Articles tagged with Monkeys
A groundbreaking study published in Nature Neuroscience shows that monkeys can think deeply about problems, consider multiple factors, and find optimal outcomes. This discovery challenges traditional views on animal intelligence and highlights the complexity of monkey cognition.
A team of investigators created embryo-like structures from monkey embryonic stem cells and transferred them into female monkeys, which implanted and elicited a hormonal response similar to pregnancy. The study provides new tools and perspectives for exploring primate embryos and reproductive medical health.
A study found that monkeys with opposable thumbs were fooled by a sleight-of-hand trick, while those without were not. The French drop trick worked for capuchins and squirrel monkeys due to mirroring in their neural motor system.
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.
A new study of rhesus macaques found that older female macaques have fewer friends, reducing their ability to transmit knowledge outside their social circles. This decline in cohesion and connection has significant consequences for network structure, potentially affecting information transmission and cooperation.
A new nonhuman primate model of Usher syndrome has been confirmed, providing hope for the development of a treatment for this leading cause of blindness-deafness. The model, created using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, exhibits symptoms similar to those experienced by humans with the condition.
Researchers have documented cases of Japanese macaques hunting and eating fish in the Kamikochi region of Japan, suggesting an evolutionary adaptation to harsh winter conditions. The behavior appears to be an extension of existing feeding habits on vegetation and aquatic plants, with potential implications for future generations.
Researchers found that female rhesus macaques become increasingly selective in their social interactions as they get older, focusing on relatives and established friendships. This trend suggests that females play an active role in shaping their social networks, rather than being shunned by society.
A study using DNA analysis of a sacrificial spider monkey at Teotihuacàn, Mexico, reveals the earliest evidence of primate captivity and translocation in the Americas. The research provides insight into ancient trade networks and suggests that the spider monkey was a diplomatic gift between Teotihuacàn and the Maya civilization.
Researchers found that food hardness and tool size do not always correlate as closely as thought. Cultural learning plays a significant role in the tool choice of bearded capuchin monkeys, with some populations using disproportionately heavy tools for certain foods.
A new study on rhesus macaques reveals a strong link between social connections and the abundance of beneficial gut bacteria. Monkeys with more sociable behavior have a higher presence of microbes like Faecalibacterium, which has anti-inflammatory properties.
Researchers mapped the spread of pathogens in wild macaque populations near human settlements, finding that monkeys with high human interactions cause larger outbreaks. The study used computer simulations to predict disease transmission and identified key factors influencing outbreak size.
A new University of Colorado Boulder research warns that an obscure family of viruses in wild African primates may jump to humans, causing disease. The study focuses on simian arteriviruses, which have caused Ebola-like symptoms in monkeys and may attack immune cells like HIV.
This review examines the known neurologic complications of smallpox and monkeypox, including their complications from vaccination. The study highlights the importance of understanding these neurological effects to improve treatment and prevention strategies.
Researchers found that adult female capuchin monkeys who are well-integrated into social networks with other females survive longer. In contrast, heterosexual relationships showed no survival-related benefits to females, but may still provide benefits for some individuals in specific circumstances. The study also reveals complex behavi...
Researchers found that specific vocalizations, known as the 'hunting bark', recruit more group members to hunt and capture prey more effectively. Chimpanzees have been observed joining hunts after hearing these barks, increasing success rates.
Research found that bolder marmoset monkeys learn faster than their shy counterparts, with social environment also playing a role. The study suggests that both personality traits and family group membership influence cognitive performance in these monkeys.
Researchers mapped neural networks in marmoset and macaque monkeys to find that multiple areas in the frontal lobe control vocalization, contradicting a long-held view. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of speech disorders such as stuttering and apraxia.
A new study found that primate ecotourism is causing stress-related behaviors in monkeys, including self-scratching, increased aggression, and reduced feeding. The researchers propose guidelines for tourists and guides to minimize the impact of motorboat approach speeds on primates.
