Pancreas

For the first time, scientists have identified 27 bacteria and fungi in our mouth that contribute to pancreatic cancer. Collectively, carrying all of these “bad” microbes increases cancer risk by 250% – 3.5 times higher than in the general population.

Borrowing a cancer cell’s disguise, scientists shielded insulin-producing cells from attack by the immune system, a breakthrough that could pave the way for targeted type 1 diabetes treatments without whole-body immunosuppression.

Eating a Western diet permanently affects insulin production and blood sugar control even after the diet is changed and weight is lost. The new research suggests that early intervention is needed to prevent permanent damage from diet-related obesity.