Articles tagged with Nonhuman Primates
Researchers found that adult chimpanzees in Senegal intentionally hand over tools to infants and youngsters, facilitating learning. The study, published in Frontiers in Psychology, reveals a unique form of teaching where adults deliberately provide tools and food to younger individuals.
Researchers found strong similarities in small-scale structural properties and gene expression patterns between humans and macaques, but more differences in large-scale connections. Chimpanzees occupy an intermediate position between macaques and humans, with brain systems showing reorganization in sensory, motor, and internal informat...
A non-invasive eye-tracking study reveals that gibbons gaze into the eyes when looking at others, a behavior shared with humans, great apes, and macaques. The study provides new insights into the evolutionary foundations of face perception and social information processing in primates.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have made a groundbreaking discovery in animal models that a one-time treatment regimen can permanently clear HIV from newborns. The study's findings have the potential to advance quickly to human clinical trials, offering new hope for millions of people worldwide who require lifelong t...
The first complete marmoset genome is now available, providing a high-quality reference for studying complex diseases like Alzheimer's. The new genome reveals variation in genes linked to Alzheimer's disease, as well as immune system genes and previously un-catalogued ribosomal DNA genes.
A new study from the University of Kansas has introduced a new species of ancient primate, Tetonius varleyorum, which suggests its evolution might be more complex than previously thought. The discovery of this fossil at Smiley Draw in Wyoming provides fresh detail to the biogeographic and evolutionary history of primates.
Researchers at Kyoto University successfully eliminated hepatitis C virus in six chimpanzees using direct-acting antiviral therapy, improving their liver function and health. However, two chimpanzees died of liver cancer, highlighting the need for further study and potential drug resistance.
A new tool generates realistic monkey body animations, revealing an uncanny valley effect where macaques prefer less realistic avatars to highly realistic ones. The study provides the first evidence that non-human primates experience this phenomenon.
Researchers at UCL found that some small-bodied primates experience a tight cephalopelvic fit during childbirth due to their large newborn heads. These species, such as American monkeys and bushbabies, have developed adaptations to make the process less difficult, including pelvic expansion or delayed pelvic bone fusion.
A new study by Concordia researchers suggests that carefully habituating wild gorillas to non-threatening humans can help them overcome long-term aversions to people. Over an eight-year study in Cameroon, the animals' responses to human presence slowly changed from aggression and avoidance to curiosity and indifference.
In a study on Japanese macaques, researchers found that semi-shade is an important thermoregulatory option under hot, dry conditions. The macaques preferred semi-shade over full shade or sun when it was hot and dry, but not humid. This suggests that semi-shade may play a significant role in helping endotherms cope with heat stress.
A novel fecal proteomics method confirms orangutan mothers breastfeed their offspring continuously until 6.5 years old. This prolonged breastfeeding supports the high survival of orangutan offspring and contributes to their slow reproductive strategy.
A team of researchers created a touchscreen-based game task inspired by hide-and-seek to elicit curiosity in resident Japanese macaques. The monkeys preferred moderate uncertainty, spending nearly 100 trials without rewards. This study supports the goldilocks principle, where animals seek moderately complex or uncertain stimuli.
Researchers discovered that strokes cause a chain reaction within the brain, leading to neuronal cell death. They found that blocking collagen production can prevent this damage and even restore motor function in paralyzed monkeys. The new drug KDS12025 reduces hydrogen peroxide levels and prevents the entire process from being triggered.
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.
Researchers at Kyoto University's EHUB center analyzed the musical performances of a 26-year-old male chimpanzee named Ayumu. The study found that Ayumu's instrumental sound-making was not random and exhibited isochronous intervals, similar to a metronome.
A study published in PLOS One found that humans can recognize and mimic emotional expressions of non-human primates, indicating a strong empathetic response. The researchers assessed facial expressions and emotional states of participants, revealing a strong connection between humans and non-human primates
Researchers investigated which characteristics of crystals made them fascinating to early humans, using experiments with chimpanzees. The chimps showed a strong attraction to transparent and crystalline properties, suggesting that this attraction may have deep evolutionary roots.
A new study published in Global Ecology and Conservation found that released animals, like Bengal slow lorises, are at risk of being attacked by territorial peers. Only two out of nine released animals survived, with the others dying due to fatal attacks.
