The US trade deficit grew in April on a pullback in exports, bringing the gap to its widest since October 2022, according to...

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.

Former Vice President Mike Pence promises “the best days" of the United States are yet to come in a video formally launching his campaign for the Republican nomination for president

Ednaldo Rodrigues, president of Brazil's football federation, insists the multi-time World Cup winners have not given up their pursuit of Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Commission will take the first step in a legal challenge against Poland over a Polish law

Patrick Wisdom rung up on pitch that was nowhere close.

The German government says it is concerned by the recent detention of a prominent environmental campaigner in Vietnam

Southern Baptists form a core part of the white evangelical Christian bloc that has reliably and overwhelmingly voted Republican in recent elections

The 55-year-old actor says the success of 'Ray' went to his head and he fell into a rather hedonistic way of life and lost sight of his career goals

Iga Swiatek tackles Coco Gauff in a marquee last-eight clash at the French Open on Wednesday with the winner to face Beatriz Haddad Maia, the first Brazilian woman to make...

Ellen Pompeo said, 'In the scene, I'm crying. But I’m really crying because I have to beg a man on television'

Actress Elle Fanning revealed in a new Hollywood Reporter roundtable that she got turned down for a movie role at 16 for being "unf**kable". The Great star joined other female comedy actresses including Jenna Ortega, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Ayo Edebiri, and more. All are nominated for this year's Emmys. One of the topics the actresses discussed explored dealing with sexism in the industry, in which Fanning spoke about an experience she said she had as a minor whilst auditioning for a movie. "I've never told this story," the former child star said. "But I was trying out for a movie. I didn't get it. I don't even think they ever made it. But it was a father-daughter road trip comedy. I didn't hear from my agents because they wouldn't tell me things like this. That filtration system is really important because there's probably a lot more damaging comments that they filtered." Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter "I was 16 years old, and a person said, 'Oh, she didn't get the father-daughter road trip comedy because she's unf**kable.'" She added. "Woah. at 16?" Lee Ralph responded in shock. "Of course, there are so many stories like this," Fanning said. "I've talked to people about this. And I can laugh at it now, like 'What a disgusting pig!'" Comedy Actress Roundtable: Jenna Ortega, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Elle Fanning, Ayo Edebiri & More youtu.be Fanning also took a moment to thank the adults around her for protecting her. She said "I have an amazing manager and agent who've been with me since I was 8 or 9." Around the age that comment was made, Fanning had featured in films such as Disney's Maleficent, as well as having a supporting role in Oscar-nominated film Trumbo. 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.