RxPG News : Diabetes

Gene triggers for diabetes found

Wed, 13 May 2009 14:54:57 PST

Sydney, May 12 - An international team of scientists has identified more than 40 genes, including 25 new ones, that could be factors in triggering type-1 diabetes.

Increased food intake alone explains the increase in body weight in the United States

Fri, 08 May 2009 04:00:00 PST

Amsterdam, the Netherlands: New research that uses an innovative approach to study, for the first time, the relative contributions of food and exercise habits to the development of the obesity epidemic has concluded that the rise in obesity in the United States since the 1970s was virtually all due to increased energy intake.

Study: Vibration plate machines may aid weight loss and trim abdominal fat

Fri, 08 May 2009 04:00:00 PST

Amsterdam, the Netherlands: New research suggests that, if used properly, vibration plate exercise machines may help you lose weight and trim the particularly harmful belly fat between the organs.

Gene therapy appears safe to regenerate gum tissue

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 PST

ANN ARBOR, Mich.---Scientists at the University of Michigan have developed a method of gene delivery that appears safe for regenerating tooth-supporting gum tissue---a discovery that assuages one of the biggest safety concerns surrounding gene therapy research and tissue engineering.

Scientists closer to understanding how to control high blood sugar

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 04:00:00 PST

ANN ARBOR, Mich.---Scientists are closer to understanding which proteins help control blood sugar, or glucose, during and after exercise. This understanding could lead to new drug therapies or more effective exercise to prevent Type 2 diabetes and other health problems associated with having high blood sugar.

Team-based diabetes care fetches more value for dollar

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 05:00:00 PST

Diabetes patients undergoing team-based care do not save more in treatment costs under Medicare and Medicaid than other patients, but they are healthier, according to a recent study.

PAI-1 is the link between diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:30:27 PST

Researchers at the University of Vermont Cardiovascular Research Institute, Colchester, Vermont have found that increased expression in the heart of plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) is profibrotic. The results, which appear in the March 2009 issue of Experimental Biology and Medicine, implicate PAI-1 overexpression, known to accompany insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, as a factor contributing to the high incidence of heart failure after myocardial infarction in people with diabetes.

ORNL, UT project could save vision of millions

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:00:00 PST

OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Feb. 17, 2009 -- In the blink of an eye, people at risk of becoming blind can now be screened for eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.

Type 2 diabetics with obstructive sleep apnoea- CPAP helps regulate nocturnal glucose levels

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 01:54:58 PST

A study in the Dec. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine suggests that screening type 2 diabetes patients for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and treating those who have OSA with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy could improve the management of their hyperglycemia and might favorably influence their long-term prognosis

Diabetes and other sugar abnormalities have a relationship to sleep disturbances

Sun, 07 Dec 2008 13:53:26 PST

Diabetes and high levels of blood sugar may be linked to abnormalities in a person's body clock and sleep patterns, according to a genome-wide association study published today in the journal Nature Genetics.

Genes for 9 health indicators

Sun, 07 Dec 2008 05:00:00 PST

A new genome-wide study examines genetic variants associated with nine metabolic traits and is the first to draw out novel variants from a population unselected for current disease. The traits are indicators for common disease such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, blood pressure, inflammation and lipid levels.

New technique eliminates toxic drugs in islet transplant in diabetic mice

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:00:00 PST

CHICAGO -- The body's immune system hates strangers. When its security patrol spots a foreign cell, it annihilates it.

Pure insulin-producing cells produced in mouse

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:00:00 PST

Singapore researchers have developed an unlimited number of pure insulin-producing cells from mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs).

Teaching tools foster science and diabetes education in Native-American schools

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 05:00:00 PST

Schools across the country now have free access to an innovative set of teaching tools designed to increase the understanding of science, health, and diabetes among American Indian and Alaska Native students from kindergarten through the 12th grade. The comprehensive new curriculum, called Health is Life in Balance, is being launched today at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.

University of Miami biomedical engineer wins

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 05:00:00 PST

CORAL GABLES, FL (November 12, 2008)-Cherie L. Stabler, Ph.D., assistant professor in the University of Miami College of Engineering and director of the tissue engineering program at the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is one of only ten scientists across the country to win the Type 1 Diabetes Pathfinder Award from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The award recognizes highly innovative research studies that offer exceptional promise for improving the understanding, prevention and treatment of Type 1 diabetes and its complications.

