News from NYU Langone Health
Experts: How To Travel Safely On GLP-1s. (Forbes)
(8/23) Traveling while on GLP-1 medications presents unique challenges, such as maintaining proper storage and managing side effects like nausea and constipation, said Holly F. Lofton, MD, clinical associate professor, Departments of Surgery, Division of Bariatric Surgery, and Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Clinical Innovation, who advises using TSA-approved insulated cases for transportation and suggests over-the-counter remedies like ginger chews and fiber supplements to alleviate symptoms.
A Restaurant Owner Wasn’t Regaining Function After A Stroke. New Technology Changed Everything. (CBS News)
(8/23) Restaurateur Tommy Fello, who suffered a stroke that left him with limited movement in his left arm and leg, has experienced significant recovery progress after receiving the Vivistim System implant, a first-of-its-kind FDA-approved device by MicroTransponder Inc. that uses vagus nerve stimulation to enhance neuroplasticity during rehabilitation, with Erez Nossek, MD, professor, Department of Neurosurgery, affirming that this technology offers “greater and faster improvements in motor function for stroke survivors.”
Legionnaires’ Disease Is Spreading Thanks To A Perfect Storm Of Conditions. (USA Today)
(8/22) New York City is experiencing its largest Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in years, with at least 108 people sickened and five fatalities; Michael S. Phillips, MD, associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, chief, Epidemiologist, emphasized the importance of preventative healthcare measures, advising individuals to consult physicians about vaccines like flu, pneumonia, and RSV, and to seek medical attention promptly for respiratory conditions.
Wildfire Raised Local Death Rate By 67%, Shows Study On 2023 Hawaiʻi Fires. (Phys (UK))
(8/22) A study co-authored by Michelle Nakatsuka at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and published in Frontiers in Climate reveals that the August 2023 wildfires in Lāhainā, Maui, resulted in an excess death rate of 67%, with many deaths attributed to direct exposure, smoke inhalation, burns, and disruptions in healthcare access, such as inability to obtain critical medications or emergency treatment; Nakatsuka said, “Wildfires can cause a measurable, population-wide increase in mortality, beyond what is captured in official fatality counts,” and emphasized the need for wildfire prevention strategies that incorporate Native Hawaiian perspectives and traditional agroecological systems.
Also reporting was the (8/22).
Artery Blocking Procedure Relieves Knee Arthritis Pain. (MedicineNet)
(8/22) A pilot study reported in the Journal of Vascular Interventional Radiology suggests that genicular artery embolization, a minimally invasive procedure that blocks blood flow to the knee joint using hydrogel beads, can significantly reduce knee pain for over 60% of patients with moderate to severe osteoarthritis who have not responded to other treatments, with senior researcher Ryan Hickey, MD, associate professor, Department of Radiology, section chief, Vascular Interventional Radiology, stating, “This procedure is particularly suited to those patients who are either not yet ready for knee replacement surgery or for whom surgery is not an option because of age or other risk factors.”
EYP-1901 Phase 2 Results In Diabetic Macular Edema To Inform Phase 3 Study Design. (Healio)
(8/20) In a video from the American Society of Retina Specialists annual meeting in Long Beach, Calif., Yasha S. Modi, MD, associate professor, Department of Ophthalmology, discussed the end-of-study results for EYP-1901, a bioerodible, sustained-release intravitreal insert by EyePoint Pharmaceuticals designed to deliver vorolanib for diabetic macular edema.
He Faced Cancer Three Times Before 50. His Advice Could Save Your Life. (Men's Health (UK))
(8/22) In the latest episode of The Future You, host Rich Dorment engages in a candid discussion on cancer with Elizabeth Comen, MD, associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Perlmutter Cancer Center, and two cancer survivors, Suleika Jaouad and Colin Egglesfield, highlighting the increasing rates of cancer among young adults and the importance of proactive healthcare measures.
Q&A: Deemphasize 10,000 Steps, Address Sedentary Time To Improve Heart Health. (Healio)
(8/22) A meta-analysis published in The Lancet Public Health challenges the 10,000 steps per day goal, suggesting that increased physical activity, even with fewer steps, can achieve similar heart-health benefits, with Sean P. Heffron, MD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine, the Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, explaining that the 10,000 steps notion originated as a marketing strategy for pedometers, and emphasizing that overall physical activity, not just steps, is crucial for cardiovascular disease prevention, while also addressing the misconception that exercise significantly impacts cholesterol levels, which are more influenced by diet.
What Is Clear Protein, And Is It Healthier? Dietitians Explain. (TODAY)
(8/22) Collin J. Popp, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Population Health, explained that clear protein, a highly processed form of whey protein, offers a lighter, juice-like alternative to traditional protein shakes and is often lactose-free, which benefits those with lactose intolerance; however, Popp cautioned that clear protein hasn’t been extensively studied, and its benefits over other proteins are more related to taste and lactose content rather than enhanced muscle building or recovery.
A Coal-Fired Plant In Michigan Was Supposed To Close. But Trump Forced It To Keep Running At $1M A Day. (Grist)
(8/23) The Trump administration has intervened to keep the JH Campbell coal-fired power plant in Michigan operational, despite its operator, Consumers Energy, planning to close it; Wuyue Yu, PhD, postdoctoral researcher, Department of Population Health, said a study showed that closing such plants “can lead to immediate and lasting improvements in the lung health of those who live nearby.”
If You’re Going To Clean Out Your Ears Yourself, Here’s How To Do It Right. (HuffPost)
(8/24) Erich P. Voigt, MD, associate professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, chief, Division of General/Sleep Otolaryngology, said that most people do not need to remove their earwax, as it serves as a protective, waterproofing, and anti-microbial agent for the ear canal, helping to prevent infections.
Study Reveals Hearing Aids Can Enhance Social Connectivity. (KVII-TV Amarillo (TX))
(8/25) A study from NYU Langone Health reveals that hearing aids and other devices can significantly enhance social connectivity and confidence for individuals experiencing hearing loss, potentially improving overall well-being and reducing the risk of depression and dementia.
Can I Pop This? 18 Common Skincare Questions, Answered By Dermatologists. (The Guardian (UK))
(8/23) Doris Day, MD, the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, and other expert dermatologists discussed common skincare inquiries, such as the necessity of daily sunscreen.
Does Your Poop Float? Here’s What It Could Say ѵ Your Health. (HuffPost)
(8/24) Sophie M. Balzora, MD, clinical professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Inflammatory Bowel Disease, discussed the importance of observing bowel movements, saying, “It’s always a good idea to look at your stool before you flush,” explaining that while stools should generally sink, floating stools high in fat could indicate malabsorption issues like steatorrhea, potentially caused by conditions such as celiac disease or Crohn’s disease, and advised consulting a physician if changes in stool consistency occur.
Also reporting was (8/23).
News from NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island
Could Boosting Omega-3 Intake Help Lower Alzheimer’s Risk In Women? (Medical News Today)
(8/22) A recent UK study has examined lipid biomarkers in men and women to explore the disparity in Alzheimer’s diagnoses, finding that women with Alzheimer’s have significantly lower levels of highly unsaturated lipids, such as omega-3 fatty acids, and higher levels of unhealthy lipids compared to healthy women, with no similar pattern observed in men; Allison B. Reiss, MD, associate professor, Departments of Foundations of Medicine, and Medicine, NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island, said, “The differences between male and female metabolism in relation to [Alzheimer’s disease] risk are explored here, and the sexes are not lumped together,” emphasizing the need for sex-specific research in Alzheimer’s studies.
