In the News... Insulin-producing cells discovery, Miss America T1D history & more!
Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes
Release Date: 12/17/2021
“How can we continue to move T1D to the background?” Medtronic’s Dr. Jennifer McVean
Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes
This week, catching up with Medtronic’s Senior Director of Global Medical Affairs Dr. Jennifer McVean. It’s been one year since the 780G was approved in the US, what does the device – and its seven-day infusion set – look like in the real world. Plus, we have a big discussion about the future of type 1 diabetes – Dr. McVean has lead some significant trials – she lives with type 1 and has some big ideas about changes she’d like to see. This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider. Find out...
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Meet the newest insulin pump: all about “twiist” with Sequel CEO Alan Lotvin
Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes
This week, the newest pump coming to the market is called the twiist. It’s a very different shape – circular with a top half that twists off – with very different software – Tidepool Loop. The company behind this pump – they’re called Sequel - wants to be different as well, hoping to offer solutions to bigger issue than basal and bolus rates. It’s very ambitious and we have a wide ranging conversation about it all with Sequel’s CEO Alan Lotvin This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider. Our...
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In the News... Dexcom-to-watch update, Wegovy studies, night time hypo research and more!
Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes
It’s In the News! A look at the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now. Top stories this week: Dexcom launches direct-to-watch with the G7 in the UK and Ireland, more studies looking at heart benefits with Wegovy and diabetes, a new T1D study investigating an injectable to prevent overnight hypoglycemia, lobbying for Levimir, a ChatGPT diabetes diagnosis and more! Find out more about Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible! Learn more about from extreme temperatures Learn more about Drive The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show...
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The FDA took down this teen’s free bolus calculator. He needs your help to bring it back.
Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes
There used to be a lot of bolus calculators in the app store, maybe you’ve used one and haven’t updated it in a while. Don’t try now.. it’s likely been pulled. Apple and the FDA are cracking down on this types of tools – no unreasonable, right? But surely there are more coming.. how hard can it be to create a simple insulin bolus calculator that’s FDA approved, easy to find, easy to use, free, and doesn’t require you buy anything else? Turns out, it’s pretty darn hard. We’re talking about that today with the inventor of such an app with an interesting story – he’s still...
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Diabetes Technology: Expectation vs Reality with Dr. Stephen Ponder
Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes
Diabetes technology is getting better and better. We have automated insulin systems that link pumps and CGMs, and smart insulin pens that have precise calculations and reminders. It’s been quite the evolution over the past few years! But outcomes – time in range, A1Cs, aren’t exactly where experts thought they might be. I’m talking to Dr. Stephen Ponder about why that is, how a social media post he shared about this caused a strong reaction, and what does work for better long term outcomes. This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please...
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In the News... diabetes drug pricing, vial shortage, pump using Tidepool Loop cleared, insulin cows and more!
Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes
It's In the News! A look at the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now. Top stories this week: a new study shows that drugs like Ozempic can be produced for just a few dollars, we upate the insulin vial shortage Lilly announced, a new pump has been FDA cleared, a genetically modified cow can product human insulin, and more! Transcript and links below Find out more about Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible! Learn more about from extreme temperatures Learn more about Drive The best way to keep up...
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Answering your questions about Tandem’s new Mobi pump (and more) with Director of Product Marketing Ben Mar
Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes
Approved last year, Tandem’s Mobi is now widely available. We’re getting an update from Ben Mar, Director of Product Marketing, on the features of the Mobi that make this tiny pump different and we look ahead to what Tandem is working on next. Ben also answers your questions about everything from algorithm updates, international access, and much more This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider. Find out more about Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible! Learn more about ...
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"It needs to be easier" - DIY pioneer Dana Lewis turns her attention to exercise and T1D
Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes
This week, one of the pioneers of the DIY movement is turning her attention to exercise. Dana Lewis is partnering with other researchers to create a tool to help you make better and easier decisions around whatever workout you choose. There’s a lot of variability here – big difference between say, weight lifting and long distance running – so this is no easy task. Dana will explain the tools they’re using, the big goals here, and we get to catch up about what she’s using these days to manage her life with T1D which now includes ultramarathoning. This podcast is not intended as...
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In the News... ATTD updates, new CGMs, drops for diabetes eye disease, scholarships and more!
Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes
It's In the News! A look at the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now. Top stories this week: The annual ATTD conference wraps up with news about CGMs, including new FDA approvals and a look at CGMs outside of the US, new eyedrops are being studied to treat diabetic eye disease and Beyond Type 1 opens applications for their annual Beyond Scholars. Transcript and links below Find out more about Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible! Learn more about from extreme temperatures Learn more about Drive The best way to keep up with Stacey and...
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Behind the Wheel with T1D: Navigating Teen Driving and Diabetes
Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes
Let's talk about driving with diabetes! Getting a driver’s license as a teenager comes with enough challenges without type 1, but letting your child with T1D get behind the wheel is stressful, to say the least! I’m sharing what worked for us and expert advice that may help you and tips to let technology be your friend in the car. This is an excerpt of Stacey's book, "Still the World's Worst Diabetes Mom." It's the second book in her series. You can learn more about the books or on Learn more about that Stacey mentions here. This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have...
info_outlineCheck out Stacey's book: The World's Worst Diabetes Mom!
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Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I’m Stacey Simms and these are the top diabetes stories and headlines of the past seven days. As always, I’m going to link up my sources in the Facebook comments – where we are live – we are also Live on YouTube and in the show notes at d-c dot com when this airs as a podcast..
