Newswise — For decades, scientists have been studying the cognition of great apes to understand how our own complex cognitive abilities evolved. Much of the research is based on the idea that if a ...

Laughter is universal among humans. Researchers have found that our closest relatives, apes, also laugh, and do it with a similar rhythm and timing as people. The study, published on June 25 in the ...

Variants in genes involved in the production of extracellular matrix molecules could have enabled the skeletal adaptations that distinguish humans from other great apes.

NEW YORK (AP) — Humans and great apes have been giggling in similar ways since branching off the evolutionary tree, a new study suggests. How do we know this? Researchers tickled 13 captive apes — ...

What can chimpanzees teach us about ourselves? A lot, says Craig Stanford, who's spent three decades studying the lives of our closest cousins. Humans share upwards of 98% of their DNA with the great ...

WASHINGTON, June 29 (Reuters) - There are many kinds of laughter. People may guffaw at a joke. They may giggle nervously in an uncomfortable situation. They may chuckle with mild amusement. They may ...

Learn how early humans evolved at a much faster rate than other apes, adapting larger brains as they developed new ways to socialize. Skull diversity across great apes (orange) and gibbons (blue).