A collaboration between two research teams has resolved a scientific controversy on calorie restriction's effects on aging. The study shows that restricting calories improves survival, reduces cancer, cardiovascular disease, and insulin resistance in adult and older primates but not in younger animals.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that baboons produce five distinct vowel-like sounds similar to those used in human speech. The anatomy of the baboon's vocal tract also reveals similarities with the human tongue, indicating a shared mechanism for forming these sounds.
A new $100,000 grant will support research training and educational outreach in vertebrate paleontology at the University of Kansas. Students will participate in fieldwork in Wyoming and Turkey to study early mammal evolution and migration.
Researchers evaluated two adeno-associated virus vectors in non-human primates to assess gene expression efficiency and immunogenicity. The results provide insight into the safety and effectiveness of these gene therapy approaches before initiating clinical trials in humans.
Researchers at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston have developed a novel chikungunya vaccine using an insect-specific virus that doesn't affect humans. The new vaccine elicits strong immune defenses and protects mice and nonhuman primates from disease when exposed to the chikungunya virus.
The study found that human ALOX15 has a higher capacity for producing anti-inflammatory lipid mediators than its lower primate counterparts. This suggests an evolution to better control inflammation and speed up the healing process.
Research reveals that macaques possess the physical attributes necessary to produce intelligible human speech, yet their brains lack the neural circuitry required for this ability. This finding debunks the idea that vocal anatomy alone limits speech in nonhumans, highlighting the importance of brain evolution in human language.
A study found that a gene regulating bone growth is highly active in the brains of humans and nonhuman primates, but not in mice. The researchers believe this gene may play a role in brain maturation and cognitive function.
Researchers found that a therapeutic vaccine and immune stimulator combination improved virologic control and delayed viral rebound in non-human primates infected with SIV. The study showed promise for achieving long-term viral suppression without antiretroviral therapy.
A primate regained control of its paralyzed leg using a neuroprosthetic system that decodes brain activity associated with walking movements and relays this information to the spinal cord. The system was tested in collaboration with an international network of collaborators, including Medtronic and the University of Bordeaux.
A team of scientists has restored intentional walking movement to a temporarily paralyzed leg in rhesus macaques using a wireless brain-spinal interface. The system uses signals recorded from the motor cortex of the brain to trigger coordinated electrical stimulation of nerves in the spine responsible for locomotion.
Research suggests factors beyond sociality influence brain anatomy in carnivores, contradicting the 'social brain' hypothesis. Female lions have larger frontal cortices due to their social demands, while cheetahs have smaller brains that support their high-speed pursuits.
Research on dogs' cognition reveals their ability to comprehend human communicative cues and recognize individual faces, but also limited spatial memory and numerical discrimination. The field is still in its infancy, with more studies needed to examine individual variability and complex behaviors.
Researchers found that azure-winged magpies provided food to their group members spontaneously and without being asked, showing a high level of prosocial behavior. This suggests that cooperative breeding may have promoted the emergence of prosocial tendencies in these birds.
The study highlights the risks of human presence on endangered ape populations, including disease transmission and habitat destruction. To mitigate these threats, Schultz proposes improving protocols and regulations for ecotourism and promoting understanding of interspecies disease transmission as a conservation threat.
New ape study demonstrates nonhuman primates can recognize others' beliefs, desires, and intentions, a phenomenon called Theory of Mind (ToM), previously thought to be exclusive to humans. Apes correctly anticipated that humans would search for an object in the wrong location based on their knowledge.
The tarsier genome analysis confirms that tarsiers belong to the dry-nosed primate category, sharing recent transposon families with humans and bushbabies. The study also identified 192 genes linked to the tarsiers' unique traits, which may be associated with human diseases.
A new study found that captive monkeys in zoos lose their native gut bacteria diversity and acquire a set similar to humans. The researchers suggest that a low-fiber Western diet may be the cause, as it led to a loss of microbial diversity in both captive and semi-captive populations.
New research on slobber shows that adaptation isn't just about creating new tools for survival. The study found repeated instructions in the MUC7 gene helped primates enhance important traits like saliva's lubricity and ability to bind microbes, suggesting evolution favors expansion of tried-and-true genetic tools.
Researchers sequenced and analyzed the genomes of 38 wild snub-nosed monkeys from four endangered species, revealing reduced genetic diversity and a similar number of harmful mutations. The study identified hypoxia-related genes that enable these primates to thrive in high-altitude environments.
