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Sustainability Coordinator Erin Kluge and Transportation Demand Management Coordinator Greg Monaco at the Nobel Hall Wolf Ride Bike Share docking stations. Photo by John Griffin

Stony Brook University is being honored with a Silver-level Bicycle Friendly University award by the League of American Bicyclists in recognition of its achievements in promoting and enabling safe, accessible bicycling on campus, according to a press release on Oct. 29.

“Each year Stony Brook University continues to take steps towards improving sustainability including our campus accessibility by bike, and we are honored to receive this designation,” noted Tom Lanzilotta, assistant director of energy management & sustainability at Stony Brook. Mobility and Parking Services (MAPS), in partnership with the Office of Sustainability, is responsible for maintaining and tracking usage of the University’s Wolf Ride Bike Share Program, one of the main biking initiatives on campus. Since its inception in 2013, the program has continued to increase ridership each year, notably achieving 72,187 rides during the 2023-2024 academic year. In addition, the university provides ample bicycle racks, hosts a six-mile long Paul Simons Memorial Bike Path, and is home to the Freewheel Collective – a group helping refurbish bicycles for students.

“Since MAPS’ creation in 2022, our team has worked diligently to onboard varying modes of transportation, including micro-mobility. We want our community to have modern, sustainable options that make their lives easier and Wolf Ride is a big part of this,” said Kendra Violet, executive director for Mobility & Parking Services (MAPS). “I’m extremely proud of our team’s efforts. We’re all in on enabling Seawolves to ‘ride green,’ and building a future-focused and flexible mobility plan.”

The League of American Bicyclists is the premier grassroots advocacy organization encouraging better bicycling and protecting the rights of people who bike. Its Bicycle Friendly University (BFU) program includes 210 colleges and universities in 44 states and the District of Columbia, and is part of the League’s Bicycle Friendly America program, which also awards communities and businesses with certifications as part of its mission to make bicycling safe, comfortable and more accessible for all.

“When universities make biking easier, safer, and more accessible, they’re not just helping students get from point A to point B—they’re leading the charge in creating a more sustainable future,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. “By prioritizing better biking, Bicycle Friendly Universities like Stony Brook University are empowering students and staff to make choices that benefit their health, their environment, and their communities.”

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Sweet Arts in Northport. Photo from PSEG LI Facebook

October is National Women’s Small Business Month

PSEG Long Island is proud to celebrate local women business owners in October, which is National Women’s Small Business Month, and throughout the year with its grants, rebates, bill credit programs and liaison services. 

Small businesses are the backbone of Long Island’s economy. They create jobs, encourage commerce and support communities. PSEG Long Island is proud to provide money and energy saving opportunities to them through itsBusiness First program. 

Some women entrepreneurs recently supported by PSEG Long Island’s Business First include:

·       Angela’s Bra Boutique in Farmingdale

·       Baking Coach baking class venue in Bellport

·       Blue Rose Dresses in Lindenhurst

·       Corner Dance Studio in Saint James

·       iSmash painting and activity venue in Farmingdale

·       Issi Beauty Spa in Port Washington

·       LI Salty Kids Cove, a play place for children, in Patchogue

·       Lovers Lane Home Décor in Seaford

·       North Fork Chocolate in Mattituck and Riverhead

·       Silver Dollar Pottery in Rocky Point

·       Sweet Arts, a candy shop and party venue, in Northport Village

·       Valentina Paige Hair Studio in Saint James

·       Victoria Elizabeth bridal spa in East Northport

PSEG Long Island’s Business First program helps small and medium sized business owners save money and energy.Business First includes the company’s vibrant Main Street Revitalization grants and Vacant Space Revival bill credits program, free energy assessment tools, and its helpful energy efficiency rebate program. PSEG Long Island’s business customer advocates provide a personal concierge service for busy business owners with timesaving account services.

To learn more about the support PSEG Long Island offers business owners, visit psegliny.com/businessfirst.

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Seawolves at Suffolk

Stony Brook University, a SUNY flagship institution, is partnering with Suffolk County Community College to support a “Seawolves at Suffolk” program. The program provides Suffolk students with a transfer pathway that moves them from admission, to academic and social engagement with the university, and through transfer and graduation from Stony Brook.

Seawolves at Suffolk

Recently, Stony Brook University received a $500,000 Innovation Driven by Evidence and Advanced Strategies (IDEAS) grant from American Talent Initiative (ATI) College Excellence Program (CEP) and Bloomberg Philanthropies. The grant aims to amplify the power and potential of transfer students from lower income communities through high impact experiences, research-centered opportunities, and the development of workforce-ready skills. The university is partnering with neighboring SUNY Suffolk to support these initiatives.

