Latest News

DRC - Should Women Limit Potato Consumption Before Pregnancy?

DRC Announces New Faculty Members

We are delighted to announce that three new faculty will be joining the FOE Diabetes Research Center this Summer:

The Fraternal Order of Eagles and Ekso Bionics Highlight the Revolutionary Ekso GT Suit Allowing Paralyzed Veterans to Walk July 4 at Arlington Cemetery

Austin Reese, a Navy veteran with spinal cord injuries and lower extremity paralysis, highlighted American innovation enabling significant recovery and enhanced health. The Fraternal Order of Eagles (F.O.E.), an international nonprofit community organization, and Ekso Bionics, a California-based pioneer in the field of robotic exoskeletons, partnered for a special ceremony honoring veterans at Arlington National Cemetery July 4. Along with Austin Reese, they placed a focus on this extraordinary development during a demonstration on America’s birthday.

A Vitamin For Diabetes And Its Complications?

Prediabetes, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and diabetes  that is complicated by nerve damage (neuropathy) are increasingly common conditions worldwide. These conditions are the result of progressive problems in metabolism. Prediabetes and T2D are characterized by increasing levels of  blood sugar and circulating fats (lipids) in conjunction with insulin resistance. Many prediabetics and half of T2D patients develop progressive damage to their nerves that can be painful or lead to a loss of sensation. Diabetic neuropathy can lead to loss of limbs and is severely debilitating. We know that weight management and keeping active are among the most important components for preventing these conditions and arresting their progression. However, scientists are always on the lookout for healthy ingredients that can help people control their weight, improve their blood glucose control, and help their nerves stay healthy. Recent research at the University of Iowa, supported by the Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center (FOEDRC), suggests that an over-the-counter vitamin supplement called nicotinamide riboside (NR) may do just that.

DRC Researchers Publish Major Breakthrough In Understanding How Diabetes Induces Eye Damage

In the retina, diabetes damages nerves before it damages blood vessels.
Diabetes is a major risk factor for severe vision loss and blindness. A condition known as retinal diabetic neuropathy causes visual impairment through the degeneration of small nerves (neurons) in light-sensitive tissue called the retina, which lines the back of the eye.

Fraternal Order of Eagles & Soldier Strong Partner to Donate Ekso Bionics Suit to Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Hospital

The Fraternal Order of Eagles, an international nonprofit community organization, and Soldier Strong, a nonprofit dedicated to assisting veterans, partnered to donate an Ekso Bionics Ekso GT suit to the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Hospital. The suit was formally presented to the hospital during a ceremony on Wednesday, May 18.

Casey Receives Grant Funding from American Diabetes Association

Congratulations to Darren Casey, PhD, assistant professor of physical therapy and rehabilitation science, for recently receiving the American Diabetes Association Innovative Clinical or Translational Science Award. For his proposal entitled -  Nitrate supplementation and exercise tolerance in patients with Type 2 Diabetes. Dr. Casey received this award after a National Competition that selected a fraction of the most meritorious proposals.

Experience NASCAR From The Pits!

Sign new members for the Fraternal Order of Eagles and you could earn a chance to earn pit passes to an upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup race! The F.O.E. will be holding a series of membership contents in correlation with the remaining races in which the Eagles will be featured as a major associate sponsor. The Aerie and Auxiliary member with the most proposed members during the designated period in an eligible state will each receive two pit passes to the race.

DRC Researcher Chris Adams Develops New Therapy for Age-Related Muscle Atrophy

Scientists at the FOE Diabetes Research Center and University of Iowa have discovered the first example of a protein that causes muscle weakness and loss during aging. The protein, ATF4, is a transcription factor that alters gene expression in skeletal muscle, causing reduction of muscle protein synthesis, strength, and mass. The UI study also identifies two natural compounds, one found in apples and one found in green tomatoes, which reduce ATF4 activity in aged skeletal muscle.

Abel Elected To National Academy Of Medicine

IOWA CITY, IOWA - As many of you have probably heard, the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) is getting a new member from Iowa.

E. Dale Abel, MD, PhD, has been elected to membership in the NAM effective October 19, 2015. He is the Chair and Departmental Executive Officer of the Department of Internal Medicine, John B. Stokes III Professor in Diabetes Research, professor of internal medicine and biochemistry, director of the Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, and director of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center.