11.   A previously unknown gene appears to influence the risk of developing diabetes, particularly in Mexican-Americans, researchers say.

12.   Again, the gene appears to encode a protein critical to the development of the disease.

13.   However, the gene appears to have only a very small effect, said the expert, Dr. Wade Berrettini of the University of Pennsylvania.

14.   In the general population, the gene appears to roughly double the risk of the disease.