“Seawolves at Suffolk” centers around an accelerated on-ramp to a paid summer research/internship opportunity with Stony Brook researchers in the summer prior to students transferring to the university. This is complemented by providing:

  • unique workshops
  • earlier access to university campus life
  • supported student leadership pipelines
  • comprehensive advising support with university advisors at SUNY Suffolk
  • priority course registration
  • mini-grants to take upper-division courses at Stony Brook before transferring
  • additional wrap-around support from success specialists and career coaches

Within this innovative program, selected students who have been referred to SUNY Suffolk from Stony Brook University will be part of a cohort of students who begin their studies at SUNY Suffolk, with a shared goal of becoming a Seawolf. SUNY Suffolk is the largest community college in the SUNY system and sister institution to Stony Brook University. By beginning their studies at SUNY Suffolk, and meeting certain transfer milestones, students in the program will be guaranteed entry into select Stony Brook University programs, including Biology, Earth and Space Sciences, English, Psychology, and more.

SUNY Suffolk transfers hundreds of students per year to Stony Brook University, far more than any other community college. Together, the two institutions maintain a strong and ongoing partnership in areas ranging from National Science Foundation research projects to internships at Brookhaven National Laboratories.

“Thanks to Bloomberg Philanthropies, accepted transfer students from Suffolk County Community College are already a part of the Stony Brook University community prior to their first day of classes,” said Interim Stony Brook President Richard L. McCormick. “This grant, awarded by the American Talent Initiative, allows us to expand our commitment to social mobility while providing transfer students with paid experiential learning, academic advising, and career counseling opportunities.”

“SUNY Suffolk has always prepared our graduates for success at elite colleges and universities like Stony Brook. With support from the American Talent Initiative grant, we will provide Suffolk students with an accelerated pathway to engagement at SBU, as well as experiential learning. This partnership allows us to support even more deserving Long Island students and families to live, learn and stay on Long Island,” said Dr. Edward Bonahue, President of Suffolk County Community College.

 

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Image from BNL

At the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory, scientists make history while expanding the frontiers of discovery.

Brookhaven Lab will host a celebration for the milestone anniversaries of two Nobel Prize-winning discoveries — as well as future explorations in physics. This symposium will be held at Brookhaven Lab on Friday, Nov. 22, from 1 to 6 p.m. EST in Berkner Hall.

The event, titled “Decades of Discovery at Brookhaven National Laboratory: Charge-Parity Violation, J/psi, and Future Endeavors in Physics,” is free and open to the public. Visitors to the Laboratory ages 16 and older must bring valid, government-issued photo ID. Digital IDs and copies cannot be accepted.

Those who can’t join in person may attend virtually.

Whether participating in person or virtually, attendees are asked to register as soon as possible.

Register here

About the event

This symposium will feature talks on the discoveries of charge-parity (CP) violation, the J/psi particle, and their impacts on physics research.

“Physicists study particles to unlock mysteries of how the universe works,” said JoAnne Hewett, director of Brookhaven Lab, theoretical physicist, and a featured speaker at the event. “As we celebrate and build on these discoveries, we look ahead to experiments around the world, including the future Electron-Ion Collider, which will use the J/psi for precise measurements inside the atom’s nucleus. We have questions that, today, are unanswered and will be resolved years from now.”

The event will also provide insights on current and future experiments to advance our understanding of the universe, particularly at the:

The list of speakers scheduled to present — including Hewett, Nobel Laureate Samuel Ting, distinguished physicist Martin Breidenbach, former Brookhaven Lab Director Nicholas Samios, historian Robert Crease, and others — is available here.

Refreshments will be served for those who attend in person. The symposium will conclude with a toast to discovery science’s past, present, and future.

About the Nobel Prize-winning discoveries
From left: Nobel Laureates Val Fitch and James CroninenlargeFrom left: Nobel Laureates Val Fitch and James Cronin

60 years since CP violation discovery: This occurred at Brookhaven Lab in 1964, when Val Fitch and James Cronin led a team that discovered a violation of charge conjugation (C) and parity (P) — called “CP violation” — in an experiment at the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron (AGS). Fitch and Cronin were presented with the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1980.

Nobel Laureates Samuel C.C. Ting (front) with collaboratorsenlargeNobel Laureates Samuel C.C. Ting (front) with collaborators

50 years since J/psi discovery: This occurred in 1974, when the J/psi particle was discovered by teams at both Brookhaven Lab and the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC), which today is DOE’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. Samuel C.C. Ting and his team discovered what he called the “J” particle using the AGS at Brookhaven. Burton Richter and his team found the same particle, which he called the “psi,” at SLAC. Ting and Richter shared the Nobel prize for Physics in 1976.

