Scientists from Britain developed a new blood test to predict diabetes 10 years earlier. This test is based on detecting levels of a genetic molecule called microRNA (MiR) in the blood. This test is expected to be used together with other conventional tests, and very importantly pin point the risk probability of heart and artery diseases as well. This micro-RNA, known as MiR-126, protects blood vessels from damage. Healthy blood vessel cells are able to release substantial MiR-126 in to the blood stream. After getting damaged, the blood vessels need to keep the MiR-126 for themselves and shed less in to the blood.

    The main advantage was that it directly assessed the damage, diabetes was causing to blood vessels. "It's very important for doctors to define those diabetic patients that are at the highest risk of developing cardiovascular complications," said Dr Mayr, the lead scientist from King's College, London.

    "We hope that this new class of blood markers may give additional insight that we're currently not getting from other clinical tests." He added.