All News | Helmholtz Munich

A 3D illustration of modern news studio space with world map on a flat screen, suitable for general news background

Weight-loss medications are transforming the treatment of obesity while also attracting considerable public attention. In a recent episode of ZDF’s documentary series 37°, Prof. Dr. Andreas L. Birkenfeld from IDM Tübingen provides a scientific and…

View of brown folders, with focus on grants label, Concept of funding, 3D illustration

Leontine Sandforth from the Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases (IDM) in Tübingen has been selected for funding through the DZD Young Talent Program for the 2027–2028 funding period. The program supports promising early-career…

Stages of Life Silhouette of a Womans Journey Through Time.

Type 2 diabetes usually develops over many years, yet preventive measures often begin only once blood glucose levels are already elevated. An international panel of experts led by University Hospital Tübingen and the German Center for Diabetes…

Figuren fügen Puzzleteile in ein Gehirn ein

Researchers from IDM show that unhealthy fat distribution is associated with declining hippocampal insulin sensitivity – with particularly strong effects observed in women.

Hand choosing green happy smiley face paper cut, product, user, service feedback rating and customer reveiw, experience, satisfaction survey, psychology mental health test concept

Prediabetes is traditionally viewed as a precursor to type 2 diabetes. In a recent commentary published in Nature Reviews Endocrinology, Prof. Dr. Andreas L. Birkenfeld of the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) and University Hospital…

Kidney Picture

The journal Metabolism honors Dr. Anja Schork, who works at the Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases at Helmholtz Munich at the University of Tübingen and at the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), with the Junior Faculty…

231219-095510 - MK1_7810 - marcelkatz.de_Retusche_16zu9_4K

Sugar can be enjoyable, but it can also make you ill. How much sugar is still healthy? And are sweeteners really a good alternative? Eckart von Hirschhausen addresses these questions in his new ARD documentary “Hirschhausen und der Zucker”…

Human heart with blocked blood vessel, cholesterol blocking artery.

For the first time, an international analysis has shown that when people with prediabetes bring their blood glucose back into the normal range through lifestyle changes, their risk of heart attack, heart failure, and premature death is cut in half.…

For the first time, an international analysis has shown that when people with prediabetes bring their blood glucose back into the normal range through lifestyle changes, their risk of heart attack, heart failure, and premature death is cut in half.…

Woman's hands checking diabetes and hyperglycemia with digital blood sugar meter.

An elevated blood glucose level one hour after the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) signals a critical metabolic state – even before prediabetes. Affected individuals respond particularly well to lifestyle interventions. This value could become a…

Brain illustration depicting addiction with clouds of junk food floating in a clear sky
AdobeStock_1289451544

Eating too many sweets or fatty foods alters the brain's hunger regulation after just a few days.

Ozempic and Wegovy semaglutide pens with pink tape measure

The October 3, 2025, issue of Deutsches Ärzteblatt discussed whether GLP-1 receptor agonists, which have proven to be extremely effective in weight loss, are associated with increased muscle loss - and whether complementary therapies are therefore…

231219-085832 - MK1_7577 - marcelkatz.de_Retusche_16zu9_4K

The ARD documentary “Hirschhausen und die Abnehm-Spritze” by Kristin Siebert was awarded 2nd place at the 2025 Journalism Award.

In the program, which was broadcast on ARD on April 8, 2024, Prof. Andreas Birkenfeld, Head of the Institute for…

The X-ray of the human brain closeup image

If the brain no longer responds properly to insulin (insulin resistance), this can lead to overweight, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. Researchers at the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) in Potsdam and Tübingen have discovered small…

Healthcare concept with Ozempic pens and measurement tape. Pink setting emphasizes weight loss and diabetes support. Two injectors dosing pens for subcutaneous injection of antidiabetic medication.

