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Researchers make older beta cells act young again

Scientists at Stanford University have identified a molecular pathway responsible for the decline of beta cell division with age. By manipulating this pathway, they can restore the ability of older beta cells to divide and generate new cells, potentially leading to breakthroughs in treating both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

SourceJDRF·JournalNature·DateOct 12, 2011

'SIRT(ain)' benefit of reducing calories

A team of researchers has identified Sirt1 as a crucial protein linking caloric restriction to improved insulin action in skeletal muscle. This finding provides new targets for therapeutics to reduce insulin resistance and lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 10, 2011

Decoding infidelity linked to Type 2 diabetes

A team of researchers has discovered that a genetic mutation in the CDKAL1 gene can lead to misreading of specific parts of the insulin-producing gene, resulting in decreased insulin production and impaired cell function. This finding sheds light on the underlying mechanisms of Type 2 diabetes.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 15, 2011

In the pursuit of dangerous clumps

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf develop a system to recreate amyloid formation on artificial surfaces, providing insights into disease mechanisms. The customized mica surface exhibits hydrophobic properties, facilitating the formation of oligomers and fibrils that can destroy cell surfaces.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateJul 28, 2011

Soft spheres settle in somewhat surprising structure

Researchers at Penn State have discovered that particles in liquids don't always settle at the bottom based on size or speed. Instead, they arrange themselves in a way that achieves the lowest energy state, often resulting in a layered structure with larger particles at the bottom and smaller ones above.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Materials·DateJul 24, 2011

Study links insulin action on brain's reward circuitry to obesity

Researchers have found that insulin directly affects the brain's reward circuitry, leading to increased food intake and obesity in mice. This study suggests that insulin resistance may contribute to the difficulty in managing weight loss. Further research is needed to understand the clinical implications of these findings.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJun 7, 2011

Engineering new weapons in the fight against juvenile diabetes

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have created a closed-loop artificial pancreas that can automatically monitor blood sugar levels and administer insulin to individuals with Type 1 diabetes. The device aims to reduce the guesswork involved in daily insulin management, which is crucial for maintaining stable glucose levels.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalJournal of Diabetes Science and Technology·DateJun 6, 2011

Insulin could be Alzheimer's therapy

A low-dose insulin treatment has been found to suppress the expression of four precursor proteins involved in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. Insulin also showed anti-inflammatory effects on peripheral mononuclear cells, which may lead to a new therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateApr 1, 2011

Insulin-releasing switch discovered

Scientists have identified a protein called Snapin as the molecular switch that controls insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cells. This discovery provides an explanation for the failure of these cells in type 2 diabetes and may lead to new therapies.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCell Metabolism·DateMar 15, 2011

Fatty liver may herald impending Type 2 diabetes

A recent study published in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that individuals with fatty liver were significantly more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those without. Fatty liver was shown to be an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes, regardless of insulin resistance levels.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateFeb 24, 2011

Diabetes may clamp down on brain cholesterol

Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center discovered that diabetes can reduce brain cholesterol synthesis, which could impact brain function and increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. This finding has broad implications for people with diabetes and may also play a role in diabetic neuropathy.

SourceJoslin Diabetes Center·JournalCell Metabolism·DateNov 30, 2010

Diabetes may clamp down on cholesterol the brain needs

Joslin researchers found that brain cholesterol synthesis decreases in mouse models of diabetes, affecting nerve function and potentially leading to increased appetite and weight gain. The study suggests a link between diabetes and altered brain function, including changes in Alzheimer's disease risk and diabetic neuropathy.

SourceJoslin Diabetes Center·JournalCell Metabolism·DateNov 30, 2010

Understanding diabetes at the molecular level

Scientists have identified a crucial protein complex called TORC 2 that plays a significant role in insulin signaling and is linked to both diabetes and cancer. The study found that activating this complex is essential for cells to take up sugar from the blood, and that it may hold potential as a new target for treating type II diabetes.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 5, 2010

The hormone IGF-1: A trigger of puberty

A study by Johns Hopkins University researchers confirms IGF-1's crucial role in coordinating puberty onset in mice. Administration of IGF-1 to normal female mice triggered pubertal development, highlighting its importance in timely triggering of pulsatile GnRH production.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 12, 2010

Once weekly exenatide for type 2 diabetes is more convenient and induces better blood sugar control and more weight loss, than standard second-line treatment of daily insulin glargine

A 26-week randomized study found that once-weekly exenatide significantly improved blood sugar control, inducing a mean weight loss of 2.6kg per patient, compared to insulin glargine's lesser effect and mean weight gain of 1.4kg. The treatment also had lower rates of hypoglycemia and a progressive decrease in bodyweight.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJun 24, 2010

Pre-meal technosphere inhaled insulin plus once daily insulin glargine leads to similar blood sugar control and less weight gain than twice daily premixed biaspart insulin

A randomized study found that inhaled insulin plus insulin glargine achieved similar blood sugar control as twice-daily premixed biaspart insulin, with less weight gain and hypoglycemia. The treatment also showed a better safety profile, with fewer cough and lung function issues.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJun 24, 2010