Articles tagged with Drosophila
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JGU researchers found that specific neurons' synapses lose function with age, leading to a decline in the fly's ability to escape predators. This discovery highlights the trade-off between neural plasticity and vulnerability during aging.
A new study uses fruit flies to explore the relationship between sleep and diet, finding that energy deprivation leads to increased feeding and sleeping behavior. The researchers propose that correcting sleep habits may help alleviate eating and metabolic disorders.
A study from the Champalimaud Foundation found that when fruit flies are deprived of essential amino acids, their brains upregulate two olfactory receptor genes involved in smell, leading to a refined sense of smell that guides them to protein-rich yeast and gut bacteria. This interplay between smell and taste regulates feeding behavior.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba identified a peptide hormone called Capa that regulates calcium levels in fruit flies. The study found that Capa is secreted by specific neurons and acts on organs similar to vertebrate kidneys to mobilize calcium from stored reserves.
Scientists at RIKEN Center for Brain Science found that fruit flies use separate circuits to compute pleasant and unpleasant odors, challenging the idea that 'good' is the opposite of 'bad'. The discovery may contribute to a better understanding of human brain's flavor appreciation mechanisms.
Researchers identified Phaedra1 as a gene essential for stress-induced cell death in Drosophila melanogaster. The mTOR-Zeste-Phae1 pathway controls lethal stress-dependent individual death. Suppressing this pathway increases survival rates after exposure to lethal stress.
Researchers at Stanford University tracked the evolution of fruit fly populations in response to pesticide exposure, finding that resistance alleles persist through a mechanism known as 'dominance reversal.' This process allows alleles to function as either dominant or recessive depending on environmental conditions, maintaining geneti...
Researchers discovered that a small tissue fold, cephalic furrow, plays a crucial role in stabilizing embryonic tissues during fruit fly development. The formation of the furrow absorbs compressive stresses and prevents mechanical instabilities.
Researchers have deciphered the fly brain's process of filtering out visual information during sleep, creating a 'window' that allows strong stimuli to wake them up. This study may hold parallels for human brain function and could reveal a universal principle of sleep.
Researchers successfully transferred a gift-giving courtship behavior from Drosophila subobscura to Drosophila melanogaster by manipulating a single gene in insulin-producing neurons. This study represents the first example of transferring behavior between species through genetic manipulation.
Researchers found that spermidine supplementation improves memory and preserves physical activity, while reducing protein intake boosts mitochondrial activity and extends lifespan. Combining the two interventions offers additive benefits, suggesting potential for synergistic effects.
Researchers have discovered an oral drug called MA-5 that can improve both heart and muscle problems in patients with Barth syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. The drug boosts cellular energy production by up to 50% and protects cells from oxidative stress-induced death, addressing the underlying cause of the disease.
Dr. Salil Bidaye has received a $450,000 Klingenstein fellowship award to investigate the mechanisms behind postural instability, a hallmark of many neurological disorders that decreases quality of life. His research aims to advance motor control research across other model systems and inform brain-computer interface prosthetics.
A recent study has identified a gene, Zelda, that plays a crucial role in regulating the end of regrowth in fruit fly larvae. The researchers found that Zelda helps control the activity of genes involved in tissue development, revealing a new understanding of the regenerative process.
Researchers created genetically modified fruit flies that become addicted to cocaine, revealing a potential model for understanding and treating cocaine use disorder. The study's findings suggest that the key to preventing cocaine addiction lies in the flies' ability to detect bitter flavors, which can be mimicked in humans.
A new study uses a fruit fly model to investigate the genetic basis of cocaine addiction. By genetically modifying bitter-sensing receptors in fruit flies, researchers found that these flies developed a preference for cocaine over sugar. This study suggests that genes involved in human cocaine addiction may also be active in fruit flies.
Researchers have identified a monoacylglycerol acyltransferase (MGAT)-coding gene named bishu-1 that maintains the expression level of thermal receptors and modulates cool temperature sensation and avoidance behavior. The discovery could promote the development of lipid-mediated treatments for maintaining thermosensation in humans.
A recent study by Iowa State University researchers found that fruit flies missing a crucial developmental hormone, PTTH, live up to 30% longer due to reduced inflammaging. The connection between developmental timing and lifespan in fruit flies could be a useful model for studying human longevity.
Researchers have created a library of genetically engineered fruit flies linked to individual neurons in the nerve cord to characterize the circuits controlling wing motion. The study provides a resource for studying motor control of wing movements and courtship behaviors.
