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Monkey Business

Primates make unexpected pals.

>>> Vivek Venkataraman, Ph.D. candidate in ecology and evolution- ary biology, has discovered a rare interspecies relationship in the alpine grasslands of East Africa, where ge- lada monkeys tolerate the presence of Ethiopian wolves among their ranks. When foraging with gelada herds, the wolves are almost three times more successful in hunting subterranean rodents, but only if they ignore the temptation to eat a simian snack. Such symbiotic dynamics, Venkataraman notes in the Journal of Mammalogy, are not commonly observed between mixed groups of predators and prey.

A Better Way Colonoscopy prep holds promise.

>>> Colonoscopy patients may one day be able to replace fasting and liq- uid laxative prep with a more appetiz- ing regimen of solid foods, according to L. Campbell Levy, assistant profes- sor of medicine at Geisel. Early results from a Phase I trial have proven highly successful, with no reports of bloat- ing, nausea or cramps among test subjects who followed the new diet. Although further clinical research is needed, Levy says the findings “could have a real impact on public health and getting people screened” for colorectal cancer.

Performance Preview App predicts GPA.

>>> Researchers from Dartmouth and UT Austin have developed an Android app that pairs mobile sensors with machine learning algorithms to ac- curately predict how student behavior will impact grades. Analysis of 30 Dartmouth undergrads found higher GPAs among those who studied more and partied less, while no correlation was seen between class attendance and grades. Andrew Campbell, professor of computer science and lead author of the study, believes his SmartGPA technology could eventu- ally be applied “to determine the performance of a software engineer, Uber driver or teacher.”