Articles tagged with Drosophila
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Recent study on Drosophila melanogaster museum specimens shows that Northern European populations gave way to well-connected fly populations across the continent. The analysis also highlights genes that may have helped this species adapt to novel climates, viruses, and insecticides.
Fruit flies use a unique toggle-switch in their brains to switch between solo and mating songs, exchanging information through dialogue. Researchers decoded the tiny brains' behavior using neural imaging and AI, providing insights into complex brain decision-making.
Researchers found that blueberries infected with Colletotrichum fioriniae emit odors repelling spotted-wing drosophila. By recreating this aroma, farmers can trick flies into perceiving healthy fruit as infected, reducing the need for insecticides.
Researchers studied fruit flies to understand how their brains assign value to rewards, finding that expectations play a crucial role in decision-making. By observing the flies' behavior, the team pinpointed the site in the brain where these value adjustments are made, enabling them to test a theoretical framework on neural circuits.
A cluster of neurons in the fruit fly brain transforms memories about past rewards into actions, guiding the fly's navigation. The UpWiNs also send signals to dopaminergic neurons for higher-order learning, shedding light on parallel neural circuit mechanisms.
Researchers found that enteroendocrine cells in Drosophila intestinal epithelium undergo dedifferentiation into intestinal stem cells in response to nutritional changes, such as recovery from starvation. This process is vital for ISC expansion and subsequent intestinal growth following food intake.
Researchers have discovered a novel nursery pollination system in which fungi-eating orchids and fruit flies engage in mutualistic symbiosis. The study found that the orchids offer their flowers to the flies in exchange for pollination, providing a breeding ground for the flies' larvae.
Researchers from Osaka University have shed light on how certain proteins contribute to the formation of piRNAs, a type of RNA that protects the genome. Tejas plays a key role in recruiting Vas and Spn-E, facilitating nuage formation and piRNA processing.
Researchers developed a comprehensive toolkit of fruit fly COVID-19 resources (DCR) to study viral and human protein interactions, aiming to develop therapies for long-COVID symptoms. The toolkit enables systematic global analysis of in vivo interactions between SARS-CoV-2 and human cells.
A study reveals that specific bacteria drive the evolution of antimicrobial peptides in Drosophila, providing insights into how host immune systems adapt to new ecological niches. The findings also suggest a new model for AMP-microbiome evolution.
A new 'fly-to-bedside' resource has been developed to sort through the complexities of SARS-CoV-2 virus-host interactions. Researchers found that nine out of 10 non-structural proteins resulted in wing defects, providing a basis for understanding how viral proteins affect host proteins.
Researchers found that fruit flies prefer larger quantities, but struggle to distinguish between 3 and 4 objects, highlighting the importance of ratio perception. LC11 neurons are essential for comparing quantities in fruit flies.
A new AI tool, MAFDA, tracks individual fruit flies' complex behaviors and compares them with their genetic backgrounds. This enables researchers to study behavior genetics and gain insights into inherited traits.
Researchers at Mainz University and Berlin found a previously unknown function of electrical synapses in the insect neural network, governing wing movement and generating consistent flight power. The discovery reveals new concepts of information processing by the central nervous system.
A team of neurobiologists has found that fruit flies possess glial sheath structures similar to those in vertebrates, enabling rapid transmission of nerve impulses. The study reveals the evolution of these structures and their role in supporting neuronal function.
A unique microcircuit in fruit flies' visual system transforms a single type of neuronal input to compute direction selectivity, with no inhibitory neurons present. The discovery reveals a striking example of the multilayered mechanisms of inhibition and excitation in the brain.
Researchers found that dietary fructose is necessary for increased germline stem cells after mating, which leads to enhanced post-mating egg production. The study reveals that circulating fructose stimulates the fructose-specific taste receptor in insects.
A recent study by Carolyn Elya reveals the molecular mechanisms behind summiting behavior in infected fruit flies. The researchers discovered that hormonal axes mediate this behavior, and that fungal cells invade the fly's brains during summiting.
Researchers found that a specific neuropeptide affects two separate groups of neurons, promoting aggressive behavior in fruit flies. This discovery provides new insights into the complex mechanisms of neuronal communication using neuropeptides.
Ozone exposure destroys pheromones essential for fly mating, leading to abnormal behavior and reduced female attraction. The study's findings highlight the devastating impact of air pollution on insect populations.