International Diabetes Federation calls for global action to keep all children with diabetes alive

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 04:00:00 PST

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) announced today that it is bringing together key opinion leaders to push for action to secure care for the thousands of children with diabetes in developing countries without access to care.

Einstein and Montefiore receive grants to expand disease-focused stem cell research

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 04:00:00 PST

The Empire State Stem Cell Board has awarded research planning grants to Albert Einstein College of Medicine and to Montefiore Medical Center. The grants, totaling $238,000, are part of $2 million in grants announced by State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D. The funding, awarded to 18 medical colleges, medical centers and labs will strengthen New York State's capacity for stem cell research and could lead to the development of new therapies for Alzheimer's, diabetes, Parkinson's, ALS and other conditions.

High blood pressure takes big toll on small filtering units of the kidney

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 04:00:00 PST

Take a kidney out of the body and it still knows how to filter toxins from the blood.

Type 1 diabetes may result from good genes behaving badly

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 04:00:00 PST

WHAT: New research from Stanford University scientists suggests that type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease that develops in children and young adults, may not be due to bad genes but rather to good genes behaving badly.

Presidential medal for technological breakthroughs earned by 2 chemical engineering professors

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:00:00 PST

Two chemical engineering professors from The University of Texas at Austin have been recognized by President George W. Bush as 2007 National Medal of Technology and Innovation laureates, the nation's highest honor for technological achievement.

Caesarean babies more likely to develop diabetes

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:00:00 PST

Babies delivered by Caesarean section have a 20 per cent higher risk than normal deliveries of developing the most common type of diabetes in childhood, according to a study led by Queen's University Belfast.

insulin-producing cells can give rise to stem-like cells in-vitro

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:23:18 PST

The question of whether insulin-producing cells of the pancreas can regenerate is key to our understanding of diabetes, and to the further development of regenerative therapies against the disease. Dr Rosenberg from the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and McGill University together with Dr Bernard Massie from the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) have just concluded that they can. The results of their study have been published in the July issue of the journal Laboratory Investigation.

Racial disparities exist among diabetes patients treated by the same physician

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 04:00:00 PST

Black patients with diabetes are less likely than white patients to achieve long-term control of their blood glucose, blood cholesterol and blood pressure levels, even when they are treated by the same physician, according to a report in the June 9 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

An Australian-led diabetes study shows intensive glucose control reduces serious complications

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 04:00:00 PST

An Australian led global study, the largest of its kind, has found that the risk of developing serious kidney disease and other complications amongst our 1.2 million people living with diabetes can be significantly reduced by intensively lowering blood glucose (sugar) levels beyond what is currently standard practice.

New guidelines for treating resistant hypertension

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 04:00:00 PST

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Resistant hypertension, blood pressure that remains above goal despite taking three antihypertensive medications or high blood pressure that is controlled but requires four or more medications to do so, may benefit from specialized diagnostic and therapeutic treatment by health care providers according to guidelines issued by the American Heart Association and co-authored by UAB physicians.

Moores UCSD Cancer Center study links vitamin D, type 1 diabetes

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 04:00:00 PST

Sun exposure and vitamin D levels may play a strong role in risk of type 1 diabetes in children, according to new findings by researchers at the Moores Cancer Center at University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine. This association comes on the heels of similar research findings by this same group regarding vitamin D levels and several major cancers.

International Diabetes Federation grant supports study to prevent type 2 diabetes in India

Fri, 30 May 2008 04:00:00 PST

- The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) BRIDGES translational research grant programme will fund a lifestyle intervention trial that seeks to reduce the risk of for people developing type 2 diabetes in Chennai, India.

Suspected cause of type 1 diabetes caught 'red-handed' for the first time

Fri, 09 May 2008 04:00:00 PST

May 8, 2008 -- Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis working with diabetic mice have examined in unprecedented detail the immune cells long thought to be responsible for type 1 diabetes.

Harmful blood glucose levels linked to defective gene

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 PST

A genetic mutation that can raise the amount of glucose in a person's blood to harmful levels is identified today in a study in the journal Science.

