Sir Stephen Fry has been appointed as the new Patron of the Primate Society of Great Britain, following Jane Goodall's passing. The PSGB works on conservation, research, and education to protect primates and their habitats, facing threats from habitat loss and climate change.
Capuchin monkeys turn to vertebrate prey during times of plant food scarcity, a pattern similar to human carnivory. Males hunt more often and prefer fat-dense tissues, suggesting a preference for brains and guts.
Researchers used fossil skulls and virtual models to find that the neocortex's expansion was tied to increased visual input. The study challenges a long-held idea about how primates developed large brains.
Researchers found that lithocholic acid, a secondary bile acid, can alleviate fatty liver in mice and non-human primates when administered at CR-mimetic doses. The study identified two safe regimens, 0.25 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg twice daily, without detectable toxicity.
A new study from the University of Kansas has introduced a new species of ancient primate, Tetonius varleyorum, which suggests its evolution might be more complex than previously thought. The discovery of this fossil at Smiley Draw in Wyoming provides fresh detail to the biogeographic and evolutionary history of primates.
Researchers found that primates play, groom and care for animals from different species, hinting at social curiosity and readiness to form cross-species bonds. These behaviors may represent evolutionary building blocks for human-animal companionship.
A new tool generates realistic monkey body animations, revealing an uncanny valley effect where macaques prefer less realistic avatars to highly realistic ones. The study provides the first evidence that non-human primates experience this phenomenon.
A recent study found that protecting primates in China's Yunnan province can also protect other animals and plants, highlighting the importance of umbrella species conservation. The research showed that large-bodied vertebrates need vast areas to support populations, which are habitats for many other species.
Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology and Scripps Research have developed an HIV vaccine that trains immune cells to see past HIV's defenses. The vaccine resulted in the best HIV-fighting antibody response ever seen in primates, with human trials now underway.
New analysis supports the brain lag hypothesis, suggesting that some primate lineages' brain sizes overshot expectations after catching up with body size. This finding implies that large-brained primates may have evolved to form complex social groups for protection.
A new review investigates the impact of aging, stress, and behavior on endocrine dysfunctions in nonhuman primates. The study finds that older monkeys with depression-like behavior exhibit impaired regulation of stress responses and thyroid function, leading to increased disease risk.
Researchers at UCL found that some small-bodied primates experience a tight cephalopelvic fit during childbirth due to their large newborn heads. These species, such as American monkeys and bushbabies, have developed adaptations to make the process less difficult, including pelvic expansion or delayed pelvic bone fusion.
A study by the University of Barcelona reveals that giraffes can combine quantities similarly to addition, suggesting a cognitive foundation for more complex arithmetic skills. Two out of four giraffes solved quantity-addition tasks, indicating they can remember quantities, update information, and make optimal decisions based on it.
A study applies machine learning techniques to analyze 3D patterns of dental enamel wear generated during food chewing, allowing for the reconstruction of ancient diets. The research identifies key variables informative for classifying dental microwear and proposes an analytical framework open to the scientific community.
Researchers studied the dietary strategies of savanna chimpanzees, revealing they use stick tools from eight plant species to extract aggressive army ants. The study suggests that eating these insects is a complex learning process for primates in harsh habitats.
A Tulane University study found that long-term antiretroviral treatments did not fully restore key immune functions to protect and repair the gut lining in nonhuman primates with SIV. The researchers discovered that diet-derived compounds from vegetables like broccoli and cabbage may support immune activity involved in gut repair.
A study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that Azara's owl monkeys have gained an average of 4% weight over two decades due to rising temperatures, contradicting Bergmann's rule. The researchers suggest that warmer temperatures may have allowed young monkeys to invest extra energy in growth
A new study provides groundbreaking information about the social structures of primates, revealing that single-level societies are more like soccer leagues with exclusive teams competing for resources. Multi-level societies, on the other hand, resemble schools with students divided into classes but interacting regularly.
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz's Forest Fear Lab discovered that the dense upper story of the Amazon carries the cries of frightened birds to other animals, forming a shared information network. Small bird species are key drivers of this acoustic 'information highway,' with larger species also joining in.
Researchers developed pigs with knocked-down SLA-I/II molecules, showing reduced human complement-dependent cytotoxicity and stronger resistance to T-cell responses. The findings suggest a multi-pronged approach combining genetic modification and targeted immunosuppression for successful pig-to-human transplantation.
