AsianScientist (Apr. 7, 2016) – Today is World Health Day, and the focus this year is on diabetes.
The number of people living with diabetes has almost quadrupled since 1980 to 422 million adults, with most living in developing countries, according to the WHO’s “Global report on diabetes.” Factors driving this dramatic rise include overweight and obesity.
Measures needed include expanding health-promoting environments to reduce diabetes risk factors, like physical inactivity and unhealthy diets, and strengthening national capacities to help people with diabetes receive the treatment and care they need to manage their conditions.
In the meantime, researchers in Asia have been hard at work developing new diagnostic methods, drug treatments and other interventions. Here’s a list of our top eight stories on diabetes.
Asian Scientist Magazine’s Top Stories On Diabetes
- Microbial ‘Tattletales’ In The Gut May Diagnose Diabetes Early On
Gut microbial biomarkers can tell many stories about your health status—they may even be able to diagnose type 2 diabetes before onset, allowing for preventive action. - Graphene Patch Monitors Sugar Levels In Sweat
This non-invasive device not only takes continuous glucose measurements but can also automatically deliver drugs if the glucose levels are too high. - Protein Linking Diabetes & Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Found
Fetuin B, which is present in high levels in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients, impairs the action of insulin in the body. - New Diagnostic Tool For Diabetes In Asia
Malaysia will officially adopt HbA1C as a diabetes diagnostic tool in late 2015 as a supplement to the existing blood glucose test. - Diabetes Drug Could Help Treat Preeclampsia
Preliminary studies have shown that the drug metformin, which is considered safe for pregnancy, could be used to treat life-threatening preeclampsia. - Type 2 Diabetes Linked With Alzheimer’s Disease
Scientists have established an association between type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers. - Type 1 Diabetes Hits Women Harder
Compared to the men, women with type 1 diabetes are 40 percent more likely to die, according to an analysis of studies involving over 200,000 people. - Diabetes Screening In India Predicted To Be Ineffective
Large-scale diabetes screening would be hampered by a high false positive rate if glucometer-based screening tools are used, according to simulations.
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Copyright: Asian Scientist Magazine; Photo: WHO.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.
