London, Apr 18 : A longer willy doesn't ensure successful fertilisation, at least in case of male barnacles- the hermaphroditic filter-feeders, according to a new study.

The animals are capable of growing their penises up to eight times their body length.

But the new study has shown that stouter members are sometimes more effective for mating.

The researchers think that by sticking to a rock all through the year without being able to self-mate, the barnacle''s lengthy penis increases its odds of spreading its seed.

London, April 18 : Scientists are working on ways to build a gossamer-thin space sail or "aerobrake" that would help bring back a used rocket back to Earth safely.

According to a report in New Scientist, space-flight engineers Max Cerf and Brice Santerre at the European aerospace firm EADS Astrium have put the idea forward.

London, Apr 18 : Is your expanding waistline giving you nightmares? Well, take heart. Researchers have found that a breakfast of muesli with milk, tinned peaches and yoghurt can help weight loss.

Experts at the University of Nottingham suggest that the low GI breakfast with apple juice helps the body break down fat better than a high Glycaemic Index start to the day of sugary cereal and white toast, reports The Daily Express.

London, April 18 : In a new research, a team of scientists has found that global warming is not just transforming the land for the Arctic people, but it is also poisoning their food, with mercury levels in seals and beluga whales reaching levels that would be considered unsafe in fish.

According to a report in New Scientist, Gary Stern of Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and colleagues did the research.

They found that seal meat contains more mercury in low-ice years, suggesting the problem will only get worse.

London, April 18 : A teenage student in Germany, who is auctioning her virginity on the Internet, has revealed that three persons have raised bids up to more than 5,500 pounds ever since a doctor has confirmed that she is still innocent.

Brunette Alina Percea was earlier not allowed to go on with the sales by the website, after one of her former teachers raised doubts she was still a virgin.

However, Gynaecologist Dr Jan Lenkiewicz, 63, confirmed her innocence after an intimate examination.

London, April 18 : At a meeting in the US city of Baltimore, parties to the Atlantic Treaty have adopted proposals to limit tourism in Antarctica, in a bid to protect the fragile ecosystem of the continent.

According to a report by BBC News, the parties agreed at the meeting to limit the size of cruise ships visiting Antarctica and the number of tourists taken ashore.

Limiting tourism has taken on urgency due to a surge in visits and a number of cruise ship accidents.