A new European research initiative, CarePath, has launched with the goal of helping people with long-term health conditions manage their treatment more effectively and comfortably. By offering personalized tools and support, the project aims to…

ADA_Gruppenbild

Researchers from the IDM attended the 85th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), held from June 20 to 23 in Chicago, Illinois. As one of the two world’s largest diabetes conferences it brought together more than 11,000…

csm_310525_DMD_00024_58fec8bbe8

This year, the German Diabetes Association (DDG) has awarded the prestigious Hellmut Mehnert Project Grant to our colleague Leontine Sandforth. Named after the renowned diabetologist, the grant is awarded annually for the best-rated project proposal…

Doctor talking with a diabetes patient

The Copenhagen Declaration developed by the Global Diabetes Forum outlines a new vision for combating the global type 2 diabetes epidemic. More than 50 experts from industrialized and emerging countries are calling for far-reaching changes in…

Diabetes Sugar AI Generated Picture from AdobeStock_AdobeStock_643703004

Weltweit leben mehr als 800 Millionen Menschen mit Diabetes. Eine internationale Erklärung fordert nun tiefgreifende Veränderungen, um das Leben der Betroffenen maßgeblich zu verbessern.

Analytics intelligence concept. Group of business people discuss current financial and economic on laptop for investment at the meeting

The third cohort of the High Potentials Program (HPP) at Helmholtz Munich launched their structured training journey this April. This competitive two-year program supports early-career postdoctoral researchers in developing the skills and experience…

Brain illustration depicting addiction with clouds of junk food floating in a clear sky
AdobeStock_1289451544

The number of obese persons has grown significantly in recent decades, which presents significant difficulties for those who are impacted, healthcare systems, and those who provide treatment. The hormone insulin plays a key role in the development of…

Brain illustration depicting addiction with clouds of junk food floating in a clear sky
AdobeStock_1289451544

Study shows: The brain plays a central role in the development of obesity.

The number of obese persons has grown significantly in recent decades, which presents significant difficulties for those who are impacted, healthcare systems, and those who…

Doctor diagnose pancreas of the patient on the blurred background.

Immer mehr Menschen haben erhöhte Blutzuckerwerte, Prädiabetes, eine Vorstufe des Typ-2-Diabetes. Was Prädiabetes ist, wie viele Menschen weltweit davon betroffen sind und wie man dem Typ-2-Diabetes vorbeugen kann, erklären DZD-Forschende des…

Senior woman checking blood sugar level at home

In an article in ‘Nature Metabolism’, Andreas L. Birkenfeld and Vasilis Ntziachristos discuss advances in non-invasive glucose monitoring for people with diabetes. Optical measurements through the skin are difficult because they often only show…

Schwangere Frau sieht sich Ultraschallbilder an

The current Terra X documentary "Unser Leben – Wie es beginnt" hosted by Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim, offers a fascinating insight into the current state of knowledge in prenatal, infant, and early childhood research. A central theme of the documentary is the…

Gold Star Awards Luxury

We congratulate Johanna Boeck on being awarded the DZD NEXT Medical Doctoral Thesis Stipend. As a doctoral candidate in human medicine at the IDM in Tübingen, she will conduct research under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Reiner Jumpertz-von…

Doctor diagnose pancreas of the patient on the blurred background.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the most common complications of type 2 diabetes. People with prediabetes may already be at increased risk of these complications. DZD board member Andreas Birkenfeld, together with diabetes specialists Paul Franks…

Through treatment with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and combination therapies, persons with type 2 diabetes or obesity can significantly reduce their weight. But does the significant weight loss have a negative effect on…

Abstract blurred people socializing during coffee break at business conference.

The annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) took place this year in Madrid from September 9 to 13, 2024. This year’s scientific program included over 1200 talks and presentations on the latest findings in diabetes…

Julia_Sbierski_Kind_Med_Mitarbeiter_ 39

The DZD NEXT Young Talent Program supports our young scientists within the DZD on their way to scientific independence. Young group leaders can apply with a scientific project every year. The grants are used to finance a postdoc for two years who…