Category: Research

Islet cell transplants as a mode for curing type 1 diabetes have become a popular research focus over the past decade despite the fact that scientists have been using this procedure, with minimal success, for almost sixty years. The issues that continue to plague this process beg the question: Is an effective and affordable islet… Continue reading Subcutaneous Islet Transplant Provides Safer, Efficient Path for Type 1 Cure

Pancreatic and islet cell transplants have been used to cure diabetes in high-risk individuals. But, due to issues with availability and risks associated with immunosuppressive drugs, these procedures are far from common. Recently, researchers at the Salk Institute have come one step closer to solving one of these problems with the development of engineered islet… Continue reading Are Immune-Evasive Islet Cells the Key to a Type 1 Cure?

Recently, we covered a potential diabetes cure that uses engineered T cells to stop the destruction of beta cells in those living with type 1 diabetes. Now, another potential diabetes cure that works to stimulate the proper functioning of the immune system is in the works. This new ‘inverse vaccine’ involves the use of anti-inflammatory… Continue reading Curing Type 1 Diabetes with an ‘Inverse Vaccine’

Two months ago, preliminary data out of England appeared to indicate that people with type 1 were at a greatly increased risk for death due to COVID-19 than both the general public and those living with type 2 diabetes. Last week, The Lancet published the peer-reviewed article based on this data, backing the original findings.… Continue reading Lancet Study Confirms Type 1s at Higher Risk for COVID-19 Death

In the past three years, the number of people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes has increased by 30%, according to the CDC. This sudden rise in the occurrence of the disease speaks to the complexity of its heritability. We know from studies like TrialNet and TEDDY, that there is a strong genetic component behind type… Continue reading Unraveling the Genetic Components of Type 1 Diabetes

Disruption is the New Normal No part of our daily lives seems unaffected by the global coronavirus pandemic — schools are operating online, many businesses continue to have their employees work remotely, and most people have changed how they do simple things, such as buying groceries.  Even how we approach getting healthcare looks completely different… Continue reading Undiagnosed T1D at Increased DKA Risk During Pandemic

Meal Bolusing Challenges One of the most frustrating and difficult aspects of managing diabetes is meal bolusing. Even when you accurately count carbs, remember to bolus 20 to 40 minutes before the meal, and account for factors like fat and protein content, it can still be impossible to avoid that post-meal spike. You might be… Continue reading New Ultrafast Insulin Promises Better Post-Meal Numbers

In 2015, Dr. David Rawlings, Director of Seattle Children’s Research Institute’s Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies (bio), published a paper showing how he and his team were able to target a specific receptor on precursor immune cells to transform them into regulatory T cells. While this may not sound like much on the surface, it… Continue reading Engineered T Cells Show Promise as Effective Preventative for Diabetes

For many of us, type 1 diabetes is a disease that materializes out of thin air. One day we feel fine, then the next, something seems off. The thirst, the constant bathroom trips, the insatiable hunger, they grow over the course of days or weeks.  The lucky ones get diagnosed early by a doctor or… Continue reading Study Reveals Beta Cell Destruction Begins Well Before Diagnosis

A new vaccine developed by Finnish and Swedish researchers that targets six strains of enterovirus and could have a profound impact on the rates of type 1 diabetes. The viruses in question all belong to the Coxsackie B (CVB) subgroup. Infection by these common viruses is theorized to be one of the leading factors in… Continue reading New Vaccine Targets 6 Viruses that May Cause Type 1 Diabetes

People with type 1 diabetes are at an increased risk for developing a number of other autoimmune disorders, including celiac disease. In fact, while celiac occurs in the general population at a rate of about 0.5%, it is seen in T1Ds at a rate of up to 16.4% — or 30 times more frequently. Worse… Continue reading Are Gluten-Free Diets Good for Everyone?

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of people living with long term type 1 diabetes.  This remains true despite huge advancements in blood sugar management technology, more effective insulins, and an increased focus on heart health. The risk of developing heart disease remains high regardless of the individual’s glycemic control. Why does the vascular… Continue reading Insulin’s Role in Vascular Damage

Excitement over a potential preventative treatment for type 1 diabetes reached a high last year as multiple studies showed a link between inoculation with the rotavirus vaccine and a reduced rate of T1D development in children. These studies came after years of research into the connection between infection with the rotavirus and activation of T-cells… Continue reading New Study Questions Rotavirus Vaccine Effect on T1D Development

As a parent living with type 1 diabetes, it is impossible for me to watch my child vacuum up a meal or gulp down a glass of water without getting worried. Even something as simple as an extra heavy diaper or a long nap can be enough to trigger that paranoia. For parents like me… Continue reading Free Type 1 Diabetes Screening for Children Saves Lives and Aids Research

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison made a surprising discovery recently when they deleted the IRE1-alpha gene in mice destined to develop type 1 diabetes. Deleting this gene caused the beta cells in the mice to de-differentiate or revert to an earlier, less specific functional stage. After a short period of hyperglycemia, these beta cells… Continue reading Deleting Gene in Mice Prevents T1D from Developing

I spoke with Dr. Denise Faustman about her upcoming trial to test the effectiveness of the BCG vaccine to protect high-risk healthcare workers from COVID-19 complications Last year we had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Faustman, an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard and the Director of the Immunobiology Laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital. At… Continue reading Possible T1D Treatment Shows Promise to Reduce COVID-19 Complications

You have probably already heard the exciting news out of the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.  Researchers there have successfully implanted stem cells in mice to ‘cure’ their diabetes. As exciting as this news seems, it is important to pause anytime these types of announcements are made. In this article, we take… Continue reading Should We Be Excited About ‘Curing’ T1D in Mice?

The prevalence of type 1 diabetes was relatively stable for much of human history until the second half of the 20th century. But something very strange began to happen around 1950. Suddenly, the rate of type 1 diabetes, especially in children, began to increase sharply. Since then, most countries around the world have seen a… Continue reading Why T1D Diagnosis Rates Continue to Rise Across the Globe

When it comes to managing type 1 diabetes, there is one item that is central to every aspect of the condition: Insulin. This simple, yet necessary hormone has transformed what was once a sure death sentence into a condition that can be managed well into old age. Without insulin, none of us T1Ds would be… Continue reading Glucagon Patch Promises to Stop Low Blood Sugars Before They Happen