Endocrinology News and Research

Latest Endocrinology News and Research

Researchers identify gene mutations in Wolfram syndrome that affects insulin-secreting beta cells

The rare disorder Wolfram syndrome is caused by mutations in a single gene, but its effects on the body are far reaching. The disease leads to diabetes, hearing and vision loss, nerve cell damage that causes motor difficulties, and early death.

17 Sep 2012

Children without siblings at higher risk of being overweight or obese

Children who grow up without siblings have a more than 50 percent higher risk of being overweight or obese than children with siblings. This is the finding of a study of 12,700 children in eight European countries, including Sweden, published in Nutrition and Diabetes. The University of Gothenburg, Sweden, was one of the participating universities in the study.

17 Sep 2012

Limited positive effect of Tafamidis in neurological disorders

Tafamidis meglumine was approved in November 2011 for the treatment of transthyretin amyloidosis in adults.

17 Sep 2012

Risks of antidiabetic drug substantially overrated for patients with reduced kidney function

The antidiabetic drug metformin is not prescribed for patients with reduced kidney function because the risk of adverse effects has been regarded as unacceptably high. A study at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, has found that the risks have been substantially overrated. As a result, many more patients with diabetes may be able to enjoy the benefits of the medication.

17 Sep 2012

Cardiovascular mortality in Brazil has increased 3.5 times more than in other developing countries

Despite Brazil's successful prevention campaigns which have contributed to a reduction in risk factors such as smoking, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the first cause of death in the country, at 32%. Tobacco consumption and decrease of salt in local diets are some of the risk factors that will be discussed at the 67th Annual Congress of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology which takes place in Recife, Brazil from 14 to 17 September 2012.

15 Sep 2012

New York City Board of Health Oks nation's first ban of oversized sugary drinks

The mayoral-appointed panel outlawed the sale of sugary drinks in sizes larger than 16 ounces nearly everywhere, except in grocery and convenience stores.

15 Sep 2012

U.K. scientists develop new test to catch drugs-cheats in sport

Scientists from three UK universities have developed a new test to catch drugs-cheats in sport.

15 Sep 2012

Pancreatic B-cell dedifferentiation leads to decline in insulin production in type 2 diabetes

Scientists generally think that reduced insulin production by the pancreas, a hallmark of type 2 diabetes, is due to the death of the organ's beta cells. However, a new study by Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) researchers shows that beta cells do not die but instead revert to a more fundamental, undifferentiated cell type.

15 Sep 2012

Sanford-Burnham scientist to receive NIH’s New Innovator Award

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of the Director today announced that Duc Dong, Ph.D., assistant professor at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham), will receive a New Innovator Award.

15 Sep 2012

Experimental diabetes drug shows promise against Alzheimer's

A drug designed for diabetes sufferers could have the potential to treat neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, a study by scientists at the University of Ulster has revealed.

15 Sep 2012

Pancreatic trigs trigger diabetes

Researchers have found that pancreatic triglycerides provide a novel biomarker for pancreatic β-cell dysfunction that can be used to identify individuals at risk for Type 2 diabetes, particularly among people of Hispanic origin.

14 Sep 2012

Minor stroke patients need urgent imaging

medwireNews: Mild stroke or transient ischemic attack results in a surprisingly high rate of disability, say researchers.

14 Sep 2012

Global response to NCDs has gained momentum over past year

"Cancers, cardiovascular diseases, chronic lung diseases and diabetes -- four of the biggest killers among the group together known as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) -- have emerged as one of the greatest social and economic development challenges of this century," George Alleyne, director emeritus of PAHO, and Nils Daulaire, director of the Office of Global Affairs at the Department of Health & Human Services and the U.S. representative on the WHO's Executive Board, write in the Huffington Post's "Impact" blog.

14 Sep 2012

Cessation of drinking may reduce risk of oesophageal cancer

Cancer of the oesophagus is becoming more common in Europe and North America. Around 7,800 people in the UK are diagnosed each year. The exact causes of this cancer aren't fully understood. It appears to be more common in people who have long-term acid reflux (backflow of stomach acid into the oesophagus).

14 Sep 2012

Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim announce availability of My Well Planner for adults with type 2 diabetes

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company today announce the availability of a new online program offering customized educational content to help adults with type 2 diabetes make simple lifestyle changes to improve their health.

14 Sep 2012

Hyperuricemia associated with more severe hepatic ATP depletion in response to fructose intake

Obese patients with type 2 diabetes who consume higher amounts of fructose display reduced levels of liver adenosine triphosphate (ATP)—a compound involved in the energy transfer between cells.

14 Sep 2012

Urban air pollution exposure during pregnancy may lead to lower vitamin D levels in offspring

Gestational exposure to ambient urban air pollution, especially during late pregnancy, may contribute to lower vitamin D levels in offspring, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (JCEM).

14 Sep 2012

Alcohol douses the blood pressure benefit of red wine

Alcohol-free red wine Is more effective at lowering blood pressure than traditional red wine or gin, a study shows.

13 Sep 2012

Autologous skin grafts heal chronic foot ulcers

Scientists have successfully treated chronic diabetic foot ulcers using skin grafts grown from individual patient cell samples.

13 Sep 2012

People with family history of certain diseases often underestimate their risk

People with a family history of certain diseases, including heart disease and diabetes, often underestimate their risk for developing them, even after completing a risk assessment and receiving personalized prevention messages, finds a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

13 Sep 2012