Researchers uncover new genetic links to psoriasis

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 04:00:00 PST

In the first comprehensive study of the genetic basis of psoriasis, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have discovered seven new sites of common DNA variation that increase the risk of the troublesome skin condition. They also found that variations in one genetic region link psoriasis and a related joint disorder, psoriatic arthritis, to four autoimmune diseases: type 1 diabetes, Grave's disease, celiac disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

How diabetes accelerates atherosclerosis

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 10:12:00 PST

Researchers have discovered how diabetes, by driving inflammation and slowing blood flow, dramatically accelerates atherosclerosis, according to research to be published in the March 14 edition of the journal Circulation Research.

CRTC2 inhibitors may be needed for maintaining sugar levels

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 06:57:23 PST

Continually revved up insulin production, the kind that results from overeating and obesity, slowly dulls the body’s response to insulin. As a result, blood sugar levels start to creep up, setting the stage for diabetes-associated complications such as blindness, stroke and renal failure. To make matters even worse, chronically elevated blood sugar concentrations exacerbate insulin resistance.

A focus on the ADVANCE and RISC studies in the Diabetes UK conference March 2008

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 07:22:07 PST

In the recent Annual Professional Conference held in Glasgow(March 5-7, 2008) an interesting talk was on the late breaking trials. There was a focus on the ADVANCE trial (presented by Dr Neil Poulter, London) and the RISC trial (presented by Dr Mark Walker, Newcastle). Here is a brief overview of the studies and the thoughts of the speakers and audience.

Type 2 diabetes may be caused by intestinal dysfunction

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 05:00:00 PST

NEW YORK (March 5, 2008) -- Growing evidence shows that surgery may effectively cure Type 2 diabetes -- an approach that not only may change the way the disease is treated, but that introduces a new way of thinking about diabetes.

Protein target for diabetes drug regulates blood pressure

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 05:00:00 PST

University of Iowa researchers have identified a molecular pathway in blood vessels that controls blood pressure and vascular function and may help explain why certain drugs for type II diabetes also appear to lower patients' blood pressure. The study is published in the March 5 issue of Cell Metabolism.

Study: highly involved patients don't always see better health outcomes

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 05:00:00 PST

Patients who prefer to be highly involved in their treatment don't necessarily have better luck managing chronic health conditions, a new study suggests.

Intensive blood sugar treatment in trial of diabetes and cardiovascular disease changed

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 23:40:00 PST

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health has stopped one treatment within a large, ongoing North American clinical trial of diabetes and cardiovascular disease 18 months early due to safety concerns after review of available data, although the study will continue.

Insulin inhibits resistin expression and secretion

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 14:07:29 PST

Does resistin play a role in insulin resistance? Is insulin the major regulator of resistin? A research article to be published on January 7, 2008 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology (volume 14, issue 1) addresses these questions.

Oral anti diabetic substance discovered

Mon, 24 Dec 2007 05:00:00 PST

Research in the Department of Biology at the Faculty of Science and Science Education of the University of Haifa has discovered a substance that may become an oral treatment for diabetes and its complications. The substance, which is derived from yeast, is called Glucose Tolerance Factor (GTF). The research is now at the stage where the substance has been successfully tested on diabetic rats and was found to reduce sugar and lipids in the blood of the treated animals. The next stage of the research is to evaluate GTF efficacy in humans, said Dr. Nitsa Mirsky, who is conducting the research.

Stanford researchers shed light on black box of gestational diabetes

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 04:00:00 PST

STANFORD, Calif. - A protein in the pancreas is giving researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine their first chance at cracking the code that determines how diabetes develops during pregnancy, a finding that could lead to new treatments for all forms of diabetes.

'Knocking out' cell receptor may help block fat deposits in tissues, prevent weight gain

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

CINCINNATI�University of Cincinnati (UC) pathologists have identified a new molecular target that one day may help scientists develop drugs to reduce fat transport to adipocytes (fat cells) in the body and prevent obesity and related disorders, like diabetes.

'Twinkle after effect' can help retinal patients detect vision loss quickly and cheaply

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Boston, MA�Scientists at Schepens Eye Research Institute have discovered a simple and inexpensive way for patients with retinal and other eye disease to keep track of changes in their vision loss. In a study published in this week�s PLoS One (October 24, 2007) they demonstrate that a compelling visual illusion known as the induced twinkle after-effect (TAE) can accurately identify the location and breadth of actual blind spots in people with retinal disease. The twinkle after-effect is a �twinkling� that people can see in a blind spot when they stare at a blank screen after staring at a noisy visual target such as a detuned television screen.

