What can you learn by tickling a bunch of rats? Turns out, quite a lot. For the first time, scientists have pinpointed the area of the rat brain where ticklishness resides—the trunk of the ...

In humans, emotions can bias our thinking and decision-making. For instance, depressed or anxious people tend to be more pessimistic than happier people, expecting bad things to happen and paying more ...

Tickling may seem like child's play, but scientists are beginning to see it as something much deeper—a complex puzzle tied to human touch, laughter, and brain development. The sensation of being ...

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You probably know that you can’t tickle yourself. And although you ...

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Parents often use tickling as a playful way to lighten a child’s mood. In Brianna Gaskill’s Purdue University lab, scientists do the same thing, only with rats. Gaskill, an ...

Scientists at the Institute of Pathophysiology of the University Medical Center Mainz made the first comprehensive analysis on how adults use tickling in connection with sexual activity. As part of ...

A machine designed to create the optimal stimuli for tickling feet could serve as a stress reliever by inducing uncontrolled laughter, say researchers. The device is battery-operated and can be fitted ...