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Editor's note
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Kazoos are surely the most annoying instruments in the world. Rasping, high-pitched and piercing, it’s irritating enough when a human plays one, so imagine the cacophony if you let a bunch of orang-utans have a go. That’s exactly what a team of scientists did and, as expected, the sounds produced were hardly a symphony. That wasn’t their goal though. They were aiming to find out to what extent we can describe these animals as being able to
“talk”. That’s because the skills you need to becoming a kazoo maestro – the ability to control your voice such as by changing rhythm and pitch – are the same skills you need to speak.
Scientists have long thought that great apes didn’t have the ability to control their voices but they actually can to some extent. Alongside their kazoo skills, orang-utans babble and modify their calls in different ways to suit their needs. When confronted with a large predator, they might call more loudly than they would for a smaller predator, for example. All this tells us they are closer to talking than we thought. And that also provides important information about how speech develops in humans too.
Irritating noises can be a permanent feature of life in some cases. In fact, up to 30% of people will experience tinnitus at some point. Hearing a constant ringing, buzzing or humming noise can irritate but it can also cause extreme distress so it’s incredible to think that we haven’t found a cure. The truth is that, despite its prevalence, this complex condition is not well understood, which is making progress towards treatment slow.
In India, the proportion of women in paid work is among the lowest in the world, at just over 23%. That’s due to various pressures but is particularly tied to cultural pressures. We heard from a researcher this week who is interviewing the female entrepreneurs working hard to change these norms. Their stories are inspiring.
Other highlights this week include a look at medieval magic, an obituary for the BBC’s red button, advice on how to incorporate high-intensity training into your everyday life.
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Laura Hood
Politics Editor, Assistant Editor
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Knobi, kazoo-playing maestro.
Ian Nichols/Indianapolis Zoo
Adriano Reis e Lameira, University of St Andrews
You wouldn't think a kazoo could tell you much about the origins of language. But you'd be wrong.
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Tinnitus is characterised by hearing unwanted sounds, like ringing or buzzing.
Alex_Kock/ Shutterstock
Eldre Beukes, Anglia Ruskin University
Many things can cause tinnitus – which makes coming up with a cure difficult.
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Shutterstock/yurakrasil
Mili Shrivastava, Bournemouth University
Research on women entrepreneurs in India reveals they are contesting social, cultural and family pressures to challenge the status quo in society.
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Vera Petruk via Shutterstock
Tabitha Stanmore, University of Bristol
In medieval England using magic was a bit like drug use today: against the law and seen as immoral, but still widespread across society.
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A CEEFAX page from 1979.
The Teletext Archaeologist - @grim_fandango
Andy Holyer, University of Portsmouth
The death of the BBC Red Button teletext service marks the end of an analogue era.
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Shutterstock/lzf
Matthew Haines, University of Huddersfield
You only need a small amount of time to make a big difference.
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Robert Naughton, University of Huddersfield
Expert looks at latest diet trend which claims 'resetting' your hormones is the key to losing stubborn weight.
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Alana James, Northumbria University, Newcastle
Your fashion choices can help build a sustainable future – here's how.
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Lee Smith, Anglia Ruskin University; Daragh McDermott, Anglia Ruskin University; Sarah Jackson, UCL
Men and women who report a decrease in sexual activities are more likely to experience a deterioration in how they rate their overall level of health.
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Huw Macartney, University of Birmingham
Neither an interest rate cut nor an interest rate rise are out of the question if there's a hard Brexit.
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Frank T. McAndrew, Knox College
Music doesn't get objectively worse over time. So why do older generations scoff at each new top 40 hit?
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Featured events
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Cambridge Judge Business School, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 1AG, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Cambridge
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51 Gordon Square, London, London, City of, WC1H 0PN, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — UCL
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Northampton Square, London, Islington, EC1V 0HB, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — City, University of London
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Julian Study Centre Lecture Theatre, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of East Anglia
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