X-Message-Number: 28336
Date: Sun, 20 Aug 2006 17:25:57 -0700 (PDT)
From: Doug Skrecky <>
Subject: 229'th update on fly longevity experiments

      This is the 229'th update of my fly longevity experiments. Average
 temperature was 24.0 C during this run. Estimated maximal longevity using
 the formula (363 - T*11.2) is 94 days.
      High intensity sweeteners were a surprise hit in run #217. At the
 highest dosage all sweeteners were effective in increasing maximum
 lifespan. This time yet higher doses were tested, with the previous high
 dosage, now being the lowest tested dosage.
      Unfortunately control longevity was very poor in this run, which
 implicates pathogen contamination in the breeding bottle used. However
 once again 4 tabs of either aspartame or saccharin, and the 1 tsp dosage
 of cyclamate increased maximum lifespan. Although higher dosages of
 proved to be slightly toxic, it is nonetheless remarkable that at a
 certain dosage all three of these sweeteners were able to exert a
 consistent benefit. The only question that needs to be answered now is
 why they work.

  Run #229        Percent Survival on Day
  supplement         8 19 31 39 47 60
  ___________________________________
  control one       78 50 17  0  -  -
  control two       80 41 14  2  0  -
  aspartame 4 tabs  97 56 19  4  3  0
    "       8 tabs  88 43 18  7  4  0
    "      16 tabs  78 36 21  8  2  0
  cyclamate 1 tsp   78 39 20  6  3  0
    "       2 tsp   70 25 12  5  3  0
    "       4 tsp   62  7  7  0  -  -
  saccharin 4 tabs  80 44 20  3  3  0
    "       8 tabs  84 24 11  4  2  0
    "      16 tabs  67 46 19  8  0  -

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