Insulin News and Research

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Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert glucose, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. Insulin allows cells to use glucose for fuel and is secreted by beta cells in the islets of Langerhans. The release of insulin from the pancreas is stimulated by increased blood glucose, vagal nerve stimulation, and other factors. Insulin is obtained from various animals and available in a variety of preparations. Commercial insulin preparations differ in a number of ways, including differences in the animal species from which they are obtained; their purity, concentration, and solubility; and the time of onset and duration of their biologic action. An oral hypoglycemic agent is not a form of insulin therapy.

Placenta's Role in Gestational Diabetes Revealed

A recent study led by the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute has discovered that a deficiency in placental expression of the gene insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGFBP1) and low circulating levels of IGFBP1 are linked to insulin resistance during pregnancy, indicating a potential risk factor for the onset of gestational diabetes.

17 Apr 2024

Insulin Influences Mitochondrial Recycling in Neurons

The hormone insulin controls many cellular processes and adapts them to the body's current energy supply.

20 Mar 2024

Breakthrough: Transgenic Cow Produces Human Insulin in Milk

An unassuming brown bovine from the south of Brazil has made history as the first transgenic cow capable of producing human insulin in her milk.

14 Mar 2024

Study Reveals Unique Bacterial Fingerprints and Their Impact on Health

The trillions of bacteria that call your body home -; collectively known as the microbiome -; appear to be unique to you, like a fingerprint.

13 Mar 2024

Strategies to Counter Postnatal Growth Retardation in Piglets

The metabolic basis of postnatal growth retardation (PGR) in piglets is not yet clear, but it is characterized by poor production performance, low feed conversion rate, and a high mortality rate.

4 Mar 2024

New DNA Methylation-Based Analysis Provides Accurate Assessment of Pancreas Cell Composition

Research introduces new DNA methylation-based method for accurately assessing cell composition in the human pancreas, addressing a critical gap in diabetes research.

7 Feb 2024

Study Shows How Obesity Causes Mitochondrial Fragmentation in Fat Cells

The number of people with obesity has nearly tripled since 1975, resulting in a worldwide epidemic.

30 Jan 2024

Largest Gestational Diabetes Study Reveals 9 New Genetic Regions

The largest genetic study of gestational diabetes to date has led to a discovery of nine novel genetic regions linked to this severe and common pregnancy complication.

8 Jan 2024

Epigenetic Changes in Insulin-Producing Cells Linked to Type 2 Diabetes Onset

Do epigenetic changes cause type 2 diabetes, or do the changes occur only after a person has become ill? A new study by researchers at Lund University provides increased support for the idea that epigenetic changes can cause type 2 diabetes.

14 Dec 2023

Unveiling ppGpp’s Surprising Role in Fruit Fly Sleep

Sleep, a fundamental behavior observed across various organisms, ranging from worms to humans, is influenced by both internal sleep drive and external environmental factors.

12 Dec 2023

Unveiling the Dynamics of Pancreatic β-Cells

Pancreatic beta cells, also known as β-cells, are situated within the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas.

5 Dec 2023

Pancreatic Nerve Zaps Restore Insulin Production and Reverse Diabetes in Mice

Insulin is a hormone that decreases blood glucose levels. The only cells that produce insulin are pancreatic beta cells (β-cells), and a decrease in these cells is a major cause of diabetes.

5 Dec 2023

Lipidome Study Reveals New Insights Into Human Health

The sequencing of the human genome promised a revolution in medicine, but scientists soon realized that a genetic blueprint alone does not show the body in action.

12 Sep 2023

New Insights Into How Cells Maintain Optimal Health

A group of researchers has unearthed the secrets behind a tiny but crucial protein that shuttles zinc ions (Zn2+) within our bodies. The discovery offers a deeper understanding of how our cells maintain optimal health.

4 Sep 2023

NEUROG3 Gene Plays Key Role in Pancreas Development

Different cells in the human pancreas play important roles in blood sugar regulation. Neurogenin 3 (NEUROG3) is a gene found in pancreatic cells.

1 Sep 2023

Innovative Method Accelerates Discovery of New Drugs by Harnessing the Power of Ribosomes

A research team led by University of California, Irvine scientists has developed an innovative method for quickly and efficiently creating vast collections of chemical compounds used in drug discovery by harnessing the power of ribosomes, the molecules found in all cells that synthesize proteins and peptides.

24 Aug 2023

Scientists Develop New Method to Control Insulin Release with Music

Diabetes is a condition in which the body produces too little or no insulin. Diabetics thus depend on an external supply of this hormone via injection or pump. Researchers led by Martin Fussenegger from the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering at ETH Zurich in Basel want to make the lives of these people easier and are looking for solutions to produce and administer insulin directly in the body.

23 Aug 2023