Exercise improves thinking, reduces diabetes risk in overweight children

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Just three months of daily, vigorous physical activity in overweight children improves their thinking and reduces their diabetes risk, researchers say.

Cross-species transplant in rhesus macaques is step toward diabetes cure for humans

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

St. Louis, Oct. 18, 2007 � With an eye on curing diabetes, scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have successfully transplanted embryonic pig pancreatic cells destined to produce insulin into diabetic macaque monkeys � all without the need for risky immune suppression drugs that prevent rejection.

Low doses of a red wine ingredient fight diabetes in mice

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Even relatively low doses of resveratrol�a chemical found in the skins of red grapes and in red wine�can improve the sensitivity of mice to the hormone insulin, according to a report in the October issue of Cell Metabolism, a Cell Press publication. As insulin resistance is often characterized as the most critical factor contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes, the findings �provide a potential new therapeutic approach for preventing or treating� both conditions, the researchers said.

Genetic 'roadblock' hoped to inspire future type 2 diabetes research

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Toronto, ON (October 2, 2007) � A team of Mount Sinai Hospital researchers has found that a �genetic roadblock� identified in a recent study could pave the way toward novel treatments for type 2 diabetes.

Botched production of insulin molecule may lead to diabetes

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

ANN ARBOR, Mich. � Picture a pretzel factory production line, with conveyer belts carrying the dough, formed into unbaked pretzels, down to the oven to be cooked.

Joslin researchers uncover potential role of leptin in diabetes

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON�October 1, 2007�A new Joslin-led study has shown that leptin, a hormone known mainly for regulating appetite control and energy metabolism, plays a major role in islet cell growth and insulin secretion. This finding opens up new avenues for studying leptin and its role in islet cell biology, which may lead to new treatments for diabetes. This study appears in the October 2007 issue of The Journal of Clinical Investigation.

'Bad carbs' not the enemy, University of Virginia professor finds

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

The latest common wisdom on carbohydrates claims that eating so-called �bad� carbohydrates will make you fat, but University of Virginia professor Glenn Gaesser says, �that�s just nonsense.� Eating sandwiches with white bread, or an occasional doughnut, isn't going to kill you, or necessarily even lead to obesity, he said.

Discovery supports theory of Alzheimer's disease as form of diabetes

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Insulin, it turns out, may be as important for the mind as it is for the body. Research in the last few years has raised the possibility that Alzheimer�s memory loss could be due to a novel third form of diabetes.

Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids associated with decreased risk of type 1 diabetes

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Preliminary research suggests that in children at increased risk for type 1 diabetes, dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids was associated with a reduced risk of pancreatic islet autoimmunity, which is linked to the development of diabetes, according to an article in the Sept. 26 issue of JAMA.

Breath analysis offers potential for noninvasive blood sugar monitoring in diabetes

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Irvine, Calif. � Breath-analysis testing may prove to be an effective, non-invasive method for monitoring blood sugar levels in diabetes, according to a University of California, Irvine study.

Both aerobic and resistance exercise improved blood sugar control in people with diabetes

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

In a new randomized controlled trial, both aerobic and resistance exercise improved glycemic/blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. The greatest improvements came from combined aerobic and resistance training.

Immune police recognize good and bad guys in the body

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Immune system police are as good at recognizing bad guys, such as bacteria and viruses, as they are our own tissue, researchers say.

Drug could improve pregnancy outcomes in wider range of women with insulin resistance

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

St. Louis, Sept. 6, 2007 � Women who are obese, have type 2 diabetes or a family history of type 2 diabetes could one day have more successful pregnancies because of a study at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Sugary drinks, not fruit juice, may be linked to insulin

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON (Sept. 5, 2007) � Steady increases in consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages over the last several decades, as well as rates of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, led nutritional epidemiologists at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (USDA HNRCA) at Tufts University and colleagues to explore the relationship between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and insulin resistance, a precursor to Type 2 diabetes. Their findings suggest that higher consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks, but not 100 percent fruit juice, may be associated with insulin resistance, even in otherwise healthy adults.

Environmental stress probed in cardiovascular disease, diabetes

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

How environmental stress contributes to cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes is under study at the Medical College of Georgia.

