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…

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…

Frequent bacterial infections and coronary heart disease are both common complications suffered by those living with type 1 diabetes. The relationship between these conditions has traditionally been understood to be a matter of two separate conditions caused by elevated and…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…