This story originally appeared in the December issue of Discover magazine as "Talk to the Hand." Support our science journalism by becoming a subscriber. Take a moment to pay attention to your hands.

Gibbons have a secret ‘language’ which contains ‘words’ for animals such as leopards and eagles, scientists have found, in a discovery that sheds light on the evolution of human speech. Apes in ...

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 ...

Gibbons could provide clues about the evolution of speech, scientists have said. Experts found lar gibbons in Thailand use 450 different whispers to share information about food and enemies. The calls ...

Durham scientists are fathoming out the secret language of funky gibbons. The Asian apes are renowned for their loud musical songs, but also produce distinctive soft calls known as “hoos”. Now new ...

The world's oldest butchering tools dating back 2.5 million years helped our ancestors to communicate, experts have said. Hominin ancestors in the African savannah used shaped rocks and shards to cut ...

It is seen as extremely rude in most human societies, but it appears apes also use whispers to pass on information they do not want others to hear. Gibbons - better known for their deafening songs ...

Throughout history, human beings have communicated in a variety of ways. Their methods of preserving, storing, accessing and sharing collected information have evolved and continue to evolve with ...