Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body mistakenly identifies the body’s insulin-producing cells as foreign cells and destroys them. Currently, doctors have transplanted islet cells from one human to another. However, such a procedure requires heavy doses of immunosuppressant drugs to prevent the body from rejecting the transplanted cells. Researchers say the new procedure would not need such drugs.

Researchers say the next step is to grow at least half a billion islets to cure diabetes in one human. However, testing would need to be done on animals first.

The article did not indicate how the researchers planned to address the autoimmune component of the disease.

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Researchers said that the drug prevented the growth of lung tumors in mice exposed to cancer causing agents related to smoking. Mice that were given the drug orally had 40% to 50% fewer tumors than those mice not taking the medicine. Mice injected with metformin had 72% fewer tumors. Previous studies have concluded that the drug can reduce the risk of breast cancer and pancreatic cancer in diabetics.

Historically, mice studies relating to diabetes have not been good indicators of a drug’s success in humans. Further testing is needed to determine of metformin can prevent lung cancer in humans.

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The number of dogs with diabetes has jumped 32% since 2006. The number of cats with diabetes grew by 16%. The report linked the increased rates of diabetes to the growing number of overweight and obese pets. For example, fat cats are six times more likely to become diabetic than cats that are normal weight. Like in humans, symptoms of pets with undiagnosed diabetes include increased thirst, excessive urination and unexplained weight loss. However, there are some differences between cats and dogs.

Dogs are more likely to develop Type 1 diabetes, which means their pancreas stops making insulin. In humans, Type 1 diabetes is thought to be caused by a combination of genetics and environment. Cats, on the other hand, are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, which is more closely associated with diet and weight. According to the article, the animals are treated with insulin shots and special diet or exercise regiment, depending on their condition.

Researchers looked at data from 2.5 million dogs and cats seen last year.

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“We are confident that the easy-to-use design of our tubeless insulin pump will raise the bar for the industry again and improve our competitive position in the marketplace,” CEO Duane DeSisto said in a prepared release.

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“The Pearl Insulin Pump’s utilization of a pre-filled insulin cartridge is an evolutionary step forward for those on intensive insulin therapy,” said James Chamberlain, MD, medical director for Diabetes Services at St. Mark’s Hospital and St. Mark’s Diabetes Center. “The fact that the Pearl minimizes all the ‘plumbing’ issues associated with reservoir filling in other insulin pumps makes it an attractive choice as a starter pump for those initiating insulin pump therapy as well as for those seeking greater ease of use. The Pearl is designed to reduce steps, add convenience, and save time.”

The Pearl Insulin Pump’s features a unique modular product configuration that allows significantly lower pump therapy initiation costs through pay-as-you-pump pricing. It is the only insulin pump using glass pre-filled 300 unit insulin cartridges for use in pumps for up to seven days.

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The FDA announced recently that the drug will only be available to patients that have been using the drug safely, cannot control their blood sugar levels with other medication or who understand the risks and choose to take the drug anyway. In order to physically get the drug, patients will have to enroll in a special program and receive Avandia through the mail.

Eight months ago the FDA said it was severely restricting the sale of the drug over safety concerns and its link to heart attacks and other cardiovascular issues.

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He showed up at the event in a wrinkled suit and baseball cap and his accompanying goddess wore what some observers referred to as a “French Maid’s outfit.” Critics said that Sheen’s appearance and actions at the event drew more focus on his battle with CBS than on the charity for Type 1 diabetes.

At the event he “continued to defend his recent ‘Violent Torpedo of Truth Tour’, saying people should have known what to expect when they bought their tickets,” according to Gather. He also said he has finally come to grips with his firing from ‘Two and a Half Men’.

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Irva Hertz-Picciotto, an autism researcher and author of the study, said that mothers with at least one of those medical issues are 60% more likely to have a child with autism. About 1 out of every 110 kids in the U.S. have autism spectrum disorders.

For the study, researchers looked at 1,001 kids – 508 with autism or ASD, 178 with developmental delays and 315 that appeared to be developing without any problems. Mothers that were obese was found to have a much higher chance of having developmentally delayed children. In fact, moms of kids with such disability were 150% more likely to be obese.

Geraldine Dawson, the head scientist at advocacy group Autism Speaks said that previous studies have shown a link between Type 1 diabetes and autism.

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The drug, which is considered a DPP-4 inhibitor, is to be taken once a day and potentially in combination with other diabetes drugs. Januvia and Onglyza are in the same class of diabetes drugs. Tradjenta works by blocking a specific type of chemical messenger in the guy in order to cause the body to release more insulin after a meal. The drug does come with potential side-effects, including upper respiratory infection, sore throat, headache, muscle pain and even a stuffy or runny nose.

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Industry analyst David Kliff said the company has tried bringing in an industry executive to try and reenergize the groups sales and marketing staff. “Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see whether the company is serious about change, or will they once again become bogged down in the Medtronic corporate meat grinder,” Kliff reportedly wrote. “The folks at Medtronic corporate in Minneapolis view the diabetes unit as a cash cow and see little reason to invest precious dollars upgrading the Paradigm line or getting things right with the patch pump.”

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