Masturbation is far more important in the timeline of human evolution than ever previously thought. In fact, we might not be here at all if it weren’t for primates masturbating thousands of years ago, a new study has claimed. New research from the Proceedings of the Royal Society B has focused on the effects of masturbating in male primates and its effects on ensuring reproductive methods. “Masturbation is common across the animal kingdom but is especially prevalent amongst primates, including humans,” the study authors said in a statement. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter They went on to say that masturbation “was most likely present in the common ancestor of all monkeys and apes” before saying that it might have influenced mating behaviour. “Masturbation (without ejaculation) can increase arousal before sex,” the authors wrote. “This may be a particularly useful tactic for low-ranking males likely to be interrupted during copulation, by helping them to ejaculate faster.” According to the researchers, regular ejaculation evolved as a trait among male primates where they faced competition. That’s because it “allows males to shed inferior semen, leaving fresh, high-quality sperm available for mating, which are more likely to outcompete those of other males.” It also helped male primates “by cleansing the urethra (a primary site of infection for many STIs) with ejaculate”. Things were less clear with female primates, with the study authors stating that “more data on female sexual behavior are needed to better understand the evolutionary role of female masturbation.” “Our findings help shed light on a very common, but little understood, sexual behavior,” said lead author Dr. Matilda Brindle, of University College London. “The fact that autosexual behavior may serve an adaptive function, is ubiquitous throughout the primate order, and is practiced by captive and wild-living members of both sexes, demonstrates that masturbation is part of a repertoire of healthy sexual behaviors.” Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Manny Ramírez was back where he became one of baseball's most feared hitters

Meta will launch a paid-for, subscription-based version of Facebook and Instagram. The company will allow people to pay up to €13 to have no ads appear on those apps. The change has been made to comply with European Union regulations, it said. As such, it will only be available to people in the EU, the European Economic Area and Switzerland. The monthly subscription plans for users in the EU, European Economic Area and Switzerland, will cost 9.99 euros ($10.58) for web users, while iOS and Android users will have to shell out 12.99 euros a month. The difference is to account for the fees taken by Apple and Google for payments on its platforms, Meta said – a move that follows a similar price difference for Twitter’s premium offering. The EU regulations threaten to curb Meta’s ability to personalize ads for users without their consent and hurt its major revenue source. Users across the world will continue to be able to use the site for free, and will see no change to their experience as a result, Meta said. But offering the paid-for subscription version allows Meta to comply with “the requirements of European regulators”, the company said, after a recent ruling. Having the option of paying for a version of Facebook and Instagram with no ads means that people will have more clearly consented to having their data used for marketing, Meta suggested it in its announcement. That in turn means it will better comply with European regulations, it said. The world’s most popular social media network has been under antitrust pressure in the EU. In July, it lost its fight against a German data curb order as Europe’s top court backed the German antitrust watchdog’s power to also investigate privacy breaches. Offering a choice between a free, ad-supported plan and an ad-free paid subscription might lead to users opting for the former, helping Meta to comply with the regulations without affecting its ad business. Meta was fined 390 million euros earlier this year by Ireland’s Data Privacy Commissioner, and was told it cannot use the so-called “contract” as a legal basis to send users ads based on their online activity. The company later said it intended to ask users in the EU for their consent before allowing businesses to target ads in order to address evolving regulatory requirements in the region. Additional reporting by agencies Read More Threads is not dying, Mark Zuckerberg insists Letitia James and 32 other attorneys general sue Meta for ‘harming youth’ People’s Instagram posts are showing where they are not expected

President Joe Biden closed out an end-of-quarter campaign blitz Thursday with a pair of Manhattan fundraisers hosted by Wall Street power brokers, a funding push designed to put Biden on strong financial footing for a 2024 White House contest expected to set spending records

'Love Island Games' Season 1 pie challenge turned into a messy revenge game

It finally happened. On Saturday, July 1, Damian Lillard requested a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers. A move that has been in the making for the better part of a half-decade and one that has been an engine of sports studio content when there isn't much else going on. At this point I'm quite confident that talking about where Dame could end up has been a much more profitable and engaging exercise than the analysis of where he actually ends up will be.

A crucial deal aimed at averting a global food crisis following Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been extended for two months.

Manchester City face Inter Milan in the Champions League final on Saturday, with both teams hoping to aid the biggest trophy of all in club football to their respective objectives already attained this term. Pep Guardiola’s side have completed the domestic double with a Premier League title and the FA Cup already in the bag, following their recent Wembley win over rivals Man United. Now, though, they go looking for the last and most historic part of the campaign, looking to finish the treble. As for Inter, they beat Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia final to land their first silverware of the season, while they secured third place in Serie A to ensure a return to this competition next term. All eyes will be on whether boss Simone Inzaghi opts for former City striker Edin Dzeko in the lineup or brings in on-loan Chelsea man Romelu Lukaku - while City are hoping Kyle Walker recovers to full fitness. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match. When is the Champions League final? Man City play Inter Milan on Saturday 10 June. The match kicks off at 8pm BST in the Ataturk Stadium, Istanbul. How can I watch it? The match will be broadcast live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate, and can be streamed on the BT Sport app and desktop website. BT have also made it free for viewers to watch, on the BT Sport YouTube channel. What is the team news? Kyle Walker has been hampered in preparations for the final by a muscle injury, but he has vowed to be back fit and pending any late setbacks, he should be included in the squad. There are no other injury issues for Pep Guardiola to worry about. Milan Skriniar is back in training for Inter Milan after an injury, though it’s doubtful he’ll earn a place in the starting back three, with Simone Inzaghi’s plans already set. Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Joaquin Correa are both hoping to be passed fit for the final too, with the latter probably having least chance after an injury in the Coppa Italia final. Predicted lineups MCI - Ederson, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Stones, Rodri, Silva, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish, Haaland INT - Onana, Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni, Dumfries, Calhanoglu, Brozovic, Barella, Dimarco, Martinez, Dzeko Odds City 11/21 Draw 39/10 Inter 6/1 Prediction It’s a huge task for the Serie A side to stop this City juggernaut and it seems they’ll finally get their hands on the trophy which has thus far eluded them. Man City 2-0 Inter Milan. Read More Man City and Inter fans talk Champions League final tactics at Istanbul festival Want to get to Istanbul for the Champions League final? You still can On this day in 2011: Liverpool sign Jordan Henderson from Sunderland Inter and the impossible task of the Champions League final Erling Haaland on a mission to realise Champions League dream with Man City How John Stones sparked his Man City revival by looking in the mirror

FOWLERVILLE, Mich. & TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 18, 2023--

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda has convinced swap traders that the nation’s negative interest-rate policy will remain

Barcelona have confirmed talented full-back Alejandro Balde has signed a contract extension until 2028.

Thailand will waive visa for travelers from India and Taiwan for six months ahead of the year-end holiday