It's in the Genes
A large study of gay brothers adds to evidence that genes influence men's chances of being homosexual, but the results aren't strong enough to prove it. Some scientists believe several genes might affect sexual orientation. Researchers who led the new study of nearly 800 gay brothers say their results bolster previous evidence pointing to genes on the X chromosome. They also found evidence of influence from a gene or genes on a different chromosome. But the study doesn't identify which of hundreds of genes located in either place might be involved. Smaller studies seeking genetic links to homosexuality have had mixed results.The new evidence "is not proof but it's a pretty good indication" that genes on the two chromosomes have some influence over sexual orientation, said Dr. Alan Sanders, the lead author. He studies behavioral genetics at NorthShore University HealthSystem Research Institute in Evanston, Illinois.
Experts not involved in the study were more skeptical. Neil Risch, a genetics expert at the University of California, San Francisco, said the data are statistically too weak to demonstrate any genetic link. Risch was involved in a smaller study that found no link between male homosexuality and chromosome X. Dr. Robert Green, a medical geneticist at Harvard Medical School, called the new study "intriguing but not in any way conclusive." The work was published Monday by the journal Psychological Medicine. The National Institutes of Health paid for the research.
The researchers say they found potential links to male homosexuality in a portion of chromosome X and on chromosome 8, based on an analysis of genetic material in blood or saliva samples from participants. Chromosome X is one of two human sex chromosomes; the other is chromosome Y, present only in men. The study authors note that animal research suggests a gene located in one region of chromosome X may contribute to some sexual behavior; it's one of the same regions cited in the new study.
Specific causes of homosexuality are unknown. Some scientists think social, cultural, family and biological factors are involved, while some religious groups consider it an immoral choice. Study participant Dr. Chad Zawitz, a Chicago physician, called the research "a giant step forward" toward answering scientific questions about homosexuality and helping reduce the stigma gays often face. Being gay "is sort of like having certain eye color or skin color- it's just who you are," Zawitz said. "Most heterosexuals I know didn't choose to be heterosexual. It's puzzling to me why people don't understand."
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Vibrator with a Camera
It's not unusual for people to be filmed using sex toys. However, it is unusual for them to be filming their innards with the sex toy. That is the premise behind the "Gaga," a vibrator that comes with a camera lens and a light so users will be able to see inside whatever orifice the device is being inserted into. The Gaga was recently introduced into the world by Svakom, a China-based tech company. The company claims in its You Tube commercial that the Gaga is designed for women's healthcare. That claim makes some sense because only a trained medical expert might be able recognize the various body parts the camera is exploring. The $180 cost might seem steep for what is basically a vibrating "vag-cam," but that also includes a USB charger cable for your laptop, so the insightful shots of you or your partner's nether regions can be downloaded to your monitor. A wireless app also allows the camera to be controlled remotely, according to the Daily Dot. But, as bizarre as the Gaga may seem, it's not the only bizarre sex toy that has aroused attention in recent memory. Masturbatory aid purveyor Fleshlight has released the Launchpad, an iPad case that allows a man to attach his Fleshlight directly to an iPad, so that he can simulate sex with whomever or whatever is on the screen.
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Sex Surveys
A recent study revealed that 16 percent of women in the UK would give up sex for life to have a slice of cake. What other things are triggering "not tonight, honey" excuses from both men and women? See the scientifically-proven, better-than-sex activities below.
Car shopping is stressful and just about everyone can agree on that. But,Edmunds.com, a car-shopping site, just released a survey revealing just how awful it can be. It is so horrifying that people would skip sex to avoid bargaining for their new ride. In fact, one in five Americans would rather give up sex for a month than haggle over the price of a car.
In 2012, TODAY and Match.com revealed that 1 in 3 singles would choose food over sex if they had to pick. What food would your partner would drop you for? Chocolate (26 percent) and steak (25 percent).But, the food loving doesn't stop there. In a new study, 74 percent of French women said they'd rather eat than have sex. And, 25 percent of thosesurveyed said they actually get more pleasure out of food than lovemaking. Finally, about half said they would skip sex for chocolate and 39 percent said they would skip it for cheese.
