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<p>There was a time when humans had tails, but thanks to evolution, certain changes ensured that the tail vanished. Nearly 25 million years ago, the tails of human beings disappeared. Scientists have now found out what exactly happened that led to this&nbsp;change during the evolution process.</p>

<p>The secret behind the disappearance of the tail was discovered&nbsp;by researchers from New York University Langone Health.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They identified a single snippet of DNA, which is commonly found in apes and humans but has been missing from monkeys. The new study was published in the prestigious journal Nature.</p>

<p>"Our study begins to explain how evolution removed our tails, a question that has intrigued me since I was young," said lead study author Bo Xia.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-silent-warning-microplastics-is-found-in-every-human-placenta-a-new-study-reveals-693332"><strong>&nbsp;</strong>A silent warning? Microplastics found in every human placenta, reveals new study</a></p>

<p>The answer is present in the gene TBXT which is present in the tail length in certain animals.</p>

<p>As per the study, the gene was not found in humans, not due to mutation but because another genetic code "snippet" known as AluY was randomly inserted inside non-tailed apes and early humans during prehistoric times, as per the study.</p>

<h2><strong>How the gene affected tail length?</strong></h2>

<p>The new gene was observed to affect tail lengths. When it was paired with TBXT, the new gene created two types of ribonucleic acid, which are important for cellular structure and led to the disappearance of tails in people and apes.</p>

<p>"This finding is remarkable because most human introns carry copies of repetitive, jumping DNAs without any effect on gene expression, but this particular AluY insertion did something as obvious as determine tail length," said Dr Jef Boeke, the Sol and Judith Bergstein Director of the Institute for Systems Genetics, as reported by the New York Post.</p>

<p>AluY snippets are also known as "jumping genes" or "mobile elements" since they are able to move around and insert themselves repeatedly and in random order in human code.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Study: Apes like to tease their friends</strong></p>

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<p>The scientists used mice to test their theory and inserted AluY into 63 of them. It was found by the researchers that the tails of offspring were either completely missing or had shortened.</p>

<p>These experiments proved that tail loss may also coincide with an increase in neural tube defects which can cause diseases like spina bifida in people. In this disease, the spine does not properly align with the spinal cord.</p>

<p><strong>&nbsp;</strong>"Future experiments will test the theory that in an ancient evolutionary trade-off, the loss of a tail in humans contributed to the neural tube birth defects," study author Dr Itai Yanai said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


There was a time when humans had tails, but thanks to evolution, certain changes ensured that the tail vanished. Nearly 25 million years ago, the tails of human beings disappeared.

There was a time when humans had tails, but thanks to evolution, certain changes ensured that the tail vanished. Nearly 25 million years ago, the tails of human beings disappeared. Scientists have now found out what exactly happened that led to this change during the evolution process. The secret behind the disappearance of the tail was discovered by researchers from New York University Langone Health. They identified a single snippet of DNA, which is commonly found in apes and humans but has been missing from monkeys. The new study was published in the prestigious journal Nature. "Our study begins to explain how evolution removed our tails, a question that has intrigued me since I was young," said lead study author Bo Xia. Also Read: A silent warning? Microplastics found in every human placenta, reveals new study The answer is present in the gene TBXT which is present in the tail length in certain animals. As per the study, the gene was not found in humans, not due to mutation but because another genetic code "snippet" known as AluY was randomly inserted inside non-tailed apes and early humans during prehistoric times, as per the study. How the gene affected tail length? The new gene was observed to affect tail lengths. When it was paired with TBXT, the new gene created two types of ribonucleic acid, which are important for cellular structure and led to the disappearance of tails in people and apes. "This finding is remarkable because most human introns carry copies of repetitive, jumping DNAs without any effect on gene expression, but this particular AluY insertion did something as obvious as determine tail length," said Dr Jef Boeke, the Sol and Judith Bergstein Director of the Institute for Systems Genetics, as reported by the New York Post. AluY snippets are also known as "jumping genes" or "mobile elements" since they are able to move around and insert themselves repeatedly and in random order in human code. Watch: Study: Apes like to tease their friends The scientists used mice to test their theory and inserted AluY into 63 of them. It was found by the researchers that the tails of offspring were either completely missing or had shortened. These experiments proved that tail loss may also coincide with an increase in neural tube defects which can cause diseases like spina bifida in people. In this disease, the spine does not properly align with the spinal cord. "Future experiments will test the theory that in an ancient evolutionary trade-off, the loss of a tail in humans contributed to the neural tube birth defects," study author Dr Itai Yanai said. (With inputs from agencies)

Here's why human tails disappeared 25 million years ago

Poking our friends or teasing them is not just a human past time it is probably something that we got our primate ancestors from the great apes. A new study has said that Apes in fact tease each other in pretty much the same way as human children do.