These discoveries are two among seven recognized with the Nobel Prize at Brookhaven Lab.

SLAC is also hosting an event to celebrate discovery of the J/psi particle. That symposium will be held on Friday, Nov. 8. For more information, visit the event webpage.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit science.energy.gov.

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Photo courtesy of Statepoint

Halloween is enjoyed by people of all ages, but few get a bigger kick out of the holiday than children. There are costumes to be worn, time spent with friends and the opportunity to collect free candy and other treats. Although Halloween can be a fun time, the Children’s Safety Network warns that it’s also a time when accidents can happen. According to the CSN, the most dangerous day for child pedestrians is Halloween, with two times as many child pedestrians dying on Halloween compared to other days. It is essential to prioritize safety on Halloween, and following these guidelines can help.

• Make sure costumes are short. Costumes that drag on the floor are tripping hazards, which can lead to injury. Be sure that costumes do not cover the feet or drag on the ground.

• Trick-or-treat in groups. Children are safer in numbers due to the increased visibility of a crowd and because, if something happens, others can call for help. Parents can use their discretion on what age they feel is mature enough to let children go out alone. Until then, children should be accompanied by adults.

• Improve visibility. It’s important to be seen while trick-or-treating, and that can be achieved by making sure costumes and trick-or-treat bags feature reflective tape. Trick-or-treaters also can carry flashlights or glow sticks to improve visibility, and stick to areas with streetlights if going out after dark.

• Stay on sidewalks. Whenever possible, trick-or-treaters should stick to the sidewalks and avoid walking on the roads. This may not always be possible in neighborhoods without sidewalks, where parents and youngsters must be especially careful.

• Eat before trick-or-treating. A meal or snack before trick-or-treating can reduce the tendency to fill up on candy while out and about. All candy and other treats should be inspected by an adult before it is eaten.

• Keep pets locked away. Animals can become skittish when there are many people loitering outside of homes or ringing doorbells. Keep pets in a quiet room away from the action to prevent them from getting loose, injured or scared enough to bite or scratch someone.

• Avoid masks that obstruct vision. It can be hard to see peripherally with a mask on, so avoid costumes with masks that compromise vision.

• Test out makeup beforehand. All makeup used for costumes should be tested for allergic reactions prior to use. Heed the warnings on packaging and avoid putting makeup too close to the eyes or lips.

These are some safety strategies designed to keep Halloween fun and incident-free this year.

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Photo courtesy of Brandpoint

Cold and flu season typically runs from October to May, but with summer colds, COVID outbreaks, RSV and allergies, it’s a pretty safe bet that you and your family may be dealing with a variety of symptoms of one kind or another, no matter the season.

Given this year-round battle against illness, the ever-rising costs of medications can put a strain on your wallet and cause confusion as to how best to guard against all of those various bugs out there.

“It’s vital for families to get reliable information on how to prevent illnesses, especially during cold and flu season when many bugs are at their worst, and what to do if they do come down with something,” said Preeti Parikh, Executive Medical Director at GoodRx, the leading prescription savings platform in the U.S. “This includes information about how to get the best price on any medications they need.”

That’s where GoodRx comes in. It is an online platform that does double duty. GoodRx can save you up to 80% off retail prices of medications, plus it offers trusted information on the myriad health conditions that families deal with. GoodRx’s articles, written by a team of doctors, pharmacists, health economists and public health experts, provide you with authoritative and trustworthy answers to your most pressing health questions so you can make better decisions for your family’s health.

When it comes to navigating cold and flu season, Dr. Parikh offers the following tips to prevent illness and manage treatment if you do become sick.

* Get vaccinated. Everyone should get their flu shot and COVID booster by the end of October, and these shots can be done at the same time. It’s the most important thing you can do to prevent illness, not only for yourself, but for vulnerable people in your community, such as children, the elderly and people with chronic conditions.

* Older Americans should investigate the RSV vaccine. All Americans aged 75 and older should receive one dose of the RSV vaccine. Adults aged 60 to 74 with serious chronic conditions, pregnant women, and young babies may also need to get vaccinated. Work with your healthcare provider to determine if the vaccine is best for you.

* Wash your hands. Everyone should practice good disease prevention! Wash your hands, avoid touching your face, and sneeze or cough into your elbow.

* Protect others. If you’re sick, stay home. Don’t go to the office or out shopping or dining. If you must go out, wear a mask to help avoid passing those bugs around.