Whatfood do both men and women agree is better than sex? It is bacon according to a surveyconducted by Maple Leaf Foods Inc. When given the choice between bacon and sex, 43 percent of Canadians said bacon. Also,one in six women would give up sex forever for a slice of their favorite cake but only nine percent of men were willing to give up on sex for cake. People were also willing to give up their car and internet to indulge in unlimited cake What kind of cake are these people eating? Or more importantly, how bad is the sex?
In our digital era, it is no surprise we're all addicted to our smart-phones. This should not be surprising because 44% of Americans are sleeping with them. But,what is surprising is that the iPhone is more important to us than an orgasm. When asked to rank what they can't live without, US adults revealed they favor their smart-phones over sex in a survey conducted by Harris Interactive.
According to the Better Sleep Council, almost 80 percent of women admitted they would rather get some sleep than have sex.
A survey from the UK shows half of men would rather have a plasma TV than sex. A 50-inch Plasma TV, to be exact. And, another study out of the UK from NOW TV said that women would rather watch their favorite TV show than have sex.
According to a study by Cadbury, 70 percent of Irish women admit to preferring hot chocolate to sex.
A survey from online sex toy retailer Bondara revealed that 40 percent of British men would choose watching an afternoon soccer match rather than have sex.
Solo sex is technically a type of sex, but it is one that does not include a partner. And, while men seem to be the experts at masturbating, according to an infographic from JimmyJane, 41 percent of women say they enjoy self-pleasure over having actual sex.
In a NOW-TV study, women admitted they would prefer to catch up on paperwork than have a passionate night in bed with their partner. And,women from the same NOW-TV study ranked reading a book over having sex.
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Sex Incidents
A 38-year-old woman in Scotland who told doctors she was suffering from shaking, incontinence and severe weight loss turned out to have a sex toy stuck inside her vagina that had been there for 10 years, according to an article published in the June edition of the Journal of SexualMedicine. The woman who the article said was of normal intelligence told doctors she used the five-inch toy in a drunken sexual encounter a decade ago and didn't remember whether she took it out or not, the Daily Mail reported. By the time surgeons found it, the toy's effects were potentially life-threatening. It had caused a bladder blockage that was forcing urine to back up into her kidneys, and had also created a vesicovaginal fistula, which is a tract that causes urine to flow into the vagina.
Edwin Tobergta, 35, was arrested in Hamilton, Ohio, USA, for allegedly having sex with an inflatable pool raft by the side of the road. This is the fourth time Tobergta has been arrested for the same offense. In 2011, Tobergta was caught with his pants down in an alley with his neighbor's pink, inflatable raft. He went to jail, but was arrested again in 2013 for having sex with exactly the same raft which had never been thrown out. The 2013 offense occurred at Tobergta's own home, but he was charged with and pleaded guilty to public indecency because it happened within the view of children during the day. It is unclear if Tobergta's most recent alleged offense took place with the same pool raft. In 2002, Tobergta was arrested for publicly pleasuring himself with an inflatable pumpkin. That object was not a pool toy. In his latest mug-shot, Tobergta is wearing a T-shirt that reads, "I'm out of my mind. Please leave a message."
A 49-year-old Tennessee , USA, man was arrested after making an unusual deposit at a Murfreesboro ATM. According to WKRN-TV, police say Lonnie Hutton walked into the Boro Bar and Grill, pulled down his pants and tried to have sex with an automated banking machine. And, according to WGNS-radio, officers arriving on the scene say they saw him walking around the bar nude, thrusting his hips in the air.. Hutton was taken outside and ordered to sit at a wooden picnic table. Police say he then “exposed himself again and engaged in sexual intercourse with the wooden picnic table.”Officers noted in their police report that Hutton smelled of alcohol, had slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and was unsteady on his feet. He was charged with public intoxication and taken to the Rutherford County jail on $250 bond.