News from NYU Langone Health
Associated Press
The first clinical trial for pig kidney transplants in humans has begun, with the initial surgery successfully performed at NYU Langone Health. Robert Montgomery, MD, PhD, H. Leon Pachter, chair of the Department of Surgery and director of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute, who led the transplant team at NYU Langone Health, stated that his hospital has a list of other patients interested in joining the small trial. United Therapeutics, a producer of gene-edited pig kidneys, announced the milestone. The Food and Drug Administration is allowing these studies after previous compassionate use experiments. This development offers a potential alternative for over 100,000 people on the U.S. transplant list.
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11/02/2025
WNYW-TV (New York, NY)
A recent American Heart Association study suggests a potential link between long-term melatonin use and a slightly higher incidence of heart failure. Rabia A. De Latour, MD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, commented that while the study of thousands of patient records showed a small increase in risk, more research is needed. She points out that the study contradicts previous data suggesting melatonin's benefits for heart health and that the data may be incomplete as not everyone reports supplement use to their doctor. She advises consulting a clinician before taking any supplement to avoid potential medication interactions or other risks.
10/31/2025
A Plastic People: Petrochemicals, Climate Change, and Our Health
Leonardo Trasande, MD, MPP, Director of NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Division of Environmental Pediatrics and NYU Langone Health’s Center for the Investigation of Environmental Hazards, highlights the critical gap in environmental health training for most medical students. His own career pivoted from pediatrics to policy and research after he recognized the profound impact of toxic exposures on children's health and the potential for prevention. Trasande now leads a major study on environmental influences like endocrine-disrupting chemicals from plastics and PFAS. He notes that a recent study linking microplastics to heart disease served as a wake-up call, making the "invisible" threat tangible. His ultimate goal is to integrate environmental health into routine clinical care, believing that widespread testing for these chemicals by doctors will be the most effective way to drive policy change and hold polluters accountable.
11/02/2025
Becker's Hospital Review
NYU Langone Health has launched a new EHR feature called “ѵ Me” to help clinicians connect with patients on a personal level. The program allows patients to share personal details, which are then added to their Epic EHR profile for the entire care team to see. The initiative, which started as a pilot, has expanded to 35 units with over 1,000 patient entries and high participation rates. NYU Langone plans to roll out the feature across all inpatient units before extending it to outpatient care in 2026.
11/01/2025
SELF Magazine
A TikTok trend advocating 50 morning jumps for enhanced focus and mood is gaining popularity. Thea Gallagher, PsyD, clinical associate professor, Department of Psychiatry, explains that this aerobic activity can increase blood flow, loosen joints, and stimulate endorphin release, contributing to feelings of joy and reduced stress.
11/02/2025
The Ticker (New York, NY)
Numerous women are suing Pfizer, alleging its Depo-Provera contraceptive injection causes brain tumors, with recent studies showing a link to meningioma. However, these studies do not prove direct causation, and the overall risk remains low. Colleen Denny, MD, director of family planning service at NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn, emphasized the risk is 'incredibly low.' The drug also offers protection against endometrial cancer. Pfizer claims the FDA rejected its attempt to add a tumor warning to the label.
11/02/2025
