https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/monkeys/ Monkeys in the news. From squirrel monkeys to baboons, read all the latest research about monkeys. en-us Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:08:25 EDT Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:08:25 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/monkeys/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260308201606.htm Scientists have uncovered how brewer’s yeast developed its unusually tiny centromeres, the DNA regions that guide chromosome separation during cell division. By studying related yeast species, researchers found centromeres that appear to represent evolutionary halfway points. These structures seem to have formed from retrotransposons—mobile “jumping genes” in the genome. The discovery shows how DNA once considered genomic junk can be transformed into essential chromosome machinery. Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:30:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260308201606.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260303153357.htm Japanese snow monkeys don’t just soak in hot springs to escape the winter chill — their steamy spa sessions may also be reshaping their invisible world. Researchers in Japan found that macaques who regularly bathe show subtle but intriguing differences in lice patterns and gut bacteria compared to those who stay dry. Surprisingly, sharing the hot pools didn’t increase their parasite load, challenging assumptions about disease risk. Tue, 03 Mar 2026 17:55:46 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260303153357.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260303050619.htm Tiny, tooth-sized fossils have just reshaped the story of our deepest ancestry. Paleontologists have discovered the southernmost remains ever found of Purgatorius—the earliest-known relative of all primates, including humans—in Colorado’s Denver Basin. Previously thought to be confined to Montana and parts of Canada, this shrew-sized, tree-dwelling mammal now appears to have spread southward soon after the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs. Tue, 03 Mar 2026 05:06:19 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260303050619.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260210040605.htm A bonobo named Kanzi surprised scientists by successfully playing along in pretend tea party experiments, tracking imaginary juice and grapes as if they were real. He consistently pointed to the correct locations of pretend items, while still choosing real food when given the option. The results suggest that imagination may not be exclusive to humans after all. Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:04:44 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260210040605.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208233844.htm Scientists have discovered that DNA behaves in a surprising way when squeezed through tiny nanopores, overturning a long-held assumption in genetics research. What researchers once thought were knots causing messy electrical signals turn out to be something else entirely: twisted coils called plectonemes, formed as flowing ions inside the pore spin the DNA like a phone cord. These twists can linger and grow as DNA moves through, leaving clear electrical fingerprints. Mon, 09 Feb 2026 07:03:56 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208233844.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122074035.htm A new study suggests humans belong in an elite “league of monogamy,” ranking closer to beavers and meerkats than to chimpanzees. By comparing full and half siblings across species and human cultures, researchers found that long-term pair bonding is unusually common in our species. Even societies that permit polygamy show far more monogamy than most mammals. This rare evolutionary shift may have played a key role in human social success. Thu, 22 Jan 2026 23:58:52 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122074035.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260115022814.htm A large international study reveals that mammals tend to live longer when reproduction is suppressed. On average, lifespan increases by about 10 percent, though the reasons differ for males and females. Castrated males avoid the harmful effects of testosterone, while females gain longevity by sidestepping the intense physical demands of pregnancy and nursing. The results underscore a powerful biological trade-off between making offspring and staying alive longer. Fri, 16 Jan 2026 01:05:13 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260115022814.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260109080214.htm A large genetic study shows that many people carry DNA sequences that slowly expand as they get older. Common genetic variants can dramatically alter how fast this expansion happens, sometimes multiplying the pace by four. Researchers also identified specific DNA expansions linked to severe kidney and liver disease. The findings suggest that age-related DNA instability is far more common than previously realized. Fri, 09 Jan 2026 08:35:07 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260109080214.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260107225541.htm DNA doesn’t just sit still inside our cells — it folds, loops, and rearranges in ways that shape how genes behave. Researchers have now mapped this hidden architecture in unprecedented detail, showing how genome structure changes from cell to cell and over time. These insights reveal why many disease-linked mutations outside genes can still cause harm. The findings could speed up the discovery of genetic risks and inspire new ways to target diseases. Thu, 08 Jan 2026 21:16:11 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260107225541.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251209043042.htm Humans don’t just recognize each other’s voices—our brains also light up for the calls of chimpanzees, hinting at ancient communication roots shared with our closest primate relatives. Researchers found a specialized region in the auditory cortex that reacts distinctly to chimp vocalizations, but not to those of bonobos or macaques, revealing an unexpected mix of evolutionary and acoustic influences. Wed, 10 Dec 2025 01:45:47 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251209043042.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251130205418.htm Chimpanzees naturally ingest surprising amounts of alcohol from ripe, fermenting fruit. Careful measurements show that their typical fruit diet can equal one to two human drinks each day. This supports the idea that alcohol exposure is not a modern human invention but an ancient primate habit. The work strengthens the “drunken monkey” hypothesis and opens new questions about how animals use ethanol cues in their environment. Mon, 01 Dec 2025 11:40:42 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251130205418.