Why we kiss: A fascinating new theory that predates human life on Earth

Most of us do it, be it romantic, familial, friendly or formal, but kissing among humans and where and how it originated is still hotly debated among historians and anthropologists. Now a new theory has been put forward: That our evolutionary loss of b… Continue reading Why we kiss: A fascinating new theory that predates human life on Earth

Wild orangutan engaged in never-before-seen wound-healing behavior

For the first time ever, a wild male orangutan in Sumatra has been spotted tending to a wound on his face in an ingenious way. The technique worked, adding even more cred to the intelligence of this striking and endangered species of great ape.Continue… Continue reading Wild orangutan engaged in never-before-seen wound-healing behavior

With help of lasers, mystery of giant ‘King Kong’ ape’s demise finally solved

For two million years, a 10-feet-tall (305-cm), 660-pound (330-kg) ape towered over other fauna and thrived in its lush forest habitat, until it mysteriously vanished during the late middle Pleistocene. And until now, the extinction of Gigantopithecus … Continue reading With help of lasers, mystery of giant ‘King Kong’ ape’s demise finally solved

In a first, study finds apes recognize pals they haven’t seen in decades

In what may put some of us to shame, apes instantly recognize family and friends that they haven’t seen in more than two decades, which is the longest ‘social memory’ in a non-human animal ever documented.Continue ReadingCategory: Biology, ScienceTags:… Continue reading In a first, study finds apes recognize pals they haven’t seen in decades

Liesel becomes the first gorilla to have stem-cell therapy for arthritis

In a world first, Budapest Zoo’s gorilla matriarch Liesel has received stem-cell therapy for her arthritis. An international team including University of Sheffield professor Mark Wilkinson, an expert in human arthritis treatment, has used mesenchymal s… Continue reading Liesel becomes the first gorilla to have stem-cell therapy for arthritis

Chimp study refutes prevailing theory on origins of bipedalism

It has long been believed that our prehistoric ancestors started walking on two legs as they moved from the trees into the more open environment of the African savanna. A new study of chimpanzees, however, suggests that such may not have been the case…. Continue reading Chimp study refutes prevailing theory on origins of bipedalism

Spine reveals ancient human relative climbed like apes, walked like us

A two-million-year-old fossil could change what we thought we knew about one of our ancient human relatives. A few vertebrae from the lower back of an Australopithecus sediba reveal that the hominin was surprisingly well adapted to walking upright like… Continue reading Spine reveals ancient human relative climbed like apes, walked like us