Exposure to Dead Flies Shortens Fruit Fly Lifespan, Study Shows
TL;DR Summary
Fruit flies exposed to dead flies tend to die several weeks earlier than those raised without being surrounded by carcasses, according to researchers at the University of Michigan. The insects appear to be particularly sensitive to their own dead, and witnessing an abundance of fruit fly carcasses speeds up the insects’ ageing process, cutting their lives short by nearly 30%. The scientists found that two specific types of neurons, known as R2 and R4, were activated when the insects were raised in an environment full of dead flies, and stimulating these same neurons in healthy fruit flies had the same life-shortening effect.
- Fruit flies have shorter lives if exposed to their own dead, scientists find The Guardian
- These Flies Age Faster After Witnessing Death Yahoo! Voices
- Seeing dead fruit flies is bad for the health of fruit flies — and scientists have identified why Salon
- Seeing Dead Flies Makes Other Flies Die Faster, But Why? ScienceAlert
- Fruit flies age rapidly when they see their dead comrades: Study WION
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