From robot fireflies to okra plasters: 2022's nature-inspired solutions
The Hindu
Researchers have discovered that one ant species might be able to sniff out cancer in human breasts.
Even as animals and plants face widespread extinction from human-driven causes like climate change, the natural world continues to inspire scientific discovery in unexpected ways.
"Nature has spent hundreds of millions of years optimising elegant solutions to extremely complicated problems," said Alon Gorodetsky, a biomedical engineer at the University of California, Irvine.
"So if we look to nature, we can shortcut our development process and get to a valuable solution right away," he told AFP.
From squid-skin food warmers to a lubricant made of cow mucus, here is a selection of this year's scientific work inspired by nature.
Stopping the bleeding hearts and livers of dogs and rabbits without stitches may now be possible with a biodegradable plaster made of sticky okra gel.
Okra is a fuzzy green vegetable with a slimy texture that inspired Malcolm Xing from Canada's University of Manitoba to turn it into a medical adhesive.
"Okra is a fantastic material," said Xing.
Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln are two of the greatest presidents that the U.S. has seen. You probably know that already. But did you know that Jefferson made what is considered the first contribution to American vertebrate paleontology? Or that Lincoln is the only U.S. president to receive a patent? What’s more, both their contributions have March 10 in common… 52 years apart. A.S.Ganesh hands you the details…
Preprint papers are publicly available scientific papers before peer review, popular among open-access advocates and scrutinizing peer review practices.
Discover the fascinating world of river dolphins in India, facing threats but captivating hearts with their unique features.
L&T, India's largest private defense manufacturer, expands into aerospace industry to capitalize on growing global launch vehicle market.
The BMW C 400 GT: A stylish scooter with premium details, advanced safety features, modern technology, and improved ergonomics has arrived in India
With the rise of the women’s liberation movement in the West, and some parts of China, activists fought for separate rooms, separate bathrooms, separate swimming pools, separate vehicles, separate roads, separate cities, even separate countries
Himmat Shah refused to be part of the mainstream, instead focusing on metamorphosing his medium and materials in the most versatile ways — with a distinctly Indian aesthetic
Celebrate Alexander Graham Bell Day on March 7, honouring the inventor of the first telephone nearly 150 years ago.
SpaceX's Starship spacecraft explodes in space, causing FAA to halt air traffic in Florida, marking second failure this year.
Trump's firing of NOAA employees sparks discussion on climate predictions, highlighting the need for global, high-resolution models for resilience.
At The Sarvato, the new seasonal restaurant in Jaipur’s City Palace, recipes dip into the royal kitchens, and menu experiments begin in the desert when it’s offseason
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Uncover the hidden science in everyday objects, from soap to smartphones, shaping our lives and driving innovation.