Death Perception News

science2 years ago•3 min saved

Witnessing Death Accelerates Aging in Flies

A study published in PLOS Biology has found that fruit flies age faster after seeing dead flies. The research revealed groups of neurons in the insects’ brains that make them age faster after seeing dead flies. The results will help scientists understand how an animal’s brain turns what it perceives into physical reactions in the body. The shorter life span results from stress caused by perceiving death. Chronic stress in animals leads to health problems and shortens life spans, and flies have a stress response, too.

via Yahoo! Voices|

#aging #death-perception #flies

science2 years ago•3 min saved

Witnessing Death Causes Fruit Flies to Age Faster, Study Finds

A study published in PLOS Biology has found that fruit flies age faster after seeing dead flies. The research revealed groups of neurons in the insects’ brains that make them age faster after seeing dead flies. The results will help scientists understand how an animal’s brain turns what it perceives into physical reactions in the body. The shorter life span results from stress caused by perceiving death. Chronic stress in animals leads to health problems and shortens life spans, and flies have a stress response, too.

via Yahoo News|

#aging #death-perception #flies

science2 years ago•2 min saved

The Deadly Impact of Witnessing Death on Fruit Flies

Fruit flies exposed to dead conspecifics have a shorter lifespan, lose body fat, and age faster. Researchers have found that two neuron types receptive to the neurotransmitter serotonin become activated when fruit flies perceive dead comrades, and this increased activity accelerates the flies' aging process. The study may provide insight into how specific neural states impact behavior and physiology, particularly in people who are routinely exposed to stressful situations surrounding death.

via ScienceAlert|

#aging #death-perception #fruit-flies

science2 years ago•3 min saved

The Grim Effects of Death on Flies' Lifespan

Fruit flies that witness death age faster and die sooner than their non-traumatized counterparts, according to a study published in PLOS Biology. Researchers at the University of Michigan discovered groups of neurons in the insects’ brains that make them age faster after seeing dead flies. The results will help scientists understand how an animal’s brain turns what it perceives into physical reactions in the body. The shorter life span could be due to stress caused by perceiving death or a sign of danger for those still living. The researchers hope to take a broader view of their results and look at other ways that social interactions, or the lack of them, influence aging in flies.

via The New York Times|

#aging #death-perception #fruit-flies