In contrast to previous studies on human food-sharing practices, female Guinea baboons have diverse sources of meat and do not rely heavily on their primary males. The researchers observed that females often catch prey themselves and access alternative sources of meat.
A study found that antibodies generated by vaccination against Zaire ebolavirus can neutralize the current Bundibugyo ebolavirus variant, suggesting possible cross-protection. However, further studies are required to confirm clinical benefit during the ongoing outbreak.
Researchers from the German Primate Center replicate historical findings by Renate Schweizer on brain convolutions, confirming a connection between deep-lying winding and 'bridge.' The study analyzed structural MRI scans of healthy adults, finding a higher prevalence of 'bridge' in twins.
A new phase in the corona-development has been identified, with recent SARS-CoV-2 variants spreading less rapidly worldwide and BA.3.2 infecting young children more frequently than other strains. This suggests that global immunity from vaccination and infections may be making it harder for new variants to spread.
Researchers have created genetically modified marmosets with a knocked-out OTOF gene, replicating key characteristics of human deafness. The animals developed normally but were deaf from birth, offering a crucial tool for developing new therapies.
A novel experimental framework captures natural complexity, revealing how human pairs settle into stable cooperative, intermediate, or competitive roles. The study integrates factors that mirror real-world behavior, predicting partners' decisions with high accuracy.
Researchers model Baraitser-Winter syndrome using human brain organoids, finding altered actin genes lead to reduced brain growth and smaller size. The study reveals a single mutation in the cytoskeleton causes disruption in early brain development.
Researchers at the German Primate Center discovered that Guinea baboons distribute meat according to patterns similar to those of human hunter-gatherer groups. The strength of relationships between animals determines who gets what, with closer ties leading to more peaceful transfers.
Scientists at the German Primate Center discovered that the brain reorganizes itself to control motor prostheses in a virtual environment. The findings suggest that different regions of the brain jointly reflect corrected movement commands, rather than separate components for expected results and error signals.
Research finds lemurs evolved in multiple successive radiations, with hybridization contributing to new species emergence. Over 100 lemur species exist, but many are endangered due to habitat destruction and climate change.
A new report highlights the drastic decline of endangered primate species worldwide, emphasizing the urgent need for global conservation efforts. Habitat destruction, hunting, climate change, and illegal wildlife trade are major threats to these animals.
Researchers investigated how the brain processes visual uncertainty during movement control in a study with rhesus monkeys. The findings reveal that the brain reacts differently to target and feedback uncertainty, affecting planning, precision, and motor cortex activity.
Researchers used rhesus monkeys to study neural activity during decision-making processes, revealing that amygdala neurons process probability and magnitude of rewards independently. The study also showed that these cells dynamically integrate information about probability, magnitude, and risk to form the basis for decision-making.
A study of human-specific genes reveals their crucial role in brain development, providing new insights into the evolutionary origins of the human brain. The research highlights the importance of these genes in determining brain complexity and size.
Female Guinea baboons court males with special foraging skills more intensively due to the short-term benefits they provide. This suggests that females prioritize immediate rewards over long-term evaluations of male competence.
Neuroscientists investigated how the brain implements flexibility in decision-making, revealing that it either reuses known neural pathways or develops new patterns. The findings help understand why some adaptations are more difficult than others, especially in social interactions and motor tasks.
A new EU research project, Vigilant, aims to develop compounds with broad antiviral activity to limit the spread of viruses. The project will focus on viral envelope proteins and investigate innovative approaches to antiviral therapy.
A long-term study on wild monkeys in Thailand reveals that maternal stress hormone levels during early pregnancy can have a lasting effect on the stress system of the offspring. The study found that elevated stress hormones later during pregnancy or after birth did not have the same effects.
The study reveals the remarkable adaptability of the Cat Ba langur, which has retained key genetic traits that enable it to drink salt water and survive in its isolated environment. This adaptation is a direct consequence of their unique island home, where freshwater sources are limited.
Researchers developed a new algorithm to decode neural signals representing hand postures, enabling more precise control of neuroprostheses. The study, conducted on rhesus monkeys, shows that posture-related activity in the primate grasping circuit is crucial for accurate control.
Research in north-eastern Bangladesh found Phayre's langurs and capped langurs interbreeding, with genetic confirmation of hybridization. The study highlights the urgent need for forest protection and research to develop suitable conservation strategies.
Researchers at German Primate Center investigated how rhesus monkeys encode target positions in arm movements, finding that brain areas can switch between body- and object-related spatial reference systems depending on the task. This flexible coding is essential for developing neuroprostheses that can interpret brain signals correctly.
Researchers studied female Assamese macaques for eight years, finding that social networks decrease with age due to physical limitations and a desire to protect themselves from predators. The study's findings shed light on the biological roots of social aging in humans.
Neuroscientists used wireless recording technology to investigate decision-making in rhesus monkeys foraging for food. The results show that monkeys learned to weigh time and past success when choosing between boxes, with longer wait times leading to more rewards.
The Pirola variant of SARS-CoV-2 has rediscovered an entry pathway into lung cells that was previously used by earlier variants, which may promote the development of pneumonia. The virus uses the cellular enzyme TMPRSS2 for entry and is resistant to most therapeutic antibodies.