* If you do become sick, GoodRx can help you save on treatments, including antibiotics that can treat your infection, cold medications to help with symptoms, and antivirals, which can shorten the duration or alleviate the symptoms of your illness. On average, GoodRx users save $34 on cold and flu treatment medications.

So, how do the savings work? It’s actually very easy. Just go to GoodRx.com or the mobile app and type in the name of the medications you have been prescribed. You’ll get a listing of local pharmacies and their prices. Choose the lowest one, and a coupon will pop up. Bring your phone with you to the pharmacy and show the coupon to your pharmacist to get the lowest possible price on your medications.

To arm yourself with information about how to battle the bugs, and ways to save at the pharmacy, visit GoodRx.com/go/fluseason. (BPT)

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METRO photo
Lowering inflammation and expanding lung capacity are keys

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Welcome to autumn! It’s the time of year when we revel in the beauty of changing foliage, the joy of Halloween decorations and costumes, and the prevalence “pumpkin spice” everything.

Unfortunately, it’s also the time of year when we are most alert to influenza (the flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19 variants circulating in our communities.

If you have a lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma, or if you smoke or vape, the consequences of these viruses are especially concerning.

The good news is that you can do a lot to improve your lung function by exercising, eating a plant-based diet with a focus on fruits and vegetables, expanding your lung capacity with an incentive spirometer, and quitting smoking or vaping (1). 

Does diet improve lung function?

It’s no surprise that your dietary choices can help or hinder your health. What is surprising is diet’s impact on your lung health. Let’s review some of the studies.

In a randomized controlled trial (RCT), results show that asthma patients who ate a high-antioxidant diet had greater lung function after 14 days than those who ate a low-antioxidant diet (2). They also had lower inflammation at 14 weeks, which was measured using a c-reactive protein (CRP) biomarker. Participants in the low-antioxidant group were over two times more likely to have an asthma exacerbation.

The high-antioxidant group had a modest five servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit daily, while the low-antioxidant group ate no more than two servings of vegetables and one serving of fruit daily. Using carotenoid supplementation in place of antioxidant foods did not affect inflammation. The authors concluded that an increase in carotenoids from diet has a clinically significant impact on asthma in a very short period.

In a longer-term analysis of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study, researchers assessed and stratified diets into three tiers to identify the impacts of diet quality on long-term lung health (3). Researchers found that a nutritionally-rich plant-centered diet was associated with significantly less decline in lung function over 20 years, even after adjusting for demographic and lifestyle factors influencing lung health.

What is the impact of fiber on COPD risk?

Several studies demonstrate that higher consumption of fiber from plants decreases the risk of COPD in smokers and ex-smokers.

In one study of men, results showed that higher fiber intake was associated with significant 48 percent reductions in COPD incidence in smokers and 38 percent incidence reductions in ex-smokers (4). The high-fiber group ate at least 36.8 grams per day, compared to the low-fiber group, which ate less than 23.7 grams per day. Fiber sources were fruits, vegetables and whole grain. The “high-fiber” group was still below the American Dietetic Association’s recommended intake of 14 grams per 1,000 calories each day.

In another study, this time with women, participants who consumed at least 2.5 serving of fruit per day, compared to those who consumed less than 0.8 servings per day, experienced a highly significant 37 percent decreased risk of COPD (5).

Both studies used apples, bananas, and pears to reduce COPD risk.

What exercise helps improve lung function?

In a study involving healthy women aged 65 years and older, results showed that 20 minutes of high-intensity exercise three times a day improved FEV1 and FVC, both indicators of lung function, in just 12 weeks (7). Participants began with a 15-minute warm-up, then 20 minutes of high-intensity exercise on a treadmill, followed by 15 minutes of stretching.

You do not need special equipment. You can walk up steps or hills in your neighborhood, do jumping jacks, or even dance around your home. It’s most important to increase your heart rate and expand your lungs. If this is new for you, consult a physician and start slowly. Your stamina will improve quickly when you do it consistently.

What is incentive spirometry?

An incentive spirometer (IS) is a device that helps expand the lungs when you inhale through a tube and cause one or more balls to rise. This inhalation expands the lung’s alveoli.

Incentive spirometry has been used for patients with pneumonia, those who have had chest or abdominal surgery and those with asthma or COPD, but it has also been useful for healthy participants (8). A small study showed that those who trained with an incentive spirometer for two weeks increased their lung function and respiratory motion. Participants were 10 non-smoking healthy adults who took five sets of five deep breaths twice a day, totaling 50 deep breaths per day. 

