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Fruit Flies' Hunger Sharpens Smell for Survival

10/29/2025

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Summary

Story summary

New research from the Champalimaud Centre reveals that fruit flies adapt their eating when deprived of essential amino acids.
The absence of even one amino acid sharpens the flies' sense of smell, directing them toward beneficial microbes that aid survival.
Or92a and Ir76a are two genes that play crucial roles by enhancing detection of food sources such as yeast and bacteria and thus link hunger to brain changes.

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Story summary

New research from the Champalimaud Centre reveals that fruit flies adapt their eating when deprived of essential amino acids.
The absence of even one amino acid sharpens the flies' sense of smell, directing them toward beneficial microbes that aid survival.
Or92a and Ir76a are two genes that play crucial roles by enhancing detection of food sources such as yeast and bacteria and thus link hunger to brain changes.