Believe it or not, ostriches have bloodless erections, say researchers.
The large birds were previously thought to have blood -based erection mechanisms similar to humans. But, a team at Yale University has now confirmed that ostriches enlarge their penises with lymph fluid.
All other birds with a penis achieve erections in this way, according to the researchers who believe the mechanism evolved in their ancient ancestors, the Journal of Zoology reported in its latest edition.
The majority of birds reproduce with a “cloacal kiss” — touching together their cloaca for long enough for sperm to transfer from the males to the females.
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Computer, mobile use Not linked to lack of sleep
Melbourne: Researchers have debunked the widespread belief that technological devices such as computers and mobile phones are increasingly eating into people’s sleep.
In its research, published in the Medical Journal of Australia, a team at the University of Sydney has applied scientific rigour to the common perception that Australians were sleeping an hour less than they did a decade ago.
Using the Australian Bureau of Statistics data from 1992, 1997 and 2006, they found the average adult slept eight hours and 20 minutes in 1992, 8 hours and 33 minutes in 1997 and eight hours and 30 minutes in 2006.
After adjusting the figures to take into account weekends and different seasons, the researchers found there was no significant change in average sleep duration between 1992 and 2006. The exceptions were people aged 65 and over, who on average slept 12 minutes less than they did in 1992. — AFP