Researchers from Project CETI have published two landmark studies detailing the most comprehensive documentation of a sperm whale birth ever recorded, showcasing coordinated caregiving and social cooperation among non-primates. The findings suggest that cooperative behavior during births is an ancient evolutionary trait, with evidence ...
Scientists discovered that howler monkeys began eating leaves 13 million years ago, causing them to evolve larger body sizes and occupy a unique ecological niche. The analysis of two jaw fossils provides key information about the diet, body size, and biodiversity of these ancient monkeys.
A study published in PLOS One found that humans can recognize and mimic emotional expressions of non-human primates, indicating a strong empathetic response. The researchers assessed facial expressions and emotional states of participants, revealing a strong connection between humans and non-human primates
The discovery of miniscule Purgatorius fossils in Colorado provides fresh insights into the evolution of the earliest-known relative of all primates. The find suggests that archaic primates originated in the north and spread southward, diversifying soon after the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous Period.
Scientists have discovered the southernmost Purgatorius fossils, challenging long-standing assumptions about archaic primate habitats. The new findings suggest that these early primates originated in the north and spread southward, diversifying after the mass extinction event.
A new study published in Global Ecology and Conservation found that released animals, like Bengal slow lorises, are at risk of being attacked by territorial peers. Only two out of nine released animals survived, with the others dying due to fatal attacks.
Researchers analyzed downward climbing behaviors in 21 small-to-medium-sized arboreal mammal species to understand early primate evolution. They found primates used tail-first and side postures more often than non-primates, suggesting upright postures evolved to adapt to tree environments.
Scientists at The Wistar Institute have developed an innovative HIV vaccine candidate that induces neutralizing antibodies against HIV after a single immunization in nonhuman primates. The approach could significantly shorten and simplify HIV vaccination protocols, making them more accessible worldwide.
A new study has identified optimized immunosuppressive strategies that allow transplanted iPSC-CMs to survive without immune rejection in non-human primates. The researchers found a triple-drug regimen consisting of methylprednisolone, calcineurin inhibitors, and mycophenolate mofetil reliably prevents acute immune rejection.
Researchers led by Michael Wasserman are studying pesticide exposure in farming communities in Uganda, using household diaries and silicone wristbands to track human exposure. The study aims to inform communities about safe levels of exposure and suggest ways to reduce it.
A groundbreaking study from Northwestern University found that changes to the gut microbiome can change the way the brain works across different primate species. The researchers discovered patterns of gene expression associated with conditions like ADHD and schizophrenia in mice with microbes from smaller-brained primates.
Researchers at Tulane University have developed the first vaccine able to protect nonhuman primates from melioidosis, a long-neglected and deadly tropical disease on the rise. The vaccine uses outer membrane vesicles to trigger a powerful immune response.
Researchers from UNIGE found that specific areas of the auditory cortex respond to chimpanzee vocalisations, suggesting a shared neural basis for voice recognition. This discovery could have implications for understanding the origin of language development.
Researchers develop serial tissue optical clearing methods to image neuro-vasculature of whole organ in mouse, enabling study of larger animal models like pigs and non-human primates. The technique facilitates the study of organ development and disease mechanisms in models closer to humans.
Two muriqui species, largest primates in the Americas, face significant habitat loss due to climate change. By 2090, up to 61% of their suitable habitats may be reduced, mainly confined to coastal regions of the Atlantic Forest.
A new study suggests that the high prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in humans is linked to the rapid evolution of specific brain cell types and genes. The research found that human brains contain a unique array of neuronal cell types that evolved rapidly compared to other primates.
Researchers have successfully treated damage caused by heart attacks in non-human primates using gene therapy, restoring both strength and rhythm of the damaged hearts. The treatment improved heart function in pathological conditions with no adverse effects observed.
Researchers identified two major steps in the evolution of human bipedality, involving a shift in the growth plate and changes in bone formation. These genetic shifts, driven by genes such as SOX9 and PTH1R, fundamentally altered the pelvis geometry, enabling humans to walk upright.
A study of 94 primate species found that those with longer thumbs had larger brains, indicating a link between manual dexterity and brain evolution. The research suggests that as primates developed better hand skills, their brains grew to process and use these abilities effectively.
Researchers developed a comprehensive road map of ovarian reserve formation in primates, providing crucial insights into women's health. The study could lead to better treatments for infertility and hormonal disorders like PCOS.
