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Pharmacists Likely To Play Direct Role In Future Diabetes Management
Community pharmacists could soon be playing a more direct role in diabetes management following a new study at Brisbane’s Wesley Research Institute funded by the MBF Foundation.

The aim of the study is to help people with Type 2 Diabetes gain better control over their blood glucose levels to reduce their need for visits to the doctor or hospital admissions.

Wesley Research Institute Director, Professor Julie Campbell, said that patients in the study would use hi-tech glucose meters to measure their blood glucose levels at varying times during the day. The metres are attached to their computers and a special software program is used to chart changes in glucose levels.

“Half the study participants will take this information to their pharmacists who can advise on lifestyle changes to help moderate their blood glucose levels and prevent them becoming unwell,” said Professor Campbell. “The other half will continue to manage their blood glucose levels themselves.” Source

Diabetes test to save rhino
A test developed for New Zealand diabetes sufferers is helping the critically endangered African black rhinoceros stave off extinction.

Victoria University conservation biologist Wayne Linklater is leading an international project testing the belief that high sugar levels in female black rhinos is causing a disproportionate number of male births. About 71 per cent of black rhinos born in captivity are male.

There are about 3150 black rhinos in the wild in southern and east Africa, and 250 in captivity around the world. Dr Linklater said the captive black rhino population could be extinct within 10 to 15 years unless the sex imbalance was fixed.

“We believe that female embryos in rhinos are more vulnerable than males to excess glucose in the mother.

“Moving the rhinos to zoos or game reserves seems to increase glucose levels by either increased stress from the move or better nutrition available to the mothers in resource-rich reserves or in captivity.” Source  

Embezzler told to repay $16,893
Englewood Cliffs – A woman arrested in July for stealing from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation has been ordered to return the money, prosecutors said.

Betty Wong of North Bergen pleaded guilty to a charge of theft by deception and entered a pre-trial intervention program on Sept. 21.

Wong worked at the JDRF’s Northern New Jersey and Rockland County chapter in Englewood Cliffs. Police had said she deposited donations into personal accounts.

Wong must make full restitution to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in the amount of $16,893, according to assistant prosecutor Michael Paccioretti. (Source: NorthJersey.com)