Stony Brook Medicine
Coverage of Stony Brook Medicine in the Nexus archive.
- One walking habit could signal a healthier brain after 80, scientists say
A study by Stony Brook Medicine found that older adults who walk significantly faster than peers (classified as 'super movers') have about half the risk of cognitive decline. These individuals maintained cognitive function despite similar brain pathologies as slower walkers, suggesting resilience mechanisms may protect brain health. The observational study, published in Neurology, emphasizes physical activity as a key factor in healthy aging but notes it does not prove faster walking prevents dementia.
- Hantavirus in the US: Where the rare, sometimes deadly disease has been found
There have been three deaths and at least eight reported cases of hantavirus among passengers of the MV Hondius cruise ship, with at least five states monitoring residents who returned from the ship. The virus has historically caused around 800 to 900 cases in the US, mostly west of the Mississippi River. Hantavirus can lead to a deadly syndrome called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), with a mortality rate of 30% to 60%.