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251124231900.htm Moss spores survived an extended stay on the outside of the ISS and remained capable of germinating once back on Earth. Their resilience to vacuum, extreme temperatures, and UV radiation surprised the researchers who expected them to perish. The spores' natural protective coat likely played a key role in shielding them. The study hints at the potential for simple plants to support agriculture beyond our planet. Mon, 24 Nov 2025 23:27:16 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251124231900.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251121082053.htm Scientists have traced kissing back to early primates, suggesting it began long before humans evolved. Their analysis points to great apes and even Neanderthals sharing forms of kissing millions of years ago. The behavior appears to have persisted through evolution as a social or bonding tool. Yet its patchy presence across human cultures hints at a mix of biology and cultural invention. Fri, 21 Nov 2025 09:35:13 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251121082053.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251118220056.htm Chameleons’ extraordinary ability to move their eyes independently stems from a previously overlooked anatomical marvel: long, tightly coiled optic nerves hidden behind their bulging eyes. Modern CT imaging finally revealed this structure, which centuries of dissections and even the scrutiny of figures like Aristotle and Newton failed to capture. The coils give the eyes extra slack, enabling nearly 360-degree scanning without neck mobility. Wed, 19 Nov 2025 08:57:20 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251118220056.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251027225628.htm An international team of researchers led by scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, working with 15 collaborators around the world, has conducted the most comprehensive study yet of lifespan differences between the sexes in mammals and birds. Their findings shed new light on one of biology’s enduring mysteries: why males and females age differently. Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:39:43 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251027225628.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251016223110.htm EMBL researchers created SDR-seq, a next-generation tool that decodes both DNA and RNA from the same cell. It finally opens access to non-coding regions, where most disease-associated genetic variants lie. By revealing how these variants affect gene activity, scientists can better understand complex diseases and develop improved diagnostic tools. Sat, 18 Oct 2025 02:01:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251016223110.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250915085344.htm A groundbreaking project is piecing together Leonardo da Vinci’s genetic profile by tracing his lineage across 21 generations and comparing DNA from living descendants with remains in a Da Vinci family tomb. If successful, the effort could reveal new insights into Leonardo’s health, creativity, and even help confirm the authenticity of his works. Mon, 15 Sep 2025 09:07:55 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250915085344.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250908175502.htm Orangutans, humans’ close evolutionary relatives, have developed remarkable strategies to survive in the unpredictable rainforests of Borneo. A Rutgers-led study reveals that these apes balance protein intake and adjust their activity to match food availability, avoiding obesity and metabolic disease. Unlike humans, who often overeat processed foods without adjusting energy use, orangutans switch between fruits, leaves, and even stored body fat depending on the season. Their ability to maintain protein levels and conserve energy during scarcity offers insights not only into their survival but also into healthier dietary habits for people. Tue, 09 Sep 2025 01:47:10 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250908175502.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250830001157.htm Young orangutans master the art of building intricate treetop nests not by instinct alone, but by closely watching their mothers and peers. Researchers tracking wild Sumatran orangutans over 17 years discovered that “peering”—the deliberate act of observing nest construction—is the key to learning. Sat, 30 Aug 2025 00:11:57 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250830001157.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250816113505.htm Once on the brink during the last ice age, great white sharks made a remarkable recovery globally, but their DNA reveals a baffling story. Classic migration explanations fail, leaving scientists with a mystery that defies reproductive and evolutionary logic. Sat, 16 Aug 2025 12:42:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250816113505.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250802022924.htm Long before evolution equipped them with the right teeth, early humans began eating tough grasses and starchy underground plants—foods rich in energy but hard to chew. A new study reveals that this bold dietary shift happened 700,000 years before the ideal dental traits evolved to handle it. Sat, 02 Aug 2025 12:17:42 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250802022924.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250720034029.htm What scientists once dismissed as junk DNA may actually be some of the most powerful code in our genome. A new international study reveals that ancient viral DNA buried in our genes plays an active role in controlling how other genes are turned on or off, especially during early human development. These sequences, originally from long-extinct viruses, have evolved to act like tiny genetic switches. Using new analysis tools and large-scale experiments, researchers discovered that certain viral DNA fragments are especially strong at activating genes and may even have helped shape what makes humans different from other primates. Sun, 20 Jul 2025 03:40:29 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250720034029.