All articles tagged with #fruit flies
Researchers successfully transferred a courtship behavior from one species of fruit fly to another by modifying a single gene, demonstrating that small genetic changes can lead to significant behavioral differences and contribute to species evolution.
A pest expert explains that fruit flies are attracted to fermented and sugary foods and liquids, and offers simple prevention tips such as frequent garbage disposal, cleaning, and proper storage of produce. To eliminate existing infestations, a vinegar and dish soap trap can be effective. Maintaining cleanliness and reducing moisture are key to preventing these pests in the kitchen.
Researchers discovered that nerve cells sensing limb motion in fruit flies are turned off during movement, allowing the brain to switch between stabilizing posture and enabling dynamic action. This neural circuit, involving interneurons, helps balance stability and movement, with potential implications for treating human motor disorders and injury recovery.
Scientists successfully transferred a nuptial gift-giving behavior from Drosophila subobscura to Drosophila melanogaster by manipulating a single gene, FruM, in insulin-producing brain cells, revealing how small genetic changes can repurpose existing neural circuits to create new social behaviors and offering insights into evolution and behavior modification.
A study using fruit flies suggests that mitochondrial overload in brain cells triggers sleep by signaling when the brain's energy reserves are depleted, providing new insights into the cellular basis of sleep and its importance for health.
Researchers have developed a fruit fly model that voluntarily consumes cocaine by disabling their bitter taste receptors, enabling rapid study of the genetic and neurological mechanisms of cocaine addiction, which could accelerate the development of treatments for cocaine use disorder.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have discovered that centromeres, crucial for cell division, can rapidly reorganize over short evolutionary timescales, suggesting they may be hotspots for evolutionary innovation. This finding, observed in fruit flies, challenges the notion that essential genetic structures are highly conserved, revealing instead that centromeres undergo dramatic shifts in their genetic elements. The study highlights the potential implications for understanding genome instability-related diseases, such as cancer.
Chinese astronauts aboard the Tiangong space station are conducting experiments with fruit flies to study the effects of microgravity and sub-magnetic environments on living organisms. The research aims to understand molecular mechanisms and biological rhythms in space, with implications for future deep space exploration. The experiment involves comparing gene expression in fruit flies exposed to different magnetic conditions, with samples to be returned to Earth for analysis.
Research on fruit flies reveals that the neurotransmitter octopamine determines whether food memories are stored long-term or short-term based on energy reserves, influencing future eating behavior. High glycogen levels lead to stable food memories and increased food intake, suggesting similar mechanisms may contribute to overeating and obesity in humans.
A groundbreaking study on fruit flies has challenged traditional views on motor neurons, revealing that individual motor neurons can produce a variety of complex head movements rather than just simple actions. Utilizing advanced laboratory techniques and artificial intelligence, researchers were able to stimulate single motor neurons and observe the resultant movements, uncovering a sophisticated system akin to a digital thermostat that adjusts based on the body’s current posture. This discovery not only challenges existing notions of motor neuron functionality but also opens new avenues for understanding motor system diseases and the interplay between different types of neurons in movement control.
A study on fruit flies has revealed the neural pathways involved in navigation, showing how three distinct groups of neurons translate directional signals into corrective actions. This research not only deepens our understanding of navigation in simpler organisms but also lays the groundwork for future studies on the neural basis of behavior in more complex species, including humans. The findings provide insights into how internal cognitive states like direction sense are converted into tangible actions, offering a detailed look at how directional sensing is functionally connected to the brain’s steering mechanisms, guiding navigation.
Researchers have uncovered the genetic secrets behind the sensory evolution of fruit flies, revealing how genetic variations enable them to adapt their sense of smell and taste to diverse environments. The study identified a mix of stabilising selection and significant gene expression changes in Drosophila species, shaping their olfactory senses, and also revealed male-biased gene expression in the front legs of D. melanogaster, suggesting a special role in male scent detection. These findings not only deepen our understanding of fruit flies’ sensory adaptations but also shed light on the broader mechanisms of sensory system evolution across species, offering insights into the evolutionary dynamics of sensory systems with implications for understanding sex differences and sensory perception in a wide range of organisms.
A recent study by scientists from Durham University and Oxford Brookes University has shed light on the genetic mechanisms driving the rapid evolution of male external genitalia in fruit flies, revealing the influence of factors like female choice and reproductive requirements. The identification of a crucial gene involved in shaping male genitalia represents a significant breakthrough in understanding the complex relationship between genetics and sexual selection.
A study on male fruit flies reveals that repeated sexual rejection leads to increased activity, aggression, and anti-social behavior, indicating a frustration-like stress state mediated by the neuropeptide F signaling system in the brain. This social stress affects the flies' resilience to other stressors like starvation and toxic exposure, providing valuable insights into the neurobiological basis of social stress in a model organism.
Chronic stress can lead to depression-like behaviors in fruit flies, but a study conducted by researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz has found that Ayurvedic medicinal plants, particularly Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) and Centella asiatica, can improve the flies' resilience to chronic stress when used prophylactically. The study also identified chlorogenic acid, found in Centella asiatica and other botanicals like coffee beans, as a key anti-stress substance. This research highlights the potential of traditional medicinal plants in treating stress-related disorders and sheds light on the biological mechanisms of stress resilience.