Many people will live long

It has long been said that humans and vertebrates will live longer if there are many social relationships. Now this has been proven in the fruit fly.

(Photo: imbresources.org)

Chun-Fang Wu and Hongyu Ruan at the University of Iowa, USA, have reduced the lifespan of flies by interfering with an enzyme that removes dangerous free radicals. This enzyme is also linked to old-age diseases in humans such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's.

Genetically modified flies that live in houses with younger children have a longer and more active life than those who live in the same house as the flies of the same age. They also better support the effects of stress, heat and extreme physical changes.

Limiting the activity of young flies also reduces the effect on old flies. This suggests that young flies' social interactions such as flirting, care, conflict . play an important role in increasing the life of old flies.

"Social activities are the key," Wu said. "This study shows that human life can be adjusted by social interactions. The sick elderly will greatly improve the situation through a reasonable communication environment."