From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or ...

Tickling, a seemingly involuntary reflex, evolved not for humor but for connection. It targets exposed areas, triggering laughter when the touch is recognized as safe, signaling non-danger and ...

One morning 10 years ago, psychologist Jaak Panksepp walked into his lab and made an unusual proposition to a research assistant: “Come tickle some rats with me!” Panksepp wasn’t just trying to ...

Just when you thought the news couldn’t get more bizarre, now this: A new study reveals rats are ticklish. That’s not all. Not only are they ticklish, they laugh when tickled. You read that right. A ...

Laughter’s evolutionary story may be written on chimpanzees’ faces. Chimps at play make open-mouth facial expressions while either laughing out loud or staying silent, say psychologist Marina ...