A study by Wildlife Conservation Society establishes a conservation roadmap for Tanzania's 27 primate species, identifying priority areas for protection. The most vulnerable species, including the kipunji and Zanzibar red colobus, require adequate protection to prevent extinction.
A recent study has identified 1,274 genes in the Y chromosome of cattle, a significant increase compared to other primates. This discovery may help biologists better understand how cattle and other mammals evolved and improve fertility in the dairy and beef industry.
A study at Duke University found that lemurs in larger social groups exhibit more 'social intelligence' and are more likely to steal food behind a human's back. The research supports the 'social intelligence hypothesis,' suggesting that living in large social networks drove the evolution of complex social cognition in primates.
Research by Evan MacLean and colleagues found that lemur group sizes positively correlate with performance on tests of social cognition. In contrast, nonsocial cognitive skills were not affected by group size. The study suggests that the evolution of complex social intelligence may be linked to larger social networks.
A personality test conducted on grey mouse lemurs found distinct personalities among the animals, with some exhibiting shy behavior and others being bold. The study aims to improve breeding programs and reintroduction efforts for these endangered primates.
Researchers used complex network metrics to study primate species and their parasite fauna, finding that central primates are more capable of transmitting parasites to other species and humans. This discovery could inform early warning plans for emerging diseases in humans.
The discovery of Archicebus achilles, a 55-million-year-old primate fossil, provides insights into the early evolution of humans and apes. The tiny skeleton, weighing around 20-30 grams as an adult, suggests that the earliest primates were small, day-dwelling tree-climbers.
A nearly complete, articulated skeleton of a new tiny, tree-dwelling primate has been discovered in China, dating back 55 million years. The fossil, named Archicebus achilles, is one of the most primitive primate fossils ever documented and provides valuable insights into the evolution of primates.
A new study reveals that human ancestors began consuming tropical grasses and sedges around 3.5 million years ago, marking a significant shift in their diet. This change is believed to have set the stage for the development of modern diets featuring grains, grasses, and meat from grazing animals.
Fossil discoveries in Tanzania reveal the oldest evidence of the split between Old World monkeys and apes, dating back to 25 million years ago. The findings document two new primate species: Rukwapithecus fleaglei and Nsungwepithecus gunnelli.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have developed an anti-cocaine vaccine that prevents the drug from reaching the brain and producing a high. The vaccine works by generating antibodies against cocaine, rendering it ineffective, and has shown promising results in non-human primates.
A study with zoo baboons found that they can accurately discriminate between different quantities, relying on a cognitive approach known as the analog system. This ability is shared by humans and children who have not yet learned to count, suggesting a fundamental talent for making approximate quantity judgments.
Researchers observed 'striking' fickleness in male monkeys when copying the behaviour of others in new groups. The study provides rare experimental proof of cultural transmission in wild primates and sheds light on the evolution of human desire to seek out local knowledge.
Geladas' vocal lip-smacks exhibit speech-like undulating rhythms, matching human speech patterns. This finding supports the idea that lip-smacking could be an evolutionary step toward human speech.
Two new species of mouse lemurs have been identified by Duke University scientists, one named Anosy mouse lemur and the other Marohita mouse lemur. The genetic analysis reveals that these species are distinct and do not interbreed with other recognized mouse lemur species.
A Princeton University study reveals that endangered species, such as Sumatran orangutans and Javan leopards, are increasingly taking up residence in swamp forests in Africa and Asia. These areas often lack food sources and fresh water, yet provide a crucial habitat for these animals.
The Chinese tree shrew genome sequencing provides new insights into facilitating biomedical researches, particularly in studying hepatitis C virus and depression. The study reveals that tree shrews have a higher brain to body mass ratio than humans and share genetic features with primates.
Researchers from RIKEN Brain Science Institute found that pairs of macaque monkeys modify their body movements to be in tune with others. This phenomenon may reflect bonding and facilitate human interaction, shedding light on conditions like autism spectrum disorders.
Research suggests that HIV-like viruses in non-human primates date back to at least 5 million years ago, possibly up to 12 million years ago. The study's findings indicate an evolutionary arms race between viruses and the host immune system, driving selective changes in antiviral genes.
In endangered Mexican howler monkeys, habitat disturbance leads to increased 'travel time' foraging and high levels of stress hormones. Researchers found that fruit is a crucial component of their natural diet, and lack of fruit availability forces them to spend more time seeking out nutritious foliage.
