A Natural Disaster Made Monkeys Age Faster

Rhesus monkey on the islet of Cayo Santiago in Puerto Rico

The article discusses how the biological impact of Hurricane Maria on rhesus monkeys in Cayo Santiago may mirror the effects of traumatic stress on humans, suggesting that climate change-related disasters could accelerate aging and affect health in survivors. The research involved analyzing pre- and post-disaster blood samples from the monkeys, revealing changes in immune function and gene expression linked to aging, with implications for understanding the health consequences of natural disasters on human populations.