Diabetes News You Can Use
How social media affects adolescent depression
A study in Scientific Reports found that problematic social media use, characterized by compulsive engagement and loss of control, is linked to higher depressive symptoms in adolescents, particularly those under 16. Early adolescence emerged as an especially vulnerable period, highlighting the importance of education and digital literacy to help young people manage online exposure responsibly.
Full Story: Medical Xpress (3/15)
Heart groups update dyslipidemia guidance for kids, adults
The American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology and other heart groups published updated guidance — including for children and young adults — for treating and managing dyslipidemia and preventing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Among the recommendations are lipid panel screening at ages 9 to 11, 19 to 21 and then at least every five years going forward, health behavior counseling for young patients, and possible lipid-lowering therapy for young adults with higher risks.
Full Story: Healio (free registration) (3/13), Healio (free registration) (3/13)
Bone loss with GLP-1s may vary by diabetes status
A study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found no difference in hip bone loss for patients with diabetes who were taking GLP-1 medications compared with those not taking GLP-1 medications. For patients without diabetes, hip bone loss rates were higher among patients taking GLP-1 medications. Most participants in the 255-person study were women, and their median age was 64.
Full Story: Endocrinology Advisor (3/16)
A1C declines may be greater with orforglipron
A study published in The Lancet found that orforglipron resulted in greater reductions in A1C and body weight than oral semaglutide for adults with type 2 diabetes. The trial involved 1,698 adults and showed significant improvements in cardiometabolic parameters with orforglipron. However, gastrointestinal adverse events were more common with orforglipron.
Full Story: Healio (free registration) (2/25)
Prediabetes, type 2 diabetes affect 30.8% of youth
A study published in PLOS Global Public Health found that 30.8% of US youth ages 10 to 19 had prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, with boys representing 62% of cases. The study, based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, found non-Hispanic white adolescents had the highest prevalence across racial and ethnic groups. Abdominal adiposity, measured by waist-to-height ratio, was the strongest independent predictor.
Screening: “From a clinical and public health perspective, these findings suggest that screening strategies relying solely on BMI may miss high-risk adolescents. Integrating waist-to-height ratio into routine pediatric assessment could enhance early identification, particularly among males, and inform targeted interventions to reduce central adiposity before glycemic deterioration occurs,” the study authors wrote.
Full Story: Medscape (2/26)
Trial of triple hormone drug finds 19.7% weight loss
A midstage trial in China of the “triple G” obesity drug candidate UBT251, developed by Novo Nordisk and United Laboratories International, has shown a mean weight loss of up to 19.7% over 24 weeks. UBT251 targets GLP-1, GIP and glucagon.
Full Story: Reuters (2/24)
Lipid nanoparticles deliver mRNA to beta cells
Researchers have developed a lipid nanoparticle system to deliver mRNA to insulin-producing beta cells, enhancing their immune protection. Published in Cell Reports Medicine, the study shows that the mRNA prompts the cells to express more PD-L1, a protein that helps cells evade the immune system.
Full Story: Newswise (2/24)
Cardiovascular risk may increase sooner for women
A study in Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging found women may have a higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular events at lower levels of coronary plaque, compared with men. Data showed risk begins to increase for women with a plaque burden of 22% but does not begin to increase for men until it reaches 28%. “From a clinical perspective, this suggests that modest plaque burden in women warrants careful attention rather than being assumed benign,” said researcher Jan Brendel.
Full Story: Healio (free registration) (2/23)
GLP-1 drugs tied to fracture risk for older adults
A study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found an 11% increased risk of fragility fractures in older adults with type 2 diabetes who used glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, compared with those who used DPP-4 or SGLT2 inhibitors. The research involving 46,177 people 65 and older found that the risk was higher for those ages 65 to 75 but not for those 75 or older.
Full Story: Medscape (2/24)
Weight loss’s cardio benefits independent of fat changes
Weight loss may lead to better cardiometabolic health regardless of changes in body fat percentage or fat distribution, researchers reported in the journal Obesity. The study was based on data from two weight-loss interventions: a one-year lifestyle intervention for adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes and a 12-week hypocaloric diet for adults with overweight or obesity without type 2 diabetes.
Full Story: Medscape (2/5)
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DRC Affiliate Ian de Boer to Give Garabed Eknoyan Endowed Lectureship
DRC affiliate Ian de Boer, professor (Nephrology) will present the Garabed Eknoyan Endowed Lectureship, “KDIGO Guidelines Decoded: What They Mean for CKD Management in Practice” at the American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week. Named in honor of Garabed Eknoyan, MD, an esteemed researcher, educator, and clinician, the lecture recognizes individuals who have made an impact on or dedicated their lives to the kidney community. More information here.
Congratulations to this year’s funding awardees
Congratulations to this year’s funding awardees: Dr. Nicholas Chavkin and Dr. Stephen McCartney have been awarded Pilot and Feasibility awards and Ms. Jocelyn Cervantes has been awarded the Stroum Graduate Fellowship award.
NIDDK 75th Anniversary
In celebration of the 75th anniversary of NIDDK, Diabetes Care and Diabetes have published a compendium of ten articles that highlight just a few of the major contributions NIIDK has fostered through its support of research. These articles provide a broad, but clearly not complete, view of the results that have been achieved through their fostering of science across the country. Included amongst these is a paper by members of NIDDK about the research centers including the Diabetes Research Centers Program. There is also an editorial that celebrates NIDDK and at the same times raises concerns about the future of research and public health related to diabetes given the current discussion about the funding and restructuring of NIDDK and CDC.
DRC Affiliate Edward Boyko is Co-Chair of New Diabetes Atlas
DRC affiliate, Edward Boyko, professor (General Internal Medicine) is co-chair of the new edition of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas. As the number of people living with diabetes continues to rise, the latest IDF Diabetes Atlas emphasizes the urgent need for improved prevention, early detection and intervention to tackle the burden diabetes places on individuals, communities, health systems and economies.
Learn more on our news site.
CVTMC Director Karin Bornfeldt Announced as 2025 American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Fellow
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) announced that CVTMC Director Karin Bornfeldt, professor (Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition), has been named among its 2025 class of fellows. Designation as a fellow recognizes commitment to the ASBMB through a history of exceptional and sustained service to the society as well as impactful accomplishments in research, education, mentorship, and service to the scientific community. Twenty-four fellows were selected this year. Read more here.