How insulin TORC2 blood sugar levels: glowing mice light the way

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

La Jolla, CA � With the help of genetically engineered mice whose livers turned into glowing light bulbs, researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have illuminated the underpinnings of an insidious and growing health concern� type II diabetes.

Combination drug therapy for blood pressure may reduce cardiovascular outcomes for diabetes patients

Sun, 02 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

By 2030, an estimated 350 million people will be living with diabetes worldwide. Individuals with type 2 diabetes are at an increased risk of cardiovascular outcomes including heart attack, stroke, and microvascular outcomes such as degenerative eye disease. Current guidelines recommend the lowering of blood pressure for people with type 2 diabetes to reduce the risk of such events, though a strategy to reduce blood pressure regardless of baseline blood pressure (ie, including people with diabetes who do not have raised blood pressure) has not been proven in randomised trials to date.

Treating diabetes during pregnancy can break link to childhood obesity

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

August 28, 2007 (Oakland, Calif) -- Treating diabetes during pregnancy can break the link between gestational diabetes and childhood obesity, according to a Kaiser Permanente study featured in the September issue of Diabetes Care.

Novel method enables genomic screening of blood vessels from patient tissue

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

COLUMBUS, Ohio � Scientists have developed a new method of capturing a complete genome-wide screening of blood vessel cells in their actual disease state, advancing the potential for genetic research on the tissue responsible for delivering nourishment that can accelerate the growth of both a cancer tumor or wound healing.

Focus on families aims to curb diabetes spread

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Family lifestyles and their impact on the health of individual family members will be the focus of a new approach to preventing diabetes.

Diabetes appears to increase risk of death for patients with acute coronary syndromes

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Individuals with diabetes and acute coronary syndromes (ACS) such as a heart attack or unstable angina have an increased risk of death at 30 days and one year after ACS, compared with ACS patients without diabetes, according to a study in the August 15 issue of JAMA.

UCLA researchers identify markers that may predict diabetes in still-healthy people

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

In the first large scale, multiethnic study of its kind, researchers at UCLA have confirmed the role played by three particular molecules known as cytokines as a cause of Type 2 diabetes, and further, have identified these molecules as early biological markers that may be used to more accurately predict future incidences of diabetes among apparently healthy individuals.

Adverse housing conditions contribute to diabetes risk

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

INDIANAPOLIS Fair or poor housing conditions are associated with the risk of developing diabetes in urban, middle-aged African-Americans according to a study published in the Aug. 15 issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology by a team of investigators from Indiana University School of Medicine, the Regenstrief Institute, Washington University in St. Louis and other institutions.

RAND finds cases of undiagnosed diabetes drop sharply

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

The number of men in the United States with undiagnosed diabetes has declined sharply over the past 25 years, with Hispanics and African-Americans no longer more likely than whites to unknowingly have the disease, according to a RAND Corporation study issued today.

Adverse housing conditions contribute to diabetes risk

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Studying people in their homes and neighborhoods, investigators have found that poor housing conditions contribute to the risk for diabetes in urban, middle-aged African-Americans.

Researchers find vitamin B1 deficiency key to vascular problems for diabetic patients

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Researchers at Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, have discovered that deficiency of thiamine Vitamin B1 - may be key to a range of vascular problems for people with diabetes. They have also solved the mystery as to why thiamine deficiency in diabetes had remained hidden until now.

Reducing inflammation plays key role in type 1 diabetes therapy

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON -- Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) have found that a triple combination therapy consisting of both tolerance-inducing and anti-inflammatory properties is successful in abolishing adverse autoimmunity against insulin-producing cells in a mouse model of Type 1 diabetes.

New technique to 'see' and protect transplants successful in diabetic animal model

Sun, 29 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Researchers at Johns Hopkins have found a way to overcome a major stumbling block to developing successful insulin-cell transplants for people with type I diabetes.

Genetic finding sheds light on diseases causing blood vessel breakdown

Sun, 29 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Twenty-one years after they first described a fatal genetic disorder in Missouri and Arkansas families, scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have linked the condition to mutations in a gene known as TREX1.

Some diabetes drugs may increase heart attack risk

Sat, 28 Jul 2007 12:21:23 PST

London, July 28 - Two drugs commonly prescribed to treat Type 2 diabetes double the risk of heart failure, say scientists.

