Latest news with #tau
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Surprise Discovery Could Rewrite What We Know About Alzheimer's
A new study just uncovered a surprising link between how brain cells manage sugar and the progression of Alzheimer's disease—and the implications could reshape future treatments. Researchers at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging have discovered that stored glucose, in the form of glycogen, may not be the passive energy reserve scientists once assumed. Instead, it may actively contribute to the buildup of tau proteins, a hallmark of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. Tauopathies like Alzheimer's are characterized by toxic tangles of tau inside neurons. But this study, published in Nature Metabolism, found that those tangles may form, at least in part, because of disruptions in how glycogen is processed in the brain. 'Stored glycogen doesn't just sit there in the brain,' said Buck Institute biologist Pankaj Kapahi. 'It is involved in pathology.' Using fruit fly models and postmortem brain cells from people with Alzheimer's, scientists found elevated levels of both tau and glycogen. The buildup appeared to be driven by a breakdown in how glycogen is metabolized, specifically through the enzyme glycogen phosphorylase (GlyP), which normally helps convert glycogen into usable fuel. When researchers increased GlyP activity in the flies, they saw significant benefits. Brain cells reduced oxidative stress, protected themselves better, and even lived longer. The team also tested whether a low-protein diet, already linked to improved brain health, might produce similar effects. It did. Fruit flies fed this restricted diet showed fewer signs of damage and extended lifespans, suggesting that dietary changes could naturally shift brain metabolism in a protective direction. Even more intriguing, the researchers developed a drug that mimicked the effect of dietary restriction. It worked. And they noted potential crossover with medications like Ozempic, which may also support brain health by targeting glycogen-related pathways. 'By discovering how neurons manage sugar,' said lead researcher Sudipta Bar, 'we may have unearthed a novel therapeutic strategy—one that targets the cell's inner chemistry to fight age-related decline.' If future studies replicate these results in humans, this could mark a turning point in our understanding and treatment of Alzheimer' Discovery Could Rewrite What We Know About Alzheimer's first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 7, 2025
![Future-ready cities built on 3 pillars - culture, community, sustainability [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Future-ready cities built on 3 pillars - culture, community, sustainability [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: Future-ready cities are those that blend modernisation with heritage and identity, said urban experts. Chartered architect and urban strategist Lim Take Bane said successful developments were built upon three pillars — culture, community and sustainability. "Future-ready cities are inclusive, connected and designed with heart, where it is not just a technical exercise; it's about creating spaces that work for people," said Lim. Speaking on NST's Beyond The Headlines podcast, Lim said at the heart of urban planning was "planning for people". "A truly great city is one that is walkable, child-friendly, economically diverse and full of character," he said. Lim pointed to Kuala Lumpur's recognition as among Southeast Asia's most liveable cities — ahead of Bangkok and Jakarta — as evidence that Malaysia was on the right track. The federal capital's well-balanced integration of transport systems, green spaces, digital infrastructure and urban connectivity were signs of its liveability. He said neighbourhoods like Taman Tun Dr Ismail and Bangsar were examples of transit-oriented development, where schools, offices, commercial centres and public transport were all within walking distance. "In these areas, you don't need a car. You can connect to the LRT, cycle or walk. The street design itself fosters a healthier, more connected lifestyle," he said. Vibrant cities, he said, were built around human experience, local stories and a strong sense of place, were the foundation of growth. Lim pointed to towns in Perak as an example of vibrant urban centres. He said these towns emerged from the tin mining boom and had blossomed with distinct cultural identities. "We were once the world's largest exporter of tin. Towns like Gopeng and Bidor grew as weigh stations along the old trunk road. "Today, places like Bidor are famous for biscuits, Kajang for satay, and Ampang for yong tau foo. Malaysians love their food, and they will travel for it," Lim noted. This deep attachment to local places, he said, should be a driving force in urban planning. Selangor, he said, was another example of a thriving state which retained livability and economic prosperity. "We don't have a problem in Selangor of people leaving to find better opportunities outside, unlike in Johor, where people migrate from the state's north to the south for better jobs," he said. He said successful cities were those which had an "instant narrative of where your town had come from". "Use that history to build your city's future. Ultimately, a city that works is a city with a soul," he added. Economist Professor Dr Barjoyai Bardai, who was also on the podcast, said Malaysia's push for modernisation must retain the charm and potential of smaller towns. "We should avoid losing what already works. "Places like Meru, Jenjarom and Kapar may be seen as small towns, but they hold significant cultural and economic potential with the right improvements," he said.
