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Scientists at the University of Malaga inquire into the biogeography of yellow fever transmission

Researchers at the University of Malaga study the global risk of yellow fever transmission to humans, finding high zoonotic potential in southeastern Brazil and western Amazon basin. The team proposes prioritizing vaccination efforts in regions with favorable conditions for virus presence and mosquito vectors.

SourceUniversity of Malaga·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 12, 2022

Some monkeys might pull a poker face

Researchers developed a tool to analyze facial movements in common marmosets, finding they have more facial expressions than previously thought. The study suggests that facial expressions may be more ancient and prevalent among social animals.

SourceKyoto University·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateMay 25, 2022

Chimps, dreams, and videotape

Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered chimpanzees experiencing nocturnal erections, a phenomenon previously only observed in humans. Eight out of twelve male chimps demonstrated this behavior, with half also masturbating and consuming ejaculate, suggesting potential health benefits.

SourceKyoto University·JournalBehaviour·TypeObservational study·DateMay 12, 2022

Starting antiretroviral therapy early essential to battling not one, but two killers

Researchers found that starting combined antiretroviral therapy against simian immunodeficiency virus two weeks after infection significantly reduced chronic immune activation, SIV replication, and latent TB reactivation. This study contributes to the growing evidence on the complex interaction between HIV and tuberculosis.

SourceTexas Biomedical Research Institute·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 15, 2022

Experiment gives rise to social conventions between baboons

Guinea baboons developed common rules for a device task in just three days, demonstrating efficient and arbitrary solutions. The conventions were stable over time and unaffected by the absence of individual interaction.

SourceCNRS·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 13, 2021

Southwest National Primate Research Center and Texas Biomed receive continued full accreditation from lab animal care association

The Southwest National Primate Research Center and Texas Biomedical Research Institute have received continued full accreditation from the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) for their exceptional animal care. The institution houses over 2,500 nonhuman primates, including pathogen-free rhesus...

There's no cheating old age

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.

First non-human primate study showing promise of gene therapy for stroke repair

A study published on Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology found successful neural regeneration from brain internal glial cells for stroke repair in rhesus macaque monkeys. This gene therapy approach regenerates new neurons while also protecting injured neurons from secondary damage.

SourceGuangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University·JournalFrontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology·DateNov 13, 2020

New study examines recursive thinking

A multi-institutional research team found that humans and non-human primates can represent recursive sequences, suggesting a universal cognitive ability. The study's findings dispel the long-held belief that only humans possess this capacity.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalJournal of Mathematical Sciences Advances and Applications·DateJun 26, 2020

A primate's response to death

Researchers review 200 years of non-human primate interactions with their dead, observing behaviors like defense of deceased companions and emotional responses. The study reveals a complex cognitive understanding of death among primates, including an ability to grasp objects and distinguish between living and dead.

SourceKyoto University·JournalBiological Reviews·DateJun 28, 2019

Synthetic antibody rapidly protects mice and monkeys from Zika

Researchers have developed a synthetic DNA-encoded monoclonal antibody that rapidly protects mice and non-human primates from Zika infection. The DMAb-ZK190 platform has shown promise in controlling infection and reducing viral loads, providing a potential alternative to existing prevention methods.

SourceCell Press·JournalMolecular Therapy·DateApr 5, 2019

Contact with monkeys and apes puts populations at risk

Researchers found that Cameroonian adults frequently interact with nonhuman primates through hunting, butchering, and consuming meat. This exposure puts people at risk of infection with new diseases, highlighting the need for improved surveillance and safe handling practices.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateDec 27, 2018

Vocalization in nonhuman primates

Research on marmoset monkeys found that both internal states, such as arousal levels, and external factors, like timing of another monkey's vocalizations, impact vocalization changes. The study suggests a complex relationship between vocal production in nonhuman primates, with potential implications for understanding human communication.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 26, 2018

Antiviral compound protects nonhuman primates against Marburg virus

A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine reports that an experimental compound, AVI-7288, protected nonhuman primates against the deadly Marburg virus. The compound showed efficacy even when administered after exposure to the virus. Phase I clinical trial results also indicated safety and tolerability.

SourceUS Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 22, 2015

Hot flashes? Thank evolution

A study comparing mortality and fertility patterns among wild apes and monkeys to humans shows that human females are unique in living beyond their childbearing years. Half of women experience menopause by age 50, and fertility declines earlier than the rest of the body.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 29, 2013