TED Health The science of lifespan — and the impact of your five senses | Christi Gendron
Jul 2, 2024
Neurobiologist Christi Gendron discusses how sensory experiences, such as sight and smell, can impact health and lifespan. She shares research on fruit flies and how environmental cues like temperature and light influence longevity. The podcast explores the connection between sensory perceptions and healthy aging, highlighting the importance of understanding biological mechanisms for human health.
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Sensory Impact on Lifespan
- Our senses impact our decisions and bodily responses.
- Prolonged sensory experiences affect lifespan in various animals, suggesting similar impacts on humans.
Fruit Fly Research
- Dr. Gendron's lab uses fruit flies (Drosophila) to study environmental cues and lifespan.
- Fruit flies share genetic similarities with humans and have short lifespans, making them ideal research subjects.
Death Perception in Flies
- Fruit flies can perceive death and react to it.
- Exposure to dead flies reduces the lifespan of live flies, even in sterile environments.