Even in the face of the ever-spreading and increasingly dangerous epidemic of diabetes, it is impossible not to feel hopeful. Today, we are blessed to be living in a time of explosive research and developments, a time when scientists and patients alike are fighting to improve the lives of millions diagnosed with the disease.

Nina Nazor, About's Diabetes Guide, has compiled a list of 2005's Top Ten Breakthroughs.

Some of them are obvious; some may surprise you. Perhaps most intriguing is the release of new nutritional guidelines:

This new guidelines recommend that 40 percent of total daily calories come from carbohydrates...This is a new approach since the american diabetes Association guidelines state that low carb diets are not recommended in the management of diabetes. They recommend an intake of 45 to 65% of total calories from carbs. In addition, both the Joslin and the ADA's guidelines mention that "because the brain and central nervous system have an absolute requirement for glucose as an energy source, restricting total carbohydrate to less than 130 g/day is not recommended".

Celebrate the breakthroughs, then please share: what would you add to the list?