Researchers found widespread allomaternal nursing behavior in golden snub-nosed monkeys, where most infants were nursed by one or two additional adult females. This behavior enhanced infant survivorship and supported kin selection and reciprocity hypotheses, expanding our understanding of allomaternal nursing in primates.
A team of researchers led by Joshua Sanes created the first cellular atlas of the primate retina, identifying 65-70 separate cell types and their expressed genes. The study sheds light on the mechanisms that give rise to differences in foveal cells and offers a foundation for understanding vision-related diseases.
A new study reveals that Homo sapiens colonized the South Asian rainforest by hunting primates and other small mammals 45,000 years ago. The researchers found remains with cut-marks and burning at the oldest human archaeological site in Sri Lanka, alongside sophisticated bone and stone tools.
Researchers at OHSU discovered a gene linked to lower expression in primates who consumed heavy amounts of alcohol, which reduced consumption by almost 50% when increased in mice. The study highlights a novel target for treating alcoholism and mood disorders.
Researchers found that chimpanzees' highly variable CD4 receptors block HIV and SIV entry into cells. This natural defense mechanism could inform the development of more effective HIV vaccines.
A new study led by the University of Arizona found that larger-brained dogs outperform smaller dogs in measures of executive functions. The research, which used data from over 7,000 purebred domestic dogs, showed that bigger breeds have better short-term memory and self-control.
Researchers found that more efficient neural codes in humans and monkeys resulted in reduced robustness, potentially contributing to disorders like ADHD, anxiety, and depression. The study supports the 'washing machine' theory of brain evolution, suggesting a trade-off between efficiency and error resistance.
Researchers have developed a two-antibody cocktail that protects nonhuman primates and ferrets against lethal Ebola virus infections of multiple strains. The breakthrough offers potential for a single-dose treatment to reduce healthcare worker burden during outbreaks.
Researchers found that Cameroonian adults frequently interact with nonhuman primates through hunting, butchering, and consuming meat. This exposure puts people at risk of infection with new diseases, highlighting the need for improved surveillance and safe handling practices.
Researchers found that marmosets prefer melodies with consistent dependencies, mirroring human language structures. This discovery implies that primates already possessed this cognitive ability, shared with humans, around 30 million years ago.
Research by Harvard University's Catherine Dulac reveals that male mice engage in infanticide due to a combination of sensory cues, including the shape of pups and specific pheromone signals. These signals allow males to identify newborn infants and recognize their need for nurturing versus protection from attack.
A new study published in Immunity shows that an experimental HIV vaccine protects rhesus macaques from infection by inducing neutralizing antibodies against a Tier 2 virus. The vaccine strategy, developed over two decades, aims to train the immune system to recognize and attack vulnerable areas on the HIV envelope protein.
Otago researchers found a genetic factor, PLEKHG6, that drives unique aspects of brain development in primates and humans. This discovery could lead to better understanding of brain building and repair strategies.
New research reveals that a species of ancient primate, Teilhardina brandti, found in Wyoming, is as old or older than its Asian and European relatives. This discovery challenges the prevailing hypothesis that Teilhardina first appeared in China. The study analyzed 163 teeth and jaws to determine the species' origins and migration patt...
Researchers found that dogs search for additional information significantly more often when they have not seen where the reward is hidden. However, their searching flexibility was limited compared to primates and humans.
Researchers analyzed 24 captive killer whales' personality traits using the five-factor model, finding similarities with both humans and chimpanzees. The study suggests that complex social interactions may require certain personality traits.
Ancient DNA analysis reveals extinct Jamaican monkey Xenothrix, which diverged from Cheracebus monkeys around 11 million years ago. The study suggests that adaptation can shape species morphology in novel environments, supporting primate colonization of the Caribbean islands.
Researchers analyzed laughter clips from 44 infants to children aged 3-18 months and found that youngest babies laughed on both inhalation and exhalation, similar to chimpanzees. Older babies primarily laughed on the exhale, as seen in older children and adults.
Researchers have found that wild monkeys in the Americas are transmitting the Zika virus to humans via mosquitoes, changing our understanding of the ecology and transmission of Zika virus in the region. This natural transmission cycle involving local mosquitoes and wild primates makes complete eradication of the virus highly unlikely.
