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Two asteroids to make close Earth passes
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Dolphins can induce diabetes when food is scarce and turn it off when food is abundant, said California scientists looking for a cure for humans.
The unique ability may result from a dolphin's need to maintain high blood sugar levels for its large brain -- an ability possibly lost by humans through evolution, said Stephanie Venn-Watson, a veterinary epidemiologist at the National Marine Mammal Foundation in San Diego.
"It is our hope that this discovery can lead to novel ways to prevent, treat and maybe even cure diabetes in humans," said Venn-Watson, who made the discovery while researching dolphins off the coast of Southern California.
By taking blood samples from dolphins who had become comfortable around researchers, Venn-Watson found they could induce type II diabetes during times of fasting when food was scarce and then almost immediately turn it off when food once again was available, The Daily Telegraph reported Friday.
People may have had the same ability because there is evidence a fasting gene still exists in humans, she said.
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BOULDER, Colo., Sept. 8 (UPI) --
Colorado officials say they have no idea exactly how many homes have been destroyed by the stubborn wildfire burning northwest of Boulder.
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