WEDNESDAY, Aug. 27 (HealthDay News) -- Scientists have succeeded in transforming pancreatic cells from adult mice into insulin-producing beta cells, a feat they call an "extreme makeover."

The achievement is a step toward finding a treatment or even a cure for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, both of which involve problems with either insulin production or uptake.

The process, reported online Aug. 27 in Nature, bypassed some of the steps usually required in this type of procedure.

TUESDAY, Aug. 12 (HealthDay News) -- Earlier onset, longer duration and greater severity of diabetes may increase the risk for mild cognitive impairment, according to Mayo Clinic researchers.

Previous research identified a link between mild cognitive impairment and diabetes. Poor blood glucose (sugar) control over a long period of time may lead to a loss of brain cells, according to background information in a news release about the study.

In addition, diabetes is associated with cardiovascular disease risk and stroke, which may increase the risk of cognitive impairment.

Not too long ago, a friend of mine told me that she might have diabetes. She was clearly surprised and taken aback at the potential diagnosis and was sucking in air. So was I, quite frankly, when she told me what was going on.

Coincidentally, less than a week later, my physician told me that my fasting blood sugar level from my latest round of blood work was too high. I started sucking in air all over again. In addition, my thyroid levels were off again.