Here are a few ways to rewrite that headline, depending on the “vibe” of your science magazine:

The “Big Picture” Headlines (Focus on evolution)

• Mapping Survival: How Fruit Flies Adapt Across Landscapes
• The Geography of Survival: Scientists Uncover Regional Patterns in Fly Lifespans
• Evolution in Real-Time: Fruit Flies Shift Survival Strategies by Region

The Catchy/Punchy Headlines (Focus on engagement)

• The Survival Spectrum: Why Fruit Flies Live Differently Depending on Where They Are
• Fly Maps: The Surprising Trends Behind How Fruit Flies Stay Alive
• Location, Location, Adaptation: How Regional Trends Shape Fruit Fly Survival

The Academic/Sophisticated Headlines (Focus on clarity)

• A Geographic Gradient: New Study Identifies Subtle Shifts in Fruit Fly Life History
• Beyond Randomness: Regional Trends Clarify the Survival Strategies of Fruit Flies
• Mapping Fitness: Scientists Isolate Regional Drivers of Fruit Fly Longevity

The “Curiosity-Gap” Headlines (Focus on clicks)

• Survival of the Localest: Why Fruit Fly Strategies Vary by Region
• The Hidden Logic of Longevity: How Fruit Flies Tweak Survival Based on Location
• One Species, Many Paths: Uncovering the Regional Survival Secrets of the Fruit Fly

Which one should you choose?

• If your audience is general/casual, go with: “Location, Location, Adaptation: How Regional Trends Shape Fruit Fly Survival.”
• If your audience is academic/serious, go with: “New Study Identifies Geographic Gradients in Fruit Fly Survival Strategies.”