Study: Apes like to tease their friends

<p>A lively young chimpanzee playfully slaps an adult family member on the back, then swiftly retreats, glancing back to gauge the reaction to his cheeky act. Not receiving an immediate response, the chimp, named Azibo, rolls back and delivers another slap, finally provoking a reaction. The distracted adult half-heartedly waves a hand in Azibo's direction, dismissing the mischievous youth, though not for long.</p>

<p>This is just one of many scenes that scientists have studied that show apes playfully teasing&nbsp;each other, just like young human children do. The scene was witnessed at the Leipzig Zoo in Germany. Based on a previous study, the scientists hypothesise that the cognitive conditions for joking most likely originated in a common ancestor millions of years ago, as all four species of great apes display teasing behaviour.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/empathy-with-our-closest-living-cousins-humans-and-apes-share-remarkable-social-memory-traits-study-finds-671294">Empathy with our closest living cousins’: Humans and apes share remarkable social memory traits, study finds</a></p>

<p>The researchers documented a variety of playful antics, ranging from one ape offering an object only to retract it at the last moment to preventing their counterpart from obtaining a desired item. Some tricksters simply defied instructions, while others enjoyed poking. Much of this behaviour mirrors that of human children, manifesting from around eight months in the most precocious individuals.</p>

<p>Described as existing between normal play and aggression, playful teasing involves anticipating others’ reactions and relishing the act of defying expectations, according to the study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.</p>

<p>The researchers were shocked, according to lead author Isabelle Laumer, that this lively taunting rarely resulted in violent action. Laumer, a cognitive scientist and primatologist at Germany's Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior noted that the adults reacted calmly to similar behaviour.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Did humans and apes come from Europe?</strong></p>

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<p>Analysing 75 hours of video footage featuring chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, and orangutans engaged in playful antics in zoos, the research team identified 18 different teasing behaviours, with chimpanzees prominently involved in humorous activities such as slapping dozing adults or obstructing their path.</p>

<p>Orangutans displayed a talent for hair-pulling, while gorillas favoured the traditional provocation of a shove.</p>

<p>In the majority of interactions, a young ape would start making playful motions towards an adult and would keep doing so until they got a response. During 25 per cent of the exchanges, the targeted adult took the opposite approach and teased the child in return, which occasionally resulted in more traditional play activities including wrestling, chasing, mock-biting, or tickling.</p>

<p>The researchers noted that while playful interactions need the involvement of both sides, lighthearted teasing is by its very nature asymmetrical, with one person picking on the other. They proposed that at least 13 million years ago, the common ancestor of modern primates and humans probably possessed the cognitive capacity for such humour.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A lively young chimpanzee playfully slaps an adult family member on the back, then swiftly retreats, glancing back to gauge the reaction to his cheeky act. Not receiving an immediate response, the chimp, named Azibo, rolls back and delivers another slap, finally provoking a reaction.

