By the time people are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, most of the body’s insulin producing cells have been destroyed. Earlier diagnosis could soon be available thanks to scientists at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. They identified a group of hidden immune attack cells in the pancreatic lymph nodes that show up earlier in type 1 diabetes. They say this could offer the first real chance to detect and even stop the disease. This research shows changes in the attack cells while it is unfolding, not just seeing damage after the fact. Authors say the immune cell changes begin early, potentially while plenty of insulin-producing cells are still healthy. The study appears in the journal Science Immunology.