Researchers discovered that cancer-causing papillomaviruses diverged from their common ancestors half a million years ago, coinciding with the split between Neanderthals and modern humans. The viruses adapted to specific host ecosystems and then coevolved with primates for at least 40 million years.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Michigan found that chimpanzees tend to make prosocial choices faster than selfish ones. In tasks assessing cooperation and self-control, chimpanzees were more likely to pick the option benefiting others if they made a quick decision.
Researchers analyzed over 500,000 mouse decisions to identify a brain region supporting a decision-making strategy similar to nonhuman primates. This discovery paves the way for manipulating this circuit using advanced techniques.
A recent study suggests that researchers may be overlooking intricate social relationships among chimpanzees and macaques. The study found that existing dominance-based methods are too simplistic to capture the complex dynamics of these primates' social interactions.
Researchers developed new electrophysiology techniques to study the pig hippocampus, confirming features comparable to rodents and non-human primates. This breakthrough establishes pigs as a promising preclinical research model for traumatic brain injury and epilepsy.
Researchers mapped 329 primate electrocutions in Diani, Kenya, highlighting hotspot areas and patterns of association. The study aims to inform conservation strategies by providing a framework for systematic spatial prioritization of power lines to reduce primate electrocution risks.
A team of scientists has identified 25 genetic mutations associated with longer lifespans in humans and primates. These findings provide insights into the complex process of aging and may lead to new therapeutic targets for age-related diseases.
Researchers have developed a bifunctional compound that both relieves pain and suppresses opioid dependency in primates, providing 100-fold stronger pain relief than morphine. The compound lacks rewarding characteristics and motor impairment, indicating a safer alternative to traditional opioids.
Biological anthropologists from the University of Texas at Austin have discovered three previously unknown ancient primates in San Diego County. The fossils date back 42 million to 46 million years, with estimated weights ranging from 113 to 796 grams.
Researchers used genomic and epidemiological approaches to understand the mode of transmission of the South America's largest yellow fever virus outbreak. The study revealed that the virus lineage had spread through a sylvatic cycle of transmission in primates before spilling over into human populations.
Scientists investigate the recent yellow fever outbreak in Brazil, finding that it originated from nonhuman primates in the forest and spread to humans. The study highlights the importance of real-time disease monitoring and public health countermeasures.
African oil palm cultivation could impact primates due to high demand for the crop. The study found that only 3.3 million hectares of land offer little impact on primates, while 273 Mha can be planted with varying yields.
Researchers found significant overlap between areas suitable for oil palm production and primate conservation priorities in Africa, highlighting the need for sustainable practices to balance both interests. Only a few regions, like Madagascar, were identified as suitable for palm oil production with low conservation risks for primates.
Researchers link vocal repertoire to brain region size in primates, finding a positive correlation between cortical association areas and vocal complexity. The study reveals the importance of specific brain regions in controlling vocal production, providing insight into human speech evolution.
Researchers observed red-fronted lemurs in Madagascar chewing on millipedes to rid themselves of intestinal parasites. The animals then rubbed the area around their genitals, anuses, and tails with the chomped millipedes to treat conditions like itching and weight loss.
Researchers found that leaf-eating primates share few gut microbial characteristics, while closely related species have similar microbes regardless of diet. This suggests that host evolutionary relationships play a more significant role in shaping the gut microbiome than diet.
Researchers measured manual pressures during stone tool behaviors to understand the impact on human hand anatomy. The study found that accessing bone marrow required the greatest pressure, suggesting it may have played a key role in the evolution of human dexterity.
Researchers found that primates choose grooming partners based on various factors, including reproductive state, social relationships, and dominance rank. They also consider the social environment, adapting their choice to maximize benefit. This study reveals impressive cognitive abilities in primates.
Researchers discovered a neural circuit in parrots that may underlie their intelligence, similar to the pontine nuclei found in primates. The medial spiriform nucleus, located in birds, is comparable in function to the pontine nuclei and plays a key role in higher-order processing and sophisticated behaviors.
A collaborative study published in Nature Medicine found that 26 percent of nonhuman primates infected with Zika during early stages of pregnancy experienced miscarriage or stillbirth. This is the first time such a finding has been demonstrated, highlighting the importance of understanding how the Zika virus damages the placenta.
A collaborative study between six National Primate Research Centers found that 26% of female nonhuman primates infected with Zika virus experienced miscarriage or stillbirth despite few clinical signs of infection. The study suggests that Zika-associated pregnancy loss in humans may be more frequent than currently thought.
