Brain Wiring Gave Humans Edge Over Chimps: Study
A new study says that it wasn't a bigger brain but a more sophisticated wiring that gave humans the edge to evolve beyond their closest cousins, the chimps.
A new study says that it wasn't a bigger brain but a more sophisticated wiring that gave humans the edge to evolve beyond their closest cousins, the chimps.
Chimps and Orangutans Have Personalities Similar to Humans
A recent study has pointed out that chimpanzees and orangutans have personalities similar to humans.
A recent study has pointed out that chimpanzees and orangutans have personalities similar to humans.
Georgia Tech's Soojin Yi, a biologist, looked at brain samples of the two species. She found that differences in the modification of certain DNA, called methylation, may contribute to such changes.
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Dogs Comprehend Human Gestures Much More Than Chimps
Researchers have revealed that dogs comprehend human gestures much more than chimps.
Researchers have revealed that dogs comprehend human gestures much more than chimps.
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Chimps 'Self-medicate' With Medicinally Rich Food
Chimpanzees 'self medicate' with aliments containing medicinal ingredients such as anti-bacterial agents and de-wormers, suggests a new study.
Chimpanzees 'self medicate' with aliments containing medicinal ingredients such as anti-bacterial agents and de-wormers, suggests a new study.
"Our study indicates that certain human diseases may have evolutionary epigenetic (the effect of environment on genes) origins. Such findings, in the long term, may help develop better therapeutic targets or means for some human diseases," says Yi, according to a Georgia Tech statement.
Yi and her team generated maps of modified DNA of the prefrontal cortex (front part of the brain, tied to personality, decision making and moderating social behaviour) of multiple humans and chimps. They found hundreds of genes (among humans) that "include disproportionately high numbers of those related to diseases," said Yi.
"They are linked to autism, neural tube (brain and spinal cord) birth-related defects and alcohol and other chemical dependencies," said Yi.
Source-IANS