A new study supports the idea that humans inherited our love of alcohol from primate ancestors, who consumed fermented fruit with high alcohol content. Monkeys eat and digest alcohol-rich fruits, using it as a source of calories, shedding light on human affinity for booze.
Researchers found no evidence that gelada monkeys' hemoglobin provides increased oxygen-carrying capacity, but discovered other physiological adaptations that enable them to thrive at high altitudes. The study sheds light on the mechanisms behind human adaptation and potential treatments for diseases associated with high altitude.
Research found that adult howler monkey play increases when faced with competition over fruit, a valuable resource. This playful behavior helps regulate relationships within the social group and avoid conflict, unlike collective grooming used by some other primates.
Researchers analyzed 48 years of data on wild baboons' family trees and mate choices to understand how they avoid inbreeding. The study found that baboons generally steer clear of mates that are half-siblings or closer, but show less discrimination with their father's side of the family.
Researchers discovered that a hormone called FGF21 suppresses alcohol consumption in primates by altering neural transmission in the brain. This finding provides a mechanism for a liver-to-brain endocrine feedback loop to protect the liver from damage and may lead to potential treatment options for alcohol use disorder.
Researchers found that wild chimpanzees do not independently invent complex tool use behaviors like nut cracking. Instead, they learn from observing and imitating others, similar to humans. This challenges the long-held assumption that chimpanzee culture is non-cumulative.
Researchers identify previously unknown population of white-handed gibbons in Peninsular Malaysia, showing unusual mutations and potential local speciation. The discovery informs conservation efforts for translocation and reintroduction programs.
A new study published in Science Advances has shown that transcranial ultrasound (TUS) can disrupt the brain's credit assignment processes, leading to more exploratory decisions. The study also found that TUS selectively alters behavior without affecting other brain regions.
African and Asian primates evolved stronger resistance to cobras' venoms, while Madagascan Lemurs and Central and South American monkeys lacked this defense due to reduced eyesight
Research reveals Japanese macaques in Kamikochi feed on aquatic insects and molluscs, supplementing their winter diet with high-nutritional value food sources. The unique behavior is attributed to the region's topography and hydrological environment, providing a stable food source for the macaques.
In a study published in Scientific Reports, researchers found that Japanese macaques in the Kamikochi area of Chubu Sangaku National Park eat live brown trout and other freshwater animals to stay alive during harsh winters. The discovery reveals a new adaptation mechanism for these monkeys to cope with extreme conditions.
Researchers developed metrics to quantify information in animal responses to reward feedback, showing that animals exhibit undermatching behavior. The new metrics provide a way to predict this deviation from the matching law, offering insights into adaptive behavior and decision-making.
Research reveals SARS-CoV-2 can enter the brain and affect neural function, leading to symptoms like headache, depression, and fatigue. Many people experience lingering cognitive or neurological problems months after initial recovery.
A team of researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital has identified distinct brain cells in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex that respond to the actions of other monkeys in a group. These neurons encode information about past interactions, influencing an animal's upcoming decisions to reciprocate or retaliate.
A Duke University-led study finds that if endangered primates disappear, up to 250 parasites could go extinct, including those with no other suitable hosts. This potential extinction cascade could have significant consequences for biodiversity and human health.
Researchers found Prozac reduces lipid concentrations in monkey brains, linked to potential side effects in young patients. The study suggests dietary changes may alleviate adverse effects by influencing lipid synthesis.
Research reveals that humans take shorter strides than chimpanzees due to reduced pelvic rotation, extending their stride by only 5.4 times compared to the mini wiggles performed when walking. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that humans have evolved the longest possible stride for efficiency.
Researchers discovered that black howler monkeys use cognitive maps similar to humans, following well-trodden routes and linking them to take short-cuts. The primates can also supplement their mental maps with knowledge of direction and distance between locations.
Researchers identified a genetic mutation in nonhuman primates that closely resembles Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease, a rare and progressive disorder affecting the central nervous system. The discovery was made possible by a massive genomic database built at OHSU's Oregon National Primate Research Center.