A lively young chimpanzee playfully slaps an adult family member on the back, then swiftly retreats, glancing back to gauge the reaction to his cheeky act. Not receiving an immediate response, the chimp, named Azibo, rolls back and delivers another slap, finally provoking a reaction. The distracted adult half-heartedly waves a hand in Azibo's direction, dismissing the mischievous youth, though not for long. This is just one of many scenes that scientists have studied that show apes playfully teasing each other, just like young human children do. The scene was witnessed at the Leipzig Zoo in Germany. Based on a previous study, the scientists hypothesise that the cognitive conditions for joking most likely originated in a common ancestor millions of years ago, as all four species of great apes display teasing behaviour. Also read: Empathy with our closest living cousins’: Humans and apes share remarkable social memory traits, study finds The researchers documented a variety of playful antics, ranging from one ape offering an object only to retract it at the last moment to preventing their counterpart from obtaining a desired item. Some tricksters simply defied instructions, while others enjoyed poking. Much of this behaviour mirrors that of human children, manifesting from around eight months in the most precocious individuals. Described as existing between normal play and aggression, playful teasing involves anticipating others’ reactions and relishing the act of defying expectations, according to the study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. The researchers were shocked, according to lead author Isabelle Laumer, that this lively taunting rarely resulted in violent action. Laumer, a cognitive scientist and primatologist at Germany's Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior noted that the adults reacted calmly to similar behaviour. Watch: Did humans and apes come from Europe? × Analysing 75 hours of video footage featuring chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, and orangutans engaged in playful antics in zoos, the research team identified 18 different teasing behaviours, with chimpanzees prominently involved in humorous activities such as slapping dozing adults or obstructing their path. Orangutans displayed a talent for hair-pulling, while gorillas favoured the traditional provocation of a shove. In the majority of interactions, a young ape would start making playful motions towards an adult and would keep doing so until they got a response. During 25 per cent of the exchanges, the targeted adult took the opposite approach and teased the child in return, which occasionally resulted in more traditional play activities including wrestling, chasing, mock-biting, or tickling. The researchers noted that while playful interactions need the involvement of both sides, lighthearted teasing is by its very nature asymmetrical, with one person picking on the other. They proposed that at least 13 million years ago, the common ancestor of modern primates and humans probably possessed the cognitive capacity for such humour. (With inputs from agencies)

Old joke: Apes exhibit teasing behaviour, suggesting an ancient trait

<p>A recent study on fossilised remains of the largest ape suggests that a “real king kong” like ape might have lived in Southern China centuries ago, before disappearing. This ape, as the study says, was almost 10 feet tall and weighed twice as much as a gorilla.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The research team believes that the study shed more light on the mystery of the ape’s sudden disappearance, which is still one of the greatest mysteries of palaeontology.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-just-witnessed-the-birth-of-a-black-hole-for-the-first-time-678813">Scientists just witnessed a supernova turn into a black hole for the first time</a></p>

<p>The study was conducted on the fossils of the first identified Gigantopithecus blacki, which was discovered by German-Dutch palaeontologist G.H.R von Koenigswald. These teeth and four jawbones are from an extinct species that were unearthed in caves in southern China.</p>

<h2><strong>‘King Kong’ like apes used to roam in southern China</strong></h2>

<p>The team of Chinese and Australian scientists believe that Gigantopithecus used to live in the Guangxi region of southern China that borders Vietnam. They examined 22 caves in the region and found the fossils of Gigantopithecus in half of them.</p>

<p>Several techniques were used to obtain accurate dates for the fossils that panned out a detailed timeline of this ape species' life, disappearance and death.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/its-raining-diamonds-more-than-1900-exoplanets-in-galaxy-might-receive-real-diamond-rain-678726">Study finds diamond rain is a possibility on Uranus, Neptune, and thousands of exoplanets</a></p>

<p>“The early caves at 2 million years old have hundreds of teeth, but the younger caves around the extinction period — there are only 3-4 … teeth,” said Kira Westaway, &nbsp;a professor and geochronologist at Macquarie University in Australia.</p>

<p>Next, the team analysed pollen traces in the sediment samples to understand what plants and trees dominated the landscape. Isotope analysis of elements such as carbon and oxygen contained in the Gigantopithecus teeth helped the researchers understand how the animal’s diet may have changed over time.</p>

<h2><strong>What caused their disappearance?</strong></h2>

<p>The authors of the study, which was published in the journal Nature, believe that the colossal creature went extinct between 295,000 and 215,000 years ago. The team deduced from research that they went extinct due to changing climate that became more seasonal, and they struggled to adapt to it.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/james-webb-space-telescope-finds-mysterious-aurora-over-isolated-brown-dwarf-678604">A failed star is witnessing mysterious auroras, leaving scientists perplexed</a></p>

<p>Before Gigantopithecus populations dwindled due to climate change, the species flourished starting from about 2 million years ago in a rich and diverse forest environment, primarily eating fruit, said study co-author Westaway.</p>