A recent study by EcoHealth Alliance found Ebola virus antibodies in approximately 4% of the bats screened in Bangladesh, indicating that Rousettus fruit bats may be a natural reservoir for Ebola virus. The study extends the known range of Ebola to mainland Asia.
Researchers at NIH and OHSU found that an experimental Ebola vaccine elicits antibodies that protect nonhuman primates from Ebola virus infection. The study's results showed that antibodies induced by the vaccine appeared to be critical to protecting the animals, while immune cells had a minimal role.
A new hormone therapy combining conventional estrogen with a bone-protective SERM-like drug has shown promise in reducing menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis risk without increasing breast cancer risk. The treatment approach, termed TSEC, was tested in postmenopausal nonhuman primates over a 20-month period.
A University of Oklahoma study analyzed ancient DNA from human fecal samples to understand changes in the human gut microbiome. The results suggest that the last 100 years have seen a major shift in the human gut microbiome, with broader implications for modern health.
Three new species of slow loris were identified, revealing distinct differences in body size, fur thickness, habitats, and facial markings. This reclassification may increase legal protections for the endangered or threatened animals, as well as highlight the cruelty of keeping them as pets.
A study published by the Zoological Society of London predicts that mammals will face a bleak future due to climate change, with 1/3 species at risk from cyclones and droughts. The research identifies primates as particularly vulnerable, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events.
Researchers studying grey-mouse lemurs have found evidence of paternal kin recognition through vocalizations in a small-brained, solitary foraging mammal. The study provides insight into early primates from which humans evolved and suggests that kin recognition through voice was important for primate evolution.
Research finds that seasonal dietary shifts in blue monkeys increase fecal glucocorticoids, a stress marker, particularly in lactating females and those in late pregnancy. This suggests potential effects on female reproduction and infant development.
Researchers identified hundreds of regions in the human genome with unique chromatin structures that control cognitive behavior and expression. These findings provide new insights into diseases like Alzheimer's and autism.
Researchers have identified hundreds of small regions of the genome uniquely regulated in human neurons, distinguishing us from other primates. These regulatory differences may hold the key to understanding human intellectual prowess and susceptibility to 'human-specific' diseases such as autism and Alzheimer's.
A new study by UC Berkeley researchers links plant-based estrogenic compounds to altered hormone levels and possible changes in behavior among male red colobus monkeys. The study suggests that phytoestrogens may have played a significant role in the evolution of primate biology, including human biology.
A team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has successfully restored fertility in male primates who became sterile due to cancer drug side effects. The study involved transplanting spermatogonial stem cells into testes, resulting in functional sperm that fertilized eggs and produced early embryos.
A promising stem-cell-based approach has been successfully demonstrated in non-human primates, where transplanted spermatogonial stem cells produce functional sperm. Cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy often become infertile due to treatment damage, but preserving and transplanting SSCs may restore fertility.
Researchers at Emory University have identified grid cells in rhesus monkeys' brains, which fire in repeating triangular patterns as they explore visual scenes. This finding has implications for understanding how humans form mental maps of the world and may help explain why disorientation is a common symptom of Alzheimer's disease.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that rhesus monkeys prefer a highly-valued food item alone to the same item paired with a lower-value item. This behavior is similar to what has been seen in human studies, where participants rated a highly-valued item more highly than one with multiple items of lesser value.
Human pregnancy length is limited by a mother's metabolism, not birth canal size, according to new research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The EGG hypothesis suggests that babies are born when their mother cannot put any more energy into gestation and fetal growth.
A study published in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology found that singing gibbons use the same vocal techniques as professional soprano singers. The research reveals a physiological similarity between gibbon and human voices, suggesting that complex vocal abilities evolved in humans were not due to unique modifications.
Researchers used human parkour athletes to simulate orangutan movements and found that swaying is the most efficient way to cross trees. This finding helps explain why orangutans spend most of their lives in trees despite their large size and low-energy diet.
New research reveals rhesus macaques have three times more genetic variation than humans but with a comparable ratio of damaging mutations, indicating strong selection pressure to maintain gene function. The study's findings provide insights into the impact of population history on genetic variation and evolutionary selection.
Scientists have developed a novel gene transfer technique that selectively eliminates a specific neural circuit in non-human primates. The 'elimination' of the basal ganglia's hyperdirect pathway reveals its crucial role in motor function and provides insights into Parkinson's disease mechanisms.
