Kennedy High School senior Darwin Shen spent last summer staring into a microscope at the New York University School of Medicine, counting hundreds of neurons encased in 20 slides of mouse brain tissue. His objective: Figure out whether immunogens injected into the mice before they died were able to stop the neural loss caused by Alzheimer’s disease. more

Training began on Sunday for a group of dedicated fundraisers who are running for a cause. Among the jogging shoe-clad athletes who met up at field four in Eisenhower Park to begin training were Dan Scheinman and his daughter, Julia, a junior at Baldwin High School. The father/daughter jogging team will be tackling a half marathon in order to raise funds for a third member of their family — Dan Scheinman, of Baldwin Middle School — who has been living with Crohn’s Disease for the last two years. The eager and dedicated program participants listened to a motivational speech from their coach, then took to the first steps on what promises to be an arduous, but rewarding journey. Scheinman has prepared a statement (right) outlining his goals and the struggles his son is undergoing. His contact information is included at the end of the message. more

The symbol for love, and especially for Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14, is the heart -- big, red, beating and healthy. But for some babies born with a congenital heart defect, the organ doesn’t work like it’s supposed to, and can mean pain and anguish for their families and loved ones. more

Grand Avenue Middle School promotes a community of caring for all, school officials say. To further that environment, a new program, “Grand Gives Back,” was launched in September. Through the program, Grand Avenue selects different organizations each month to raise money for. Students, faculty and staff members are encouraged to donate to charities. more

“The Twilight Saga” and “True Blood” vampires aren’t the only bloodsuckers making a comeback lately. These culprits are much smaller, and instead of fangs, they have special two-tube mouth … more

"I haven't thought about a bagel in so long," one customer beamed as he recently examined the menu at Bare Naked Bakery and Cafe in Bellmore on Merrick Road. The excitement of being able to eat breads and cakes for the first time in possibly years is not uncommon here. more

A mosquito pool in Merrick tested positive last week for the West Nile virus, according to the Nassau County Health Department. more

For 2-year-old Daniel Vecchione, dealing with liver and kidney disease is going to his way of life. But there’s no reason, his family says, that he won’t be able live just as long as anyone else. more