New research has given credence to the idea that laughter evolved in a common ancestor of the great apes and humans.Researchers tickled 22 young apes and three humans and acoustically analysed the laughing sounds that resulted. Though the vocalisations varied, the team found that the patterns of changes fit with evolutionary splits in the human and ape family tree. The research in Current Biology also suggests that gorillas and bonobos have some control over their breathing.
New research has given credence to the idea that laughter evolved in a common ancestor of the great apes and humans.
Researchers tickled 22 young apes and three humans and acoustically analysed the laughing sounds that resulted.
Though the vocalisations varied, the team found that the patterns of changes fit with evolutionary splits in the human and ape family tree.
The research in Current Biology also suggests that gorillas and bonobos have some control over their breathing.
Britain's atomic test veterans, involved in nuclear tests in the 1950s, have won their High Court bid for the right to sue the Government for compensation. Around 1,000 servicemen who blame their ill-health on their involvement in the nuclear tests want to sue the Ministry of Defence. The veterans, who took part in the programme on the Australian mainland, Monte Bello islands and Christmas Island, between 1952 and 1958, say that new scientific evidence has shown links between exposure to ionising radiation and their conditions, which include cancer, skin defects and fertility problems.
Around 1,000 servicemen who blame their ill-health on their involvement in the nuclear tests want to sue the Ministry of Defence.
The veterans, who took part in the programme on the Australian mainland, Monte Bello islands and Christmas Island, between 1952 and 1958, say that new scientific evidence has shown links between exposure to ionising radiation and their conditions, which include cancer, skin defects and fertility problems.