In recent years, some small studies examined the impact of IS on patient COVID-19 outcomes. One study of 48 patients in an outpatient setting found that study participants using an IS three times a day experienced a 16 percent increase in maximal inspiratory volume over a span of 30 days (9).

Another pilot study followed 10 patients diagnosed with moderate COVID-19 to determine whether IS use prevented development of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) (10). IS users had improved PaO2/FiO2 ratio, improved chest X-ray findings, shorter hospital stays, and sooner improvement of symptoms than non-users.

We all should be working to strengthen our lungs. Using a three-pronged approach including diet, aerobic exercise, and incentive spirometer can make a tremendous difference.

References:

(1) Public Health Rep. 2011 Mar-Apr; 126(2): 158-159. (2) Am J Clin Nutr. 2012 Sep;96(3):534-43. (3) Res Sq  [Preprint]. 2023 Apr 26:rs.3.rs-2845326. [Version 1] (4) Epidemiology Mar 2018;29(2):254-260. (5) Int J Epidemiol Dec 1 2018;47(6);1897-1909. (6) J Phys Ther Sci. Aug 2017;29(8):1454-1457. (8) Ann Rehabil Med. Jun 2015;39(3):360-365. (9) Cureus. 2021 Oct 4;13(10):e18483. (10) Eur Resp J 2022 60: 268.

Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com or consult your personal physician.

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Jeff Szabo

Suffolk County Water Authority Chief Executive Officer Jeff Szabo has been elected President of the Board of Directors for the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), an organization representing the largest publicly-owned drinking water systems in the United States. The appointment highlights SCWA’s leadership in water quality, infrastructure management and public health protection. Szabo will continue his responsibilities as SCWA CEO while guiding AMWA in advancing water management practices nationwide.

“Jeff’s election as AMWA President reflects his deep commitment to delivering high-quality drinking water through innovative management strategies and his ability to tackle the challenges facing our nation’s water systems,” said AMWA Chief Executive Officer Tom Dobbins. “We are thrilled to have him lead as we work to ensure safe and reliable drinking water for communities across the country.”

As SCWA CEO, Szabo has led significant advancements in water conservation, infrastructure upgrades and customer service, ensuring SCWA remains one of the most efficient and forward-thinking water utilities in the country. Szabo is a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Drinking Water Advisory Council which provides the regulatory agency advice, and recommendations related to national drinking water programs. He was also the chief architect of the Long Island Commission of Aquifer Protection, where he also previously served as Chair.

SCWA Chairman Charlie Lefkowitz added, “Jeff’s leadership at AMWA is a testament to his dedication and the hard work of our SCWA team. This recognition not only honors Jeff but also highlights SCWA’s role as a national model for water utilities.”

AMWA represents the largest publicly owned drinking water systems in the U.S., serving over 160 million people. Founded in 1981, AMWA is the nation’s only policy-making organization dedicated solely to metropolitan water suppliers, working with Congress and federal agencies to ensure public health protections through cost-effective regulations. AMWA provides its members with resources to improve utility management, sustainability and security. Governed by a Board of Directors representing all regions, AMWA’s professional staff is based in Washington, D.C.

About SCWA:

The Suffolk County Water Authority is an independent public-benefit corporation operating under the authority of the Public Authorities Law of the State of New York. Serving approximately 1.2 million Suffolk County residents, the Authority operates without taxing power on a not-for-profit basis.

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'Sunny Walk' by Gisela Skoglund
'Wild Roses' by Gisela Skoglund
'Castle Hill Lighthouse' by Gisela Skoglund
'Bucolic' by Gisela Skoglund

Smithtown Township Arts Council has announced that the works of Kings Park artist Gisela Skoglund will be on view at Apple Bank of Smithtown, 91 Route 111, Smithtown from Oct. 28 to Jan. 3. The exhibition, part of the Arts Council’s Outreach Gallery Program, may be viewed during regular banking hours Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m.to 4 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Skoglund’s life has taken her through many artistic expressions. Early on her original passion was for oil on canvas. In high school she was awarded a scholarship to Pratt Institute where she pursued advertising art.

All her endeavors have brought her to the use of painting in a wide variety of mediums including watercolor, acrylic, oil pastel, pen, and ink. Skoglund’s inspirations come from the beauty of nature and other sights which appear in everyday life. She has exhibited her work in juried and invitational shows across Long Island. “I find that painting transports me to a place where time is forgotten, and I am totally immersed in creativity,” she said.

STAC is grateful to Apple Bank for its continued support of culture in our communities.

Smithtown Township Arts Council is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization.

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