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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Science
Vishwam Sankaran

Study reveals surprising benefits of yawning – and what happens if we try to resist

Yawning could have an overlooked role in regulating fluids in the brain, according to a groundbreaking new study, which also sheds fresh light on what happens when someone tries to stifle a yawn.

It was previously thought that the behaviour had evolved mainly to regulate oxygen levels. Alternative theories suggested yawning was meant to signal tiredness to other members of the species.

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