Researchers studied barn owls' brain and behavior while tracking dark dots on a screen, finding evidence of perceptual grouping. This ability, crucial for vision-based species, was previously only studied in primates.
A study involving wild and captive baboons found evidence of antibiotic resistance in their gut microbiomes, even without human-produced antibiotic exposure. The researchers used functional metagenomics to identify resistance genes, revealing a surprising enrichment of Actinobacteria in wild baboon populations.
New fossil evidence suggests that ancient primates, including Teilhardina brandti, had specialized grooming claws as well as nails. This finding overturns the prevailing assumption that the earliest primates had nails on all their digits and provides crucial insights into their daily behavior and evolutionary story.
The study highlights the devastating impact of human activities on primate populations, with up to 78% decline in their habitats by the end of the century. The authors recommend extending protected areas, reforestation, and promoting sustainable farming practices to conserve primates.
New, high-quality ape genome assemblies have been generated without the guidance of the human reference genome, providing a clearer view of genetic differences that arose as humans diverged from other primates. The research team also studied brain organoids to understand how differences in gene expression during brain development might...
Fuentes asserts that humans are distinctive, yet share similarities with apes. He proposes that human ability to alter ecosystems is our most distinguishing feature, enabling creative cooperation, technological innovations, and artistic expression.
A new facial recognition software and app developed at Michigan State University can help track and protect endangered primates. The PrimNet system outperformed state-of-the-art face recognition systems in head-to-head comparisons, offering a more cost-effective and invasive approach to primate tracking.
Researchers have identified and studied antibodies from human survivors of Ebola Bundibugyo that neutralize and protect against infection with several different Ebola virus species. The newly discovered antibodies bond at a different site on the Ebola virus than other antibodies currently used to develop Ebola therapies.
Scientists have identified immune-related genes in Egyptian fruit bats that suggest a different approach to viral infections. The study found expanded and diversified natural killer cell receptors, MHC class I genes, and type I interferons in bats, which may enable them to tolerate viruses without symptoms.
Gene editing of bone marrow stem cells has shown promise against HIV in non-human primates. The technique successfully reduced the size of dormant 'viral reservoirs' that pose a risk of reactivation, giving rise to white blood cells resistant to SHIV.
Researchers discovered genetic and epigenetic changes in humans and chimpanzees that increase the fight-or-flight response, a trait more common in species with warfare history. These adaptations may have played a role in shaping human warfare.
A study on grey mouse lemurs found that chronic caloric restriction increased their median survival time to 9.6 years, compared to 6.4 years in control groups. Calorie restriction also delayed the onset of age-related pathologies and preserved motor capacities.
Princeton University researchers found that lemurs who solve problems gain more social connections and attention from others. By observing the behavior of successful individuals, other lemurs are more likely to adopt similar skills and strategies.
Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys, have been enjoying regular baths in the hot spring at Jigokudani in Japan for decades. A recent study found that female snow monkeys use the hot spring more often in winter than in spring to lower stress levels.
Scientists identified potential biomarkers in nonhuman primates exposed to Ebola virus that appeared up to four days before fever onset. These markers could predict disease development prior to other host-based indications of infection.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that high doses of antiviral drug favipiravir extended survival in non-human primates infected with Ebola virus. The drug was shown to inhibit viral replication in a drug concentration-dependent manner, with animals treated at higher doses surviving longer than those treated at lower doses.
Research on marmoset monkeys found that both internal states, such as arousal levels, and external factors, like timing of another monkey's vocalizations, impact vocalization changes. The study suggests a complex relationship between vocal production in nonhuman primates, with potential implications for understanding human communication.
A new study reveals that rodents possess advanced object recognition strategies, comparable to those of primates. The research demonstrates the existence of rodent-specific recognition methods based on specific features and their spatial relationships.
A study published in the journal Primates shows that while plants growing near the edges of cleared regions are negatively impacted by human activity, monkeys sharing the same habitat do not fare as poorly. The researchers found less diversity of tree species at the forest edge compared to the interior, and noted that these trees were ...
Computer-generated chimpanzee simulations become more accurate thanks to simple changes in machine learning algorithms. The research also reveals that all primates walk with a unique 'curious' gait, which may be linked to stability while moving through trees.