Researchers have found that promoting glucose metabolism in glial cells can relieve inflammation and photoreceptor degeneration in Alzheimer's patients. This discovery presents an exciting new therapeutic target for treating neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's.
Researchers have discovered that inhibiting the metalloprotease ADAM19 can reduce gut inflammation and cell aging markers across species. The study found that blocking ADAM19 reduced gut damage and inflammation in fruit flies, mice, and human cells, offering a promising path for creating treatments to maintain healthy tissues.
Two brain proteins, Imp and Sdc, play a crucial role in preventing seizures by regulating neuronal growth and brain circuit development. Reducing either protein can lead to seizure-prone behavior in flies, highlighting their importance in seizure regulation.
A new study reveals that the presence of Nora virus in laboratory strains of Drosophila fruit flies can increase their sensitivity to bacterial infection and limit their lifespan. Flies with persistent viral infections have higher stem cell growth rates, making them more susceptible to secondary pathogenic infections.
Researchers developed a freely available analysis tool, DANCE, for automating the quantification of male aggression and courtship behaviors in fruit flies. The tool uses machine learning and has been shown to be as accurate as expert manual scoring with costs less than $0.30 per experiment.
Researchers found that lower environmental temperature during pupal development correlates to more synapses and postsynaptic partners in the brain, which affects odor-driven behavior. The study suggests a metabolic theory for brain wiring at different temperatures.
Researchers found that Copia's capsid plays a crucial role in controlling structural synaptic plasticity at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction. The study suggests that this parasitic genome element influences neuronal communication and behavior.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers observed flies displaying play-like behaviors, such as swinging and sliding, in response to a rotating carousel. The findings provide valuable insights into the genetic and neuronal factors underlying playful behavior in insects.
Researchers at the University of Utah Health have identified a gene variant called CNTN2 that may protect against PIGA-CDG, an ultra-rare genetic disease causing seizures and developmental delays. This finding could lead to better therapies for PIGA-CDG by targeting multiple genes involved in symptom severity.
Researchers found that specific brain signals and groups of brain cells are involved in alcohol-induced insomnia, which could lead to targeted treatments for sleep loss. The study suggests that targeting specific brain cells may help people recover from alcohol use disorder.
Researchers identified two venom genes in parasitoid wasps that degrade adult tissue precursors in host fly larvae, ensuring successful parasitism. The findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms behind the sophisticated survival strategy of these wasps.
A team of researchers has developed a theoretical model forecasting the ideal body plan of a fruit fly's early embryo, indicating that evolution might have had many optimal options. The study suggests that optimization is a key driving force in nature, with biological systems often having multiple optimal solutions for the same problem.
A study led by Toho University and Maastricht University revealed that loss of VCP gene function during neural development causes FTLD. This finding offers fundamental insights for developing new treatments for the disease.
A study by Tulane University researchers found that tumors in female fruit flies grew 2.5 times larger than those in male fruit flies due to sex-based differences in immune response. The stronger innate immune response in females accelerated tumor growth.
Researchers at Osaka University uncovered the molecular details of how Drosophila fruit fly cells are removed during development, challenging the common assumption that clustered apoptosis poses a disadvantage to organisms. This study may help determine how abnormal cell death leads to congenital defects in humans.
Fruit flies have a unique mechanism to maintain stable visual processing even when light levels change rapidly, thanks to the identification of neuronal cell types and algorithms that spatially pool information on luminance. This discovery could provide insights into how visual information is processed in mammals, including humans.
Scientists studied Drosophila species' ability to adapt to day length fluctuations, revealing the critical role of the Pdf gene in regulating circadian plasticity. The study found that Drosophila melanogaster has a wider distribution due to its flexibility in responding to environmental changes.
Researchers at UC Davis studied the Drosophila uterus and found over 20 cell types, revealing previously invisible anatomy. The study also identified seminal fluid proteins expressed in both male and female flies, which may support viable sperm for long periods.
A Princeton-led research team has built the first neuron-by-neuron and synapse-by-synapse roadmap through the brain of an adult fruit fly. The map reveals connections within the brain at every scale, enabling researchers to better understand its underlying logic and potentially develop tailored treatments for brain diseases.
Researchers discovered two distinct neural mechanisms, 'Walk-OFF' and 'Brake', that control halting behavior in flies. The 'Walk-OFF' mechanism inhibits forward walking by suppressing neurons driving movement, while the 'Brake' mechanism increases leg joint resistance to prevent stepping.
Researchers from the FlyWire Consortium have created a detailed wiring diagram of every neuron in the adult fly brain, revealing substantial similarities between individual brains. The map includes 50 million connections between neurons, providing insights into neural circuits and their functions.
