Promising diabetes research news coming from Canada and Philadelphia:

Pediatrics researchers at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and McGill University in Montreal have identified a gene variant that raises a child’s risk for type 1 diabetes, formerly called juvenile diabetes. As investigators continue to pinpoint genes contributing to diabetes, they have their eyes on providing a scientific basis for designing better treatments and preventive measures for the disease.

More details: http://www.scientificblogging.com/news/gene_discovered_for_type_1_diabetes_in_children

A funny bit to bridge into the weekend:
http://digg.com/politics/Bush_angers_diabetics_by_banning_pumpkin_destruction

In a not surprising move, President Bush announced that he was banning the use of pumpkin extract for medical research because of moral concerns. Recently scientists had discovered that pumpkin extract may aid in curing diabetes, one of the world’s most serious diseases. Previously the president had banned the use of stem cells for the same reason.

Digg it.

I found this great thread over on diabetesdaily.com about a short story on Gladys Dull who has had diabetes for 83 years. I thought it might be cool for others to read and grab inspiration from. She was diagnosed in 1924 and 60,000 shots later she is still truckin along better than ever.

It really puts things into perspective for those of us living with all the grand “modern medicine” and our fancy pumps and CMG’s. I mean, I know how thick the needles and lancets were 15 years ago when I was diagnosed but I can only image what they had to deal with 30, 40, 50 years ago let alone 80.

So give it a read, some of us “youngsters” should take heed.

A quick snippet:

“In November 1924, three years after the discovery of insulin in 1921, six-year-old Gladys Dull began her long life of insulin injections. To our knowledge, she is the longest-living person with diabetes to date.

Born in North Dakota, Gladys lost her birth parents during a flu epidemic in 1920 when she was only three years old. Fortunately, she and one of her sisters were soon adopted by some neighbors who were part of the farming community there. She remembers feeling sick before her diagnosis and needing to urinate all thetime. After traveling the nine miles from her country home to the nearest doctor, she was diagnosed with type 1. The smalltown doctor, who did not know how to treat diabetes, suggested that her adoptive parents take her to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Gladys remembers the long train trip from her home to the clinic, where she was immediately admitted to the hospital for treatment with the newly available, Lilly-made insulin.

It’s no longer news that there is hope in stem cell research to find a cure for diabetes, among other severe medical conditions.

What is news is the testimonial by President Bush’s first surgeon general yesterday that his speeches were censored to match administration political positions and that he was prevented from giving the public accurate scientific information on issues such as stem cell research and teen pregnancy prevention.

“Anything that doesn’t fit into the political appointees’ ideological, theological or political agenda is ignored, marginalized or simply buried,” Dr. Richard H. Carmona, who was surgeon general from 2002 to 2006, told a congressional committee. “The job of surgeon general is to be the doctor of the nation — not the doctor of a political party.”

Share your thoughts on stem cell research.

Read more:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/la-na-carmona11jul11,1,915545.story
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/10/AR2007071000847.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/11/washington/11surgeon.html?ref=health

Hours of TV watched increases HBA1C levels

Via PrNewsWire.com

The more hours of TV
kids with type 1 diabetes watch, the less they are able to maintain good
blood glucose control, according to a study published in the June issue of
Diabetes Care.

The study by researchers in Norway found that the more television a
child or adolescent watched, the higher the child’s average blood glucose
level measured. For example, young people who watched less than one hour of
television per day scored an average level of 8.2 percent on the HbA1c, a
test that measures how well blood glucose is controlled over several
months. Those who watched up to 2 hours daily scored 8.4 percent; up to 3
hours daily scored 8.7 percent; up to 4 hours daily scored 8.8 percent; and
those who watched more than 4 hours of TV per day scored 9.5 percent on the
A1C test. The ADA recommends keeping A1C levels at 7 percent or below.

Very interesting study to say the least. I should consider myself lucky I grew up with little TV… Though I don’t think that helped my a1c levels much As for my current viewing habits… I guess I’ll have to cut down on my CSI and 24.

Diabetes reaching crisis level. CDC estimates 41 million pre-diabetic

Via Blackvoicenews.com

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now estimates that one in three children born in the U.S. five years ago is expected to become diabetic in their lifetime. The number of diabetics has grown by 80% in the past decade.

The CDC also estimates that 21 million Americans have high blood sugar levels and are therefore diabetic, but don’t realize it because the outward signs are not showing…yet. The CDC also estimates 41 million others are pre-diabetic, with blood sugar levels steadily increasing. Most people with early signs of the disease are not taking necessary action by more-carefully choosing what they eat.

This number just keeps going up and up. While hearing news like this is sad, it is something to be aware of in order for people to start taking control and help to change the trend. I know it took me a while to change my eating habits, but it was worth it. Sooner or later all the fast food, deep fried food and gallons of coke a day catches up with you. A fight any persons pancreas just can’t win.

It reminds me of the quote:

“If you keep doing what you’ve always done. You’ll keep getting what you’ve always got”

New Diabetes Compression Sock

Via Vivantmedical.com

Diabetes affects every aspect of a person?s health, including their feet. menzies-med introduces Dia-Flow, a diabetic support sock that protects the feet while helping to increase circulation.

Thought I personally don’t have circulation problems or problems in general with my feet, I know others might find this useful. There have been times though of very bad BG management on me part, I started to feel the effects in my feet… It scared me to death and provided me with all the motivation I needed to try and keep things under control. Hearing that 54,000 diabetics have amputations each year is yet another reminder. Yikes!

In case you missed last week’s activity in TuDiabetes.com: here is the Tu Diabetes: Weekly Video Podcast, Episode #1

It may be a possibility in the not so distant future, as reported by the BBC web site today:

Scientists in Cambridge say they are moving a step closer to developing an artificial pancreas for people with diabetes. They are conducting trials in Cambridge with 12 youngsters aged five to 18.

What do you think about having an artificial pancreas?

More details: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6274112.stm

Even diet colas, when consumed in excess, may be to blame for kidney disease, according to a recent study:

People who drank two or more servings of cola daily were at 2.3-fold greater risk of kidney disease, the researchers found.

Better think twice before you pop open that can of Diet Coke next time. For more details, read http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2007/07/04/eline/links/20070704elin002.html

To discuss, visit http://www.tudiabetes.com/forum/topic/show?id=583967%3ATopic%3A12342