Oo oo, ha ha: why humans and great apes giggle alike when tickled
New research suggests that the laughter shared between humans and great apes points to a deeper, rhythmic connection in vocal plasticity.
📍 How it ended
Scientists found that humans and great apes share similar laughter patterns when tickled. Research revealed that the rhythm and timing of laughter in humans and apes fall on a hominid continuum, indicating a connection between the two.
The story quieted after a single day of coverage, with multiple outlets reporting on the study's findings.
Epilogue added 44d ago, after coverage quieted.
Answered
What triggers the laughter studied in great apes?
The laughter occurs when the apes are tickled.
What did the research reveal about vocal plasticity?
According to Nature, rhythm and timing in laughter show that human vocal plasticity falls on a hominid continuum.
What broader implication does this have for human evolution?
Yahoo reports that an ape's laugh can provide insights into human language.
Where it stands
Scientists have studied the laughter and giggling of great apes, particularly when tickled, finding that these vocalizations are incredibly human-like. Coverage from Nature, The New York Times, and AP News emphasizes the rhythm and timing of these sounds.
Nature reports that this evidence suggests human vocal plasticity exists on a hominid continuum. Analysis from BBC Wildlife Magazine and Yahoo focuses on what these findings can reveal about the origins of human language.
Synthesized by Newsylist from the headlines below under a strict no-invention contract. ✓ fact-checked: all claims supported by sources Updated 45d ago.
Coverage (6)
- Scientists studied the laughter of apes – and discovered something incredibly human-like BBC Wildlife Magazine · 47d ago
- What an ape’s laugh can teach us about human language Yahoo · 47d ago
- Get a load of this: Humans and great apes share similar giggles AP News · 47d ago
- Rhythm and timing in laughter reveal that human vocal plasticity falls on a hominid continuum Nature · 47d ago broke it first
- To Reveal the Rhythmic Roots of Laughter, Just Tickle an Ape The New York Times · 47d ago
- Oo oo, ha ha: why humans and great apes giggle alike when tickled Nature · 47d ago broke it first
The coverage curve
How fast coverage is spreading — measured hourly from article rate × source diversity. How this works →
People, places & organizations
Topics
Related trends
Humanity spoke thousands of languages at the dawn of farming
Researchers are exploring a linguistic 'golden age' where humans spoke thousands more languages than they do today.
Study Shows Rapid Reversal of Autism Traits
A single dose of rapamycin has been shown to reverse autism-like brain changes and traits in adult mice within hours.
Astronomers may have discovered the 1st moon outside of our solar system
Astronomers report the potential detection of the first known exomoon orbiting a substellar companion outside our solar system.
Great Apes kiss and cuddle to keep the peace, says study
New research from Durham indicates that physical touch among great apes serves as a primary mechanism for conflict resolution and social stability.
Only 13% survive this cancer. A blood test just detected 90% of early cases
A new blood gene test has demonstrated the ability to detect 90% of early-stage pancreatic cancers, a disease with a 13% survival rate.
One Fungus Has Caused More Extinctions Than Any Other Infectious Disease. Some Toads Have Found a Way to Survive It
Researchers have uncovered how certain toad populations survive a lethal fungus that has caused more extinctions than any other infectious disease.