Older is better -- Top-10 comparison of diabetes drugs give metformin top grade

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

A type 2 diabetes drug taken orally and in widespread use for more than a decade has been found to have distinct advantages over nine other, mostly newer medications used to control the chronic disease, according to a study by researchers at Johns Hopkins.

Reducing insulin signaling in the brain can prolong lifespan

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

One route to a long and healthy life may be establishing the right balance in insulin signaling between the brain and the rest of the body, according to new research from Childrens Hospital Boston. The study, published in the July 20 issue of Science, not only reinforces the value of exercising and eating in moderation, but also helps explain a paradox in longevity research.

New review adds more reasons to avoid diabetes drug Avandia

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Little evidence supports using rosiglitazone (Avandia) to improve the quality or length of life among adults with diabetes, according to a systematic review of data by German researchers.

Gene discovered for type 1 diabetes in children

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Pediatrics researchers at The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia and McGill University in Montreal have identified a gene variant that raises a childs risk for type 1 diabetes, formerly called juvenile diabetes. As investigators continue to pinpoint genes contributing to diabetes, they have their eyes on providing a scientific basis for designing better treatments and preventive measures for the disease.

Selenium supplements may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Selenium, an antioxidant included in multivitamin tablets thought to have a possible protective effect against the development of type 2 diabetes, may actually increase the risk of developing the disease, an analysis by researchers at the University at Buffalo has shown.

Bak protein sets stressed cells on suicide path, researchers show

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

When a cell is seriously stressed, say by a heart attack, stroke or cancer, a protein called Bak just may set it up for suicide, researchers have found.

Link between carbohydrate quality and vision loss is strengthened by new data

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON -- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and its associated vision loss may be connected to the quality of carbohydrates an individual consumes. In a study published in the July issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Allen Taylor, PhD, director of the Laboratory for Nutrition and Vision Research at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (USDA HNRCA) at Tufts University, and colleagues confirmed earlier findings linking dietary glycemic index with the risk of developing AMD.

New blood test might offer early warning of deep belly fat

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Measuring levels of a chemical found in blood offers the best indicator yet of the amount of fat surrounding abdominal organs, according to a new study of lean and obese individuals reported in the July issue of Cell Metabolism, a publication of Cell Press. The buildup of such visceral fat is of particular health concern as it has been linked to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease risk.

Anti-malarial drug may reduce risk of diabetes for patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Preliminary research suggests that use of the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine may help reduce the risk of the development of diabetes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, according to a study in the July 11 issue of JAMA.

Class of medications may offer alternative option for treating type 2 diabetes

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

A review of previous studies indicates that use of a class of medications known as incretin-based therapy, which act via certain pathways that affect glucose metabolism may provide modest effectiveness and favorable weight change outcomes for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and may represent an alternative to other hypoglycemic therapies, according to an article in the July 11 issue of JAMA.

Common rheumatoid arthritis treatment shows potential for diabetes prevention

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

PITTSBURGH, July 10 Far fewer rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with the drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) went on to develop diabetes compared to those who never took the drug, according to a 20-plus-year University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine-led study reported today in the Journal of the American Medical Association. In addition, those using HCQ who did develop diabetes were less likely to take medications to manage their disease after diagnosis.

Protein's role in lipid absorption may be important to future weight-loss strategies

Thu, 05 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

July 5, 2007 -- Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that a protein absorbs lipids in the upper part of the intestine, and they believe its key role in this process may provide a novel approach for obesity treatment in the future.

Chemical in brain acts like a fuel gauge

Thu, 05 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

The concept that a drop in blood sugar triggers a craving for food is best understood just before lunchtime.

Early indicator of kidney disease may also predict risk of pre-diabetes

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- A blood component called cystatin C, used to test for early-stage kidney impairment, also may be a very early marker for those at risk of developing a condition known as pre-diabetes, a study conducted by researchers at the University at Buffalo has shown. Pre-diabetes is diagnosed when the amount of glucose in the bloodstream begins to rise and remain above normal, an indication that glucose is not being absorbed properly by cells.

It's not too late to change -- lowering cardiac risk later in life

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Can adopting a healthier lifestyle later in life help -- or is it too late? In a study published in the July 2007 issue of The American Journal of Medicine, researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston found that people 45 to 64 years of age who added healthy lifestyle behaviors could substantially reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and reduce their death rate. Once these people achieved 4 healthy behaviors, eating at least 5 fruits and vegetables daily, exercising at least 2.5 hours per week, maintaining their Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 30 kg/m, and not smoking, investigators saw a 35% reduction in CVD incidence and a 40% reduction in mortality compared to people with less healthy lifestyles.

