"Decades of Monkey Island Data Unveil Insights on Resilience and Survival"
Scientists studying rhesus macaque monkeys on Cayo Santiago, also known as Monkey Island, have rare access to over six decades of biological and behavioral data. The monkeys, whose DNA is 94% similar to humans, have been studied since 1938 and provide insights into the effects of environmental stress on longevity and health. After surviving a devastating hurricane in 2017, the monkeys showed increased social tolerance and immune system aging. The research may have implications for understanding human resilience in the face of traumatic events.