## Researchers genetically altered fruit flies to crave cocaine

Authored by popsci.com

In a world first, scientists at the University of Utah have engineered fruit flies susceptible to cocaine addiction.

But as strange as it sounds, there are potentially life-saving reasons for genetically altering the insects to crave the drug.

As surprising as it may sound, humans have a lot in common with fruit flies.

Researchers have relied on the insects for genetic studies for years, especially for investigating the biological roots of certain addictions like cocaine abuse.

“Flies don’t like cocaine one bit,” Adrian Rothenfluh, the study’s senior author and an associate professor of psychiatry, said in a statement.

After confirming that cocaine activates a fruit fly’s bitter-sensing taste receptors, Rothenfluh and Philyaw switched off those nerves.

Now that researchers know how to breed the modified fruit flies, they can more easily study how cocaine addiction evolves in the body. »

### Going to an office and pretending to work: A business that’s booming in China

Authored by english.elpais.com

Apparently, she’s repeating the same routine that millions of people in China follow every day.

For a fee, the theatricality can reach unimaginable levels, from pretending to be a manager with his own office to staging episodes of rebellion against a superior.

Tian Tian, a part-time pilates instructor, believes that the idea “is practical, so that we freelancers have somewhere to go.”. »

### A two-player Elden Ring Nightreign PC Mod is already available

Authored by eurogamer.net

Elden Ring Nightreign already has a duos mode mod.

"There will be more to come, but whilst the current game lacks 2-player modes, this mod will be available in this state," Yui wrote on his Nexus Mod page (thanks, Gamespot).

If you've jumped into Elden Ring Nightreign this weekend and have struggled to find a Player 2 - and/or a Player 3 - you're not alone. »

### Bill Gates: Microsoft founder to give most of $200bn fortune to Africa

Authored by bbc.co.uk

"We are counting on Mr Gates' steadfast commitment to continue walking this path of transformation alongside us," she said.

Gates said his foundation, which has a long history of operating in Africa, would focus on improving primary healthcare.

Gates pointed to Rwanda as an example, saying it was already improving services using AI-enabled ultrasound to identify high-risk pregnancies. »

### New era of threat demands new era of UK defence, minister says after spending plans unveiled - latest

Authored by bbc.co.uk

The government’s message is clear: the world has changed, so the UK’s defence must change too.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, along with the US asking Nato countries to spend more on defence, is the backdrop to today’s strategic defence review.

John Healey says a defence investment plan, described as a new investment framework, will be published in the autumn. »

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