Hookworm

Diabetes was the focus of much research in 2023, resulting in a few ‘world-firsts’. From trialing a diabetes-slowing tablet to using plant extracts and creepy crawlies to lower blood sugars, here are the top diabetes stories of the past year.

For many, the idea of having a few dozen hookworms set up shop in your gut sounds more like a Survivor challenge than a beneficial health therapy, but scientists see a bright future in the human worm farm's ability to protect against chronic disease.

A clinical trial of a permanent vaccine developed by the US-based Sabin Vaccine Institute for hookworm has been completed in Brazil, giving hope for a permanent end to a problem that affects 600 million people worldwide.