Faculty news
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.
Dictionaries as artifacts and in the modern era
Provost Professor of English Michael Adams co-edited The Cambridge Handbook of the Dictionary, and talks dictionaries as an underserved area of research, bias in word definition, and the place of A... Read more about Dictionaries as artifacts and in the modern era
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?
Folklore and Ethnomusicology professor named Provost Professor
Ray Cashman, professor of Folklore and Ethnomusicology in the College of Arts and Sciences at Indiana University Bloomington, has been named a Provost Professor. This professorship, created at IU i... Read more about Folklore and Ethnomusicology professor named Provost Professor
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
Professor’s African dig uncovers bone tools that offer insights on early human life
Jackson Njau’s fascination with human origins started as a curious teen growing up a few hours from one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. Now a pioneering paleoanthropologist at... Read more about Professor’s African dig uncovers bone tools that offer insights on early human life
‘One-shot’ behavioral tool could change how social media users interact with negative content
The study found that a cognitive behavioral therapy intervention tool could help people identify negative, rigid and extreme language on social media and reduce engagement with it.