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250710113159.htm In a bold step toward sustainable space travel, scientists are engineering a radically small, protein-rich rice that can grow in space. The Moon-Rice project, led by the Italian Space Agency in collaboration with three universities, aims to create crops that thrive in microgravity while boosting astronaut nutrition and well-being. Fri, 11 Jul 2025 08:01:11 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250710113159.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250710113146.htm What if humans didn’t have to suffer the slow-burning fire of chronic inflammation as we age? A surprising study on two types of lemurs found no evidence of "inflammaging," a phenomenon long assumed to be universal among primates. These findings suggest that age-related inflammation isn’t inevitable and that environmental factors could play a far bigger role than we thought. By peering into the biology of our primate cousins, researchers are opening up new possibilities for preventing aging-related diseases in humans. Thu, 10 Jul 2025 12:11:08 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250710113146.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250709091653.htm Long-tailed macaques given short videos were glued to scenes of fighting—especially when the combatants were monkeys they knew—mirroring the human draw to drama and familiar faces. Low-ranking individuals watched most intently, perhaps for self-protection, while high-strung ones averted their gaze. Wed, 09 Jul 2025 23:38:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250709091653.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250702214136.htm Scientists at UC Davis discovered a small genetic difference that could explain why humans are more prone to certain cancers than our primate cousins. The change affects a protein used by immune cells to kill tumors—except in humans, it’s vulnerable to being shut down by an enzyme that tumors release. This flaw may be one reason treatments like CAR-T don’t work as well on solid tumors. The surprising twist? That mutation might have helped our brains grow larger over time. Now, researchers are exploring ways to block the enzyme and give our immune system its power back. Wed, 02 Jul 2025 23:14:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250702214136.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250610004054.htm After millions of years of evolutionary isolation, Madagascar developed an unparalleled array of wildlife, and recent research has uncovered an unsung ecological hero: the lizard. Though often dismissed in studies of seed dispersal, lizards in Madagascar have proven to be vital agents of endozoochory, consuming fruits and spreading the seeds of over 20 plant species. Surprisingly, their seed choices differ from those of the dominant lemurs, suggesting an unrecognized ecological role. Even more striking, these lizards persist in degraded environments where larger frugivores can t, hinting at their crucial function in restoring Madagascar s forests. Tue, 10 Jun 2025 00:40:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250610004054.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250607231851.htm Humpback whales have been observed blowing bubble rings during friendly interactions with humans a behavior never before documented. This surprising display may be more than play; it could represent a sophisticated form of non-verbal communication. Scientists from the SETI Institute and UC Davis believe these interactions offer valuable insights into non-human intelligence, potentially helping refine our methods for detecting extraterrestrial life. Their findings underscore the intelligence, curiosity, and social complexity of whales, making them ideal analogues for developing communication models beyond Earth. Sat, 07 Jun 2025 23:18:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250607231851.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250603114822.htm In the heart of Dublin, scientists have discovered that the air holds more than melodies and Guinness-infused cheer it carries invisible traces of life, from wildlife to drugs and even human diseases. Using high-powered air filters and environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, researchers vacuumed up the city s air and uncovered genetic material from cannabis, magic mushrooms, and pathogens. This emerging technology, which doesn t require direct contact with organisms, could revolutionize how we monitor ecosystems, track diseases, and even locate endangered species all from the sky above. It's science fiction turned science fact, and it s changing what we thought was possible from a simple breath of air. Tue, 03 Jun 2025 11:48:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250603114822.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250603114813.htm Baboons’ marching lines aren’t about protection or leadership, they simply walk with their friends. Swansea researchers found that social bonds, not strategy, shape their consistent travel patterns, introducing the idea of a “social spandrel.” Tue, 03 Jun 2025 11:48:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250603114813.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124854.htm The process of necrosis, a form of cell death, may represent one of the most promising ways to change the course of human aging, disease and even space travel, according to a new study. Thu, 29 May 2025 12:48:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124854.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528131557.htm Many bat species native to Germany, such as the Leisler's bat, are forest specialists. However, as it is becoming increasingly hard for them to find tree hollows in forest plantations, so they are moving to settlements instead. Using high-resolution GPS data from bats, a team led by scientists has analyzed in greater detail than ever before how Leisler's bats use their habitats, which tree species they look for when searching a roost, and which forest types they avoid. They found that these bats increasingly seek refuge in old trees in urban areas and in old buildings such as churches. Wed, 28 May 2025 13:15:57 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528131557.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527124123.htm In the long battle to create an effective HIV vaccine, scientists have made a major leap forward. A new study shows that a series of vaccines can coax the immune system to produce powerful antibodies capable of blocking a wide range of HIV strains -- including those that are typically the hardest to stop. Tue, 27 May 2025 12:41:23 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527124123.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250523120450.htm The molecular pathways involved in antiviral defenses and counter-defenses in host-pathogen systems remain unclear. Researchers have used Neurospora crassa as a model organism to explore how RNA editing influences fungal antiviral responses. They identified two neighboring genes -- an RNA-editing enzyme (old) and a transcription factor (zao) -- that regulate virus-induced gene expression. Their findings show how the old-zao module controls both asymptomatic and symptomatic infections, providing new insight into conserved antiviral mechanisms in fungi. Fri, 23 May 2025 12:04:50 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250523120450.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522133518.htm A new study proves that a type of genetic element called 'introners' are the mechanism by which many introns spread within and between species, also providing evidence of eight instances in which introners have transferred between unrelated species in a process called 'horizontal gene transfer,' the first proven examples of this phenomenon. Thu, 22 May 2025 13:35:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522133518.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131805.htm Scientists have elucidated the molecular mechanism by which LEM-3 cuts DNA bridges during cytokinesis. Mon, 19 May 2025 13:18:05 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131805.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131131.htm Animal abduction: Biologists documented five male capuchin monkeys carrying at least eleven different infant howler monkeys -- a behavior never before seen in wild primates. Rise and spread: The sightings were remotely recorded by over 85 camera traps, which allowed scientists to pinpoint the origin and subsequent spread of this social tradition over a 15-month period. Mon, 19 May 2025 13:11:31 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131131.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250516134254.htm Researchers have found that wild orangutans vocalize with a layered complexity previously thought to be unique to human communication, suggesting a much older evolutionary origin. Fri, 16 May 2025 13:42:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250516134254.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250513225711.htm Sumatran orangutan mothers differ from one another in how they behave with and take care of their infants and how flexibly they adjust their mothering behaviors as their infants grow. Whilst mothers differed from one another in their maternal behaviors, they remained consistent in their behaviors with their different infants. Consistent differences among Sumatran orangutan mothers suggest that individual maternal personalities may exist, potentially influencing infant development. Tue, 13 May 2025 22:57:11 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250513225711.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250509132208.htm By creating a more true-to-life representation of DNA's environment, researchers have discovered that strand separation may take more mechanical force than the field previously believed. Fri, 09 May 2025 13:22:08 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250509132208.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508161444.htm New report shows drastic decline in endangered primates and calls for conservation measures. Thu, 08 May 2025 16:14:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508161444.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507125840.htm Life depends on genes being switched on and off at exactly the right time. Even the simplest living organisms do this, but usually over short distances across the DNA sequence, with the on/off switch typically right next to a gene. This basic form of genomic regulation is probably as old as life on Earth. A new study finds that the ability to control genes from far away, over many tens of thousands of DNA letters, evolved between 650 and 700 million years ago. It probably appeared at the very dawn of animal evolution, around 150 million years earlier than previously thought. The critical innovation likely originated in a sea creature, the common ancestor or all extant animals. Wed, 07 May 2025 12:58:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507125840.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250424121205.htm A database about monkey behavior reveals how science is evolving towards a more open, collaborative approach. Thu, 24 Apr 2025 12:12:05 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250424121205.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250421162627.htm If there was a contest for biggest female bullies of the animal world, lemurs would be near the top of the list. It's the ladies who get their way and keep males in line. In one branch of the lemur family tree, however, some species have evolved to have more harmonious relationships. New findings suggest that this amiable shift was driven by changes in the 'love hormone' oxytocin inside their brains. Mon, 21 Apr 2025 16:26:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250421162627.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250415211247.htm Macaque mothers experience a short period of physical restlessness after the death of an infant, but do not show typical human signs of grief, such as lethargy and appetite loss, finds a new study by anthropologists. Tue, 15 Apr 2025 21:12:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250415211247.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414124702.htm Researchers have uncovered answers that provide the detail to explain two specific DNA repair processes that have long been in question. Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:47:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414124702.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414124458.htm Scientists at INRS have identified a family of enzymes, known as Ssn, that can make targeted cuts in single-stranded DNA—a feat never before achieved. This discovery not only fills a major gap in genetic research but also promises new frontiers in gene editing, diagnostics, and biotechnology. Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:44:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414124458.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414124337.htm New DNA probes allow for efficient surveying of the hidden lives of squids and octopuses in the deep sea. This development provides an effective tool for marine ecological research and conservation efforts. Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:43:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414124337.