Oct. 4, 2012, 3 a.m.
Baboons, like people, really do get by with a little help from their friends. Humans with strong social ties live longer, healthier lives, whereas hostility and ''loner'' tendencies can set the stage for disease and early death.
In animals, too, strong social networks contribute to longer lives and healthier offspring - and now it seems that personality may be just as big a factor in other primates' longevity status. A study has found that female baboons that had the most stable relationships with other females weren't always the highest up in the hierarchy or those with close family around - but they were the nicest.
Scientists are increasingly seeing personality as a key factor in an animal's ability to survive, adapt and thrive in its environment. But this topic isn't an easy one to study scientifically, says primatologist Dorothy Cheney, of the University of Pennsylvania.
''Research in mammals, birds, fish and insects shows individual patterns of behaviour that can't be easily explained. But the many studies of personality are based on human traits like conscientiousness, agreeableness, or neuroticism. It isn't clear how to apply those traits to animals,'' she says.
Along with a group of scientists, including co-authors Robert Seyfarth, also at the University of Pennsylvania, and primatologist Joan Silk of Arizona State University, Professor Cheney has studied wild baboons at the Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana for almost 20 years.
Besides providing detailed observations of behaviour in several generations of baboons, the research has yielded a wealth of biological and genetic data.
In previously published research, Professor Cheney and co-workers showed that females lived longer, had lower stress hormone levels and had more surviving offspring when they had close, long-lasting relationships with other females (characterised chiefly by spending time together and grooming).
Although dominance rank was significant for male baboons - alpha male baboons may live longer than lower-ranking males - this wasn't true for the females. Nor was an abundance of family the key to longevity. Not all of the longer-lived, less-stressed females had large families.
To find out more about how female baboons forge bonds, Professor Cheney and co-authors focused on detailed records of observations of 45 female baboons from 2001 to 2007. As a personality gauge, the researchers used specific behaviours, including how often the females were alone, how often they touched other females, how often they behaved aggressively, how often they were approached by others and how often they grunted when approaching other females of various ranks. Among female baboons, grunting is a sign of good will, Professor Cheney says. Using these criteria, the researchers characterised the baboons as ''nice'', ''aloof'' or ''loner''. The team also tested the baboons for levels of stress hormones known as glucocorticoids.
More here:
For longevity, it's the survival of the nicest Save
- Aubrey de Grey - In Pursuit of Longevity [Last Updated On: August 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 27th, 2011]
- The Gregory Mantell Show -- Anti-Aging [Last Updated On: August 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 27th, 2011]
- The Longevity Gambit [Last Updated On: August 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 28th, 2011]
- The Longevity Revolution Highlights [Last Updated On: August 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 28th, 2011]
- David Wolfe Longevity Now Program Jason Wrobel Raw Food Superfood Smoothie Demo Part 1 [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2011]
- Longevity - No Surrender (feat. 2Mex) [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2011]
- Longevity "Living to be 100" [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2011]
- 100 Day Juice Feast #55 Longevity Now [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2011]
- Longevity and Aging in Humans [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2011]
- The Longevity Factor: Joseph Maroon [Last Updated On: September 3rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 3rd, 2011]
- Longevity 2 [Last Updated On: September 3rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 3rd, 2011]
- Longevity 1 [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2011]
- David Wolfe Longevity Now Program Jason Wrobel Raw Food Superfood Smoothie Demo Part 2 [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2011]
- Generation Ageless: Longevity and the Boomers [Last Updated On: September 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2011]
- Longevity 'Tantrum' Official Video [Last Updated On: September 11th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2011]
- Dr. Oz on Living Longer [Last Updated On: September 11th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2011]
- DO NOT BUY Longevity [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2011]
- World's oldest man reveals longevity secret [Last Updated On: September 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 14th, 2011]
- Ancient Longevity Exercises [Last Updated On: September 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 14th, 2011]
- PEDIGREEĀ® Commercial: Healthy Longevity [Last Updated On: September 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 15th, 2011]
- Longevity Music Promo #1.mov [Last Updated On: September 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 15th, 2011]
- SENS5 - 100 Plus: How the Coming Age of Longevity Will Change Everything - Part 1 [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2011]
- Confirmed Dedicated Servers For MW3 PC - Longevity of Shooters [Last Updated On: September 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 23rd, 2011]
- Art Of Longevity [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- harbor freight stick electrodes and longevity plasma / welder [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2011]
- Super Model at 70 - Longevity Secrets from Sunny Griffin - Part 2 [Last Updated On: September 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2011]
