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Life without TORC is 1 big struggle

A team of researchers found that the protein TORC2 is crucial for glucose production and fat storage in Drosophila, a genetic switch that regulates metabolism in both flies and human livers. Without functional TORC, fly lifespan was cut in half and their ability to store energy was impaired.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalMolecular Cell·DateMay 6, 2008

Hungry mothers risk addiction in their adult children

Research suggests that babies conceived during a period of famine are at increased risk of developing addictions later in life. The study, which examined the 1944-45 Dutch 'hunger winter,' found that pregnant women who experienced severe food shortages were more likely to have children with addictive disorders.

SourceWiley·JournalAddiction·DateJan 25, 2008

Cell's power plants also sense low oxygen

Researchers have found that mitochondria function as oxygen sensors, producing reactive oxygen species in response to low oxygen conditions. However, a dual-mode mechanism involving the enzyme PHD emerges when oxygen levels are extremely low, suggesting a new strategy for enhancing the body's natural protective response.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJun 7, 2005

A frog's life is food for thought

A study by PhD student Rebecca Cramp found that the green-striped burrowing frog can maintain its gut function despite prolonged starvation, allowing it to digest massive meals efficiently. The discovery has implications for human survival during starvation, as humans often experience severe gastrointestinal issues after re-feeding.

SourceResearch Australia·JournalScience·DateApr 26, 2005