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409155027.htm Research into transcription factors deepen understanding of the 'language' of the genome, offering insights into human development. Wed, 09 Apr 2025 15:50:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409155027.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409114707.htm Could it be that one of only three known markers directly targeting the DNA does not exist outside the realm of microbes? Now, researchers have demonstrated that this marker -- N4-methylcytosine (4mC) -- is essential for sperm development and maturation in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha, a key organism in plant evolution. Wed, 09 Apr 2025 11:47:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409114707.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409114521.htm Comprehensive reference genomes have now been assembled for six ape species: siamang (a Southeast Asian gibbon), Sumatran orangutan, Bornean orangutan, gorilla, bonobo and chimpanzee. Areas of their genomes previously inaccessible because of structural complexity have now mostly been resolved. The resource is already lending itself to comparative studies that offer new insights into human and ape evolution, and into what underlies the functional differences among these species. Wed, 09 Apr 2025 11:45:21 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409114521.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250402200931.htm A new study has found that the world's finest yodellers aren't from Austria or Switzerland, but the rainforests of Latin America. The research provides significant new insights into the diverse vocal sounds of non-human primates, and reveals for the first time how certain calls are produced. The researchers have discovered that special anatomical structures called vocal membranes allow monkeys to introduce 'voice breaks' to their calls. These have the same rapid transitions in frequency heard in Alpine yodelling, or in Tarzan's famous yell, but cover a much wider frequency range. Wed, 02 Apr 2025 20:09:31 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250402200931.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250402122446.htm Researchers have gained a new understanding of how the brain processes reward and risk information. Neuroscientists show how nerve cells in the so-called amygdala not only encode the probability and magnitude of rewards, but also dynamically process this information to predict value and risk. The findings provide new insights into the neural basis of decision-making and could also be important for understanding mental illnesses such as anxiety disorders and depression. Wed, 02 Apr 2025 12:24:46 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250402122446.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250402122157.htm Miso is a traditional Japanese condiment made by fermenting cooked soybeans and salt. Researchers successfully made miso on the International Space Station (ISS). They found that the miso smelled and tasted similar to miso fermented on Earth -- just with a slightly nuttier, more roasted flavor. The team hopes this research will help broaden the culinary options available to astronauts, improving the quality of life for long-term space travelers. Wed, 02 Apr 2025 12:21:57 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250402122157.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250328173521.htm The new study reveals a remarkable way that cells keep us safe from transposable elements (TEs) gone wild. The researchers found that cells have taken advantage of an entire protein network to repress TE activity and keep themselves healthy. Fri, 28 Mar 2025 17:35:21 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250328173521.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250324113645.htm For successful cell division, chromosomal DNA needs to be packed into compact rod-shaped structures. Defects in this process can lead to cell death or diseases like cancer. A new study has shown how chromosomes change shape during cell division. Certain protein complexes help fold DNA into overlapping loops that repel each other, which then stack to create a rod-like structure. This is the first time scientists have directly observed an entire chromosome in high resolution within a dividing cell, offering new insights into how chromosomes are formed. Mon, 24 Mar 2025 11:36:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250324113645.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250320144758.htm Scientists have captured the first detailed 'molecular movie' showing DNA being unzipped at the atomic level -- revealing how cells begin the crucial process of copying their genetic material. Thu, 20 Mar 2025 14:47:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250320144758.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250317160458.htm Ancient DNA shows an endangered dove species endemic to Cuba is more genetically distinct than the dodo was before it died out. Mon, 17 Mar 2025 16:04:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250317160458.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250312190952.htm A new study analyzing diet, average plasma sugar levels and cancer prevalence in some 273 vertebrate species showed surprising results. The study found no significant link between diet and plasma sugar levels across nonhuman vertebrate species, suggesting that glucose regulation is likely influenced more by evolutionary and physiological adaptations than diet alone. Birds in particular did not suffer increased cancer rates compared with mammals and reptiles, despite having higher blood glucose levels, which are associated with increased cancer risk in other animals, including humans. Wed, 12 Mar 2025 19:09:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250312190952.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250312134620.htm We're all familiar with Pavlovian conditioning, in which a reward-anticipatory behavior follows a reward-predicting stimulus. Perhaps you experience it yourself when passing a cafe or restaurant and catching a whiff of something delectable. Behind this mechanism is dopamine released within the striatum, the largest structure of the subcortical basal ganglia, which links motor movements and motivation. Yet it has remained unclear exactly what kind of dopamine signal is transmitted to the striatum to cause this behavior in primates. In order to understand this dopamine signal, a team of researchers developed a new method of monitoring dopamine, utilizing a fluorescent dopamine sensor. Wed, 12 Mar 2025 13:46:20 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250312134620.htm