Cockroach Gas is 'Five Times' More Powerful than Human Gas

If you have ever wondered why you fear cockroaches, you can now say that scientists have discovered that the gas from the American cockroach is extremely potent. According to AFP, a cockroach can emit gas that is five times stronger than that of a human. Considering the size of a cockroach, the power of this gas is fifty times the weight of the cockroach. The reality is that these cockroaches sometimes ruthlessly tear apart their prey with their strong jaws. Researchers who have measured the power of household insect gas in the U.S. for the first time say that the jaws of these cockroaches activate like a saw when they encounter a hard object, allowing them to generate more power. Tom Wyman, one of the researchers from Cambridge University who conducted this study, states, 'Cockroaches, as one of the household insects, play an important role in the natural cycle of many ecological areas. Research like this is very useful in nature-inspired engineering structures.' This research included the study of over three hundred cockroach gases, ranging from short and quick gases to deep and painful ones emitted by cockroaches. 'Short gases are produced by fibrous muscles, while in longer, deeper, and stronger gases, additional muscles in the cockroach's mouth are activated to enhance the effect.' The mouth of the cockroach consists of a pair of horizontal jaws that are shaped like two parallel blades. These jaws are used for crushing food, digging holes, carrying objects, defending against other creatures, and feeding newly hatched baby cockroaches. Although this type of jaw is also found in the bodies of other insects, researchers are amazed by how the fibrous muscles work and how they produce power. Perhaps one day engineers, inspired by the functioning of cockroach jaws, will succeed in creating small motors that generate significant power.