OK, so this post isn't technology or digital media related... but if we think of the human body as a pretty darn cool machine, then perhaps it fits. In any event, it appeals to my inquiring mind -- wondering for years, why people yawn.
Now researchers at Binghamton University believe that the primary purpose of yawning is to control brain temperature. Apparently our brains operate more efficiently when cool, and that yawning is a physical adaptation that has evolved to provide maximum cooling of the brain.
Apparently they studied Australian parakeets (so much for being called a "bird brain") because they have relatively large brains, live wild in Australia, which is subject to frequent temperature swings, and, most importantly, do not engage in "contagious yawning", as humans and some other animals do. Contagious yawning is thought to be an evolved mechanism for keeping groups alert so they "remain vigilant against danger", according to the researchers. Makes sense to me. It also explains why people yawn when transitioning from sleep to a waking state, and how yawning doesn't occur and in fact can be counter productive in certain circumstances.
The article concludes stating that this new study on yawning changes the popular notion that yawns are mere signs of boredom. On the contrary, a commentator on the study states that "yawning more accurately reflects a mechanism that maintains attention, and therefore should be looked at as a compliment!"
I wonder if it also works to cool off "hot heads"?!
The full article can be found here.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment