The power of touch in the animal world: Research highlights its role in the persistence of friendships and cooperation
Key elements of the caring-touch hypothesis. Credit: Trends in Ecology & Evolution (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2024.11.017 An international research team led by the University of Konstanz and Oxford Brookes University concludes that gentle touch is not only good for mental health, but also for the evolution of cooperation. The power of touch and social connections helps