We all know that truth is stranger than fiction and these astounding stories from the past week prove that saying is correct! Medical miracle mole rats, UFO visitors and Dr. Doolittle becoming a reality! Read on to find out the weirdest things happening in the world this past week...

Scientists claim that naked mole rats hold the key to reversing the menopause in humans. The subterranean rodents are known for exceptional fertility and the female queen can continue giving birth well into old age. And a new study by US researchers at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine has shown that they are born with an exceptionally large number of eggs that continue to develop for the duration of their life cycle. Scientists are now investigating what genetic process triggers the continued production of eggs even after birth, if they can identify it then it could enable them to help women to continue having children later in life.

A surprising sex discovery has been made at a Roman fort on Hadrian's Wall. Experts believe that the 2nd century wooden object, which was found in a ditch at Vindolanda, could be the earliest example of a wooden phallus found anywhere in the Roman empire. The team from Newcastle University and University College Dublin initially suspected that the object was a sewing tool but now believe it may have been used for more intimate purposes as they found both ends were noticeably smoother - indicating repeated use over time.

Research has shown that men's penises have grown rapidly in the past 30 years. Analysis by researchers at Stanford University in the US found that the average erect length jumped from 4.8 to 6 inches between 1992 and 2021 - an increase of a quarter. The increase could have been been caused by men adopting sedentary lifestyles and eating junk food. Those lifestyle factors have also been attributed to the rapid decline in fertility rates in the same timeframe.

Having a pet dog keeps the brain young and healthy, a new study has revealed. Research has shown that the brains of dog lovers' are up to 15 years younger than those who do not have a pooch. Researchers found that those who own a dog had a better memory, greater attention span and a faster brain processing speed. Experts from the University of Alabama said: "To take care of an animal, one needs to remember to feed, walk and groom them. "It also involves critical thinking and planning for the future, and dogs tend to be more independent than other pets like cats. "We think dog ownership may play a role in enhancing cognitive performance across the adult lifespan."

Jogging just once a month could prevent dementia. A new study by the University College London has revealed that consistent exercise is key to keeping the brain healthy provided people stick to it throughout their adult life. Experts followed more than 1,000 people aged from their 30s through to their 60s and found that those who completed activities such as jogging, yoga and swimming were a lot sharper in old age. Lead author Dr. Sarah-Naomi James said: "Our study suggests that engaging in any leisure-time physical activity, at any point in adult life, has a positive effect on cognition. "This seems to be the case even at light levels of activity, between once to four times a month."

Humans could soon be able to understand animal talk thanks to Artificial Intelligence analysing sounds and actions of living creatures. Dr. Arik Kershenbaum, from the University of Cambridge's department of zoology, explained: "You can feed the AI a million recordings of whales and it says, 'OK, there are 300 types of whale song.' "And then you say, 'Song type No1 is used mostly when the whales are feeding' or 'No2 is mostly when the whales are competing.'"

Scientist Tadd Truscott, from the King Abdullah University in Saudi Arabia, has recommended that men pee sitting down to avoid splashing their toothbrushes. Truscott has warned that urinating from a great height could send urine flying all over the bathroom and those droplets could potentially spread the E.coli bacteria unless the loo is three metres from the sink, but the risk is removed if people sit down on the toilet. Truscott said: "Water tends to have a large splash when droplets hit it from that height. That means a lot of splash can come out of the toilet. "I was actually telling a friend when you pee into a toilet like that, you tend to pee on your toothbrush. "If your toothbrush is one or two metres away, that's not good."

A Scottish town is demanding a government probe into why it has become Britain's UFO hotspot. More than 300 sightings of mystery craft are reported in the skies above Bonnybridge every year and the area has also been plagued by crop circles and alien abductions. Local councillor Billy Buchanan has called for the British government to investigate the phenomena. Speaking in the new documentary 'The Bonnybridge Files: The Town With The Most UFO Sightings In The World', he said: "I still don't know what it could be. Is it military? We don't know. But we demand to know. "Since this first happened in 1992, I have gone down to London to every Prime Minister that's been in since that period of time, asking them to do an investigation into the Bonnybridge phenomena."

A first generation Apple iPhone has been auctioned off for more than $63,356 . The smartphone was first launched in 2007 and now 16 years later an unopened edition of the model owned by tattoo artist Karen Green has been sold by LCG Auctions for the huge sum after receiving 27 bids from a starting price of $2,500. Karen took the vintage smartphone onto Doctor and the Diva's 'Treasure Hunt Tuesday' TV show in 2019 where it was estimated to be worth $5,000 and was said to be "overwhelmed" at the final selling price, with the auction house claiming that the "cultural interest" in old tech items is on the increase and believes that sales could grow even further. She is investing the proceeds into her tattoo shop.