sleepiness, while in the morning, exposure to light signals the brain that it’s time to wake up.
What Are The Best Ways I Can Limit Exposure To Pollen? (TODAY)
(5/15) Natalie E. Azar, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, discussed allergy management strategies, including minimizing pollen exposure and medication options, while noting that pollen season is starting “20 days earlier in some parts of the country,” which is attributed to a warming climate, and adding that “we’re seeing higher concentrations” of pollen “across the board.”
Alzheimer’s Disease Could Be Prevented By Antiviral Drug Already On Market. (Fox News)
(5/14) Researchers from UVA Health at the University of Virginia have discovered that NRTIs, drugs approved for treating HIV, may also prevent Alzheimer’s disease, and Marc K. Siegel, MD, clinical professor, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Clinical Innovation, says, “Inflammasomes are intracellular protein complexes that trigger the release of inflammatory cytokines,” noting that “HIV uses these inflammasomes to fight the immune system.”
Common Ingredient In Energy Drinks Linked To Blood 鶹Ƶapp Growth, Study Finds. (Fox News)
(5/15) Marc K. Siegel, MD, clinical professor, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Clinical Innovation, who was not involved in the study, commented, “There is concern that high-powered energy drinks containing too much taurine could fuel leukemia cells.”
Also reporting is (5/15).
