Articles tagged with Monkeys
A recent study by Ria Ghai has identified three genetically distinct groups of whipworms, with only one being transmissible between humans and non-human primates. This discovery has significant public health implications and highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect endangered species.
Monkeys can be taught to recognize themselves in a mirror through visual-somatosensory training, demonstrating the neural basis of self-awareness. The study's findings have hopeful implications for people with brain disorders affecting self-recognition.
Researchers found that crows can spontaneously solve higher-order relational matching tasks, a feat previously only achieved by humans, apes, and monkeys. The study suggests that crows possess advanced cognitive abilities, challenging the notion of human exceptionalism in cognition.
Researchers analyzed Campbell's monkey alarm calls at two sites, revealing greater complexity than previously thought. The study found distinctions between roots (e.g., 'hok' for serious aerial threats) and suffixes (-oo), allowing monkeys to describe both threat nature and degree of danger.
A study by Yale University found that capuchin monkeys do not assume a higher price tag means better quality, unlike humans. Monkeys showed more rational behavior when making choices in an experimental market.
Researchers tested whether monkeys show a common human bias towards confusing price with quality. Contrary to expectations, capuchin monkeys did not exhibit this bias, unlike humans.
Experts use drones to collect detailed information on environmental changes and their impact on the movement of people, animals, and insects that carry diseases. This helps researchers understand how land use changes affect human infection rates.
New research shows that female rhesus monkeys exhibit a bias toward images of the opposite sex when surrounded by red frames, mirroring human responses. This finding suggests an evolved biological mechanism underlying the 'red effect', which may not be unique to humans.
Research suggests that humans' sense of fairness evolved to prioritize long-term cooperation, with a preference for equal outcomes and stable relationships. This evolution is rooted in our ability to think about the future and exercise self-control, allowing us to make sacrifices for the benefit of others.
A review article examines how humans and non-human species respond to unfairness, revealing that reactions are driven by cooperation and social reciprocity. The study suggests that fairness is not the primary motivator, but rather maintaining good relations through reward division.
The team used LiDAR technology to create a detailed map of the site, capturing structures that were previously inaccessible due to dense jungle canopy. By exploring these uncharted areas, researchers gained a better understanding of ancient Maya city-states and their interactions.
A study suggests that early humans who relied on an insect diet during lean seasons may have developed bigger brains and higher-level cognitive functions. Capuchin monkeys' foraging patterns for insects reveal a link between seasonal food scarcity and sensorimotor skills, including tool use and problem-solving.
A 25-year study of 76 rhesus monkeys found that those with calorie-restricted diets experienced a significant reduction in mortality and age-associated diseases. The study contradicts an earlier report on monkeys, which suggested no differences in survival rates between caloric restriction and control groups.
Researchers found that male and female owl monkeys were genetically monogamous, with no cases of extra-pair paternity. The team discovered a strong connection between a species' faithfulness and significant involvement of males in caring for their young.
Researchers achieved precise gene modification in monkeys using CRISPR/Cas9 system, enabling simultaneous disruption of two target genes without off-target mutations. This breakthrough generates invaluable human disease models, advancing therapeutic strategies in biomedical research.
After landing in South America, monkeys forged their own niches, evolved new forms, and spread to Caribbean and Patagonia. The study reveals how primate migration and evolution in the Americas were influenced by ancient climates, geology, and geography.
Researchers from UEA compiled a comprehensive review of primate eating habits, finding that smaller primates eat more insects while larger ones consume more leaves. The study also reveals that some monkeys can easily meet their 'five a day' fruit intake within an hour.
The study found that monkeys can localize stimuli they do not perceive, similar to humans, who can also locate and side-step objects in their peripheral vision. Monkeys performed tasks accurately when stimuli were unmasked, but still localized targets at masking levels for which they reported no target had been presented.
The study found that primate faces with more complex patterns are associated with larger group sizes and more closely related species in the same habitat. Facial complexity is linked to social communication among members of the same species, aiding identification and recognition.
Researchers found that South American squirrel monkeys can detect structural dependencies in musical patterns, similar to those found in human languages. This suggests that the ability to process dependencies may have evolved in human cognition along with human language.
Researchers found that rhesus macaque monkeys have specialized nerve cells in their brains that respond to images of snakes. This suggests that primates may have evolved to detect and avoid snakes due to the presence of venomous snakes during their ancestors' time.
