Researchers analyzed epigenomic signals in human and primate cell lines, revealing weak signals linked to brain functions. The findings provide insights into the evolution of human biology and offer a new model for studying regulatory elements.
The Southwest National Primate Research Center (SNPRC) has been awarded $37 million from the NIH to house and care for nearly 2,500 non-human primates. The funding will support critical work in finding new treatments and vaccines against infectious diseases.
A lab-made monoclonal antibody, leronlimab, has been shown to completely prevent nonhuman primates from being infected with the monkey form of HIV. The results inform a future human clinical trial evaluating leronlimab as a potential pre-exposure prophylaxis therapy.
Researchers analyzed YouTube comments on exotic animal videos and found overwhelmingly positive reactions to human-animal interactions. The study highlights concerns about the normalization of exotic pets and the exotic pet trade due to platform portrayals.
A study published in Evolution found that non-relatives can decipher facial expressions and be attuned to emotional states in infants across multiple primate species. Facial dexterity is positively correlated with the frequency of infant care by non-parents, suggesting a co-evolutionary relationship.
Researchers discovered that one species of tamarin adopts another's call patterns to communicate and avoid conflict in the Brazilian Amazon. The study found that red-handed tamarins adopt pied tamarins' long calls when entering their territory, potentially to identify each other more easily and avoid territorial disputes.
Researchers found that palm oil plantations significantly increase aggressive interactions and reduce bonding behaviors in southern pig-tailed macaques. The study showed that the plantation edge provides a safe haven for social interactions, while the interior poses greater safety risks.
A study led by Florida Atlantic University confirms that the non-native vervet monkey population in Dania Beach has West African origins and were introduced through a failed roadside zoo. The research provides critical baseline information on this little-known population, shedding light on their adaptation to urban environments.
A new study suggests that the pet trade in bushbabies could be causing genetic changes within their wild populations, affecting their ability to adapt to human expansion. Researchers analyzed DNA samples from bushbabies across South Africa and found unusual gene mutations that may indicate secret animal trafficking.
Scientists found that wild orangutans on Borneo have lower muscle mass when fruit is scarce, a surprising finding given their ability to survive food shortages. Conservation plans must consider fruit availability to protect these critically endangered primates.
A new study from Stockholm University debunks the idea that humans can maintain stable relationships with only 150 people, citing a lack of precision in available methods and data. The researchers found that the average maximum group size is often lower than 150, with confidence intervals ranging from 2 to 520 people.
A new study reveals that human frontal cortex development follows a similar trajectory to that of other primates. The research analyzed brain structure and behavioral markers in humans, chimpanzees, mice, and macaques, finding that the three species show consistent patterns of brain maturation.
Researchers have developed an optical cochlear implant that uses light to stimulate auditory neurons, potentially improving frequency and intensity resolution. The new technology was tested on rodents and non-human primates, showing promise in enhancing speech comprehension.
Researchers used GPS data from 164 wild primate populations to analyze mental abilities that guide travel decisions. The findings provide insight into the cognitive development of these species and enhance approaches to studying primate cognition.
A new multi-decadal study involving 242 wild female baboons found evidence to support chronic stress as a significant factor affecting survival. High stress levels throughout adult life were linked to shorter lifespans, with females experiencing a loss of 5.4 years of life compared to those with lower stress responses.
Researchers found that ring-tailed lemurs can detect ripe cantaloupe from a distance of up to 56 feet using their sense of smell. The study demonstrates the first time primates track distant smells carried by wind.
A new study by Northwestern University researchers found that infants as young as three- and four-months old can link language to objects, boosting their object categorization skills. However, listening to birdsong failed to support this process in infants, unlike non-human primate vocalizations.
A recent study found that biases arise from unconscious tendencies towards certain decisions, affecting wellbeing. The research used mathematical models and neural recordings in primates to understand how biases are formed, revealing two types of bias: slow and fast, which can be difficult to eradicate.
A nanoparticle-based vaccine has been shown to produce protective antibodies against multiple H1 and H3 influenza A viruses in nonhuman primates. The vaccine's broad immunity suggests it may provide long-term protection, offering a promising solution to the challenge of creating a universal flu vaccine.
Grafting neurons from monkeys' own cells into their brains relieved debilitating movement and depression symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease. The autologous transplants showed significant improvements within six months, with dopamine levels doubling and tripled within a year.