A recent study has confirmed that wild African chimpanzees consume significant quantities of alcohol, with 17 out of 20 urine samples containing ethyl glucuronide, a metabolic byproduct of ethanol. The chimps' diet likely consists of fermented fruits, which provide around 14 grams of ethanol per day.
A new study reveals that the tempo of repetitive movements during bonobo sex is remarkably high, averaging seven movements per second. Facial mimicry plays a crucial role in this behavior, but its impact on the tempo of movements is limited, with a sharp drop in tempo after facial mimicry ceases.
A study found that prenatal alcohol exposure changed aspects of the dopamine system in rhesus monkeys, influencing how quickly they drank alcohol in adulthood. The researchers also discovered individualized neuroadaptive responses to drinking, which may promote the transition to alcohol use disorder.
Researchers found that hot spring bathing in Japanese macaques subtly reshapes their relationships with parasites and gut microbes. The study suggests that behavior can shape the animal holobiont and act as an important driver of animal health.
Dr. Noritaka Ichinohe challenges the long-held assumption that averaging away individual differences is necessary in psychiatric research. Instead, biological heterogeneity is seen as a phenomenon demanding explanation. The author's work on primate brain mapping and molecular subtyping has identified convergence points between species ...
Researchers discovered cerebellar signals strengthen visual cues during learning, facilitating precise visuomotor associations. This finding highlights the cerebellum's crucial role in cognitive functions beyond motor control.
Researchers at Tulane University have developed the first vaccine able to protect nonhuman primates from melioidosis, a long-neglected and deadly tropical disease on the rise. The vaccine uses outer membrane vesicles to trigger a powerful immune response.
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.
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.
Researchers identified two major steps in the evolution of human bipedality, involving a shift in the growth plate and changes in bone formation. These genetic shifts, driven by genes such as SOX9 and PTH1R, fundamentally altered the pelvis geometry, enabling humans to walk upright.
A study by Steve Chang explores how oxytocin influences brain activity to shape social behavior in rhesus monkeys. The researchers found that oxytocin increased activity in the basolateral amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex when monkeys were socially motivated, maintaining beneficial decisions and social task behavior.
Female gorillas avoid groups with males they grew up with and instead seek out familiar females, highlighting the importance of social relationships in dispersal decisions. The study reveals that investing in these relationships can be crucial for cooperation within groups.
Research on gorillas reveals that females prioritize relationships with females they've lived with in the past when joining a new group, indicating importance of familiar connections. This network strategy helps facilitate the formation and maintenance of social relationships, even after years apart.
A new study has coined the term 'scrumping' to describe great apes' fondness for eating ripe, fermented fruit from the forest floor. The researchers suggest that this behavior may have played a significant role in the evolution of human alcohol tolerance.
Researchers found that Issa Valley chimpanzees frequently climb trees for valuable food, which could explain why early hominins retained arboreal adaptations. The study suggests that safely navigating the canopy remained important for large, semi-arboreal apes in open habitats.
Researchers explored neuroanatomy underlying social dominance in nonhuman primates, focusing on the uncinate fasciculus and its correlation with social dominance measures. The study found a significant correlation between this brain tract and social aggression, supporting human studies linking it to social dominance.
Researchers found that ring-tailed and sifaka lemurs show differences in life pacing and lifespan, making them useful comparisons to human evolution. The study suggests that lemurs avoid the phenomenon of inflammaging widely observed in humans, pointing to potential differences in aging mechanisms.
Researchers have identified a single genetic difference in Fas Ligand, an immune protein, that makes it vulnerable to being disabled by plasmin, a tumor-associated enzyme. This vulnerability seems unique to humans and may contribute to the effectiveness of certain cancer treatments.
Researchers from The University of Osaka found that Japanese macaques remain close to and care for their dying companions, displaying human-like reactions. The study reveals strong social bonds can affect behavior even after death, suggesting emotional capacities in non-human primates.
In a groundbreaking study, scientists observed chimpanzees in Uganda using medicinal leaves to clean and treat their own and others' wounds. The research provides insight into the cognitive and social foundations of human healthcare behaviors, highlighting the potential for natural remedies and community care.
Scientists successfully grow chimpanzee naive-type pluripotent stem cells, revealing key mechanisms for self-renewal and differentiation. The study's findings shed light on the evolutionary conservation of these properties, offering a powerful tool for investigating early developmental processes.
