Quote:In their new study, the researchers focused on the differences in the learning processes between the sexes. Roundworms get their nourishment from bacteria and, unfortunately for them, are particularly attracted to the odor of one disease-causing bacterium that, if they consume it, harms them. The scientists posed a key question: Can the worms of both sexes learn to avoid this bacterium?

The team, led by doctoral student Sonu Peedikayil-Kurien from Oren-Suissa's group, began their study with "training," growing worms of both sexes separately and feeding them a diet of the harmful bacterium. After this training, the worms were moved to a "test" dish, where they were free to choose between the toxic bacterium and another one that, while less tempting, would not harm them in any way.

The female worms quickly learned to draw a link between the odor of the harmful bacteria and the disease that it causes, and therefore chose to eat the other bacterium. Most males, however, failed to learn and continued consuming the harmful bacterium, even though they got just as sick. The bacterium entered their digestive systems, secreted toxins and caused an immune response.

When the researchers waited for a longer period, a few of the males eventually learned to avoid the harmful bacterium, but only after they were severely infected, became ill and many of them died.

(Mar 25 2025, 11:17 AM)komorebi In the words of BlackCirce, behold the rational sex!