Your support helps us tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is breaking new ground as the story unfolds. Whether it’s investigating the finances of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest film, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on American women fighting for reproductive rights, … Read more
Researchers who have analyzed dozens of spontaneous performances of a captive male chimpanzee called Ayumu say the animal’s steady rhythms and ‘facial play’ suggest how ancient humans might have turned vocal sensations into musical sounds. Ayumu made his own long multi-piece instruments by drumming, pulling and throwing. Analysis of the transitions and rhythms revealed a … Read more
Our preferences are ingrained traits that have developed over time. We are learning about our closest cousins to better understand ourselves. A recent article described how chimpanzees prefer crystals to ordinary rocks. But science has struggled to understand why, until now. By studying chimpanzees and monkeys, we reveal a few secrets about ourselves. What makes … Read more