01-07-2025
Fruit flies may unlock anti-aging clues, ISU research finds
Fruit flies that take their sweet time growing up tend to live longer, a new study led by an Iowa State University research team found.
Why it matters: Their extended lifespans could help science find ways to lengthen human life expectancy.
What they found: Using gene knockout experiments during a fly's larva-to-adult transition, researchers found that those lacking a developmental hormone known as PTTH enter the pupal stage a day later than usual but ultimately reach full size and remain healthy.
They also experienced reduced inflammation associated with aging and lived up to 30% longer, according to the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Reality check: Mammals have no growth hormones directly comparable to PTTH.