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In the News is brought to you by The World’s Worst Diabetes Mom, Real life stories of raising a child with diabetes. Winner of the American Book Fest Prize for best new non-fiction. Available in paperback, on Kindle or as an audio book – all at Amazon.com.
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New Congressional report from Democrats on the House Committee on Oversight & Reform keeping the focus on insulin pricing. It says Medicare could have saved more than $16.7 billion on insulin if it were allowed to negotiate like other health programs. This final report is the culmination of an almost 3-year investigation. Documents from Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi indicate these firms "raised their prices in lockstep in order to maintain 'pricing parity'. One particularly damning quote – a Novo Nordisk pricing analyst remarked, '[M]aybe Sanofi will wait until tomorrow morning to announce their price increase...that's all I want for Christmas',"
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964799
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Surprising move in Europe – they’ve pulled the SGLT-2 inhibitor Forxiga from the market for people with type 1. AstraZeneca said the decision isn’t about safety but didn’t explain further. There are already concerns about an increased risk of DKA from SGLT-2 inhibitors in people with type 1.. that’s why they aren’t approved in the US.. but many advocates say the benefits outweigh the risks. The UK Chief Executive of JDRF, said it is "appalling" that the drug has been withdrawn, as quote "many people with type 1 are finding it an effective and useful tool to help manage their glucose levels."
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964844
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The FDA issues a warning to Medtronic over it’s diabetes headquarters. This is related to a July inspection that led to recalls of the MiniMed™ 600 series pump, and a remote controller device for MiniMed™ 508 and Paradigm™ pumps. Medtronic says they are implementing a range of corrective actions and process improvements related to the observations, and will continue reviewing these actions with the FDA.
https://www.kpvi.com/news/national_news/medtronic-diabetes-receives-fda-warning-letter/article_bf45a3c3-1759-5fff-b234-6a71cd874a98.html
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Here’s a new one. Israeli scientists have discovered that the human fetus makes insulin in its intestines before birth and say this means that adults may have a “backup” system that could be reactivated to treat diabetes. This is peer-reviewed research published in the journal Nature Medicine. These scientists say there’s a lot here they don’t understand and practical applications are a long way off but.. the hope is that some kind of medication could one day reactivate these cells in adults.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-scientists-say-humans-may-have-backup-insulin-system-diabetics-could-use/
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Good news Sugarmate fans! Late last week the app makers announced it would once again connect with Dexcom for US customers. They issued an apology and thanked users for their patience. Still working on re-connecting for those outside the US. This is all about changes to the Dexcom API, the way apps talk to each other.
https://help.sugarmate.io/en/articles/5790778-reconnecting-your-dexcom-data-source?fbclid=IwAR3FC616f4mGt4yAGUcEvLDaTVpDhC7aqQIxQPN7lk5ZBNJVxASIDzK57k8
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Dexcom expands it’s physical presence, opening a second large facility in Arizona. Big celebration this week with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the 500-thousand square foot facility and a job fair. In looking into this story, I found that earlier this year the other Dexcom center was used as an indoor drive-thru Covid vaccination site.. a partnership between Dexcom, the Arizona Health Department and Walgreens.
https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2021/12/14/diabetes-device-maker-opens-another-mesa-facility.html
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Time Magazine’s Heroes of the Year are the scientists behind the COVID vaccines. While there are of course many people at work here, they highlighted four – including Dr. Drew Weissman who has lived with type 1 for more than 50 years. He and partners began working on mRNA science for vaccines in 1997, publishing a landmark paper in 2005. There’s a lot more to this story of course.. DiabetesMine ran a photo of Weissman almost a year ago, getting the vaccine and you can see his insulin pump on his belt.
https://time.com/heroes-of-the-year-2021-vaccine-scientists/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=person-of-the-year&utm_term=_&linkId=144413683
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Miss America memorabilia moves to the Smithsonian, including items from Nicole Johnson, the first Miss America with type 1 diabetes. Johnson posted about this on social media saying she was donating her insulin pump, swimsuit and letters from children with diabetes that she received during her reign in 1999. The exhibit will mark 100 years of the competition. Other items include a hearing-aid-compatible microphone used by Heather Whitestone, the first deaf Miss America of 1995 and the first swimsuit worn in the pageant.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/miss-america-contest-is-forever-shaped-by-its-swimsuit-competition-180979125/?fbclid=IwAR0YAQt1Lo1X5hB1yce2Ixftk5Y3I6_ncLLCbNBy9H-nKttLtBaYgSXx_Is
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New York Times article today about model Lila Moss wearing her omnipod during a fashion show a few months ago. They included a few other runway models with type 1 and got some quotes from JDRF.. nothing too new here but worth mentioning. One tidbit.. it’s not uncommon, these models say, for pumps and CGMs to be airbrushed out if the client or they wish it to be – they’re keeping their tech on for the shoots.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/15/style/lila-moss-hack-diabetes-runway.html
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Before I let you go, a reminder that the podcast this week is my favorite things! I had a great time with this episode.. it’s short and fun I think – and I talk about accessories, storage, toys and more. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or if you’re listening to this as on a podcast app, just go back an episode.
Next week our predictions episode – DiabetesMine Managing Editor Mike Hoskins joins me as we talk about tech in the new year.
That’s In the News for this week.. if you like it, please share it! Thanks for joining me! See you back here soon.