New research is revealing that cells passed from mother to child during pregnancy could be used to treat diabetes. Scientists found these cells can develop into functioning islet beta cells which produce insulin in the pancreas.

Scientists studied 172 individuals and took pancreatic tissue from four deceased males. They found small numbers of female islet beta cells able to produce insulin. There was no evidence the mother's cells were causing damage or becoming the target of an immune response. However, the team found more maternal DNA in the blood of children and young adults with type 1 diabetes than in healthy individuals. Researchers believe the maternal cells may be helping to regenerate tissue in the pancreas.

I heard about this study last year. It sounded quite promising and led me to wonder if I had a child - could the stem cells from the umbilical cord become healthy beta cells for me? Sure. However, the big question still remains - how can I stop the killer Ts from spanking my islets in the first place?

Think the real world -- New York to California. That is exactly what Gina Capone did to capture the attention of a girl like myself, ransacking search engines for some refreshing diabetic websites. Gina, with her friend Jon, copiloted the launch of DIABETEStalkfest.

Focusing on the forgotten generation, young adults between the ages of 18-35, DIABETEStalkfest is an online community built by people with diabetes for people with diabetes.

Gina, a type 1 diabetic and native New Yorker, and Jon Schlaman, who has a son with type 1 diabetes and lives in California, met on a diabetes message board. Jon and Gina realized there was a shortage of good, fun, diabetes-related sites on the internet. Gina and Jon, formed a lasting friendship and business partnership, communicating only through message boards and IM's.

The inviting thing about DIABETEStalkfest is that you can find real friendships and support. Express yourself at their message board, or connect with other people in their online chat or even catch a live chat with professionals in the field. Join the unscripted fun on DIABETEStalkfest!

Shannon Lewis, whose little boy Brendon was diagnosed with diabetes while still a toddler, blogs Mom Wants A Diabetes Cure ... pure and simple. In a recent post, she shared the moment of realization of what she needed to do to be the mother Brendon needed her to be.

Shannon did all the rights things that mothers do when they are pregnant and avoided all the things mothers are supposed to avoid when they share the same heartbeat with another human being, sustaining their life until they enter the world and can sustain life on their own.

When your baby is born, you listen for the cry. Then you check the fingers and toes. Then you wait while the doctor and nurses run your newborn through a quick series of tests. Brendon was born with all his fingers and toes, and he aced the APGAR. Brendon was home-free to the beginning of a healthy life. Shannon's efforts during her pregnancy to be healthy for both herself and her baby had served them well.

Two and a half years later, Brendon lay on a gurney in the ER, limp, seemingly lifeless, with shallow breath and sallow skin. What had gone wrong to such a perfect beginning for Brendon? He was diagnosed with diabetes and Shannon's idealistic concept of motherhood and her child's health became forever altered. She writes poignantly about the threshold from one reality to the next and touches your heart in the passage. It's a must-read post for all mothers.

Richard Kahn, Chief Scientific & Medical Officer for the American Diabetes Association, is blogging the American Diabetes Association's 66th Annual Scientific Sessions. From June 9 - 13, the annual convention brings together leading scientists and health professionals to present the latest study findings and to discuss the current and future progress in the field of diabetes prevention and care.

So far, some of Kahn's posts have covered such topics as: insulin and longevity; endocannabinoids, oral insulin, the new A1C test, who is responsible for optimal diabetes care; the worm study; and you are what your mother ate during her pregnancy. The posting is written in a light and easy manner, not requiring the average person to being a textbook of medical definitions to make sense out of what is being said. I assume Kahn will continue blogging through June 13. You can read Richard's D.C. Diary here.