A study of capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) in the Serra da Capivara National Park – located in the state of Piauí, Brazil, in the semi-arid biome called Caatinga – shows that tolerance is extremely important for social learning, which is acquired by observing other members of the same group. The results have been published in the journal PNAS.
Researchers from the University of São Paulo (USP), supported by FAPESP, and Durham University in the United Kingdom, observed that partners in collective activities, such as searching for parasites and playing games, are more likely to learn new skills from their companions.
“Our observations fed into a mathematical model that showed that monkeys learn from others mainly through direct observation, by looking closely at another individual doing the task. In addition, social tolerance, especially between partners in collective activities, turned out to be a good way to predict which individuals would learn from which,” says Camila Galheigo Coelho, one of the main authors of the study, which was conducted during her doctorate at USP’s Institute of Psychology (IP) with a scholarship from FAPESP.
Part of the analysis was carried out during an internship at Durham University under the co-supervision of Professor Rachel Kendal.
“The most important aspect was to prove, using network-based diffusion analysis [NBDA], that the diffusion of a new technique for obtaining a resource spread through socially-mediated learning, and not simply through gradual individual learning by new individuals,” states Eduardo Ottoni, a professor at IP-USP who supervised the study.
In addition to the influence of social tolerance, youngsters who had not yet learned the task were more likely to observe and learn from successful adult males in the group. •
PhilRice Study yields low-GI Rice varieties for diabetics
A team of scientists at the Philippine Rice Research Institute led by Dr Marissa Romero identified rice varieties with low glycemic indexes, which can be beneficial to people with diabetes. Diabetes is the fourth leading cause of death in the Philippines.
The glycemic index is a value used for food based on how quickly it can cause blood sugar spikes. This means that food with higher GI is broken down into glucose more quickly, while foods with lower GI have a lesser impact on blood sugar levels. Excessive consumption of white rice, especially those with a GI of 70 or above, can contribute to the development of diabetes.
PhilRice’s collaborator, the International Rice Research Institute, has previously reported a low-GI rice variety (NSIC Rc 182) using in vitro laboratory tests. Dr Romero and her team used this variety as a reference to characterize the grain quality and pasting property indicators for low-GI rice.
This led them to other low-GI rice varieties, namely NSIC Rc 472, PSB Rc 10, and Rc 514. Aside from their low-GI characteristic, these varieties are also high-yielding and resilient, thus favoring Filipino farmers, according to Dr. Romero.
The study won 3rd place Best Poster Award at the International Conference for Crop Science and Breeding. •
CSIRO and Oxitec to target Invasive pests
across Australia and Oceania
Australia’s national science agency, the Commonwealth Science and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), and Oxitec Ltd. officially launched Oxitec Australia on December 10, 2024, to deliver novel biosecurity solutions to combat some of the biggest pest challenges in Australia and the wider Oceania region.
Oxitec Australia has started on Oxitec’s “just-add-water” Friendly™ Aedes aegypti mosquito solution, an innovative product proven to suppress urban populations of Aedes aegypti by up to 96%. This product is currently being reviewed by Australia’s Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) before commercial release.
Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito) solution is also being developed to help prevent a major invasion risk to mainland Australia. “In collaboration with Indigenous communities, leading scientific institutions, industry partners, and farmers, we’re committed to transforming how pest threats to health, food security, and ecosystems are addressed,” Oxitec CEO Mr. Grey Frandsen said.
The Friendly™ fall armyworm solution is also in the works to support Australian farmers in managing this invasive pest, which has been challenging to control since its first detection in 2020. This non-toxic genetic technology safely targets pests without harming beneficial species, like bees or birds, leaving no environmental footprint once the release stops.
Study: Social bonds are essential for capuchin monkeys to learn new skills
Young capuchin monkey observes female cracking cashew nuts: learning depends on social tolerance