Research says sugar coated proteins seal in a memory of diabetes

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Researchers at the University of Warwicks Warwick Medical School have uncovered a process that locks the bodys metabolism in a diabetic state after only relatively limited exposure to high glucose levels.

Among youth in US, whites have highest incidence of diabetes

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Non-Hispanic white youth have the highest rate of diabetes of all racial/ethnic groups for children in the U.S., with type 1 being the predominant kind of diabetes among youth, according to a study in the June 27 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on chronic diseases of children.

Weight management program improves body fat levels, diabetes risk factors for overweight children

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Children who participated in a family-based weight management program designed for inner-city minority children had better outcomes regarding weight gain, body fat, body mass index (BMI) and insulin sensitivity compared to children who received traditional weight counseling in a clinic, according to a study in the June 27 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on chronic diseases of children.

Cord blood may preserve insulin levels in children with type 1 diabetes

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Umbilical cord blood may safely preserve insulin production in children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, according to findings from a small national pilot study presented Monday (June 25) at the American Diabetes Associations 67th Scientific Sessions in Chicago.

Portion-control dishes may help obese diabetics lose weight

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

A plate and cereal bowl with markers for proper portion sizes appear to help obese patients with diabetes lose weight and decrease their use of glucose-controlling medications, according to a report in the June 25 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Can blindness be prevented through diet?

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Increasing intake of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, found in popular fish-oil supplements, may protect against blindness resulting from abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye, according to a study published online by the journal Nature Medicine on June 24. The study was done in mice, but a clinical trial at Childrens Hospital Boston will soon begin testing the effects of omega-3 supplementation in premature babies, who are at risk for vision loss.

Type 1 diabetes and heart disease -- Heavier may mean healthier

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

CHICAGO, June 23 -- Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences studying links between an early sign of heart disease called coronary artery calcification and body fat have found that, paradoxically, more fat may have some advantages, at least for people particularly women who have type 1 diabetes. Cardiovascular complications, including heart disease, are a leading cause of death for people with diabetes, who tend to suffer cardiovascular disease decades earlier than non-diabetics.

Obese heart attack patients are more likely to survive after treatment than normal weight patients

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Obese and very obese patients have a lower risk of dying after they have been treated for heart attacks than do normal weight patients, according to research published in the European Heart Journal today (Wednesday 20 June). [1]

Women with diabetes left behind in drop in death rates

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

PHILADELPHIA, June 19, 2007 - A new analysis of data from three large national databases finds that in the 29 years between 1971 and 2000, the death rate of men with diabetes has dropped significantly, in line with the overall decline of the death rate for all Americans. But the death rate for women with diabetes did not decline at all.

UT medical researcher determines link between foie gras and disease

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

KNOXVILLE -- University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine professor and researcher Alan Solomon, M.D., director of the Human Immunology and Cancer/Alzheimers Disease and Amyloid-Related Disorders Research Program, led a team that discovered a link between foie gras prepared from goose or duck liver and the type of amyloid found in rheumatoid arthritis or tuberculosis.

Diabetes associated with decreases in life expectancy and number of years free of heart disease

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Men and women with diabetes at age 50 and older appear not to live as long overall, or have as many years without cardiovascular disease, than individuals without diabetes, according to a report in the June 11 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Penn researchers find potential new target for Type 2 diabetes

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Philadelphia - Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a potential new target for treating type 2 diabetes, according to a new study that appeared online this week in Nature. The target is a protein, along with its molecular partner, that regulates fat metabolism.

Diachrome improves blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes

Tue, 05 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Nutrition 21, Inc. today announced new published results from a 447 subject, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study that showed Diachrome, a patented combination of chromium picolinate and biotin, significantly improved glycemic control in patients with poorly controlled blood sugar levels who were being treated with oral anti-diabetic medication (OADs). Patients in the treatment group showed significant improvements in glycemic control (A1C) compared with placebo (an absolute decrease of 0.54%). The greatest improvement was seen in those patients with the poorest glycemic control (baseline A1C levels equal to or greater than 10%). These patients saw an additional absolute A1C decrease of 1.76% despite the fact that they were taking one or more OAD medications.