Diabetes News and Research

Latest Diabetes News and Research

Diets rich in whole grain reduce risk of obesity and other diseases related to metabolic syndrome

Evidence from observational studies indicates that diets rich in whole grain reduce risk of obesity and other diseases related to the metabolic syndrome e.g. type 2 diabetes and cardio-vascular disease. The mechanisms involved are only partially elucidated. Work within HEALTHGRAIN has revealed novel insights regarding some potential mechanisms.

5 May 2010

Genetics researchers use new approach to detect causal gene variants

In findings that may speed the search for disease-causing genes, a new study challenges the prevailing view that common diseases are usually caused by common gene variants (mutations). Instead, say genetics researchers, the culprits may be numerous rare variants, located in DNA sequences farther away from the original "hot spots" than scientists have been accustomed to look.

5 May 2010

Castle Montessori Schools announce donation of $13,000 to JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes

Castle Montessori Schools, a leader in Montessori education, believes it is their responsibility to contribute to the health and wellness of the community through active participation in local events and donations to charitable organizations. The schools proudly announce a donation of $13,000 to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation "Walk to Cure Diabetes."

5 May 2010

HbA1c can be deceptive in African American children with diabetes: Study

Researchers at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans and Children's Hospital of New Orleans have found that there is a major difference in the hemoglobin A1c response to blood glucose between African-American and Caucasian children with diabetes. HbA1c is the main test used to monitor diabetes and guide treatment decisions.

5 May 2010

Abbott announces opening of Asia-Pacific Nutrition R&D Center

Abbott, the global health care company, today announced the opening of the Abbott Asia-Pacific Nutrition Research & Development Center at Singapore's Biopolis Research Park. The center is Abbott's largest nutrition R&D facility outside of the U.S., and Singapore's first nutrition R&D site creating science-based nutritional products for infants, children and adults.

5 May 2010

Study investigates pilot VBBD program to improve adherence to diabetes medications

A recent study led by MedImpact Healthcare Systems, Inc. investigated a pilot Value-Based Benefit Design program to improve adherence to diabetes medications. The study found that a VBBD program that reduced copayments for diabetes medications by 36 percent reduced the number of non-adherent patients by 30 percent.

5 May 2010

Alvine Pharmaceuticals reports data of ALV003 in gastric simulation model at DDW 2010

Alvine Pharmaceuticals, Inc., today announced the reporting of scientific data on the performance of its lead compound, ALV003, in a gastric simulation model. The data were presented at the 2010 Digestive Disease Week (DDW) meeting held in New Orleans, Louisiana.

5 May 2010

ChemoCentryx reports positive data with Traficet-EN in Crohn's disease trial

ChemoCentryx, Inc., today announced that it reported positive data with Traficet-EN™ (CCX282-B) in the Maintenance period of PROTECT-1 (Prospective Randomized Oral Therapy Evaluation in Crohn's disease Trial-1). Traficet-EN maintained a clinical remission rate (Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) less than 150) of approximately 50% in Crohn's patients over the course of 36 weeks, whereas in the placebo group remission decreased progressively from 50% to 31%.

5 May 2010

Australian researchers show positive effect of growth hormone on athletic performance

Australian researchers have published the results of a study, for the first time showing a positive effect of growth hormone on athletic performance.

5 May 2010

Deloitte Survey: Consumers still profess to know very little about health care system in the U.S.

Following widespread media coverage of health care reform, political debates and legislative initiatives over the past year, consumers still profess to know very little about the health care system in the United States, according to the 3rd Annual Deloitte Center for Health Solutions Survey of Health Care Consumers.

5 May 2010

Eight states to receive grants for local health programs

Pregnant women in eight states will receive prenatal services and education from the March of Dimes, thanks to a $313,000 grant from the WellPoint Foundation, Inc., a private, nonprofit organization wholly funded by WellPoint, Inc.

5 May 2010

New study searches for trauma-induced changes in genes of people with PTSD

A study by researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health suggests that traumatic experiences "biologically embed" themselves in select genes, altering their functions and leading to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder.

5 May 2010

Animal study shows insulin prevents artery damage

Long suspected of worsening artery damage in patients with diabetes, insulin instead protects blood vessels, a new study by Joslin Diabetes Center scientists indicates.

5 May 2010

Researchers receive NIDDK grant to identify pre-diabetes symptoms

A Biodesign team of researchers, led by Randall Nelson, PhD, has received a new five-year, $3.1 million award from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. Their goal is to discover and validate telltale molecular signs to learn how to predict who will develop the disease long before any symptoms of diabetes appear.

5 May 2010

Osiris Therapeutics' Prochymal granted FDA Orphan Drug Designation

Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that it has been granted Orphan Drug designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Prochymal as a treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus. The FDA instituted the Orphan Drug Act to promote the development of treatments for underserved patient populations. To be eligible for Orphan Drug designation, the treatment must target a disease that affects fewer than 200,000 new patients per year in the United States.

5 May 2010

BELLUS Health to discontinue NC-503 diabetes development program

BELLUS Health announced today that it will discontinue its NC-503 diabetes development program following the results of the recently completed Phase IIa clinical proof-of-concept study evaluating NC-503 (eprodisate disodium) as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes. The study did not meet its primary efficacy endpoint.

5 May 2010

Fifth Community Pharmacy Agreement planned by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia

According to an Australian Financial Review report the major pharmaceutical companies have agreed to reduce the Australian government’s medicine bill by AUD $2 billion over the next four years only if they are assured of price modifications in future. The details of the agreement are to be revealed next week and experts believe it will reduce the burden on the federal budget which is still considering the source of funds to pay for its health reform package.

4 May 2010

Roche announces Health Canada approval for ACTEMRA to treat RA

Roche today announced that Health Canada has approved ACTEMRA(TM) (tocilizumab) to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic, progressive inflammatory disease of the joints and surrounding tissues that is associated with intense pain, irreversible joint destruction and systemic complications, such as fatigue and anemia.

4 May 2010

Pay-for-performance programs could end up widening medical disparities: RAND study

Rewarding primary care physicians for providing better care to patients could end up widening medical disparities experienced by poorer people and those belonging to racial and ethnic minorities, according to a new RAND Corporation study.

4 May 2010

Merck reports non-GAAP EPS of $0.83 for first-quarter 2010

Merck & Co., Inc. today announced financial results for the first quarter of 2010. The company reported non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) earnings per share (EPS) for the first quarter of $0.83, which excludes purchase accounting adjustments, merger-related expenses and restructuring costs, as well as a tax charge related to the recently enacted health care reform legislation. First-quarter GAAP EPS was $0.09.

4 May 2010