Marmosets exhibit cooperative vocal exchange in a conversational manner, taking turns without interruptions, and follow unspoken rules of etiquette. This unique behavior is distinct from other animals and shares similarities with human communication patterns.
UCSF researchers have discovered a new adenovirus that can spread from primate to primate and potentially from monkeys to humans. The study suggests that adenoviruses may pose a risk for cross-species infections, highlighting the need for vigilance in tracking animal viruses.
The discovery of Archicebus achilles, a 55-million-year-old primate fossil, provides insights into the early evolution of humans and apes. The tiny skeleton, weighing around 20-30 grams as an adult, suggests that the earliest primates were small, day-dwelling tree-climbers.
The oldest known fossil primate skeleton, Archicebus achilles, was discovered in central China's Hubei Province. The 7-million-year-old skeleton is crucial in understanding the evolutionary divergence that led to modern monkeys, apes, and humans.
The discovery of Archicebus achilles represents a significant milestone in the field of paleoanthropology. Found to be approximately 7 million years old, this ancient primate fossil sheds light on the evolutionary divergence between the lineage leading to modern monkeys, apes and humans, and that leading to living tarsiers.
Fossil discoveries in Tanzania reveal the oldest evidence of the split between Old World monkeys and apes, dating back to 25 million years ago. The findings document two new primate species: Rukwapithecus fleaglei and Nsungwepithecus gunnelli.
Researchers observed 'striking' fickleness in male monkeys when copying the behaviour of others in new groups. The study provides rare experimental proof of cultural transmission in wild primates and sheds light on the evolution of human desire to seek out local knowledge.
Bearded capuchin monkeys deliberately place palm nuts in a stable position to crack them open, revealing their capacity for tactile strategy. The researchers found that the monkeys' tool-use skills improved with experience, as they learned to optimize the placement of the nut based on its shape.
A new study by the University of Pennsylvania has found that owl monkeys who stay with one partner produce 25% more offspring per decade than those who switch partners. This finding suggests that long-term monogamy and pair-bonding can improve reproductive fitness in certain individuals.
In endangered Mexican howler monkeys, habitat disturbance leads to increased 'travel time' foraging and high levels of stress hormones. Researchers found that fruit is a crucial component of their natural diet, and lack of fruit availability forces them to spend more time seeking out nutritious foliage.
A University of Michigan-led study found that individuals of mixed ancestry among hybrid howler monkeys are physically indistinguishable from pure individuals of each species. The findings suggest that the role of interbreeding in human evolution may have been underestimated due to limitations in the fossil record.
A study of long-tailed macaques found that males and females inhibit the sexual behavior of group members when bystanders are present, highlighting the importance of competition in shaping their dynamics. The researchers also discovered that sneaky copulations occur due to the exploitation of peripheral positions within the group.
Researchers at Emory University have identified grid cells in rhesus monkeys' brains, which fire in repeating triangular patterns as they explore visual scenes. This finding has implications for understanding how humans form mental maps of the world and may help explain why disorientation is a common symptom of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found a large number of previously undescribed viruses in the gastrointestinal tract of monkeys with SIV-induced AIDS, suggesting these viruses may contribute to disease progression. The presence of RNA viruses alongside DNA viruses offers new insights into the complex interplay between microorganisms and disease.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that rhesus monkeys prefer a highly-valued food item alone to the same item paired with a lower-value item. This behavior is similar to what has been seen in human studies, where participants rated a highly-valued item more highly than one with multiple items of lesser value.
Researchers discovered that brown capuchin monkeys were more prosocial when given the opportunity to alternate and help each other, but not when tracking individual past choices. This suggests that reciprocity fosters generosity in humans as well, regardless of familiarity or group affiliation.
Researchers have successfully tested a vaccine against the deadly Nipah virus in monkeys, achieving a 75% fatality rate in humans. The vaccine, based on a protein from Hendra virus, has shown great efficacy in protecting animals from infection.
Two independent research reports published in PLOS ONE show that chimpanzees use weight to choose the best hammer for cracking open nuts, a sophisticated tool use. In contrast, old world monkeys modulate their begging behavior based on whether an experimenter is paying attention to them, suggesting intentional communication.
Researchers developed a new swab technique that can spot tuberculosis in non-human primates with no outward signs of disease. The method has been successfully tested on Asian monkey populations, revealing a significant prevalence rate and potential for primate-to-primate transmission.