<p>“Around (700,000 or) 600,000 years ago we start to see large environmental changes and during that period we see a decline in the availability of fruit,” she explained.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/source-of-mysterious-radio-signal-that-took-8-billion-years-to-reach-earth-revealed-678566">Radio signal that took 8 billion years to reach Earth came from seven interacting galaxies</a></p>

<p>“Giganto (ate) less nutritious fall-back foods. We’ve got evidence from looking at the teeth structure,” Westaway added. “Pits and scratches on the teeth suggest it was eating fibrous food such as bark and twigs from the forest floor.”</p>

<p>The study though still cannot find out about how Gigantopithecus might have looked exactly due to the lack of non-cranial fossils, but the study led to a more robust timeline for their life and extinction.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A recent study on fossilised remains of the largest ape suggests that a “real king kong” like ape might have lived in Southern China centuries ago, before disappearing.

A recent study on fossilised remains of the largest ape suggests that a “real king kong” like ape might have lived in Southern China centuries ago, before disappearing. This ape, as the study says, was almost 10 feet tall and weighed twice as much as a gorilla. The research team believes that the study shed more light on the mystery of the ape’s sudden disappearance, which is still one of the greatest mysteries of palaeontology. Also Read | Scientists just witnessed a supernova turn into a black hole for the first time The study was conducted on the fossils of the first identified Gigantopithecus blacki, which was discovered by German-Dutch palaeontologist G.H.R von Koenigswald. These teeth and four jawbones are from an extinct species that were unearthed in caves in southern China. ‘King Kong’ like apes used to roam in southern China The team of Chinese and Australian scientists believe that Gigantopithecus used to live in the Guangxi region of southern China that borders Vietnam. They examined 22 caves in the region and found the fossils of Gigantopithecus in half of them. Several techniques were used to obtain accurate dates for the fossils that panned out a detailed timeline of this ape species' life, disappearance and death. Also Read | Study finds diamond rain is a possibility on Uranus, Neptune, and thousands of exoplanets “The early caves at 2 million years old have hundreds of teeth, but the younger caves around the extinction period — there are only 3-4 … teeth,” said Kira Westaway, a professor and geochronologist at Macquarie University in Australia. Next, the team analysed pollen traces in the sediment samples to understand what plants and trees dominated the landscape. Isotope analysis of elements such as carbon and oxygen contained in the Gigantopithecus teeth helped the researchers understand how the animal’s diet may have changed over time. What caused their disappearance? The authors of the study, which was published in the journal Nature, believe that the colossal creature went extinct between 295,000 and 215,000 years ago. The team deduced from research that they went extinct due to changing climate that became more seasonal, and they struggled to adapt to it. Also Read | A failed star is witnessing mysterious auroras, leaving scientists perplexed Before Gigantopithecus populations dwindled due to climate change, the species flourished starting from about 2 million years ago in a rich and diverse forest environment, primarily eating fruit, said study co-author Westaway. “Around (700,000 or) 600,000 years ago we start to see large environmental changes and during that period we see a decline in the availability of fruit,” she explained. Also Read | Radio signal that took 8 billion years to reach Earth came from seven interacting galaxies “Giganto (ate) less nutritious fall-back foods. We’ve got evidence from looking at the teeth structure,” Westaway added. “Pits and scratches on the teeth suggest it was eating fibrous food such as bark and twigs from the forest floor.” The study though still cannot find out about how Gigantopithecus might have looked exactly due to the lack of non-cranial fossils, but the study led to a more robust timeline for their life and extinction. (With inputs from agencies)

A 10-foot-tall ape once roamed Earth but fell victim to climate change: Study

An 8.7 million-year-old ape skull raises the possibility that human and ape ancestors diverged outside of Africa, in Europe. The idea that humans and apes originated in Africa may be called into question by the discovery of an ape skull in Turkey. The discovery raises the possibility that hominins originated in Europe.

Did humans and apes come from Europe?

