WEIRD STUFF

Apes tease their friends just like humans

A team of researchers analysed video clips of chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas and orangutans and found that the primates poked, hair-pulled and body-slammed other members of their group, as well as repeatedly waving objects in front of their faces.

The experts explained that the teasing was mainly one-sided and, just like in human beings, included elements of both surprise and play.

They also say that the findings show that playful teasing and joking could have evolved in human ancestors approximately 13 million years ago.

Dr Isabelle Laumer, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California Los Angeles and the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour in Germany, said: "Great apes are excellent candidates for playful teasing, as they are closely related to us, engage in social play, show laughter, and display relatively sophisticated understandings of others' expectations."

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Water found on asteroid

Water has been discovered on the surface of an asteroid for the first time, raising hope of an alien breakthrough.

Scientists made the promising find by using data on asteroids from the retired Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy and isolating mid-infrared signatures that showed water molecules on the asteroids Iris and Massalia.

Water is a key element for life, and scientists hope that its presence will give them ideas as to where they can look for extraterrestrials.

Dr Anicia Arredondo of Southwest Research Institute said: "The distribution of water in our solar system will provide insight into the distribution of water in other solar systems.

"And, because water is necessary for all life on Earth, will drive where to look for potential life, both in our solar system and beyond."

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Strict bedtimes give children healthy brains

The importance of sleep duration and quality on child development is well established, but a new study has found that kids from poorer families tend to have worse sleep and underdeveloped brains as a result of a more disrupted home life.

Boffins say that sticking to as many routines as possible -- such as doing homework at the same time each day, and eating dinner as a family every night -- can protect youngsters from the harm caused by a lack of sleep.

Scientists collected data from 94 children between the ages of five and nine from a range of backgrounds and asked their parents detailed questions about their life, income and family routines, and analysis revealed that less frequent routines were linked to shorter sleep on weeknights.

Dr Emily Merz of Colorado State University said: "Socio-economic disadvantage might interfere with the consistency of family routines -- potentially increasing children's stress and reducing their sleep time."

Exercise treats depression

Walking, jogging, yoga and strength training appeared to be just as useful as therapy at treating the mental health condition, according to a major new analysis conducted by academics in Australia and published in The BMJ.

Vigorous exercise had the most impact but even less strenuous activities had meaningful benefits.

Researchers drew their results from 218 clinical trials involving more than 14,000 people from various countries and found that the effect of exercise was superior to anti-depressants.

However, the impact of the drugs was improved when they were combined with physical activity.

The team wrote in the study: "Exercise is an effective treatment for depression, with walking or jogging, yoga and strength training more effective than other exercises, particularly when intense.

"Exercise appeared equally effective for people with and without comorbidities and with different baseline levels of depression."

The academics added: "These forms of exercise could be considered alongside psychotherapy and antidepressants as core treatments for depression."