A new study suggests rough surfaces inspired by the bacteria-killing spikes on insect wings may be more effective at combating drug-resistant superbugs, including fungus, than previously understood.
Bio & Medicine
Aug 29, 2023
0
227
Over the past decade, teams of engineers, chemists and biologists have analyzed the physical and chemical properties of cicada wings, hoping to unlock the secret of their ability to kill microbes on contact. If this function ...
Bio & Medicine
Jul 18, 2023
0
1372
Nature is inspiring scientists all the time. Some ideas are still in research, like beaver-inspired super-warm wetsuits. But others are already part of human life, like Velcro (based on burdock burrs) and the Japanese bullet ...
Materials Science
Jul 15, 2023
2
49
Puffins lose the ability to fly for up to two months every year—twice as long as previously believed. Researchers at University College Cork (UCC) suggest the seabirds are vulnerable to winter storms due to their inability ...
Plants & Animals
Dec 13, 2022
0
18
Dragonfly wings, lotus leaves, cicada wings—thanks to millennia of evolution, nature has optimized the ways these surfaces and others behave to offer antibacterial functionality.
Condensed Matter
Apr 6, 2021
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25
The whimsical, wafting flight of butterflies may not give the impression of top aerodynamic performance, but research published on Wednesday suggests their large flexible wings could be perfectly designed to give them a burst ...
Plants & Animals
Jan 20, 2021
0
853
Scientists have revealed how nanomaterials inspired by insect wings are able to destroy bacteria on contact.
Cell & Microbiology
Aug 18, 2020
0
337
An analysis of high-speed raindrops hitting biological surfaces such as feathers, plant leaves and insect wings reveals how these highly water-repelling veneers reduce the water's impact.
Plants & Animals
Jun 9, 2020
0
509
Biological structures sometimes have unique features that engineers would like to copy. For example, many types of insect wings shed water, kill microbes, reflect light in unusual ways and are self-cleaning. While researchers ...
Materials Science
Apr 14, 2020
0
223
The Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden at Assiniboine Park is testament to our fascination with the colourful insects that bring delight to so many. The beautiful patterns and pleasing textures of their wings attract not ...
Plants & Animals
Nov 28, 2017
0
144
