Listen Up
Give us fifteen minutes and we'll give you information, inspiration, and connection all wrapped up into one entertaining package. Download a dLife Podcast today and hear up close and personal interviews with leading diabetes experts, newsmakers, and celebrities. These 15-minute gems are updated regularly, and you can even subscribe to our podcast feed to get all the latest delivered directly to you.
Comments (0) | Digg This! | Send to Newsvine | Add to del.icio.us
Shark Tales
Gary Hall, Jr., and his sister Bebe put their swimming skills to the test last week when the two encountered a black tip reef shark while spearfishing in the Florida Keys. Nineteen stitches later, Bebe recounts the tale at Gary's Race Club site. The ten-time Olympic medalist will be featured on this week's episode of dLifeTV (Sunday, July 30, 7PM ET/4PM PT).
Comments (0) | Digg This! | Send to Newsvine | Add to del.icio.us
Stem Cell Setback
As anticipated, President Bush has vetoed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. The bill now goes back to Congress where lawmakers will vote to either sustain or override the veto. Contact your Senators and Representatives and let them know how you feel about this critical legislation.
UPDATE: The veto override fell 51 votes short in the House. You can still make a difference in the future of diabetes cure research. When you visit the polls this November, find out where your lawmakers stand on the stem cell issue.
Comments (0) | Digg This! | Send to Newsvine | Add to del.icio.us
Step Forward for Stem Cell Research?
The U.S. Senate passed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 810) yesterday by a vote of 63 to 37.
President Bush has stated that he will veto the bill today. "He doesn't want human life destroyed" said White House Press Secretary Tony Snow in a press briefing yesterday. When a reporter pointed out that H.R. 810 would only allow research on donated embryos that would otherwise be destroyed and discarded by in vitro fertilization clinics, Snow responded that "the President is not going to get on the slippery slope of taking something that is living and making it dead for the purpose of research."
The administration also makes the argument that "President Bush's Stem Cell Policy is Working." You can find that piece in their "Setting the Record Straight" section....right above an analysis of the the President's stellar record of environmental policy decisions in "addressing climate change" (i.e., "global warming").
Let the President know what you think about the future of stem cell research by calling the White House Comment Line at (202) 456-1111. A cure may depend on it.
Comments (0) | Digg This! | Send to Newsvine | Add to del.icio.us
Actos and Alzheimer's
New research at the University of Virginia Health System and Case Western Reserve University shows that the type 2 diabetes drug pioglitazone (Actos) may hold promise in treating Alzheimer’s Disease. According to Dr. David Geldmacher, one of the study authors, “We believe that the drug may reduce the body’s inflammatory reaction to one of the toxic components that builds up in Alzheimer’s, called amyloid plaque,” said Dr. David Geldmacher, an associate professor of neurology at UVa.
A 2005 study out of Brown University found that insulin levels drop and insulin resistance increases significantly in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's. As a result, researchers postulated that Alzheimer's may actually be a "type 3 diabetes."
Comments (1) | Digg This! | Send to Newsvine | Add to del.icio.us
Stem Cell Research
Today is your last opportunity to contact your Senators and express your support of H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005. The JDRF makes getting in touch with your lawmakers easy - just register and they will fax a letter on your behalf to your Senators (customization optional). The bill would allow in vitro fertilization clinics to donate embryos that would otherwise be discarded for the purpose of federally-funded stem cell research. A federal executive order issued by President Bush in 2001 currently bans the use of federal funding for embryonic stem cell research on cell lines derived after September 9, 2001.
Comments (2) | Digg This! | Send to Newsvine | Add to del.icio.us
Disetronic Pumpers Take Note
Disetronic Medical Systems Inc. has announced a voluntary nationwide recall of D-TRONplus Power Packs, that power the D-TRONplus Insulin Pump. Due to a design defect, the power packs could shut down the D-TRONplus Insulin Pump without any warning. The company is redesigning the power packs and is urging pump users to change out their power packs every two weeks until the situation is rectified. Power packs will be supplied free of charge via overnight UPS to all Disetronic D-TRONplus pumpers. Contact Disetronic at 1-800-688-4578 for more details.
Comments (0) | Digg This! | Send to Newsvine | Add to del.icio.us
Wish You Were Here
The Associated Press reports that Syd Barrett, co-founder and one-time front-man of seminal rock band Pink Floyd, has passed away at the age of 60, presumably due to diabetes-related complications. Plagued by mental illness most of his adult life, Barrett left the band in 1968 after exhibiting increasingly erratic behavior on tour. However, he continued to work sporadically on his own solo projects with various members of the band, and they remained emotionally close to Barrett. The 1975 Pink Floyd hit single, "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," was written about Syd.
Not much is known about Barrett or his diabetes in later years. He has been out of the public eye for over three decades, giving his last interview from his Cambridge home in 1971. He will be missed.
MORE: From MTV News
RELATED: Musicians with Diabetes
Comments (0) | Digg This! | Send to Newsvine | Add to del.icio.us
Forgive Yourself
Bad diabetes habits can do more than hurt your physical health. The emotional quicksand of anger and guilt can prevent you from forgiving yourself enough to change things. Janis Roszler, RD, CDE, LD/N shows you how to turn the page on the past and start taking better care of your body and soul.
Comments (0) | Digg This! | Send to Newsvine | Add to del.icio.us