A study of nearly 7,000 children found that inherited genetic risk did not explain why children whose mothers had type 1 diabetes developed the disease at about half the rate of children whose fathers had it

AURORA, Colo., Nov. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ – Children whose mothers have type 1 diabetes develop the disease at about half the rate of children whose fathers have it. Inherited genetic risk alone does not explain this long-observed maternal effect, according to a study led by researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz and published in Diabetes Care. The findings point to other possible biological mechanisms that warrant further investigation.

Researchers analyzed 6,942 children in The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) study, which followed children at increased genetic risk for type 1 diabetes from infancy into adolescence.

Researchers also examined a long-standing question: Could pregnancy loss help explain why children whose mothers have type 1 diabetes develop the disease less often?

“For decades, this relative maternal protection effect has been consistently observed across studies of living offspring of people with type 1 diabetes. One long-standing but unproven explanation is that this relative protection is an artefact resulting from the selective loss of pregnancies involving the highest-risk offspring,” said Randi K. Johnson, PhD, MPH, associate professor of biomedical informatics at the CU Anschutz School of Medicine and senior author of the study. “Advancements in genetics allowed us to comprehensively examine this phenomenon in the largest prospective cohort study of type 1 diabetes in the world.”

Genetic Risk Does Not Explain the Difference

Researchers compared children’s inherited genetic risk for type 1 diabetes using an extended genetic risk score. They found no significant difference in the genetic risk score between children whose mothers had type 1 diabetes and those whose fathers had the disease.

Despite similar genetic risk scores, children of affected mothers developed type 1 diabetes at about half the rate during the study. They also had a lower risk of developing islet autoimmunity, an early sign of immune system activity against the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas that precedes a type 1 diabetes diagnosis.

The Effect Changes With Age

Researchers found that the reduction in islet autoimmunity among children of affected mothers disappeared after age 6. The study also found no evidence that these children progressed more slowly to a type 1 diabetes diagnosis after developing islet autoimmunity.

“Our age-specific analysis shows that the maternal protective effect operates in early life, during the initiation of preclinical type 1 diabetes. The fact that the effect wanes rather than staying constant points future research toward more dynamic mechanisms,” said Sarah D. Slack, senior information science professional in the Department of Biomedical Informatics at CU Anschutz and lead author of the study.

Opening New Avenues for Prevention

Although the study does not identify the cause of maternal protection or establish pregnancy as its direct source, the findings challenge the hypothesis that pregnancy loss explains the phenomenon and point toward other possible explanations.

“Our goal is to find ways to prevent type 1 diabetes from occurring. Establishing that the relative maternal protection in type 1 diabetes is not an artefact of pregnancy survival tells us that there may be some mechanism at work in a type 1 diabetes pregnancy that confers a benefit to the offspring. Our next task is to find and understand that mechanism so we can develop solutions that might mimic that benefit for all children,” said Johnson.

Epigenetic changes are one possible biological mechanism under investigation by Johnson and team. Epigenetic changes affect how genes are switched on or off without changing the underlying DNA sequence. These changes can be influenced by factors during pregnancy and early life.

The study was supported by a grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Charitable Trust.

“Helmsley supports this important work because we are committed to developing strategies to prevent or delay the development of type 1 diabetes, including through identifying factors underlying maternal protection,” said Maryaline Coffre, Program Officer at Helmsley.

Identifying the mechanisms behind maternal protection could help researchers determine whether early-life biological processes offer opportunities to prevent or delay type 1 diabetes.

About the University of Colorado Anschutz
The University of Colorado Anschutz is a world-class academic medical campus leading transformative advances in science, medicine, education and patient care. The campus includes the University of Colorado’s health professional schools, more than 60 centers and institutes, and two nationally ranked independent hospitals – UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital Colorado – which see nearly three million adult and pediatric patient visits each year. Innovative, interconnected and highly collaborative, CU Anschutz delivers life-changing treatments, exceptional patient care and top-tier professional training. The campus conducts world-renowned research supported by $890 million in funding, including $762 million in sponsored awards and $128 million in philanthropic gifts for research.

Find the latest CU Anschutz news here.

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SOURCE University of Colorado Anschutz

As HBO’s New Harry Potter Series Arrives This Christmas, Travelers Can Experience the Magic of the Original Films Aboard Scotland’s Famous Steam Train

CHICAGO, Nov. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Great Rail Journeys (formerly Vacations By Rail), invites travelers to experience the magic of the wizarding world aboard Scotland’s Jacobite Steam Train, famously associated with the Hogwarts Express in the original Harry Potter films. As HBO’s new Harry Potter series approaches its December 25 premiere, fans can plan a 2027 escape through the Scottish Highlands, discovering the landscapes and filming locations that helped bring the beloved stories to life.

Known worldwide as the real-life Hogwarts Express, the Jacobite travels an 84-mile round trip between Fort William and Mallaig. Its signature moment comes as the steam train crosses the 21-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct, immortalized in the films as the Hogwarts Express makes its way toward the magical school. The crossing offers travelers the chance to experience one of cinema’s most recognizable railway scenes firsthand.

The adventure begins in Fort William, beneath Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the British Isles. From there, vintage carriages carry passengers past dramatic mountains, shimmering lochs, remote villages and sweeping green glens before reaching the fishing village of Mallaig. Along the way, travelers can take in views toward Loch Shiel, another landscape recognizable from the films. The rhythmic clickety-clack of the rails, the locomotive’s whistle and clouds of steam create an atmosphere reminiscent of a bygone era of travel.

