All articles tagged with #macaques
Researchers documented soil-eating (geophagy) in Barbary macaques around Gibraltar, noting more soil consumption in groups that eat more human snacks like chocolate and ice cream. The behavior may help buffer stomach upset and potentially microbiome disruption from junk food, could be socially learned, and varied by group with some having no access to human food. More research is needed to understand the gut-related benefits.
A Scientific Reports study finds Gibraltar's Barbary macaques eat soil (geophagy) more in areas with tourists, likely to soothe stomachs after consuming junk food and dairy from visitors; the behavior varies by troop and underscores how wildlife adapts to human presence, highlighting the need for strict feeding controls and further research on soil minerals and gut microbiomes.
A 37-year-old man in Hong Kong is in critical condition after being infected with the B virus from a wild monkey, highlighting the potential risks posed by viruses carried by animals. The B virus, also known as herpes virus B, belongs to the herpes family and has a mortality rate of 70% if not promptly treated. While most cases have involved laboratory workers, this incident serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by contact with wild animals carrying infectious diseases.
A 37-year-old man in Hong Kong is in critical condition after being infected with the rare herpesvirus simiae, or 'B virus', which is carried by macaques. The man sustained a wound from one of the animals while visiting a park in late February and later presented with fever and decreased consciousness. The virus, which shares similarities with herpes simplex viruses, can be fatal without treatment, causing inflammation in the central nervous system. While the virus struggles to jump between species, close contact between humans and macaques raises the risk of potentially deadly viruses emerging, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy distance from these animals.
A study on visuo-frontal interactions during social learning in freely moving macaques has been conducted, with the source data and code availability provided. The research explores the neural correlates of social learning and decision-making in macaques, shedding light on the mechanisms underlying social interactions in non-human primates. The study contributes to our understanding of how macaques process social information and make decisions in a group setting, providing valuable insights into the neural basis of social behavior.
A study conducted on rhesus macaques has shown that intratracheal boosting with a bivalent Ad26-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine enhances mucosal humoral and cellular immunity, providing near complete protection against SARS-CoV-2 BQ.1.1 challenge. This novel immunization strategy induced robust mucosal immune responses, including neutralizing antibodies, binding antibodies, and T cell responses, surpassing those induced by intramuscular and intranasal boosting. The findings suggest that developing vaccines that target mucosal immunity could be effective in blocking respiratory viral infections.
A photographer captured a rare photo titled "Forest Rodeo" of a macaque monkey riding a sika deer on Japan's Yakushima Island. Macaques and sika deer have a symbiotic relationship, with the deer cleaning up after the monkeys and the monkeys grooming the deer. While sometimes the rides are just for fun, macaques have also been observed trying to mate with the deer. The photo is one of the highly commended entries in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.