Diabetes in Focus

Google begins testing of "smart contact lens" for diabetes patients
Google announced Thursday that it is testing a prototype of its "smart contact lens" designed to provide readings of glucose levels in the tears. The lens, equipped with an antenna and tiny chips, has the potential to replace the finger prick test in diabetes patients, the company said. Reuters (1/17)

Diabetes risk may be curbed by traditional Chinese herbal drug
A study of 389 patients with impaired glucose tolerance revealed those who took a traditional Chinese herbal medicine called Tianqi attained a 32.1% reduction in type 2 diabetes risk compared with the placebo arm. Researchers also found 63.13% of participants in the Tianqi group achieved normal glucose tolerance and 18.18% progressed to diabetes at the end of the study, compared with 46.6% and 29.32% in the placebo group, respectively. The results appear in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. FoxNews.com (1/16)

Brown rice cuts glucose, fasting insulin levels in study
Research from India presented at the World Diabetes Congress showed overweight and obese participants who ate a brown rice-based diet attained a 20% decline in mean glucose concentrations and a 57% reduction in fasting insulin concentrations compared with those who ate white rice. The findings suggest that replacing white rice with brown rice may boost diabetes prevention and control, researchers said. Medscape (free registration) (1/16)

Nutrition & Wellness

Study: Obese adults are more at risk of dying early
An analysis of data from the 1988-1994 National Health and Nutrition Examination survey showed that obese adults, particularly 45- to 64-year-olds, had a greater likelihood of dying prematurely than did those of normal weight. Compared with normal-weight peers, obese adults died 3.7 years sooner from all causes and 1.7 years earlier from heart problems. The findings appear on the website of the American Journal of Public Health. U.S. News & World Report/HealthDay News (1/16)

Inactivity raises odds of premature death in women, study shows
Data on 93,000 postmenopausal American women showed those who spent more than 11 hours a day being sedentary had 12% higher odds of premature death from any cause compared with their less-sedentary counterparts. The findings in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine showed the same risk level in people who exercise regularly but are inactive for long amounts of time, researchers said. RedOrbit (1/15)

Drinking diet beverages may backfire, research suggests
Overweight and obese individuals who drank diet beverages consumed more calories from solid foods than did those who drank regular soda, according to a study on the website of the American Journal of Public Health. Artificial sweeteners prompt the brain to think that the body is feeling less satiated, which then triggers dieters to eat more, researchers said. U.S. News & World Report/HealthDay News (1/16)

Practice Update

Bill would create new Medicare pay model for treating chronic disease
A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced legislation for a Better Care Program that would pay teams of health care practitioners and social workers a flat fee for each Medicare patient, hoping to improve care coordination for people with chronic health conditions. The legislation builds off of the framework of accountable care organizations. FederalNewsRadio.com/The Associated Press (1/18)

Trends & Technology

Total for EHR incentives reaches $17.7B in Nov.
The CMS has released more than $17.7 billion as of November 2013 in Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive payments to eligible hospitals and professionals. In addition to more than 4,300 hospitals that reached meaningful use status, 210,000 doctors and other eligible professionals received payments from Medicare, while 107,000 professionals qualified under Medicaid. Healthcare IT News (1/15)

Insulin injections could be replaced with remote-controlled implant
Using sound waves from a device similar to a TV remote, people with diabetes could avoid daily injections by activating an implant beneath the skin that releases an insulin dose into the bloodstream, this article says. The implant, which has been tested on mice, is the size of a mobile phone SIM card. It has electrically charged nanoparticles that each contain a small amount of insulin. Sound waves from the remote cause the particles to vibrate, releasing the insulin. A study in the journal Advanced Healthcare Materials found that the implant lasted for 10 days. The Daily Mail (London) (1/14)

ADA News

Peer-reviewed highlights from the 73rd Scientific Sessions
For an authoritative reference of the key findings from the American Diabetes Association 73rd Scientific Sessions, we invite you to read the official peer-reviewed highlights from MD Conference Express. Read the highlights.

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