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215 results for "spider silk"
Scientists at Oxford University discovered that spider silk can repair severe nerve injuries without harvesting healthy nerves from other body parts. The breakthrough could help 300,000 patients annually in the UK alone.
A UK surgeon is using golden orb-web spider silk to help damaged nerves heal across gaps too large for the body to repair on its own. The natural material acts as a scaffold that lasts 150 days instead of just 10, potentially eliminating the need for painful donor nerve grafts.
Scientists from China and the Netherlands created a biodegradable plastic from corn protein that breaks down in just a month. Inspired by how spiders spin silk, this breakthrough could replace fossil fuel plastics in packaging and beyond.
A coin-sized spider in Madagascar weaves webs 80 feet across rivers using silk that outperforms steel and Kevlar. Scientists are racing to understand how this tiny creature creates one of nature's toughest materials. #
Scientists in Australia discovered a spider that uses a silk catapult to fling aggressive tree ants into its web with forces 15 times stronger than fighter pilots experience. The ballista spider's medieval weapon-inspired hunting technique is one of the most specialized prey-capture systems ever documented in nature.
Scientists discovered spiders in Peru, the Philippines, and Madagascar crafting spider-shaped sculptures from debris to protect themselves from predators. Some even shake their webs to make the decoys move like larger, more intimidating spiders.
A scientist who studied spiders turned native silk caterpillars into a conservation tool that's protected Madagascar's forests for over 20 years while giving local farmers new income. The program now runs independently under local leadership, proving conservation works best when communities benefit directly.
Scientists in Australia discovered a spider that builds spring-loaded traps to launch aggressive ants at forces five times what fighter pilots endure. The ballista spider's hunting method has never been seen before and could unlock secrets about extreme force survival.
A tiny jumping spider in East Africa targets blood-filled mosquitoes with remarkable precision. Scientists discovered these spiders are attracted to human scent and could help control disease-carrying insects.
A Harvard scientist spotted a tiny claw where an antenna should be and discovered the oldest spider ancestor ever found. The fossil pushes back the origin of spiders, scorpions, and horseshoe crabs by 20 million years.
A scientist cleaning a fossil after a long teaching day discovered the oldest known ancestor of spiders and scorpions, pushing their evolutionary history back 20 million years. The discovery shows that the complex body plan of modern spiders was already emerging during Earth's most explosive period of evolution.
Scientists discovered that jumping spiders, with brains the size of poppy seeds, can dream during sleep and remember individual spiders they've met before. These coin-sized creatures are proving that intelligence doesn't require a big brain.
Researchers in Ecuador discovered a spider that perfectly disguises itself as a deadly fungus that infects spiders. The find shows nature's creativity and highlights how citizen scientists are helping discover hidden wonders in rainforests.
Scientists in Australia discovered a spider that builds a spring-loaded silk trap designed to fling aggressive ants into its web at forces 15 times stronger than fighter pilots experience. The incredible hunting method appears to target just one ant species.
Researchers discovered 90% of North American insects and spiders have zero conservation protections, even though they're essential for healthy ecosystems. A new study is rallying support to protect these forgotten creatures before pest populations spiral out of control.
Scientists in Far North Queensland discovered a spider that catapults aggressive ants 30 centimeters into the air using a spring-loaded web trap. The tiny hunter uses a pheromone lure and Roman ballista-inspired technique to safely catch one of nature's most dangerous prey.
Thai silk, long celebrated for its golden beauty, is now saving lives as medical-grade patches, artificial tissue, and joint treatments. Engineers at Chulalongkorn University are transforming this cultural treasure into FDA-registered innovations that help patients while boosting farmer incomes.
Spider monkeys have developed a clever system of switching friend groups to share insider knowledge about the best places to find ripe fruit. Scientists discovered this collective intelligence allows them to know their forest better than any single monkey could alone.
Endangered spider monkeys in Mexico swap insider tips about the best fruit locations by constantly shuffling their social groups. Scientists discovered this clever information-sharing system helps the whole troop eat better than any solo monkey could manage.
Scientists at Chulalongkorn University turned traditional Thai silk into medical products like pain patches and artificial tissue, helping farmers earn more while reducing Thailand's need for imported materials. The breakthrough could reshape both medicine and agriculture across Southeast Asia.
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