The study documents the discovery of Purgatorius fossils, which are estimated to be 65.9 million years old, providing insight into primates' evolution and diversification after the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event. The findings suggest that primates likely emerged by the Late Cretaceous period and lived alongside large dinosaurs.
A 4.4 million-year-old skeleton could show how early humans moved and began to walk upright, according to new research led by a Texas A&M University professor. The study found evidence of an 'evolutionary jump' between the hand of Ardi and all later hominin hands, including that of Lucy's species.
A team of researchers, including Graduate Center professor Stephen Chester, analyzed fossils of Purgatorius, the oldest genus in a group of early-known primates. The discovery provides insight into how life on land recovered after the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event that wiped out dinosaurs.
The article reviews immunogenicity profiles of prominent SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in non-human primates and humans. Notably, Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines have been authorized for use by the FDA following successful human clinical trials.
The Mabee Foundation award will aid in the expansion of research and testing at Texas Biomedical Research Institute. The new facility will accommodate a growing need for animal models to test safety and efficacy of new treatments, including those for COVID-19.
Researchers found similar properties between deep neural networks and primate visual cortices, providing insights into attention mechanisms. The study may accelerate AI development by understanding the neural basis of attention.
Researchers found strong links between auditory cortex information in humans and primates, suggesting an evolutionary process dating back at least 25 million years. The study provides new insights into the origins of human language and memory, highlighting a previously unseen ancestral brain highway system.
The study investigates the biodistribution of AAV gene transfer vectors in nonhuman primates using quantitative positron emission tomography (PET). The results show that both AAVrsh.10 and AAV9 vectors distribute primarily to the liver, with lesser detection in the brain after intravenous administration.
Researchers have created non-toxic versions of botulinum neurotoxins that can deliver therapeutic antibodies to neurons, reversing paralysis within hours. The toxin derivatives offer a promising approach to treat established cases of botulism and target hard-to-reach molecules.
A new lung delivery system using phage particles has been developed to induce potent antibody responses in mice and non-human primates without causing lung damage.
A long-term study of gene therapy in monkeys reveals no adverse health effects, bolstering the scientific basis for mitochondrial replacement therapy in human clinical trials. Researchers found varying levels of carryover maternal mitochondrial DNA, but it was not enough to cause health effects.
A study found that visual processing units are identical in size across primate species, from the world's smallest mouse lemur to humans. This preservation suggests an early evolution of primate vision and highlights the importance of conservation efforts for endangered species.
A study reveals that fingerprints facilitate grip by controlling friction through the interaction of sweat glands and moisture. The researchers found that fingerprint ridges effectively block sweat glands when in contact with a surface, resulting in maximum friction.
Researchers successfully edited SIV - a virus closely related to HIV - from the genomes of non-human primates using CRISPR gene-editing. The breakthrough demonstrates that the editing tool can reach infected cells and tissues, including viral reservoirs where the viruses integrate into host DNA.
Human fingerprints have a self-regulating moisture mechanism that helps avoid dropping objects, enabling the development of better prosthetic limbs and virtual reality environments. By regulating skin moisture, fingerprints maximize friction on various surfaces, giving primates an evolutionary advantage in dry and wet conditions.
A study on vulturine guineafowl found that democratic decision-making allows subordinate birds to lead the group away from dominant-controlled food patches, forcing dominants to abandon their rich resources. This mechanism helps maintain a balance of power in the group, ensuring all members can access essential resources.
A new study published in eLife suggests that Lipocalin-2, a hormone produced by bone cells, could be used to treat people with obesity. The hormone has been shown to suppress food intake and increase feelings of fullness in mice and non-human primates.
Researchers have developed a new approach to prevent toxicity seen in sensory neurons of dorsal root ganglia after gene therapy to treat neurological disorders. The approach involves modifying a transgene with a microRNA target, which reduces transgene expression and eliminates toxicity.
Females in this primate species mature faster after a new male arrives, with some maturing earlier than expected. The researchers observed that these females were previously suppressed from maturing due to their fathers' presence.
Researchers used fMRI to compare brain activity in humans and dogs while watching videos of other animals. Dog brains showed no face-specific activation, unlike humans, but did display species preference for viewing a dog over a human.