<p>The Ulas family in Turkey, who gained fame for their unique quadrupedal gait, was featured in the&nbsp;60 Minutes Australia documentary. This extraordinary and unprecedented trait in humans, earlier documented in "The Family That Walks on All Fours", has&nbsp;left the scientific community in a state of bewilderment.</p>

<p>The Ulas family is believed to be the first known instance of a quadrupedal walking pattern in humans.</p>

<p>Professor Nicholas Humphrey, an evolutionary psychologist hailing from the London School of Economics, told 60 Minutes Australia, "The thing which marks us off from the rest of the animal world is the fact that we're the species which walks on two legs and holds out heads high in the air… of course, it's language and all other sorts of things too, but it's terribly important to our sense of ourselves as being different from others in the animal kingdom. These people cross that boundary."</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/population-growth-insufficient-to-strengthen-indias-economy-moodys-investors-service-630088">Population growth insufficient to strengthen India’s economy: Moody’s Investors Service&nbsp;</a></p>

<h2><strong>Some missing link?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>60 Minutes Australia&nbsp;suggested that the Ulas family could potentially represent a "missing link" between humans and apes. Their existence was deemed of profound significance, even though it defied usual expectations and perhaps should not logically exist.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-nearing-8-year-low-in-monsoon-rainfall-sources-630086">India nearing 8-year low in monsoon rainfall</a></p>

<h2><strong>'Devolution'&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Turkish scientists, in a published paper, theorised that some form of "devolution" might have occurred, causing a genetic reversion of around 3 million years of evolution.</p>

<p>However, Professor Humphrey rejected this notion, finding it "deeply insulting" and "scientifically irresponsible".</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Gravitas: Radioactive Rotis: Brits never treated Indians as human beings</strong></p>

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<p>Researchers have observed that individuals who walk on all fours possess a smaller cerebellum. However, not all individuals with this cerebellum size display the unusual quadrupedal trait.</p>

<p>Moreover, a study conducted by scientists at Liverpool University discovered that those walking on all fours exhibited skeletal characteristics more akin to apes than to typical humans.</p>

<h2><strong>An unconventional gait&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Contrary to knuckle-walking as seen in apes, the Ulas family walks on flat hands.</p>

<p>"I think it's possible that what we are seeing in this family is something that does correspond to a time when we didn't walk like chimpanzees but was an important step between coming down from the trees and becoming fully bipedal," Humphreys said while speaking to a UK media outlet.&nbsp;</p>

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The Ulas family in Turkey, who gained fame for their unique quadrupedal gait, was featured in the 60 Minutes Australia documentary. This extraordinary and unprecedented trait in humans, earlier documented in "The Family That Walks on All Fours", has left the scientific community in a state of bewilderment.

The Ulas family in Turkey, who gained fame for their unique quadrupedal gait, was featured in the 60 Minutes Australia documentary. This extraordinary and unprecedented trait in humans, earlier documented in "The Family That Walks on All Fours", has left the scientific community in a state of bewilderment. The Ulas family is believed to be the first known instance of a quadrupedal walking pattern in humans. Professor Nicholas Humphrey, an evolutionary psychologist hailing from the London School of Economics, told 60 Minutes Australia, "The thing which marks us off from the rest of the animal world is the fact that we're the species which walks on two legs and holds out heads high in the air… of course, it's language and all other sorts of things too, but it's terribly important to our sense of ourselves as being different from others in the animal kingdom. These people cross that boundary." Also Read | Population growth insufficient to strengthen India’s economy: Moody’s Investors Service Some missing link? 60 Minutes Australia suggested that the Ulas family could potentially represent a "missing link" between humans and apes. Their existence was deemed of profound significance, even though it defied usual expectations and perhaps should not logically exist. Also Read | India nearing 8-year low in monsoon rainfall 'Devolution' Turkish scientists, in a published paper, theorised that some form of "devolution" might have occurred, causing a genetic reversion of around 3 million years of evolution. However, Professor Humphrey rejected this notion, finding it "deeply insulting" and "scientifically irresponsible". Watch | Gravitas: Radioactive Rotis: Brits never treated Indians as human beings × Researchers have observed that individuals who walk on all fours possess a smaller cerebellum. However, not all individuals with this cerebellum size display the unusual quadrupedal trait. Moreover, a study conducted by scientists at Liverpool University discovered that those walking on all fours exhibited skeletal characteristics more akin to apes than to typical humans. An unconventional gait Contrary to knuckle-walking as seen in apes, the Ulas family walks on flat hands. "I think it's possible that what we are seeing in this family is something that does correspond to a time when we didn't walk like chimpanzees but was an important step between coming down from the trees and becoming fully bipedal," Humphreys said while speaking to a UK media outlet. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

