Health & Fitness

Research finds orangutans communicate using a complex repertoire of consonant-like calls, more so than African apes. Previous research has only linked the evolution of human language with the voiced-vowel sounds produced by non-human primates, despite human language being composed of vowel and consonant sounds. Orangutans' tree-dwelling nature means they use their mouth, lips and jaw as a 'fifth hand', unlike ground-dwelling African apes. Their sophisticated use of their mouths, mean orangutans communicate using a rich variety of consonant sounds.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/E8G6UJv

Modern humans evolutionarily split from our chimpanzee ancestors nearly 7 million years ago, yet we are continuing to evolve. 155 new genes have been identified within the human lineage that spontaneously arose from tiny sections of our DNA. Some of these new genes date back to the ancient origin of mammals, with a few of these 'microgenes' predicted to be associated with human-specific diseases.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/cLAw1Eh

A collaborative study reveals a new gene associated with obesity and maladaptive behavior. The evidence shows that rare mutations in the gene for the serotonin 2C receptor play a role in the development of obesity and dysfunctional behaviors in humans and animal models.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/PHQJ43Y

While erectile dysfunction seems like a male-only problem, more and more experts are imploring partners to help their man seek help in case it is something much worse than a little limpness.

from Health | body+soul https://ift.tt/VaN7d3p

Engineers compare wastewater 'snapshots' to daylong composite samples and find snapshots lead to bias in testing for the presence of antibiotic-resistant genes.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/86cWqrP

Craving is known to be a key factor in substance use disorders and can increase the likelihood of future drug use or relapse. Yet its neural basis -- or, how the brain gives rise to craving -- is not well understood. In a new study, researchers from have identified a stable brain pattern, or neuromarker, for drug and food craving.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/pztLV3F

People with chronic epilepsy often experience impaired memory. Researchers have now found a mechanism in mice that could explain these deficits.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/kIcA4Yi