Blood Sugar News and Research

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Blood sugar concentration, or glucose level, refers to the amount of glucose present in the blood of a human or animal. Normally, in mammals the blood glucose level is maintained at a reference range between about 3.6 and 5.8 mM (mmol/l). It is tightly regulated as a part of metabolic homeostasis.

Unveiling the Link Between Genetics, Stress, and Type 2 Diabetes

The cells in the human pancreas have a limit to how much stress they can withstand before degenerating.

10 Oct 2024

Beta Cells Alone Can Maintain Glycemic Balance Without Other Pancreatic Cells

Our glycemic balance is based on the ability of the pancreatic beta cells to detect glucose and secrete insulin to maintain our blood sugar levels.

4 Sep 2024

Evolution of Blood Sugar Regulation in Neotropical Bats

Humans must regulate blood sugar concentrations to stay healthy and to fuel our cells. Too little or too much can cause serious health complications, and high blood sugar is a hallmark of the metabolic condition, diabetes. New research from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research may enable potential solutions to metabolic disease by turning to evolution and to bats.

29 Aug 2024

Exploring Gut Microbiome Modulation for Disease Prevention

Carriers of gut Blastocystis, a single-celled organism that has been classified as either a parasite or harmless organism but is frequently found in the digestive system, were associated with markers of good cardiovascular health and decreased body fat in an analysis of over 50,000 people from around the world.

9 Jul 2024

Common Fat Cells Converted to Calorie-Burning Beige Fat in Mice

According to recent research from UC San Francisco, it is now possible to convert common white fat cells, which store calories, into beige fat cells, which burn calories to regulate body temperature.

2 Jul 2024

Study Reveals How Sweet Taste Receptor Regulates Blood Sugar and Insulin

The rich research portfolio of the Monell Chemical Senses Center on sweet taste goes way back: Monell scientists were one of four teams in 2001 that found and described the mammalian sweet taste receptor – TAS1R2-TAS1R3.

20 May 2024

Acidic Fortress of Tumors Could Rebuff Immune Cells

Cancer cells release a significantly more concentrated level of acid than previously known, forming an "acid wall" that could deter immune cells from attacking tumors, UT Southwestern Medical Center scientists show in a new study.

2 Apr 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

Researchers Target Pancreatic Cancer’s Metabolic Switch

In a recent study, a novel combination of treatments was discovered to effectively reduce the growth of pancreatic cancer in mice by inhibiting cancer cells from seeking fuel sources.

11 Oct 2023

Small Amounts of DNA ‘Dance’ to Hasten Disease Diagnosis

Researchers at UMass Amherst have significantly expanded the field of biomedical engineering by developing a novel technique for extremely accurate DNA detection.

4 Oct 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

Animal Protein More Metabolically Responsive Than Plant Protein in Young and Older Adults, Study Finds

Protein from two ounce-equivalents (oz-eq) of animal-based protein foods provides greater essential amino acids (EAA) bioavailability than an equal two oz-eq of plant-based protein foods, according to scientists at Purdue University.

16 Aug 2023

A Common Diabetes Drug Helps Prevent Muscle Atrophy and Muscular Fibrosis

You might not think of diabetes when you think of muscle function. But a common diabetes drug that regulates blood sugar can also prevent muscle atrophy and muscular fibrosis-;which can help the elderly bounce back faster from injury or illness.

26 Jul 2023

Glucose-Sensing Neurons May Play a Role in Regulating Blood Sugar

The body's blood glucose level needs to be maintained in a relatively narrow range. It cannot be too high, as it can lead to diabetes, and it cannot be too low because it can cause fainting or even death.

12 Jul 2023

Water Fasting Offers Short-Term Weight Loss, But No Long-Term Benefits

Water fasts -; where people consume nothing but water for several days -; might help you lose weight, but it's unclear how long you'll keep it off, according to research from the University of Illinois Chicago.

30 Jun 2023

Lundquist Institute Contributes to Genetic Study of Insulin Response to a Glucose Challenge

The Lundquist Institute (TLI) announced that its Institute for Translational Genomics and Populations Sciences contributed to a new study published today in Nature Genetics of the DNA of more than 55,000 people worldwide.

12 Jun 2023

How Do Humans Maintain a Healthy Blood Sugar Level After Meals?

A study of more than 55,000 people’s DNA from around the world has given insight into how humans maintain appropriate blood sugar levels after eating, with implications for the current understanding of how the process goes awry in type 2 diabetes.

9 Jun 2023

The Association Between Type 2 Diabetes Treatment Response and Genetic Variants

People who are at a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes can be prescribed a variety of medications to decrease blood sugar levels, but it is not always apparent which people would benefit from which treatments the most.

6 Jun 2023

Stimulating Beige Fat Production Could Help Reverse the Effects of Age-Related Slowing Metabolism

New research suggests a strategy to ward off age-related weight gain, which could prevent obesity and associated health disorders like Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and chronic inflammation.

7 Apr 2023