Study traces ape laughter rhythm back 15 million years (opens in new tab)

A study published in Communications Biology found that humans and living great apes share a similar rhythm in laughter, with regular intervals between successive laugh sounds. Researchers reexamined recordings from 13 captive apes, including gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees and bonobos, and compared them with new recordings of four young children laughing during tickling and play at home. The researchers said the shared timing pattern likely reflects a trait inherited from a common ancestor ...