Researchers at Mississippi State University have discovered a new parasitic wasp species that attacks and infects adult flies, revealing a 'spectacular example of undescribed biology hidden in plain sight'. The study highlights the importance of ongoing research investment in insect biodiversity and systematics.
Scientists identified key changes in chromosome structure and gene expression that affect stem cell function during aging. Blocking a specific gene, ced-6, triggered stem cell exhaustion at any age, indicating a general process that maintains balance when proliferation is too high.
Researchers discovered a transient structure in fruit fly leg development that guides its final shape, shedding light on mechanisms determining an organism's body shape. This finding could lead to better understanding of processes shaping insect and other organisms' bodies.
Researchers at UAB have developed a method to assess cardiac dynamics in fruit flies using deep learning and high-speed video microscopy. The study uses this approach to analyze the effects of aging and dilated cardiomyopathy on heart function, with potential applications for human cardiovascular research.
Researchers found that lithium's efficacy in enhancing longevity and altering body composition is influenced by the sucrose content of the diet. The study reveals a significant overlap between the transcriptional responses to increasing dietary sucrose and adding lithium, suggesting a joint mechanism at play.
A new AI model developed by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory's Benjamin Cowley and team uses a 'population code' to predict fruit fly behavior, revealing that multiple neurons combine to sculpt actions. The breakthrough enables the AI to accurately predict how real flies will behave in response to visual stimuli.
A new study finds significant variation in pollinator attractiveness among annual flower cultivars, with some varieties drawing in more insects than others. Begonia and impatiens cultivars were found to be particularly attractive to bees and other pollinators.
A new compound found in fruit fly testes has the potential to control insect populations by suppressing their ability to reproduce. The enzyme, which is also present in other organisms, can lead to an overload of bromotyrosine that severely inhibits spermatogenesis.
Depletion of axonal mitochondria disrupts autophagy, leading to abnormal protein build-up in neurons. Restoring mitochondrial levels restores autophagy and recovers impaired neuron function.
Researchers have identified a gene responsible for the development of starvation-induced fatty liver in cavefish, which are able to protect their liver due to reduced fat accumulation. This genetic basis has implications for understanding and addressing liver conditions in humans, including Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Researchers found that a compound called BAM15 makes mitochondria less efficient at producing energy, extending life span and improving body composition in fruit flies. The study also showed reduced age-related decline in motor activity. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings in humans.
Researchers at Durham University and Oxford Brookes University have identified a key gene contributing to the rapid evolution of male external genitalia in fruit flies. The study found that changes in the Sox21b gene altered genital shape and size, affecting mating duration and female choice.
Repeated sexual rejection in fruit flies causes social stress, leading to increased aggression and reduced resilience to starvation and toxic herbicide exposure. The response is mediated by the brain's neuropeptide F signaling system, which also plays a role in reward- and stress-responses in other organisms.
Researchers from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and their French partners receive funding for two distinctive biology projects through the ANR-DFG program. The EVOMET project investigates plant metabolism, while the NeuroDevFunc project explores how fruit flies process visual motion generated by self-movement.
Researchers have identified a novel insect repellent, 2-methylthiazoline (2MT), which induces robust aversive responses through multiple sensory pathways in fruit flies. The compound stimulates both olfactory and nociceptive pathways, leading to avoidance behaviors and effective repulsion from fly pests.
Researchers from Osaka University and University of Hawaii found that environmental microorganisms boost fruit fly reproduction by modifying hormone levels and increasing the production of germline stem cells. This discovery could lead to new avenues for improving reproductive health and fertility treatments.
Researchers discovered that Nectandrin B, a bioactive lignan compound from nutmeg, extends the lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster by as much as 42.6%. The study found that Nectandrin B reduces intracellular ROS levels and improves age-related symptoms such as locomotive deterioration and neurodegeneration.
Researchers at Mainz University and the US-American BENFRA Center have demonstrated the effect of botanical products used in traditional Asiatic medicine on depressive states in fruit flies. The plants Withania somnifera and Centella asiatica enhanced resilience to chronic stress, alleviating symptoms of depression.
A Northwestern University study identified a brain pathway that responds to rapid thermal change in fruit flies, priming behavior for escape. The researchers found that flies react more quickly to rapid heat changes than slow ones, and that this reaction is mediated by a specific circuit in the fly brain.
A study in fruit flies reveals a potential connection between a respiratory system defect and the development of aortic aneurysms in humans. Researchers identified proteins that play a crucial role in maintaining tube structure and integrity, which may also be relevant to human tubular diseases.