Scientists at Temple University School of Medicine have discovered that fat cells are more healthy in normal weight people than in overweight or obese people.

In the study, fat cells found in the thighs of obese subjects didn't work as well as the cells found in the thighs of thinner subjects. This information leads researchers to conclude that if the cells don't work like they should, then they are "sick" cells.

In a quote from a press release, “The fat cells we found in our obese patients were deficient in several areas,” said Guenther Boden, MD, Professor of Medicine and Chief of Endocrinology. “They showed significant stress on the endoplasmic reticulum, and the tissue itself was more inflamed than in our lean patients.”

Being obese puts stress on the cells, especially the part of the cell called the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). They are an important part of cells and their job is to synthesize proteins. When cells are stressed it causes the protein synthesis mechanisms to malfunction which can lead to insulin resistance, and possibly type 2 diabetes. This would explain the connection between obesity and type 2.

Losing weight may help lower the stress on fat cells, and subsequently lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Have you been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as an adult? There aren't many resources for adults with type 1. Most of the literature, and most of the support, is geared toward kids because typically type 1 strikes kids and teens. Not so long ago, type 1 diabetes was known as "juvenile diabetes."

How does it feel to be hit with a disease that is usually diagnosed in children? E-mails and comments from readers to About.com talk about some of the issues of dealing with a new diagnosis of type 1 as an adult.

• Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes as an Adult? You Are Not Alone

Read additional comments and stories here...

• Diagnosed with Adult Onset Type 1 Diabetes? Let us Hear Your Story

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About.com's Guide to Vision, Troy Bedinghaus, O.D., asks the question, "Are Annual Eye Exams Necessary?"

The answer is, annual eye exams are recommended for people with well-controlled diabetes. If your glucose levels are not well-controlled, however, exams should be done more frequently. Diabetes is the third leading cause of blindness in the U.S.

Read the rest of Troy's article here...

• Annual Eye Exams. Are They Really Necessary?

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Within the past year, there have been reports of 6 cases of hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis in people using Byetta, according to an announcement by the FDA. Byetta is an injectable medication used for managing blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes.

Of the six patients, two died, while the other four recovered. Byetta was discontinued as a treatment for these patients.

Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the manufacturere of Byetta is cooperating with the FDA and will add bolder warnings on the label for Byetta, warning about the risk of acute hemorrhagic, or necrotizing pancreatis.

According to the FDA the warning signs of pancreatitis include: persistent severe abdominal pain that can radiate to the back and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Acute pancreatitis is typically confirmed by the presence of elevated levels of serum amylase and/or lipase and characteristic findings by radiological imaging.

The FDA also recommends that Byetta should be discontinued if pancreatitis is suspected.

Read more about Byetta and pancreatitis from the FDA website.

• Information for Healthcare Professionals Exenatide (marketed as Byetta)