Pancreas News and Research

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The pancreas is a gland organ in the digestive and endocrine system of vertebrates. It is both an endocrine gland producing several important hormones, including insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin, as well as an exocrine gland, secreting pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes that pass to the small intestine. These enzymes help in the further breakdown of the carbohydrates, protein, and fat in the chyme.

Bionic pancreas system manages blood sugar levels in patients with type 1 diabetes living at home

The bionic pancreas system developed by Boston University investigators proved better than either conventional or sensor-augmented insulin pump therapy at managing blood sugar levels in patients with type 1 diabetes living at home, with no restrictions, over 11 days.

20 Dec 2016

Novel genomics model allows personalized approach to radiation therapy

Cancer therapeutics is currently in the era of precision medicine - personalized medicine for individual patients based on their tumor biology.

20 Dec 2016

HCI receives $8.8 million NIH grant to lead colon cancer study

Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah will head an international study to find out how lifestyle and other health factors impact colon and rectal cancer outcomes.

19 Dec 2016

WPI researchers develop chip to trap and identify metastatic cancer cells in blood

A chip developed by mechanical engineers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute can trap and identify metastatic cancer cells in a small amount of blood drawn from a cancer patient.

16 Dec 2016

Scientists discover truncated p53 proteins that promote cancer growth and metastasis

Discovered in the 1970s, tumor suppressors are among the most important proteins in the body.

8 Dec 2016

Research reveals opposing role for SNAP23 protein in endocrine and exocrine pancreas

Movement of secretory molecules, such as hormones and digestive enzymes, out of the cell is known as exocytosis. This process is guided by SNARE proteins, which help the fusion of secretory vesicles with the plasma membrane.

8 Dec 2016

Detecting inflammation in diabetic patients

As well as presenting with high blood glucose, diabetic patients have chronic low-grade inflammation, which can be measured by a range of inflammatory markers such as so-called high-sensitive CRP, TNFa and IL-6 as well as a full blood cell count.

7 Dec 2016

Researchers uncover how molecular switches control gene activity in human embryonic stem cells

Researchers at the Babraham Institute have revealed a new understanding of the molecular switches that control gene activity in human embryonic stem cells.

6 Dec 2016

New drug receives FDA approval to reduce risk of cardiovascular death in adults with diabetes

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved a new indication for Jardiance (empagliflozin) to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease.

2 Dec 2016

NASPGHAN clinical practice guidelines recommend screening test for NAFLD in obese children

A screening test for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)--a serious condition that may have lifelong health consequences--is recommended for all obese children aged nine to eleven years, according to clinical practice guidelines developed by the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and published in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition.

1 Dec 2016

Alcohol consumption linked to higher risk of melanoma

Alcohol intake was associated with higher rates of invasive melanoma among white men and women.

1 Dec 2016

Mildly elevated body iron contributes to prevalence and incidence of type 2 diabetes

Even mildly elevated body iron contributes to the prevalence and incidence of type 2 diabetes, according to research from the University of Eastern Finland.

30 Nov 2016

EPFL scientists discover cause for immune attack in type-1 diabetes

Type-1 diabetes occurs when immune cells attack the pancreas. EPFL scientists have now discovered what may trigger this attack, opening new directions for treatments.

21 Nov 2016

Researchers move closer to creating functional bioartificial kidney

Investigators are getting closer to creating a functional bioartificial kidney, with advances being presented at ASN Kidney Week 2016 November 15-20 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL.

21 Nov 2016

Researchers need to know more about proinsulin misfolding to better understand diabetes

According to the World Health Organization, 422 million adults across the globe have diabetes. In fact, the number of adults with the disease continues to grow each year.

17 Nov 2016

Novel discovery could provide diabetic patients with better and safer insulin injections

Insulin injection, if you've never done it, takes two hands. One hand holds the insulin injector.

16 Nov 2016

Research shows workings of biochemical pathway that helps control blood glucose

Research led by a Johns Hopkins University biologist demonstrates the workings of a biochemical pathway that helps control glucose in the bloodstream, a development that could potentially lead to treatments for diabetes.

14 Nov 2016

New research explains how tumors may impair ability of the liver to respond to caloric deprivation

One of the worst cruelties of lethal cancer is the phenomenon called wasting, or in medical terms, cachexia (pronounced ka-CHEX-ia), in which a patient seems literally to diminish in bodily terms as the cancer ravages one or more internal organs.

8 Nov 2016

Mild to moderate rise in blood fats increases risk of developing acute pancreatitis

New research from the University of Copenhagen shows that mild to moderate levels of blood fats equals an increased risk developing acute pancreatitis. It is far more serious than we previously believed it to be, according to the professor behind the study.