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Gut cells may measure hunger by how watery their insides become

8 August 2026 at 13:00
Researchers led by Sa Kan Yoo at the RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR) in Japan have discovered that the natural turnover of gut cells in fruit flies depends on how much food the flies get, rather than on any specific nutrient. They found that gut cells were replaced more frequently when nutrient levels were low and the insides of gut cells were fluid and watery.

Gut cells may measure hunger by how watery their insides become

8 August 2026 at 13:00
Researchers led by Sa Kan Yoo at the RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR) in Japan have discovered that the natural turnover of gut cells in fruit flies depends on how much food the flies get, rather than on any specific nutrient. They found that gut cells were replaced more frequently when nutrient levels were low and the insides of gut cells were fluid and watery.

Safety fears as scientists make first viruses designed by AI

Researchers say breakthrough offers hope for new medicines but also raises urgent biosecurity questions

Scientists have made the first viruses designed by artificial intelligence in a milestone that raises hopes for new medicines but also concerns over how to ensure the technology remains safe.

The viruses are specific kinds known as bacteriophages, which only infect bacteria and are used around the world to treat patients with persistent infections. In lab tests, a cocktail of the AI-designed viruses killed E coli bugs that were resistant to natural bacteriophages.

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Β© Photograph: Samyukta Lakshmi/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Β© Photograph: Samyukta Lakshmi/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Β© Photograph: Samyukta Lakshmi/Bloomberg/Getty Images

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