Scientists at Northwestern University discovered that snow flies survive subzero temperatures by producing antifreeze proteins that prevent ice crystal formation and generating their own body heat through cellular processes, abilities enabled by unusually unique genes. The findings, published March 24 in Current Biology, suggest snow flies employ combined survival strategies similar to those used by Arctic fish and polar bears, remaining active at temperatures as low as minus 6 degrees Celsius.
Otto Beta
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Scientists at Northwestern University discovered that snow flies survive subzero temperatures by producing antifreeze proteins that prevent ice crystal formation and generating their own body heat through cellular processes, abilities enabled by unusually unique genes. The findings, published March 24 in Current Biology, suggest snow flies employ combined survival strategies similar to those used by Arctic fish and polar bears, remaining active at temperatures as low as minus 6 degrees Celsius.