Featured research + Creative activity
IU study shows that apes are more optimistic after hearing laughter
While laughter is often considered uniquely human, tied to language and sense of humor, all great apes produce remarkably similar vocalizations during play that share evolutionary origins with huma... Read more about IU study shows that apes are more optimistic after hearing laughter
IU biologist’s research on plant immune systems could increase crop yields, reduce costs for farmers
“Imagine that we could return half of the Midwest to prairie. We could increase the planet’s ability to capture carbon, restore our insect populations and restore our ecosystems to a better balanc... Read more about IU biologist’s research on plant immune systems could increase crop yields, reduce costs for farmers
New research aims to better predict and understand cascading land surface hazards
When an extreme weather event occurs, the probability or risk of other events can often increase, leading to what researchers call “cascading” hazards. For example, the danger of landslides or... Read more about New research aims to better predict and understand cascading land surface hazards
A groundbreaking new study about tadpoles that turn into cannibals may sound like fodder for nature trivia, but it carries a much deeper message about evolution—and even about ourselves.
Research Spotlight: Paleoanthropologists Discover New Set of Ancient Tools
What can 1.5-million-year-old bones tell us about the minds of early humans?
Floods don’t just bring water—they move earth
IU Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Professor Doug Edmonds and his team of students are leading cutting-edge research on how floodwaters reshape Indiana’s landscapes. With the help of drones equipp... Read more about Floods don’t just bring water—they move earth