A 30-million-year-old lemur fossil, Bugtilemur mathesoni, found in Pakistan's Bugti Hills provides a rare glimpse into the evolution of strepsirrhine primates. The discovery sheds new light on the origins of lemurs and their close relatives, the lorises.
A genetically modified monkey, ANDi, carrying an extra gene may suggest a way to speed new treatments for human conditions. The modification method used could lead to laboratory animals carrying genes associated with specific medical conditions.
Researchers used gene therapy to deliver GDNF directly to the brain cells of monkeys, resulting in a dramatic increase in dopamine production and prevention of disease progression. The treatment also reversed functional deficits and symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease.
A DNA vaccine paired with an immune protein successfully controls a highly pathogenic AIDS virus in monkeys, strengthening their immune response and preventing disease. The approach could decrease HIV-1 transmission rates by reducing viral replication in vaccinated individuals.
The extinction of the Miss Waldron's red colobus monkey is a warning sign of an impending ecological disaster in West Africa. The loss of large-bodied monkeys, including primates and forest antelope, threatens the region's biodiversity, highlighting the need for improved law enforcement, protected areas, and conservation education.
Reduced estrogen levels caused by stress can lead to atherosclerosis and increased heart disease risk in women. Stress affects estrogen production, causing fatty deposits in arteries and potentially leading to heart attacks and strokes.
A study found that infant monkeys raised without adult supervision experienced higher cortisol levels, indicating increased stress, which later led to heavy drinking as adults. This suggests a link between early life experiences, sensitivity to stress, and subsequent alcohol consumption.
Researchers studied rhesus macaques from birth to young adulthood, finding that those with high cortisol levels responded more strongly to stress and drank more alcohol as adults. The study's findings suggest early life stress can influence later alcohol consumption and offer a promising biological marker of risk.
Capuchin monkeys have been found to cooperate in obtaining food by working together and sharing the rewards. This study by Frans de Waal and Michelle Berger suggests that reciprocity is a fundamental feature of human society and has implications for understanding evolutionary cooperation.
A decade-long primate study on diet and aging will be extended with a $6.75 million NIH grant, exploring mechanisms of aging in rhesus macaques. The research aims to answer whether calorie restriction can slow or prevent aging, building on existing studies in rodents.
A five-year study of female monkeys will examine how chronic, low-level stress affects brain function and may lead to depression. The research aims to understand why some individuals are more susceptible to depression than others and may provide insights into treating depression in humans.
Researchers have successfully used fMRI to generate high-resolution pictures of active brain regions in monkeys under anesthesia. The technique allows for precise visualization of brain activity, challenging previous assumptions about the effects of anesthetics on brain function.
The vaccine targets Escherichia coli, the bacterium causing 85% of UTIs. Recipients develop antibodies that prevent bacteria from colonizing bladder walls. Clinical trials in women are planned for the end of this year to test the vaccine's effectiveness.
Researchers at Emory University Health Sciences Center discovered that the visual experience of one eye influences the growth and quality of vision in the fellow eye. The study found that environmental factors play a significant role in eye development, suggesting a potential cure for myopia and related eye problems.
Researchers trained monkeys to discriminate computer-generated images containing different numbers of objects and respond in ascending order. The study suggests that monkeys share human-like capacity for simple arithmetic, potentially tracing human intelligence to animal origins.
A new study found that social disruption in monkeys infected with simian AIDS virus accelerates disease progression. Monkeys separated from familiar companions experienced faster development of AIDS, highlighting the impact of psychosocial factors on immunodeficiency disease.
Two studies suggest that caloric restriction in monkeys can lead to increased HDL2B levels, reduced triglycerides, and lower blood pressure, potentially extending life and health. Caloric restriction also slows the age-related decline in DHEA levels, a biomarker of aging.
Researchers found that young capuchins learn to forage through manual skills but don't become self-sufficient until they have sufficient size and strength. This pattern is unusual among monkeys and suggests that physical growth plays a significant role in successful foraging.