Why are women’s breasts far larger than those of our closest primate cousins?
Gillian Bentley of University College London argued that protruding breasts
evolved not to attract mates, as most biologists think, but to prevent babies
suffocating as the human face became flatter. Human infants have lost the
protruding jaws and lips that let chimpanzees and bonobos suckle safely from a
flat breast, she pointed out.
To continue reading, today with our introductory offers
Advertisement
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features

Technology
US government wants to have a useful quantum computer by 2028
News

Life
Childbirth for many primate species is even harder than for humans
News

Humans
Humans sleep the least of all apes – is it the secret to our success?
Features

91É«Ç鯬
Your menstrual cycle may affect how well vaccines work
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
Where, when and how to watch the 2026 solar eclipse
2
Humans sleep the least of all apes – is it the secret to our success?
3
Remote-controlled cockroach swarm can now breathe underwater
4
Our verdict on The Selfish Gene: An unpopular piece of popular science
5
We’ve uncovered a master gene that switches on human development
6
If you aren't terrified by this heatwave, you should be
7
Read an extract from Slow Gods by Claire North
8
US government wants to have a useful quantum computer by 2028
9
Screwworm could be the first species targeted by an 'extinction drive'
10
Woman with Alzheimer's starts conversing again after taking psilocybin