A research team from the German Primate Center found that lemurs' average cognitive performance in tests was not fundamentally different from other primate species. Despite smaller brains, lemurs showed domain-specific cognitive skills similar to those of monkeys and great apes.
Researchers construct a composite measure of physiological dysregulation among human populations and compare it to other primates. Despite differing lifestyles, Tsimane adults show marginally higher rates of increase in physiological dysregulation, but still lower rates compared to urban populations.
A 13-million-year-old fossil unearthed in northern India belongs to a previously unknown genus and species, providing new evidence about the migration of great apes and lesser apes from Africa to Asia. The discovery pushes back the oldest known fossil record of gibbons by at least five million years.
A COVID-19 vaccine candidate has been shown to prevent severe clinical disease in animals, including weight loss, pneumonia, and death. The vaccine elicited a robust immune response and protected non-human primates and Syrian golden hamsters against SARS-CoV-2.
A recent study found that only 80 primate studies investigated the effectiveness of conservation interventions, highlighting a severe lack of evidence for effective conservation. The authors propose several actions to improve the evidence base, including increasing resources for intervention-effectiveness testing and publication.
Scientists discovered that a specific brain pathway is crucial for motivation but not for reward-driven learning. The research may lead to more precise interventions and effective therapies for psychiatric disorders.
A new global review found that big mammals like elephants, rhinos, and primates are threatened with extinction in national parks of the world's poorest countries. Illegal hunting is a major driver of population declines, particularly in Asia where stricter protected areas have higher rates of illegal hunting.
Researchers found that primates have evolved larger, more variable larynges with faster adaptation rates compared to carnivores. This difference is linked to vocal communication systems, suggesting a key role for the larynx in primate behavior.
The study found that primate larynges are on average 38% larger than those of carnivorans for a given body length, indicating greater flexibility in evolution. The rate of larynx evolution is also faster in primates, with more variation in larynx size relative to body size.
A study from MIT neuroscientists suggests that parts of the brain originally evolved for object recognition have been repurposed for reading. In nonhuman primates, the inferotemporal cortex is capable of distinguishing words from nonsense words and picking out specific letters.
A recent study from Washington University in St. Louis found that older male rhesus monkeys sire significantly fewer offspring than younger males, despite high social status and mating rates. The researchers suggest that age-related decline in sperm quality or quantity may be the primary factor behind this phenomenon.
Researchers found that a pre-epidemic Zika virus mutation enhanced virulence and fitness for transmission, increasing maternal-to-fetal transmission in nonhuman primates. The mutation did not affect mosquito-borne infection but increased the virus's ability to spread through human populations.
A single-shot COVID-19 vaccine developed at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center raised neutralizing antibodies and protected non-human primates against SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine uses adenovirus serotype 26 to deliver the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, stimulating immune responses.
A new mRNA-based vaccine candidate, ARCoV, elicits protective immunity in mice and non-human primates, preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection. The vaccine induces high levels of neutralizing antibodies and T cell responses, offering broad protection against different strains.
A recent study by Sandra Heldstab and colleagues found that primate species follow fixed neural development patterns when learning fine motor skills. Humans develop their abilities later than other primate species due to the less developed state of our larger brains at birth.
A replicating RNA vaccine has shown robust immune response in both young and old animal models, producing antibodies comparable to those in people recovering from COVID-19. The vaccine's design avoids immune responses that could exacerbate the virus, instead inducing protective antiviral measures and T cells.
Researchers discovered that human milk contains a mix of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, differing from bovids and primates. The study suggests that breast milk composition is evolving to meet the growing brain's needs, with increased polyunsaturated fatty acid content in human milk.
A multi-institutional research team found that humans and non-human primates can represent recursive sequences, suggesting a universal cognitive ability. The study's findings dispel the long-held belief that only humans possess this capacity.
Researchers mapped 88,047 individual cells across 33 brain regions in humans, chimpanzees, macaques, and bonobos to identify distinctive brain regions that underwent faster evolution. The study found differences in gene expression between human oligodendrocytes and astrocytes compared to other primates.
A study led by the University of Plymouth found that sea snakes' vision has been modifying genetically over millions of generations, enabling them to adapt to new environments. The research reveals that diving sea snakes share their adaptive properties with some fruit-eating primates.