Killer Jellyfish Offers Stiff Resistance

WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU...


Ms Gershwin with irukandji


Worried men afflicted by impotency have been handed a new remedy, but it comes with a sting in the tail.

Researchers in Australia believe a cocktail of poisons from the deadly irukandji jellyfish may help prolong erections.


A sting from one of the tentacles can lead to searing pain, paralysis, anxiety and a potentially fatal rise in blood pressure.

But the possible breakthrough was revealed by staff at James Cook University in Cairns.

Researcher Lisa-Ann Gershwin said: "This is a bizarre extra symptom of irukandji syndrome in addition to the really dreadful life-threatening symptoms."

A doctor in the city first alerted scientists to the beneficial side effect after noticing it in male patients.

If the toxin responsible can be sorted out from the rest of the toxins, the fight against impotency may have a new weapon.

Ms Gershwin said she believes the particular species of the irukandji jellyfish may help, but their numbers are limited which is hindering further testing.