Chimpanzee News and Research

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Machine learning tools help unravel why human accelerated regions evolved so quickly

Humans and chimpanzees differ in only one percent of their DNA. Human accelerated regions (HARs) are parts of the genome with an unexpected amount of these differences.

13 Jan 2023

Study shows de novo origination of functional microproteins

In a new study, researchers performed a genomic analysis to investigate the origination of human microproteins of biological importance.

23 Dec 2022

Research estimates the evolutionary origins of functional human microgenes

Modern humans evolutionarily split from our chimpanzee ancestors nearly 7 million years ago, yet we are continuing to evolve.

20 Dec 2022

Consonant-like calls from orangutans provide clues to the origins of human spoken language

New research from The University of Warwick has revealed that orangutans, the most arboreal of the great apes, produce consonant-like calls more often and of greater variety than their African ground-dwelling cousins (gorillas, bonobos and chimpanzees).

20 Dec 2022

Duke researchers find human DNA sequence divergence after split from common ancestor of chimpanzees

A team of Duke researchers has identified a group of human DNA sequences driving changes in brain development, digestion and immunity that seem to have evolved rapidly after our family line split from that of the chimpanzees, but before we split with the Neanderthals.

24 Nov 2022

Researchers characterize subtle differences in the brains of primates and humans

While the physical differences between humans and non-human primates are quite distinct, a new study reveals their brains may be remarkably similar. And yet, the smallest changes may make big differences in developmental and psychiatric disorders.

9 Nov 2022

Researchers explore the development of mRNA vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus

Recently, researchers discussed the development of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

17 Oct 2022

First evidence of lasting social relationships between chimpanzees and gorillas revealed

A long-term study led by primatologist Crickette Sanz at Washington University in St. Louis reveals the first evidence of lasting social relationships between chimpanzees and gorillas in the wild.

30 Sep 2022

Transmission of monkeypox virus atypical and unique in 2022

In a recent study published in the journal Viruses, researchers at the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases identified and presented all the relevant research on the monkeypox virus (MPXV) to draw inferences about the 2022 MPXV outbreak.

13 Sep 2022

Brain organoids shed light into the evolution of the human brain

Animal studies on great apes have long been banned in Europe for ethical reasons. For the question pursued here, so-called organoids, i.e. three-dimensional cell structures a few millimeters in size that are grown in the laboratory, are an alternative to animal experiments.

13 Sep 2022

Researchers demonstrate improved culture of primate induced pluripotent stem cells

The following study transplanted iPSCs derived from two NHP species, chimpanzee and pigtailed macaque, into blastocysts from another NHP species – the rhesus macaque.

1 Sep 2022

Communication is the key for cooperative hunting in wild chimpanzees

Similar to humans, chimpanzees use communication to coordinate their cooperative behavior – such as during hunting.

29 Jul 2022

Gonorrhea bacteria may have driven the evolution of gene variants that protect older adults against dementia

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine previously found a set of human gene mutations that protect older adults against cognitive decline and dementia.

19 Jul 2022

Connectivity of language areas in the human brain has expanded more than previously thought

Neuroscientists have gained new insight into how our brain evolved into a language-ready brain. Compared to chimpanzee brains, the pattern of connections of language areas in our brain has expanded more than previously thought.

4 Jul 2022

What can chimpanzees tell us about cancer propensity in humans?

A recent study published in the renowned journal Cell Reports finds evidence for reduced functional activity of certain human cancer genes (such as breast cancer 2 gene or BRCA2), following the divergence from the chimpanzee-human last common ancestor.

9 May 2022

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody levels following COVID-19 BNT162b2 vaccination

Researchers assessed factors influencing the anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike antibodies after SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 vaccination.

25 Apr 2022

Study finds two doses of mRNA or ChAdOx1 vaccines provide excellent protection against severe outcomes of hospitalization and death

Researchers assessed the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against related hospitalizations and death.

18 Apr 2022