Researchers discovered that fruit flies have distinct hunger drives, one driven by need and the other by pleasure, which arise from unique neural mechanisms. The study found that hungry flies increase feeding event duration and total events, and identified specific brain regions activated by pleasurable food environments.
A study found that time-restricted feeding improves muscle performance in obese fruit flies by upregulating genes related to glycine production and utilization. This approach may provide a natural alternative therapy for managing obesity-related pathologies.
Researchers have identified specific subtypes of ellipsoid body (EB) ring neurons that regulate sleep in Drosophila. These subtypes, including R3p and R4m neurons, promote daytime sleep and nighttime wakefulness, respectively.
A study at Nagoya University found that specific neurons in fruit flies process and distinguish between different courtship songs, differing between species. The researchers used calcium imaging to determine how these neurons respond to different courtship songs, finding that the responses varied between species.
In a breakthrough study, researchers at Münster University revealed that mechanical tearing is the primary mechanism behind neurite pruning in sensory nerve cells of fruit flies. This process, which occurs during development, involves strong body contractions causing stress on fragile neurites, leading to their severance and removal.
Researchers at Kyoto University found that a poor, low-yeast diet causes fruit flies' larvae to grow dendrites in an unexpected way. The hyperarborization phenotype is triggered by a simultaneous deficiency in vitamins, metal ions, and cholesterol, which increases the production of Wingless signaling molecules from body wall muscle.
Researchers have discovered a possible cause of neurodegeneration in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease using fruit flies. The study found that an overabundance of the TOMM40 gene causes marked cell death in the retina, which corresponds to the level of protein produced by the gene.
Researchers discovered that physical activity suppresses insulin-producing cells in fruit flies, allowing for efficient energy replenishment. This finding has implications for human health, as reduced insulin activity is linked to healthy ageing and longevity.
Researchers discovered a point mutation in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster that leads to a temperature-dependent lengthening of circadian clock periods. The mutation affects the nuclear export signal of the PERIOD protein, resulting in its retention in the cell nucleus at higher temperatures.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers at Eötvös Loránd University have found that gland cells in Drosophila melanogaster can remove defective secretory particles as early as the secretion process begins. This discovery sheds new light on crinophagy, a previously understudied process crucial for maintaining cellular quality and function.
Researchers found that rapamycin treatment during developmental growth phase decelerates aging rate and extends lifespan in animals. A transient late-life treatment is not effective, but a transient early-life treatment can reprogram aging.
The invasive spotted wing drosophila competes strongly with other fruit-eating species, causing massive ecological impacts on forests. The fly's presence alters fruit composition and visual cues, reducing consumption by birds and potentially disrupting seed-dispersal mutualisms.
Two closely related Drosophila species, biauraria and triauraria, coexist due to differences in seasonal occurrence and habitat use. Hybridization between the species is possible, despite reproductive interference mechanisms.
Researchers have identified an endocannabinoid, 2-linoleoyl glycerol (2-LG), responsible for activating TRP channels in photoreceptor cells. This discovery sheds light on the visual transduction process and may have implications for other sensory systems.
Researchers at IMBA found that Kipferl helps distribute Rhino to piRNA clusters, avoiding sequestration to Satellite arrays. This control mechanism ensures the effective silencing of jumping genes and maintains genome stability.
Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz are studying the effects of natural substances used in traditional Asian medicine on depressive states in Drosophila flies. They found that certain substances can prevent the development of a depression-like state and even boost resilience to chronic stress.
Neurobiologists identified mechanisms underlying atypical protein tangles that kill neurons in neurodegenerative disorders. Engineering Drosophila adults with human Tau revealed a 'traffic jam' effect, where reduced retromer activity accelerates neurodegeneration. Inhibiting the shortened form of Tau could stall neuron loss.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a precision-guided sterile insect technique (pgSIT) to control invasive fruit fly populations. The technology uses CRISPR editing to target key genes in female viability and male fertility, resulting in a fertility dead end for the species.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that a thermometer-like brain circuit promotes midday siestas on hot days. The study, which used fruit flies as a model organism, identified absolute heat receptors in fly heads, leading to increased midday sleep in flies and potentially humans.