Researchers studied how dominant and tolerant primate species communicate vocally. They found that more tolerant species use communication to achieve goals, while despotic species rely on aggression. The study, published in Royal Society Open Science, provides insights into the evolution of vocal communication in primates.
A study published in Scientific Reports reveals that harpy eagles rely on specific prey in canopy forests and starve when these areas are heavily deforested. As a result, breeding pairs may decline by up to 3,256 since 1985, emphasizing the need for forest conservation.
A study reveals that hunting pressure affects the behavior of endangered Yellow-breasted capuchin monkeys, causing them to avoid areas with abundant food sources due to increased risk of predation. The research suggests that poachers pose a significant threat, and the risk of predation outweighs the availability of food in their habitat.
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.
Scientists from Florida Atlantic University used non-invasive camera-trap techniques to detect and survey the elusive dryas monkey, confirming its occurrence at seven locations in Lomami National Park. The study suggests that the species prefers structurally complex understories and forest edges, rarely traveling on the ground.
A new study found that apes, including humans and chimpanzees, mount a stronger early response to viral and bacterial stimulation compared to African and Asian monkeys. This robust response may be due to differences in life history, with apes living longer and being larger, increasing their lifetime risk of pathogen exposure.
A team of researchers characterized the tools used by bearded capuchin monkeys in Brazil's Serra da Capivara National Park. The study found that different activities created unique use-wear marks on the tools, allowing for identification of their purpose and usage.
A new study has sequenced the capuchin monkey genome, uncovering genetic clues about their long lifespan and large brains. The researchers identified genes associated with DNA damage response, metabolism, and insulin signalling, which may contribute to their longevity.
A study published in American Journal of Primatology found that common marmosets exhibit distinct personality traits, such as explorativeness, boldness, and extraversion. These findings are consistent across captive and wild settings, suggesting that personality is a stable trait in these animals.
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 used thermography to measure marmosets' emotional responses to call interactions, finding they distinguish dialogues from monologues. Marmosets also prefer cooperative over competitive interactions, aligning with their natural behavior as cooperative breeders.
Captive marmosets recognized and evaluated conversations between monkeys, displaying stronger emotional responses to negative interactions. The study suggests that marmosets tend to prefer cooperative individuals, but their behavioral expression is context-dependent.
Researchers found that black howler monkeys remember specific locations for accessing ripe fruit and recall ripening patterns of different trees. The monkeys also use vocal warnings to defend their territories from rival troops.
The study explores inner ear morphology to understand hominid evolution and relationships among apes, monkeys, and humans. Volumetric proportions of semicircular canals in extinct apes resemble those of extant great apes and humans.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that both capuchin monkeys and rhesus macaques exhibit the sunk cost phenomenon, persisting longer than optimal when uncertain about outcomes. This behavior is driven by evolutionary mechanisms and uncertainty, suggesting it may be deeply embedded across species.
A study by German Primate Center found that coppery titi monkeys in Peru exhibit genetic monogamy, with none of the 18 offspring examined not sired by their social father. This suggests that mate choice is successful enough to outweigh potential genetic costs of infidelity.
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 from the University of Warwick found that monkeys, apes, and humans can process relationships between words in a sentence, including non-adjacent dependencies. This ability predates the evolution of language itself by at least 30-40 million years.
Researchers found that monkeys, chimpanzees, and humans share the ability to process non-adjacent dependencies, a crucial element of language. This suggests that this cognitive skill existed in our most recent common ancestors with these species around 40 million years ago.
Fossils found in southeastern Yunan Province, China, reveal monkeys existed in Asia alongside apes, and are believed to be ancestors of modern East Asian monkeys. These ancient primates were well adapted for movement both on land and in trees, with a versatile diet that allowed them to thrive in diverse environments.
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.
A University of Utah study found that genetic variations in brown howlers may have helped them survive the devastating yellow fever virus outbreak in Argentina's El Piñalito park. The researchers discovered three mutations in the immune genes of surviving brown howlers, which could affect their response to the disease.