- The Longevity Project, Howard Friedman and Leslie Martin - 9781594630750 [Last Updated On: September 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2011]
- Bee Pollen Benefits Longevity in Humans #48 [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2011]
- David Wolfe Longevity Now Program Jason Wrobel Raw Food Superfood Smoothie Demo Part 3 [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2011]
- David Wolfe's Longevity Now Experience Part 1 Jason Andrew Wrobel Raw Food Demo [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2011]
- Ayurveda [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- J-Live - Longevity (Digiri Blend) [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- J-Live - Longevity [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- tig welder / plasma cutter multi process longevity LC-518d welding machine [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Longevity Secrets. [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- harborfreight 110 80amp welder vs. Longevity 110 220 140amp welder [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- How Do You Define Longevity? [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Supermodel at 70 -- Longevity Secrets from Sunny Griffin - Part 1 [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Integrated Decalcification Longevity Health Program [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Looking for fun ideas for your reception? Check out the longevity dance. [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Longevity Now Conference with Be*Live [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Auth Method of Therapeutic Massage [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Longevity Aging [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Anti-Aging Breakthrough from sexuality to longevity! [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 100 Day Juice Feast #83 Longevity Secrets To Live past 100 [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- Insant Health: The Shaolin Qigong Workout For Longevity [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- Mindful Longevity Through Intended Evolution Fitness (FIT-150) [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2011]
- 7.3L LONGEVITY EGTs THE SILENT KILLER [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2011]
- harborfreight welder 80 amp inverter longevity stick/mig machine [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2011]
- Structured Water Unit for Healthy Water, Longevity and A Greener Environment [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2011]
- AFC Longevity Conference Performance 2011 [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2011]
- Longevity's Short Time Span [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2011]
- 3: Battery Longevity | Ask Alexandra | Chevrolet [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2011]
- Pina LoGiudice, ND, LAc, on The Dr. Oz Show - New Superfood for Longevity [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2011]
- Joe Scarborough Says All The GOP Frontrunners - 'Have Longevity As The Number Three In Al-Qaeda' - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- 7.3L LONGEVITY AUTO TRANS SERVICE 1 OF 4 - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- 7.3L LONGEVITY INJECTION TUNE UP 1 OF 4 - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- 7.3L LONGEVITY LEAKS 1 OF 2 - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- 7.3L LONGEVITY INJECTION TUNE UP 2 OF 4 - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- Longevity Secrets From Blue Zones' Dan Buettner - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- Qi Gong 10 symbols of Longevity Exercises 1-6 - Video [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2011]
- How To Stay Healthy And Maintain Longevity Up To 150 - Video [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2011]
- "Genetic and Genomic Analysis of C. elegans Longevity Pathways" - Prof. Gary Ruvkun - Video [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2011]
- Integrated Decalcification Longevity Health Program - Gabriel Cousens, MD - Video [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- 6.0L LONGEVITY EGTs THE SILENT KILLER - Video [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- David Wolfe's Longevity Conference Day 1, episode #546 - Video [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- 7.3L LONGEVITY LEAKS 2 OF 2 - Video [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- 7.3L LONGEVITY INJECTION TUNE UP 4 OF 4 - Video [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- 100 Year Old Woman: SECRET OF LONGEVITY! - Video [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- The importance of addressing longevity risk - Video [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- I The Breather - Longevity - Video [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- 7.3L LONGEVITY INJECTION TUNE UP 3 OF 4 - Video [Last Updated On: October 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2011]
- Employees to receive over $6 million in longevity pay - Video [Last Updated On: October 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 18th, 2011]
- In Time "The Secret of Longevity" Movie Clip Official 2011 [HD] - Justin Timberlake - Video [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2011]
- How to be a longevity expert #154 - Video [Last Updated On: October 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2011]
- Tibetan Chant : Lama Gyurme - Longevity prayer to Kalu Rinpoche - Video [Last Updated On: October 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2011]
- WP...Longevity (2011 Clan Vid Teaser) - Video [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2011]
- Longevity Weldpro LS-160P Plasma Cutter Welder CNC demo cut. - Video [Last Updated On: October 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 26th, 2011]
- Sonia Arrison on "How the Coming Age of Longevity Will Change Everything" at Singularity Summit 2011 - Video [Last Updated On: October 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 26th, 2011]
- Uncle Lester's Secrets of Longevity - Video [Last Updated On: October 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 26th, 2011]