Researchers found that both bonobos and chimpanzees console peers at similar rates, but with greater variation within each species. Older apes are less likely to comfort younger ones in both groups.
A large-scale database of macaque behavior is driving a shift towards open science, bringing together researchers from across the globe to share data on social lives of over 3,000 individual monkeys. The platform has grown into a collaborative effort promoting culture of sharing within the research community.
A study on captive olive baboons found that about a quarter exhibited accelerated aging, while another quarter showed signs of slower aging. The researchers investigated physical indicators such as walking speed and fine motor skills, but found that these changes were more closely related to chronological age than epigenetic age.
Researchers successfully treated atherosclerosis and fatty liver disease using DT-109 in nonhuman primates, which has potential as a dual therapy for two common conditions. The compound reduced the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and stopped critical processes that lead to vascular calcification.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have observed wild chimpanzees consuming and sharing fermented African breadfruit containing ethanol, raising questions about the potential benefits of alcohol consumption in primates. The study suggests that chimps may be seeking out alcohol for social bonding and relaxation, similar to humans.
Researchers found that oxytocin receptors were more abundant in egalitarian lemur species, contributing to reduced aggression and increased harmony. The findings could shed light on the role of hormones in shaping behavior in humans and other animals.
A study by University College London anthropologists found that macaque mothers experience a short period of physical restlessness after the death of an infant, but do not exhibit typical human signs of grief. In contrast to human bereavement, macaque mothers spent less time resting in the first two weeks after their infants' deaths.
The study provides a comprehensive reference for six ape species, including siamang, Sumatran orangutan, gorilla, bonobo, and chimpanzee. The ape genomes offer new insights into human and ape evolution, genetic differences among species, and potential therapeutic applications.
Researchers discovered how monkeys produce 'voice breaks' and 'ultra-yodels' using their vocal membranes, which allow for a wider range of calls. These unique vocalizations enable monkeys to communicate in different ways, particularly in complex social lives.
Researchers have developed a nonviral gene delivery system to introduce transgenes into cynomolgus monkeys, expanding the use of genetic models for human disease research. The piggyBac transposon system allows for precise selection of modified embryos and flexible expression control.
Researchers compared cortical organization between humans and macaques, as well as humans and chimpanzees, to identify distinctively human neuroanatomical features. Unique prefrontal cortex organization and connections between brain regions associated with emotional regulation, social cognition, and language processing were found.
Researchers found that hibernating lemurs' telomeres got longer, contrary to the usual decrease with age, suggesting a potential way to reverse cellular aging. This study, conducted at Duke University and the University of California, San Francisco, provides insights into the mechanisms behind lemur's remarkable survival strategy.
Researchers at Wisconsin National Primate Research Center and Morgridge Institute for Research have developed a universal, small-diameter vascular graft using stem cell-derived arterial endothelial cells. The graft overcomes limitations of current clinical options, which include invasive procedures and limited donor availability.
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.
A recent study comparing the sexual behavior of bonobos and chimpanzees during stressful periods has provided insights into humans' own behavioral origins. Both species utilized sex to manage social tension, with bonobos engaging in 'make-up sex' after conflicts and chimpanzees using sex in various ways to ease tensions.
Researchers studied wild female Japanese macaques to understand their internal states. The study found that the absence of close proximity with group members during resting periods increases stress levels, while co-feeding with a related female during foraging leads to increased stress due to competition.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have discovered a human antibody called mAb 3A6 that may prove useful against deadly outbreaks. The antibody was isolated from an Ebola survivor and found to block infection by binding to the viral stalk, offering protection at a very low dose.
In a groundbreaking study, macaque monkeys demonstrated the ability to form connections between visual images and auditory signals, as well as verbal cues. This remarkable capacity for cross-modal learning was observed even when the spoken words were presented by new individuals.
A study on six Japanese macaques reveals that bodily responses like self-scratching predict pessimistic judgment bias, but not vice versa. This suggests an evolutionary conserved system where monkeys address immediate needs through bodily responses before engaging in cognitive information processing.
Kinda baboons exhibit a unique social structure where males actively cultivate long-term bonds with females, persisting across reproductive states. This behavior challenges traditional classifications of baboon social structures and may offer insights into primate evolution.