"Chemical in Women's Tears Linked to Reduced Male Aggression"
A study published in Plos Biology found that female tears contain a chemical that significantly reduces male aggression. The research, which involved male participants sniffing tears while playing a rigged video game, showed a 44% decrease in aggressive behavior compared to when they sniffed saline. The study suggests that this chemical reaction may have evolved to protect infants, as babies are unable to verbally communicate and are at risk of aggression. The findings align with studies on rodents and dogs, indicating a broader biological function of tears in reducing aggression and facilitating caregiving across species.