Researchers at UTMB have protected nonhuman primates against Ebola Sudan four days after infection using a siRNA-based treatment. The treatment was effective even when animals showed signs of disease and had detectable levels of the virus in their blood.
Researchers found that chimpanzees choose to cooperate five times more frequently than compete, using various strategies to overcome competition. The study suggests shared roots of human cooperation with other primates and provides insight into human evolution.
The discovery of 25 little bones in India suggests that primates native to the region played a crucial role in the early evolution of primates. The bones, dated to around 54.5 million years ago, show primitive features that do not clearly belong to either clade and may represent an early stage of primate evolution.
A new study reconstructs virtual brains from ancient primate skulls, showing that early primates developed larger brains after specialization in vision and neurological functions. The findings suggest that modern primates' large brains are a result of evolutionary adaptations rather than innate traits.
A new study finds that humans have the highest number of cortical neurons among primates, but the prefrontal region's size is similar to non-human primates. Cooking allowed early humans to overcome energetic barriers, enabling brain growth and development.
A new Concordia study reveals that climate change may be one of the biggest emerging threats to primates, with 419 species expected to experience 10% more warming than the global average. The researchers identified hotspots of primate vulnerability in Central America, the Amazon, and Southeast Asia.
Researchers recorded neural activity in human striatum, a key structure compromised in Parkinson's disease. The study provides new understanding of pathophysiology and potential treatments for PD.
Researchers have successfully tested two Zika vaccine candidates in nonhuman primates, demonstrating robust protection against both Brazilian and Puerto Rican strains of the virus. The findings support the advancement of these vaccine candidates to human trials, with phase 1 clinical testing expected to begin later this year.
The Southwest National Primate Research Center at Texas Biomedical Research Institute has received a $40 million NIH grant to continue its research programs using nonhuman primates. The grant renewal will support the Center's breeding and research colonies of NHP species, making them available to the global scientific community.
Two vaccine candidates have shown complete protection against the Zika virus in rhesus monkeys, with no adverse effects observed. The findings, published in the journal Science, provide a promising lead for developing a safe and effective human vaccine to combat this mosquito-borne disease.
A genetic mutation in modern humans may have allowed them to effectively process toxic compounds produced by fires, potentially giving them an evolutionary edge. This mutation is thought to be linked to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and may have helped humans adapt to environmental toxin exposures.
A recent study published in PLOS Biology suggests that larger brains are more susceptible to mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease due to weaker long-distance connections. The researchers found that the global architecture of cortical networks in primates and rodents follows common principles, with primate brai...
A European-wide research programme is investigating why great apes are prone to heart disease, with a focus on chimpanzees and gorillas. The Ape Heart Project aims to improve heart screening in zoos and gain insights into the management and welfare of primates in human care.
In a controlled study, researchers found that two aye-ayes and a slow loris could discriminate between varying concentrations of alcohol and preferred the highest concentrations. The findings support the idea that fermented foods were important in human ancestors' diets, potentially pre-adapting humans for the Neolithic Revolution.
Studies on nonhuman primates spark debate over ethics of infection challenges, with experts arguing for stricter safeguards to balance human need with animal welfare
Scientists have discovered two new strains of the HTLV-4 virus in hunters bitten by gorillas in Gabon, supporting the notion that gorillas are a major source of infectious agents. The findings suggest that gorilla bites can lead to chronic persistence of the virus in humans.
Researchers discovered multiple assemblages of Homo erectus footprints in northern Kenya, preserving evidence of a modern human style of walking and group structure consistent with human-like social behaviours. The findings provide direct insight into the locomotor patterns and group dynamics of our fossil ancestors.
University of California, Berkeley paleontologists discover inherited dental features in primates that shed light on a mysterious increase in monkey species during climate change 8 million years ago. The traits will help track genes controlling tooth development and aid scientists in regrowing teeth.
Scientists discover that chewed plants by mountain gorillas can be used to test for viruses, providing a simple way to monitor the health of endangered apes. The new non-invasive method is effective for detecting both RNA and DNA viruses and has implications for conservation management.
A paralyzed chimpanzee, Reo, was rehabilitated through a dedicated programme using cognitive tasks on a touch screen. After 41 months of intensive physiotherapy, he learned to walk again, showing the potential of this method in improving animal welfare.
