Recent Advances


May 10, 2016
New Insight into How Diabetes Leads to Blindness
New research is uncovering how diabetes changes the kinds of proteins that are made in the eye. These changes may lead to diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness. This information is allowing researchers to identify new targets for therapies that could delay or prevent the development of diabetic retinopathy.

March 1, 2016
The Connection Between Stress and Type 2
Researchers once thought genes alone might account for the dramatic differences in type 2 diabetes among rates among different populations. But there's increasing evidence that the environment we live in plays a bigger role than the genes we're born with.

February 12, 2016
Pathway Scientist Identifies Possible Trigger for Type 1 Diabetes
In order to prevent or reverse the development of type 1 diabetes, it is essential to understand why and how the immune system attacks the body’s own cells. Association-funded Researcher Thomas Delong, PhD, found a possible answer to these questions.

January 20, 2016
Learning Why Type 2 Quickly Hurts Kids' Kidneys
Between 2001 and 2009, pediatric type 2 cases climbed 30 percent. Pediatric diabetes may also be more severe. Association-funded Researcher Dr. Jane Kim is looking for ways to determine, long before the damage is done, which kids are most at risk for developing complications.

November 30, 2015
The Diabetes-Depression Connection
Diabetes and depression are closely linked. A lifelong condition like diabetes takes a toll on mental health. Depression, in turn, makes it harder to find the motivation to care for diabetes: getting exercise, eating right, and completing other basic tasks are difficult when you’re struggling just to get out of bed in the morning.

November 3, 2015
Very Low Effort Muscular Activity and Diabetes Risk
American Diabetes Association-funded researcher Dr. Marc T. Hamilton is studying how light physical activity, such as interrupting sedentary time with standing and walking, impacts glucose and fat metabolism in people who do not exercise.

October 1, 2015
Improving Pregnancy Outcomes in Obese Mothers Starts with Healthy Eggs
Obese women have increased rates of infertility, and once they are pregnant, they experience higher rates of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and other pregnancy complications. Association-funded researcher Dr. Kelle Moley is working to understand how obesity impacts reproduction, not only for women seeking to become pregnant now, but also for the health and wellness of future generations.

September 8, 2015
Older Adults Motivated to Make Lifestyle Changes
Are we ever too old to change? For people with diabetes, it's an especially important question. Doctors often assume older patients--some with a lifetime of unhealthy habits behind them--are unlikely to make significant changes. Association-supported researcher Dr. Dennis T. Villareal is finding that older adults seem more motivated to change their lifestyles.

August 7, 2015
Study Uncovers Potential New Ways to Prevent Beta Cell Death in Type 2 Diabetes
American Diabetes Association-funded researcher Dr. Andrew Miranker is studying how to prevent the beta cell damage that leads to type 2 diabetes. His latest work shows promise for developing new drugs that could preserve beta cell function in people at risk for diabetes.

July 31, 2015
Aerobic Exercise Improves Brain Function for People with Prediabetes
Having prediabetes or type 2 diabetes is the second biggest risk factor for developing Alzheimer's disease. American Diabetes Association-funded researcher Dr. Laura D. Baker has spent much of her career trying to understand how to reduce this risk.

June 29, 2015
Pathway to Stop Diabetes Scientist Generates Smart Insulin Patch
American Diabetes Association Pathway to Stop Diabetes Scientist Zhen Gu, PhD, recently published a paper describing the development of an innovative "smart insulin" patch that imitates the body's beta cells by both sensing blood glucose levels and releasing insulin.

March 19, 2015
Research to Identify and Correctly Treat Rare Forms of Diabetes
Some very rare forms of diabetes are caused by single gene mutations. They are called "monogenic" forms of diabetes and new research is opening the door to specific treatments for these patients.

See previous articles.

  • Last Reviewed: June 30, 2015
  • Last Edited: January 27, 2016