Stony Brook University News

Multi-Center VA Research Trial Reveals No Advantage to CABG Patients with Off-Pump Procedure

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:43:25 PST

A study of 2,203 cardiac surgery patients from Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers nationwide revealed that coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) completed “off-pump,” meaning without a heart-lung machine, had no advantages in patient outcomes compared to the traditional “on-pump” procedure. A. Laurie Shroyer, Ph.D., Professor of Preventive Medicine at Stony Brook University and the Northport VA Medical Center, and colleagues from 18 VA medical centers conducted by the VA Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center in Perry Point, reported their findings in the November 5 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.

SBUMC Study Investigates Stem Cell Treatment For Tissue Repair In Heart Attack Patients

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:00:47 PST

The Division of Cardiology at Stony Brook University Medical Center is participating in a clinical trial on the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to treat individuals who have had a first heart attack, or myocardial infarction (MI).

Ocean Acidification May Contribute To Global Shellfish Decline

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:07:07 PST

Relatively minor increases in ocean acidity brought about by high levels of carbon dioxide have significant detrimental effects on the growth, development, and survival of hard clams, bay scallops, and Eastern oysters, according to researchers at Stony Brook University’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences. In one of the first studies looking at the effect of ocean acidification on shellfish, Stephanie Talmage, PhD candidate, and Professor Chris Gobler showed that the larval stages of these shellfish species are extremely sensitive to enhanced levels of carbon dioxide in seawater.

SBU-Led Study Of An Ancient Primate Counters Recent "Darwinius" Discovery As Possible "Missing Link"

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:47:59 PST

A scientific analysis of a recently discovered adapiform, an ancient primate, reveals that the fossil, called Afradapis, is not on the evolutionary lineage of anthropoids (Old World Monkeys and higher primates, including humans) but instead more closely to lemurs and lorises.

International Fisheries Task Force Met in Portland, ME, to Develop Smart Management Plans for Forage Fish, a Growing Target of Commercial Fishing Operations

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:26:17 PST

The Lenfest Forage Fish Task Force met from October 12-14 in Portland, ME to continue developing critical management recommendations for “forage fish,” small prey fish like sardines, anchovies and menhaden that are caught by commercial fisheries on a massive scale, almost always without consideration of their essential role in oceanic food webs.

Rip Currents Pose Greater Risk To Swimmers Than To Shoreline

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:54:03 PST

Rip currents—powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from the shore—represent a danger to human life and property.

Gala To Celebrate Carol M. Baldwin's Life And 80th Birthday Proceeds Support Breast Cancer Research At SBUMC

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:21:26 PST

The 2009 Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund Gala will honor the life and work of Carol M. Baldwin, breast cancer survivor, advocate, and founder of the Fund, as she nears her 80th birthday.

Stony Brook University Opens New High-Tech Center Devoted To Discovery Of Next Generation Diagnostics And Therapeutics

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:04:32 PST

Stony Brook University celebrated the opening of the new Center for Biomolecular Diagnostics and Therapeutics, commemorating 25 years of translational research and biotechnology development at the SBU Center for Biotechnology.

SBU Center For Infectious Diseases Receives $7.4 Million From NIH To Research Emerging Pathogens

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:37:05 PST

The Center for Infectious Diseases (CID) at Stony Brook University received a $7.4 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue a research program focused on investigating emerging organisms causing bacterial and viral infections in humans.

Stony Brook University Professor Co-Authors New Comprehensive Analysis Which Sheds Light On The Origin Of Cetaceans

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:06:38 PST

When the ancestors of living cetaceans—whales, dolphins and porpoises—first dipped their toes into water, a series of evolutionary changes were sparked that ultimately nestled these swimming mammals into the larger hoofed animal group. But what happened first, a change from a plant-based diet to a carnivorous diet, or the loss of their ability to walk?

Stony Brook University Professor Receives Funding From National Nuclear Security Administration

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:28:11 PST

Baosheng Li, a research professor in the Mineral Physics Institute, will serve as principal investigator for a project titled “Thermoelasticity of SSP Materials: An Integrated Acoustic and Diffraction Study at High-P and High-T.”

Discovery of New Treatment for Hand Disorder Affecting Millions Shown Promising

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:15 PST

Researchers in the Department of Orthopaedics at Stony Brook University Medical Center have developed an injectable form of the enzyme, collagenase, that significantly improves outcomes of Dupuytren’s contracture (or disease), a debilitating disorder caused by progressive accumulation of collagen that deforms fingers and limits motion.

SBUMC Study Reveals Children From Disadvantaged Household Have Fewer Bedtime Routines, Possibly Affecting Health

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:37:00 PST

A study led by Stony Brook University Medical Center finds that preschool age children from socioeconomically disadvantaged families are less likely to have consistent bedtime routines than their more advantaged counterparts. The authors say this pattern may contribute to later disparities in sleep quality and may be linked to various mental and physical health outcomes, such as the capacity to learn, school readiness and childhood obesity.

Scientists Shed New Light On Behavior Of Shark "Tweens" And "Teenagers"

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:16:22 PST

A long-term field and DNA study by the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science at Stony Brook University, University of Miami, Field Museum of Chicago and others has shown that young lemon sharks born at the Bimini islands, Bahamas, tend to stay near their coastal birthplace for many years.

Stony Brook University Announces Formal Partnerships With Atlantis Marine World And The Riverhead Foundation

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:11:33 PST

Stony Brook University’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS,) Atlantis Marine World Aquarium, and the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation today announced a public-private partnership that will promote collaboration between the three institutions.

Stony Brook University Part Of $10 Million NSF Grant For Computational Modeling And Analysis Of Complex Systems

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:51:16 PST

The National Science Foundation has awarded $1.86 million to three Stony Brook University professors to develop computational techniques for analyzing models of complex systems arising from a wide array of application domains.

SBUMC Orthopaedics Faculty Establish Endowment For Department, Add Proceeds From National Award

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:44:12 PST

The Department of Orthopaedics at Stony Brook University Medical Center has established an endowment to advance research and support musculoskeletal education.

Small Business Development Center At Stony Brook University Receives NYSERDA Grant For Energy Company Initiative Proposal

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 10:18:38 PST

The Small Business Development Center at Stony Brook University has successfully competed in a New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Program Opportunity and was awarded $247,000 for its proposal entitled the “Stony Brook Energy Company Initiative”.

Researchers At Stony Brook University Show Warmer Environment Means Shorter Lives For Cold-Blooded Animals

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:23:55 PST

Temperature explains much of why cold-blooded organisms such as fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and lizards live longer at higher latitudes than at lower latitudes, according to research published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) online.

Stony Brook University Professor Receives Prestigious White House Award for Young Scientists and Engineers

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:06:52 PST

Stony Brook University Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Elizabeth M. Boon, has been selected by Barack Obama as a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). In addition to receiving an invitation to the White House to receive her award from President Obama, Dr. Boon will receive $200,000 per year for up to five years to continue her research.