OK, not political, but there are a lot of smart people here.

[LAS14]

This is a study that shows that insulin production in fruit flies is diminished when they're walking or flying, presumably to allow more sugar for energy.

How the hell do you measure what's going on in a fruit fly when it's walking vs flying vs sitting still and watching TV???????

Edit: This is not a joke. I'd really very much like to know how this kind of research is conducted.

https://phys.org/news/2023-01-curbs-insulin-production-fruit-flies.html

[Cracklin Charlie]

1. Don't want to get too graphic...

But the fruit fly doesn’t survive.

[Nevilledog]

2. *snort*

[cyclonefence]

3. We used fruit flies for genetic experiments

in my college biology class. Some fruit flies have red eyes; some have black eyes. If that's any help.

[rsdsharp]

4. All I know about fruit flies is that they like to hang out

near my garbage disposal every July and August.

[MOMFUDSKI]

5. In the midst of my first fruit fly invasion in my life!

Started about 3 weeks ago and I did the vinegar/Dawn dish soap thingy which did manage to catch quite a few. But still flying around all over the house. So yesterday hubby went to get fruit fly traps that are dark red and contain a liquid. Haven't seen even ONE flying today. Hoping this will do the trick. The liquid has a really nasty smell to it and it is getting to me a little bit. I may remove them from the house and see if any more appear. Wish me luck.

[rsdsharp]

9. We've got a triangular soap stone thing from Gardner's Supply.

Take off the lid, drop in the white triangular trap, poke a couple of holes, and put the lid back on. Works great, and no bad smell.

[DET]

11. Off Topic (which is hilarious)...

We once had an invasion of pantry moths. They were everywhere, but they seemed to gravitate to the garage. Tried everything; barely made a dent. Finally, my husband tried using an ozone generator in the garage. The moths dropped like flies. Problem solved. But you have to be extremely careful with ozone since it can be dangerous.

[Effete Snob]

6. You don't measure it "while" it is doing those things

Whatever it was doing - that’s the last thing the fruit fly ever did.

The first reply alludes to that.

It’s not like these are human subjects. The fruit flies are martyrs for the cause.

[LAS14]

12. Thank you!!!!! nt

[Effete Snob]

16. Time flies like an arrow

Fruit flies like a banana

[LAS14]

21. Thanks for reminding me of one of my favorite decades old jokes. Here's a new one...

... for me anyway.

What's the difference between pea soup and roast beef?

ANYONE can roast beef.

[Effete Snob]

23. I use garbanzo beans instead.

[LuckyCharms]

7. Have you ever smelled moth balls?

If so, how the hell did you ever spread their little tiny legs?

[LAS14]

13. Smiling out loud. nt

[Kennah]

14. Right where my mind went

[grantcart]

8. First things first

One unit of insulin is how much is needed to induce hypoglycemia in a rabbit.

Not kidding.

[Solly Mack]

10. Probably a teeny tiny electrode injected into the brain.

Blood draws from both the brain and the body, while at rest and in motion, would determine the amount of insulin in the body and brain at rest and in motion. The article says insulin (Ilp2) production is in the brain for fruit flies.

At rest, higher, so increased insulin production.
In flight or moving, less, so decreased insulin production.

Not joking about the teeny tiny electrode.

[dalton99a]

18. +1

[Solly Mack]

20. That was interesting. Thanks.

[NotASurfer]

15. A study of insulin production in fruit flies better get a Nobel* Prize nomination

* Ig Nobel Prize. The same group that awarded a prize for a study that used helium to change the pitch of crocodile bellows. This should be right up their alley

[Effete Snob]

17. Sarah, is that you?

She decried “fruit fly research in Paris, France” out of her utter and complete ignorance that California produces over 2 billion dollars a year in grapes.

Because the genetics of fruit flies is well understood, they are a good organism for studying a wide range of biological processes.

It is really a shame how far we have let science education in this country deteriorate.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

19. Why are we paying fruit flies to do their research in Paris?

[Effete Snob]

22. Because, yes, they did want French flies with that

Here’s Palin on fruit flies:

I love the way it’s in “Paris, France,” just so you know it’s not Texas or Idaho.