The Ulas family, that walks on all fours, has puzzled scientists

<p>The origins of masturbation—historically believed to be pathological or a by-product of sexual arousal—has been traced back to ancient primates, around 40 million years before the first humans walked the Earth.</p>

<p>The scientists found this trait primarily in males and have argued that the apes engaged in self-pleasure tactics to improve their reproductive capacity, and, in turn, avoid contracting sexually transmitted diseases.</p>

<p>The findings were published in Proceedings of The Royal Society B journal after collating information from nearly 400 sources, including 246 published academic papers, 150 questionnaires and personal communications from primatologists and zookeepers.</p>

<p>The authors tracked the distribution of autosexual behaviour across primates&nbsp;to understand when and why it evolved in both females and males.</p>

<p>“Our findings help shed light on a very common, but little understood, sexual behaviour and represent a significant advance in our understanding of the functions of masturbation,” Dr Matilda Brindle, the lead author of the study, said in a statement.</p>

<p>There is, however, a scientific reason as to why primates regularly engaged in masturbation.</p>

<p>Based on their hypothesis, the scientists argued that male masturbation boosted the chances of impregnating a mate, and helped males shed old sperm, leaving them with fresher, more competitive sperm for sex.</p>

<h2><strong>Panacea against sexually transmitted diseases</strong></h2>

<p>However, that was not the only driver. The researchers claimed that male masturbation in primates rose in line with levels of sexually transmitted infections.</p>

<p>One possible explanation provided by the scientists is that masturbation after sex helps flush the genital tract, reducing the risk of an infection taking hold.</p>

<p>Though the study extensively delves into the functions of male libido, their research is largely silent on female masturbation.</p>

<p>That’s because biological studies from the past tended to ignore females, so the team had far less information and data for reference.</p>

<p>“More data on female sexual behaviour is needed to better understand the evolutionary role of masturbation,” she said.</p>

<p>Explaining why she decided to focus her research on this topic, Brindle said she found it “absolutely baffling that nobody has researched such a common behaviour across the animal kingdom".</p>

<p>“For people who think masturbation is wrong, or unnatural in some way, this is perfectly natural behaviour. It’s part of our healthy repertoire of sexual behaviours,” she added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The origins of masturbation—historically believed to be pathological or a by-product of sexual arousal—has been traced back to ancient primates, around 40 million years before the first humans walked the Earth.

The origins of masturbation—historically believed to be pathological or a by-product of sexual arousal—has been traced back to ancient primates, around 40 million years before the first humans walked the Earth. The scientists found this trait primarily in males and have argued that the apes engaged in self-pleasure tactics to improve their reproductive capacity, and, in turn, avoid contracting sexually transmitted diseases. The findings were published in Proceedings of The Royal Society B journal after collating information from nearly 400 sources, including 246 published academic papers, 150 questionnaires and personal communications from primatologists and zookeepers. The authors tracked the distribution of autosexual behaviour across primates to understand when and why it evolved in both females and males. “Our findings help shed light on a very common, but little understood, sexual behaviour and represent a significant advance in our understanding of the functions of masturbation,” Dr Matilda Brindle, the lead author of the study, said in a statement. There is, however, a scientific reason as to why primates regularly engaged in masturbation. Based on their hypothesis, the scientists argued that male masturbation boosted the chances of impregnating a mate, and helped males shed old sperm, leaving them with fresher, more competitive sperm for sex. Panacea against sexually transmitted diseases However, that was not the only driver. The researchers claimed that male masturbation in primates rose in line with levels of sexually transmitted infections. One possible explanation provided by the scientists is that masturbation after sex helps flush the genital tract, reducing the risk of an infection taking hold. Though the study extensively delves into the functions of male libido, their research is largely silent on female masturbation. That’s because biological studies from the past tended to ignore females, so the team had far less information and data for reference. “More data on female sexual behaviour is needed to better understand the evolutionary role of masturbation,” she said. Explaining why she decided to focus her research on this topic, Brindle said she found it “absolutely baffling that nobody has researched such a common behaviour across the animal kingdom". “For people who think masturbation is wrong, or unnatural in some way, this is perfectly natural behaviour. It’s part of our healthy repertoire of sexual behaviours,” she added. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Origins of masturbation traced back to 40 million years, found primarily in male primates

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