Researchers analyzed fossilized primate skulls and CT scans of living primates to determine how extinct animals moved, focusing on the bony labyrinth of the inner ear. The study found that ancient primates were relatively agile, with some species moving faster than their Old World ancestors.
Brown capuchin monkeys demonstrate empathetic perspective-taking by withholding food from a fellow monkey who has just eaten, suggesting they understand their physical needs. The study provides first evidence for this behavior in primates.
A study of rhesus macaques found that their social status correlates with gene expression patterns across a range of genes, with lower-ranking individuals showing signs of chronic stress and altered immune function. The study estimates that gene expression can predict an individual's social status with 80% accuracy.
A systematic review of monkey studies found limited evidence for an association between social status and coronary artery disease. The study concludes that generalizing findings from monkeys to human societies is not warranted due to methodological limitations.
A team of scientists has confirmed the existence of Miller's Grizzled Langur, a rare and endangered monkey thought to be extinct. The species was found in a new geographic area of Wehea Forest in East Kalimantan, Borneo.
A new study reveals a 47-million-year-old primate, Notharctus tenebrosus, with a toe bone showing features of both nails and a grooming claw. This finding challenges previous classifications of primates and raises questions about the evolution of claws in our ancestors.
In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers found that individual monkeys who avoid conflicts prevent large groups from achieving their competitive potential. By defecting, members of larger groups can gain an advantage when defending their territory but not when invading others.
In a groundbreaking study, monkeys trained at Duke University Center for Neuroengineering learned to control a virtual avatar hand and identify textures of virtual objects solely with their brain activity. This technology has the potential to restore tactile sensation and mobility to quadriplegic patients.
A novel virus has been identified that can infect both humans and New World monkeys, spreading between species. The titi monkey adenovirus (TMAdV) was found in a California primate research center and later infected a human researcher and a family member.
A novel virus spread through a California monkey colony in late 2009, infecting over a third of the monkeys and causing devastating respiratory illness. The virus also infected two human researchers and family members, demonstrating its ability to jump between species.
A study by cognitive psychologist Justin J. Couchman found that rhesus monkeys possess a form of self awareness, specifically the ability to understand they are the cause of certain actions. This sense of self-agency may help illuminate apparent self-awareness deficits in humans with autism, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease.
A new study led by Yale researchers found that monkeys treat individuals from outside their groups with suspicion, similar to human behavior. The findings suggest that the roots of human intergroup conflict may be evolutionarily quite ancient, dating back at least 25 million years.
Researchers compared aging patterns of seven species of wild primates with humans, finding that human aging rates fall within the primate continuum. The study also confirms the mortality gap between males and females is narrowest for the least aggressive species.
A new multi-species comparison of primate aging patterns reveals that chimps, gorillas, and other primates grow old gracefully like humans. The study confirms a mortality gap between males and females, with males dying sooner than females in most species.
A new study of primate aging patterns reveals that humans are not unique in their aging process. By analyzing data from seven species of wild primates, researchers found that human mortality rates increase with age at a similar rate to other primates. The study also confirms the long-held pattern that males die sooner than females as t...
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have found rhesus macaques can recognize themselves in a mirror under specific conditions, contrary to previous assumptions. This discovery may refine the use of the mark test and challenge existing theories on self-awareness in primates.
Researchers found that environmental factors like temperature and light are equally important to the Azara's owl monkeys' natural rhythms as their internal biological clock. The study suggests that moonlight is a key adaptation for primates to exploit the nocturnal niche, with activity patterns changing in response to lunar cycles.
A new study has found that the antiviral gene TRIM5 plays a crucial role in suppressing the transmission of primate immunodeficiency viruses, including HIV-1 and HIV-2. The researchers used rhesus macaques with different versions of the TRIM5 gene to demonstrate its ability to block cross-species transmission of SIVs.
A recent discovery of a 29-million-year-old fossil catarrhine provides new insights into the facial anatomy of the ancestral stock of apes and Old World monkeys. The Saadanius skull supports the hypothesis that the last common ancestor had a baboon-like, long snout, similar to that of modern true apes and monkeys.
Researchers documented a wild cat species imitating the call of its intended victim, a small monkey known as a pied tamarin, to draw it within striking range. The behavior was confirmed through observations in the Amazonian forests of Brazil, providing insights into the psychological cunning of wild felids.