A study published in PNAS suggests that early primates evolved in North America's cold climate with hot summers and freezing winters, rather than warm tropical forests. This finding challenges the long-held narrative and provides insights into how ancient primates adapted to survive climate change.
Early primates transitioned to grass-based diets without typical adaptations, with changes in dental morphology lagging behavioral shifts by 700,000 years. This supports the concept of behavioral drive in primate evolution, suggesting that behavior can precede and initiate morphological specialization.
Researchers explored neuroanatomy underlying social dominance in nonhuman primates, focusing on the uncinate fasciculus and its correlation with social dominance measures. The study found a significant correlation between this brain tract and social aggression, supporting human studies linking it to social dominance.
The study reveals highly refined axon targeting and arborization in primates, with distinct PFC neuron subtypes projecting to different brain regions. This finding suggests a modular network of intra-PFC connections providing a structural basis for working memory.
Researchers found that ring-tailed and sifaka lemurs show differences in life pacing and lifespan, making them useful comparisons to human evolution. The study suggests that lemurs avoid the phenomenon of inflammaging widely observed in humans, pointing to potential differences in aging mechanisms.
Djenet Bousbaine's research explores how the immune system responds to beneficial skin microbes, triggering wound-healing T cells and robust B cell responses. This phenomenon is observed in humans, non-human primates, and found to be evolutionary conserved.
Researchers have identified a single genetic difference in Fas Ligand, an immune protein, that makes it vulnerable to being disabled by plasmin, a tumor-associated enzyme. This vulnerability seems unique to humans and may contribute to the effectiveness of certain cancer treatments.
Researchers from The University of Osaka found that Japanese macaques remain close to and care for their dying companions, displaying human-like reactions. The study reveals strong social bonds can affect behavior even after death, suggesting emotional capacities in non-human primates.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in the fight against aging by reprogramming human stem cells to resist aging and stress. In a 44-week experiment on elderly macaques, they found that the engineered cells reversed multiple signs of aging, including cognitive function, tissue damage, and age-related degenerative conditions.
A new study found that moderate caloric restriction can preserve youthful ovarian follicles and reduce age-related tissue stiffness in rhesus macaques. This suggests that lifestyle-based strategies may help delay the decline in reproductive function associated with aging.
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has filed a complaint with the National Institutes of Health and USDA, requesting an investigation into decades-long alcohol-related experiments on nonhuman primates at Oregon Health & Science University. The ongoing experiments have cost over $70 million and involve inducing binge-drin...
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have made a breakthrough in creating an effective HIV vaccine by developing a two-step vaccination strategy that induces powerful broadly neutralizing antibodies. The approach successfully blocked nearly 70% of HIV strains, including those typically hard to target.
A study of infants aged 16-21 months reveals low rates of overimitation not driven by social affiliation. Other forms of imitation associated with memory and cognition show a correlation, suggesting an earlier emergence of socially motivated behavior.
A genetic variant of ACSF3 has been identified as contributing to the co-evolution of increased human height and basal metabolic rate. This variant is found in humans but not in non-human primates, suggesting a link to the dietary shift towards meat consumption that occurred during modern human evolution.
A comprehensive analysis reveals how brains generalize learning from previous experiences to new scenarios, mapping neural pathways from hippocampus to cortex. The study's findings highlight the critical role of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in cognitive generalization.
A comprehensive review article synthesizes decades of research on stress hormone systems in primate brains, revealing key differences between rodents and primates. The findings highlight the importance of considering anatomical differences when developing treatments for stress-related psychiatric disorders.
Researchers found that wild chimpanzees use compositional and non-compositional call combinations to create new meanings, similar to human language. This suggests a highly generative vocal communication system in chimpanzees, challenging previous views on the evolution of language.
Scientists successfully grow chimpanzee naive-type pluripotent stem cells, revealing key mechanisms for self-renewal and differentiation. The study's findings shed light on the evolutionary conservation of these properties, offering a powerful tool for investigating early developmental processes.
Researchers at UNM hope to launch human clinical trials for a vaccine targeting the tau protein associated with Alzheimer's dementia. The experimental vaccine generated a robust immune response in both mice and non-human primates, building on earlier research.
Researchers successfully treated atherosclerosis and fatty liver disease using DT-109 in nonhuman primates, which has potential as a dual therapy for two common conditions. The compound reduced the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and stopped critical processes that lead to vascular calcification.