“Stepping onto the platform at Fort William, it’s like you’ve gone back to a golden age of travel. Vintage carriages line the tracks, steam billows from the mighty engine, and you can feel the excitement building all around you. Then, you step aboard and are whisked off to Hogwarts through some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. Having experienced the Jacobite several times, it’s truly a wonder to behold. Seeing the smiling faces of Harry Potter fans along the way makes you wonder whether magic really does exist,” said Gary Crompton, Product Manager at Great Rail Journeys.

Although its Harry Potter connection has transformed the Jacobite into a bucket-list experience for fans, the railway’s appeal extends far beyond the screen. Passengers have traveled through the Scottish Highlands on this route for more than 120 years, experiencing landscapes that change with the seasons. Traveling at a leisurely pace of no more than 50 miles per hour, the steam-hauled journey offers an immersive way to discover Scotland’s natural beauty while embracing the nostalgia of rail travel.

Great Rail Journeys, a trusted leader in rail travel for more than 50 years, offers a selection of 2027 Scottish vacations, including Edinburgh, the Highlands & Islands; Highland Adventure; and The Best of Scotland & Ireland. These curated itineraries showcase Scotland’s spectacular scenery, historic destinations and railway heritage, combining rail experiences with cultural exploration. Jacobite train experiences vary by tour and departure, with service generally operating seasonally from April through October. Travelers should review individual itineraries to confirm whether a Jacobite ride is included.

For longtime fans revisiting the original films and newcomers discovering Harry Potter through the upcoming series, the Jacobite offers an unforgettable reason to explore Scotland. From the first burst of steam at Fort William to the celebrated crossing of Glenfinnan Viaduct, this railway journey brings a touch of cinematic magic into the real world.

For more information about the Jacobite Steam Train and Great Rail Journeys’ Scotland vacations, visit greatrail.com/us/trains/jacobite-steam-train/ or call (877) 929-7245. Follow Great Rail Journeys on Instagram and Facebook at @greatrailjourneys.us.

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SOURCE Great Rail Journeys

Specializing in butcher block since 2006, the John Boos & Co. Premier Partner marks two decades as an online butcher block specialist

PHOENIX, Nov. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Butcher Block Co. (BBCO), “THE Experts in All Things Butcher Block,” today announced its 20th anniversary of selling butcher block online. The company launched in 2006 as a specialty e-retailer focused on butcher block, with products from John Boos & Co. at the heart of its assortment. Twenty years later, the selection has grown considerably, but the focus remains the same: exceptional wood countertops, kitchen island tops, butcher block furniture, cutting boards and the product knowledge to help customers choose and care for them.

20 years. One specialty. Butcher block.

From its first online storefront in 2006 to today, butcher block has always been Butcher Block Co.’s specialty. That focus is what supports the company’s positioning today. The specialization came first, and two decades spent in that specialty earned Butcher Block Co. its place as the Experts in All Things Butcher Block.

Key milestones include:

2006: Butcher Block Co. launches as a specialty e-retailer focused on butcher block.2012 and beyond: New ownership further develops the business and establishes the “Experts in All Things Butcher Block” positioning.2026: Butcher Block Co. celebrates 20 years of selling butcher block online.

A trusted online source for John Boos

John Boos & Co. has made butcher block in Effingham, Illinois, since 1887, and remains the worldwide leader in the category it created. John Boos has been central to Butcher Block Co. since the company’s earliest days online, and Butcher Block Co. is John Boos & Co.’s Premier Partner in the online shopping channel, offering the full line of John Boos products. Two decades of selling John Boos countertops, butcher blocks, tables, kitchen furniture and cutting boards have given the Butcher Block Co. team deep familiarity with the products, options and details that matter when making the right selection.

“Butcher Block Co. has specialized in butcher block since 2006, and that focus is still what sets us apart,” said Kathleen Grodsky, owner of Butcher Block Co. “Twenty years of selling John Boos means we know the details that matter, from wood species and grain to sizing and care. When customers choose a countertop or a piece of Boos furniture that will be in their kitchen for decades, that’s the knowledge they’re counting on.”

Christmas starts early with John Boos

For holiday shoppers, Butcher Block Co. recommends ordering John Boos products by November 13, 2026, to ensure delivery by Christmas. Handcrafted, made-to-order John Boos butcher blocks are more than a gift; they’re a lasting piece of family tradition. Shoppers can browse the full selection at ButcherBlockCo.com.

Anniversary at a glance

Online since: 2006Specialty: Butcher block countertops, island tops, furniture, cutting boards and care productsJohn Boos & Co.: Premier Partner in the online shopping channel, carrying the full lineHoliday order deadline: November 13, 2026, for John Boos delivery by Christmas

About Butcher Block Co.

Butcher Block Co. launched online in 2006 as a specialty retailer of butcher block, with John Boos & Co. products at the heart of its early assortment. Over the past two decades, the company has expanded its selection and expertise. What began as a specialty e-retailer has grown into a leading online resource for butcher block products and information, earning its place today as the Experts in All Things Butcher Block.

For more information, visit https://butcherblockco.com.

Media Contact

Kathleen, Butcher Block Co, 1 8778455597, kathleen.grodsky@butcherblockco.com, https://butcherblockco.com/

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