Insulin News and Research

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Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert glucose, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. Insulin allows cells to use glucose for fuel and is secreted by beta cells in the islets of Langerhans. The release of insulin from the pancreas is stimulated by increased blood glucose, vagal nerve stimulation, and other factors. Insulin is obtained from various animals and available in a variety of preparations. Commercial insulin preparations differ in a number of ways, including differences in the animal species from which they are obtained; their purity, concentration, and solubility; and the time of onset and duration of their biologic action. An oral hypoglycemic agent is not a form of insulin therapy.

Alzheimer's disease linked to raised blood sugar levels

Researchers at an Alzheimer's Conference in Spain have come up with more information on the disease and just who amongst the population is most likely to get it.

17 Jul 2006

The facts on dieting

Only 'circumstantial' evidence supporting poor diet and lack of exercise as the main causes of obesity.

17 Jul 2006

Type 2 diabetes is associated with primary open angle glaucoma in women

A 20-year study of women in the Nurses' Health Study has shown that Type 2 diabetes is associated with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), the most common form of glaucoma, accounting for about 60 to 70% of all glaucomas.

12 Jul 2006

New findings on cystic fibrosis-related diabetes

A growing number of cystic fibrosis patients are battling a second, often deadly complication: a unique form of diabetes that shares characteristics of the type 1 and type 2 versions that strike many Americans.

10 Jul 2006

Faulty molecule closely linked to Alzheimer's

A recent study directed by Mount Sinai School of Medicine identifies a faulty molecule in the brain found in cases of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

10 Jul 2006

Innovative diabetes research wins prestigious health award

A life-saving approach to controlling blood glucose levels in critical care developed at the University of Canterbury and Christchurch Hospital Department of Intensive Care Medicine has won the Supreme Award at the 2006 New Zealand Health Innovation Awards.

5 Jul 2006

Body measures and colon cancer risk

Men and women with a large waist circumference and a large waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) have an increased risk of developing colon cancer. In contrast, only in men is a high body mass index (BMI) clearly associated with a higher colon cancer risk.

4 Jul 2006

Clozapine has serious health consequences

Patients who take clozapine, the most effective antipsychotic drug, have significantly higher rates of metabolic syndrome, according to a first-of-a-kind study by University of Rochester Medical Center researchers.

3 Jul 2006

Evidence that environmental factors such as common infections may be a trigger for diabetes

A major study has added weight to the theory that environmental factors such as common infections may be a trigger for diabetes in children and young adults.

3 Jul 2006

New immunology research collaboration established

Singapore's Agency forScience, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and The Australian National University establish immunology research collaboration.

27 Jun 2006

Obesity associated with less favorable outcome after radiation therapy for prostate cancer

Obese men with prostate cancer are at higher risk for treatment failure after primary radiation therapy, according to a new study.

27 Jun 2006

Protein represents new target in the treatment of diabetes

According to a new study elevated levels of a molecule called RBP4 (retinol binding protein 4) forecast the early stages of the development of insulin resistance, a major cause of type 2 diabetes as well as cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.

18 Jun 2006

Elevation of fat-derived molecule foretells early insulin resistance

A study in the June 15 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) reveals that elevated levels of a molecule called RBP4 (retinol binding protein 4) can foretell early stages in the development of insulin resistance.

14 Jun 2006

New diabetic drugs could change the future for sufferers

According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes affects as many as 21 million Americans increasing their risk of heart attacks, kidney disease and blindness.

13 Jun 2006

When it comes to diabetes doctors failing to follow 'doctors orders'

According to the latest reports when it comes to diabetes and following doctors orders, doctors are failing their patients.

12 Jun 2006

Research explains how pathogenic bacteria evolved over millions of years

Bacteria like Salmonella have a complicated immune system that helps them recognize and isolate foreign DNA trying to invade their cell membrane, according to a University of Washington-led study in the June 8 issue of Science Express.

9 Jun 2006

Potentially ground-breaking treatment for nerve damage caused by diabetes

The University of Manchester team has discovered that injection of a novel therapeutic that works by stimulating a person's genes may prevent nerve damage - primarily to the hands and feet - caused by the disease.

From The University of Manchester 8 Jun 2006

Study finds PET imaging value in tracking diabetes progression

"Diabetes is the only major disease with a death rate that continues to be on the upswing," proclaimed a front-page New York Times story recently.

7 Jun 2006

Impact of obesity on treatment of chronic hepatitis C

According to a new study, obese patients chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and treated with combination drug therapy may have better outcomes if the underlying abnormalities caused by excessive fat tissue are corrected.

6 Jun 2006

Gardenia fruit compound helps treat the symptoms of type 2 diabetes

A Gardenia fruit extract traditionally used in Chinese medicine to treat the symptoms of type 2 diabetes does indeed contain a chemical that reverses some of the pancreatic dysfunctions that underlie the disease, researchers report in Cell Metabolism.

6 Jun 2006