Researchers developed a new swab technique that can spot tuberculosis in non-human primates with no outward signs of disease. The method has been successfully tested on Asian monkey populations, revealing a significant prevalence rate and potential for primate-to-primate transmission.
Researchers found that primate lip smacking and human speech share similar frequency ranges, developmental trajectories, and neural controls. This study provides insight into the neural basis of human communication disorders by exploring the evolution of primate facial expressions and their potential link to speech.
Researchers develop new technique to target specific neural circuits and find that indirect pathways play key role in skilled hand movements. The study uses a double viral vector transfection method to selectively suppress propriospinal neurons, revealing the function of this 'phylogenetically old circuit'.
Researchers analyzed fossilized primate skulls and CT scans of living primates to determine how extinct animals moved, focusing on the bony labyrinth of the inner ear. The study found that ancient primates were relatively agile, with some species moving faster than their Old World ancestors.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered that rhesus macaques with more Th17 cells in their gut are better able to control SIV and live longer after infection. This finding may shed light on why some people infected with HIV live longer and have fewer health problems than others.
A groundbreaking study found quantum dots to be safe in primates over a one-year period, with no signs of illness or toxicity. The results suggest that medical applications such as image-guided surgery and diagnostic tests could be viable with careful use.
A new study has traced the evolutionary history of mammal diets, revealing that omnivores, including primates, bears, and dogs, came from ancestors that primarily ate plants. The study found that diet is linked to species diversification, with plant-eaters proliferating faster than meat-eaters.
Brown capuchin monkeys demonstrate empathetic perspective-taking by withholding food from a fellow monkey who has just eaten, suggesting they understand their physical needs. The study provides first evidence for this behavior in primates.
A new study found that social stress changes the expression of nearly 1,000 genes in rhesus macaques, affecting their immune response and other functions. The researchers discovered significant differences in gene expression between high-ranking and low-ranking females, suggesting a strong link between social environment and biology.
Researchers discovered a curved, three-dimensional grid structure in the brains of humans and non-human primates, organized pathways are either perpendicular or parallel to each other, forming box-like structures. This finding has implications for understanding brain development, evolution, and function.
SIV's natural hosts, non-human primates, display a unique immune response to the virus, characterized by low immune activation and efficient preservation of immune cells. This study suggests that understanding these adaptations could inform medical care for people living with HIV.
Scientists at Emory University and GeoVax Labs developed a vaccine that protected nonhuman primates against multiple SIV exposures over three years. The vaccine regimen included a DNA prime vaccine with GM-CSF, which enhanced immune responses and provided 70-84% overall protection.
Tarsiers have been largely unchanged for 45 million years and possess the most extreme ultrasonic calls in the animal kingdom, surpassing all other primates. Researchers discovered that these animals emit ultrasonic alarm calls when humans are near, potentially as a means to evade detection by predators.
Researchers have identified extended synaptic development in human brains relative to other primates, shedding light on the biology and evolution of human cognition. This finding suggests that the human brain remains highly plastic during early childhood, allowing it to absorb environmental information and develop intellectual skills.
Researchers discovered a newly acquired trait in some HIV-related viruses that allows them to degrade primate SAMHD1 proteins. The ability emerged first in Vpr proteins before the emergence of Vpx proteins.
A new study reveals a 47-million-year-old primate, Notharctus tenebrosus, with a toe bone showing features of both nails and a grooming claw. This finding challenges previous classifications of primates and raises questions about the evolution of claws in our ancestors.
Scientists at OHSU successfully produced the world's first primate chimeric offspring, three baby rhesus macaques, shedding light on stem cell functions and abilities in primates compared to rodents. The research has significant implications for regenerative medicine, particularly in treating diseases like Parkinson's.
Researchers studied Campbell's monkeys and found that females pick up habits from each other through grooming and contact calls. The study suggests that human speech evolved gradually from ancestral primate vocalisations and social patterns, influenced by environmental factors rather than genetic predisposition alone.
In a study co-authored by Cornell University researcher Harry Greene, men are attacked by giant pythons but also target them for food, competing for the same local deer, wild pigs, and monkeys. The complex relationships between humans and snakes highlight broader patterns of predation and competition in the natural world.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have developed a novel antimalarial agent, BCX4945, which kills the deadliest malaria parasite by starving it of vital building blocks. The study shows promising results in non-human primates, paving the way for more potent therapies against this deadly disease.