Researchers at Buck Institute discover that blood-brain barrier cells influence neuron function and can cause problems rather than just being protective. This finding opens up new avenues for therapies targeting neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
A new study found that ageing desexualizes the Drosophila brain transcriptome, causing both males and females to exhibit reduced gene expression differences. This effect is larger in males than females, indicating a weaker investment in sexual behaviors as they age.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba have created a genetic toolkit to investigate the molecular mechanisms of a parasitic wasp, Asobara japonica. By analyzing its genome and using RNA interference, they identified key genes involved in venom production and found that suppressing these genes can lead to phenotypic changes.
A UC Riverside genetic discovery found that mosquitoes lack the primary ecdysone transporter, allowing researchers to develop a mosquito-specific insecticide. This breakthrough could help control Zika, dengue, and other virus-carrying mosquitoes without harming beneficial insects.
Buck Institute researchers found that dietary restriction can extend lifespan in fruit flies due to changes in their circadian rhythms, particularly in the eye. The study suggests that the eye plays a role in regulating lifespan, which may have implications for human health and aging.
A UAB research team successfully monitored microplastic behavior in Drosophila larvae, revealing interactions with microbiota and intestinal barrier. The study confirms the fly's relevance as a model for studying nanoplastic effects on human health.
A new study has discovered that rare pieces of genetic code can serve as another layer of control in the genome, essential for fertility and evolutionary innovation. Researchers found that certain tissues are more tolerant of diverse codons, particularly the testes, which may play a critical role in fertility.
Researchers at EPFL's School of Life Sciences create a digital twin of Drosophila called NeuroMechFly, which uses biomechanical modeling and machine learning to simulate the fly's movements. The model is validated through experiments that demonstrate its accuracy in replicating real animal behaviors.
Electrical synapses play a vital role in brain function and stability, influencing individual nerve cell activity. In Drosophila, researchers found electrical synapses occur in almost all brain areas, affecting visual processing and neuron stability.
Scientists at Johannes Gutenberg University discovered that fruit fly eyes can distinguish six types of global motion patterns generated by self-motion. The T4/T5 cell subtypes directly represent complex motion cues rather than uniform directions, matching the fly's actual behavior closely.
In a study published in Nature Communications, researchers uncovered the molecular players involved and how timing is controlled for creating neural diversity. Single-cell RNA sequencing technology revealed a temporal patterning gene network in Drosophila medulla neuroblasts, including nine new transcription factors.
Neurobiologist Marion Silies is investigating how various visual systems adapt to specific environments and behavioral conditions. She will use fruit flies as an animal model to understand visual processing mechanisms and their adaptation to differing conditions.
Research team at University of Münster finds that a specific gene variant allows fruit flies to synchronize their circadian rhythm with temperature cycles under constant light. This adaptation enables better mating opportunities and increases the allele's evolutionary success.
The study found that a solid state of oskar RNP granules is crucial for localization and function in Drosophila embryos. Genetic engineering resulted in defects when granules were made liquid-like, highlighting the importance of biophysical properties.
A team of researchers from the University of Münster has made new findings on the internal clock of the fruit fly, demonstrating the role of transport proteins in regulating circadian rhythms. The study found that ions transported by KCC play a crucial role in synchronising the internal clock with external day-night rhythms.
A gene called Fer2 has been identified as a key player in protecting dopaminergic neurons from degeneration. In flies and mice, overproduction of Fer2 reduces oxidative stress and prevents neurological defects characteristic of Parkinson's disease.
Researchers have found that autophagy helps form epithelial syncytia during wound healing, a process previously only observed in muscle and placenta development. This discovery highlights the importance of understanding autophagy's role in disease mechanisms.
A field cage study in Switzerland found that a parasitoid was highly specific to the invasive fruit fly Drosophila suzukii, with only 15% parasitism rate. In contrast, non-target species showed a very rare parasitism rate of 0.02%. The results support previous laboratory experiments and suggest low risk for non-target effects.
Northwestern University researchers used live imaging and computational tools to study the development of a fruit fly's compound eye. They found that cells move into position using mechanical forces, not just chemical signals. The discovery provides new insights into pattern formation in tissues.
Researchers have clarified the mechanism behind activating genes in drosophila fly sex cells, which may hold clues to understanding diseases. The study's findings suggest that DNA packaging plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression, with abnormal packaging potentially leading to misregulation and disease.
Researchers found that the master clock and slave clock operate via distinct molecular mechanisms, allowing for robustness and flexibility in regulating bodily rhythms. The master clock's ability to adapt to environmental changes enables quick adjustment to new time zones after international flights.