Study Reveals Social Aging Protects Monkeys from Disease
Research finds that older rhesus macaques with smaller social networks face lower infection risks.
- Rhesus macaques on Cayo Santiago show reduced disease rates with fewer social connections as they age.
- Social aging, common in both animals and humans, may evolve to mitigate infection risks.
- The study highlights the cost-benefit balance of social ties, which change over an individual's lifespan.
- Older macaques benefit most from reduced social ties when facing highly infectious diseases.
- Future research aims to further explore how illness influences the evolution of social aging.
ScienceDaily 
Technology Networks 