A new SARS-CoV-2 variant Eris has been detected, showing an advantage in evading neutralizing antibodies and increasing infectivity. The study found that Eris is less effectively neutralized by antibodies present in the blood of vaccinated individuals or those with a previous infection.
Researchers found pronounced growth spurts in both body weight and length in bonobos, mirroring patterns seen in humans. The study's scale-corrected approach revealed similar hormone surges and corresponding growth curves in both species, highlighting a potential evolutionary connection.
The Omicron subvariant BA.5 efficiently infects lung cells due to a mutation in the spike protein, enabling efficient entry and fusion with lung cells. This finding suggests that future SARS-CoV-2 variants may regain the ability to cause severe illness in risk patients and people with insufficient immunity.
Researchers found that both higher cognitive abilities and exploratory behavior are linked to longer life expectancy in wild gray mouse lemurs. Animals with better cognitive performance and physical condition tended to have longer lifespans.
The study reveals new insights into primate evolution, genetic diversity, and the uniqueness of humans. It also highlights the importance of preserving primate species due to high genetic diversity, which enables adaptation to changing environments.
Scientists have developed a new method to genetically modify brain organoids, allowing for quick and effective analysis of gene function in early stages of brain development. This breakthrough enables comparative studies across primate species and simulates neurological diseases without animal experiments.
A study published in PNAS found that climate change is destabilizing mouse lemur populations on Madagascar, increasing their risk of extinction despite high reproductive output. The data analysis revealed opposing trends of rising mortality and reproductive rates, which have prevented population collapse but accelerated the life cycle.
Researchers found that humans achieve dynamic balance by taking turns, while monkeys use static strategies that often result in one player losing out over time. Monkeys can learn to coordinate dynamically with human partners but then compete with each other.
Researchers have found that long-tailed macaques reject inferior rewards more frequently when provided by a human than an automatic feeder, indicating social disappointment. This behavioral pattern is consistent with frustration towards the experimenter's decision, rather than a comparison of rewards with conspecifics.
A study with human subjects found that varying training conditions led to better generalization of task performance, even in the presence of irrelevant stimuli. This suggests that more variability in training can lead to improved learning outcomes by enabling the brain to create invariant representations.
A recent study found that the Omicron sub-lineage BQ.1.1 is resistant to all approved antibody therapies, posing a risk to high-risk patients. The researchers emphasize the importance of developing new antibody therapies specifically targeted at currently circulating and future viral variants.
Researchers produced human and chimpanzee brain organoids to investigate the role of ARHGAP11B in brain evolution. The study found that the gene is essential for neocortex development, with its absence or inhibition leading to decreased levels of critical brain stem cells.
A study on wild bonobos found that sibling birth causes a five-fold increase in cortisol levels and reduces immune response. This stress reaction lasts up to seven months and is independent of age-related weaning processes.
Researchers at the German Primate Center found that emerging Omicron subvariants BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5 are inhibited less efficiently by existing therapeutic antibodies, which may reduce protection against future infections. The study suggests these variants have acquired biological traits allowing for more efficient transmission.
Research on wild Assamese macaques reveals that their gut bacteria composition changes uniquely with age, despite similar lifestyles. This finding suggests that the process is part of natural aging and not due to lifestyle changes, with potential implications for developing personalized therapies against intestinal diseases.
In a study of 30 males and 400 individuals, researchers found that males with many friends spent less time with them when females entered the picture. The study suggests that male friendships may not be crucial for attracting females or maintaining reproductive success.
Scientists used fMRI to detect burst-suppression events in anesthetized animals and found its spatial distribution varies between primates and rodents. This phenomenon is linked to the brain's sensory areas, with certain regions showing resistance to anesthesia-induced suppression.
Researchers developed an automated auditory training program that enables marmoset monkeys to perform hearing tests in their familiar environment on a voluntary basis. The study demonstrates the animals' ability to abstract from learned sounds and suggests they are ideal model animals for hearing system research.
Research reveals that the brain's electrical rhythms fluctuate between high precision and low precision states several times per second, affecting how relevant information is transmitted. Cross-frequency coupling enables selective attention by modulating the strength of different frequencies, while distinguishing between different type...
Researchers found that both male and female Guinea baboons initiate group departures and are equally successful in leading the group. The study's findings challenge the common assumption that only males lead groups, suggesting that social organization alone does not determine leadership roles.
Researchers found that Delta and Delta Plus infect lung cells with higher efficiency than the original virus, evading antibodies induced by infection and vaccination. The new variants were also resistant to some therapeutic antibodies, leading to reduced inhibition.
The B.1.617 variant infects lung and intestinal cells more efficiently than the original virus, reducing antibody effectiveness in protecting against infection. This may lead to increased transmission among vulnerable populations.
In a behavioral study on common marmosets, researchers found that the infantile development of vocalizations includes an extended flexible phase, without which language development in humans would not be possible. This phase is critical for human language development, influenced by social interactions with parents.
A recent study found that life expectancy and lifespan equality in humans and non-human primates are not driven by aging rate, but by early life mortality rates. The researchers analyzed data from nine human populations and 30 non-human primate groups, revealing a strong relationship between early-life deaths and population aging.
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.