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Dolphins Can Sleep One-half of Their Brain At a Time Say Researchers

Posted by samzenpus on from the we-don't-need-no-stinking-sleep dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Looks like the evolution in multi-core computing is something nature has already figured out. Dolphins will sleep one core while the other remains vigilant, running background tasks necessary for survival. From the article: 'The scientists wrote: "From an anthropomorphic viewpoint, the ability of the dolphin to continuously monitor its environment for days without interruption seems extreme. However, the biological, sensory and cognitive ecology of these animals is relatively unique and demanding. If dolphins sleep like terrestrial animals, they might drown. If dolphins fail to maintain vigilance, they become susceptible to predation. As a result, the apparent 'extreme' capabilities these animals possess are likely to be quite normal, unspectacular, and necessary for survival from the dolphin's perspective."'"

4 of 139 comments (clear)

  1. Wrong headline by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    The news is that they can stay awake for 15 days at a time. Scientists have known for 30 years that dolphins can sleep with one hemisphere.

    1. Re:Wrong headline by Jstlook · · Score: 5, Insightful

      That isn't even what the article indicates. The article indicated that US Military tested a dolphin named Say for 15 days before a storm halted their experiment. The only other notable information in the article is that the dolphin achieved a 99% accuracy throughout the course of the experiments. That's better than your average (burger) flipper.

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      ---jstlook ---For that is the way of Elves, for they say both yes AND no, and mean every word of it. --- J.R.R.T.
  2. Re:Evolution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    We've already found drugs that can keep a person going without sleep for weeks or months at a time, apparently without any significant reduction in cognitive ability or any significant change in neurological functioning.

    Link please, otherwise I'm calling bogus. The official world record for going without sleep is 18 days.

    Look up 'Fatal Familial Insomnia' in which death follows (as best as anyone can tell) from lack of sleep.

  3. Re:why is this new? by cvtan · · Score: 5, Funny

    Blonde listening to tape saying, "Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale..."

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    Sorry, but gray text on gray background is making my eyes bleed.