Research found that female bonobos' unreliable sexual swellings make it difficult for males to time their mating efforts accurately. This may reduce aggressive mate competition and result in bonobo societies being more peaceful. The study advances understanding of the evolution of sexual signaling in our closest relatives.
Researchers have created summative world maps of mammal-to-human diseases, revealing understudied patterns and insights into zoonotic disease emergence. The maps show that hotspots of zoonotic diseases don't match hotspots of biodiversity closely, with more zoonotic hosts in the tropics but more zoonotic diseases in temperate regions.
A study by Vanderbilt University neuroscientist Suzana Herculano-Houzel found that birds have more neurons packed into their small brains than mammals or primates. The avian brain's smaller and denser neurons enable complex cognitive behaviors, rivaling those of primates.
Scientists have discovered a special neural network in the primate brain that anticipates all possible situations, allowing for novel behavior adaptation. This 'reservoir computing' property enables the brain to create a universal representation of combinations, preparing primates for unlimited situations.
Human parthenogenetic stem cells derived from unfertilized oocytes can be used to generate unlimited supply of neural stem cells for transplantation. The study found that grafting these cells into non-human primates with Parkinson's disease promoted behavioral recovery and increased dopamine concentrations.
Researchers found that archerfish can distinguish between up to 44 new faces, demonstrating impressive visual recognition capabilities. The study suggests that simple brains may be capable of complex tasks like facial recognition.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have pinpointed a specific long non-coding RNA that regulates neural development and drives human brain expansion. The lncRNA, called lncND, binds to microRNAs and regulates the expression of Notch proteins, which are critical for cell differentiation and development.
The HAMMER project aims to identify host features associated with malaria resilience and develop interventions to enhance it. By studying the malaria parasite Plasmodium knowlesi in humans and non-human primates, researchers hope to create new therapeutic strategies for severe malaria cases.
Researchers found that African monkeys in Tanzania and Kenya are consuming bats as a food source. This predation behavior could facilitate the transmission of zoonotic diseases between animals and humans.
A new study suggests that human intelligence developed in response to the demands of caring for infants, who are born prematurely and require intelligent parents. The research found a strong correlation between weaning time and general intelligence in primates.
The discovery of diverse Oligocene primates from southern China sheds light on the evolution of primates during the Eocene-Oligocene transition. The Asian fauna is dominated by strepsirhines, contrasting with Afro-Arabian primate faunas that diversified anthropoids after the climate crisis.
Fossil analysis reveals that a cooler period after the Eocene-Oligocene transition (EOT) significantly impacted Asian primate evolution, favoring lemur-like strepsirrhine primates. In contrast, Afro-Arabia fossils show anthropoid diversification during this time.
A decade-long fieldwork project in southern China has uncovered six new fossil species of primates, which survived the Eocene-Oligocene transition due to their tough enamel surfaces. The discovery sheds light on the vulnerability of primates to climate change and provides a unique snapshot of early primate evolution.
Research found that deep-pitched male voices are seen as dominant by other males but have a smaller impact on attracting females. Human male traits imply physical aggression and formidability, providing competitive advantages in fighting or threatening other men more than they help attract women.
Researchers found that humans consume 400 more calories daily than chimpanzees and bonobos, and 635 more calories than gorillas and orangutans. This higher metabolism supports having larger brains and longer lifespans.
The discovery of three new mouse lemur species in Madagascar highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect these tiny primates. The study, which used advanced statistical methods, provides insight into the evolutionary process and has significant implications for clarifying diversity in other species.
A Dartmouth-led study reveals that chimpanzees use advanced manual prehension to evaluate and select figs, demonstrating a significant foraging advantage over other primates. The findings provide new insight into the evolution of skilled forelimb movements and the ecological origins of human hands with fine motor control.
A new study by Drexel University researchers found that gun hunting is driving seven monkey species toward extinction on Bioko Island. Four of the seven species are especially vulnerable and unable to adapt to hunting, with the red colobus being the most at risk due to its specialized niche and larger body size. The researchers suggest...
Researchers at Cornell University and Bar-Ilan University discovered a novel mechanism for mutation in primates triggered by the APOBEC family of virus-fighting enzymes. These enzymes can rapidly generate large changes in genes through 'friendly fire' events, which may have been passed on to subsequent generations.
Researchers have improved upon previous assemblies of the gorilla genome using long-read sequencing technology and algorithms, reducing sequence gaps by 96% and closing 94% of previously identified gaps. The new assembly provides a better understanding of genetic variation between humans and non-human primates.