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.
Explore unique Christmas ornaments from Tiffany, Swarovski, and more, blending luxury with festive charm for your holiday decor.
Inside Copenhagen’s Alchemist: Chef Rasmus Munk on food, provocation and his India-inspired dishes
Explore the debate surrounding a potential dark matter discovery, highlighting skepticism and the need for rigorous validation in astronomy.
Discover how ice cores from the Pamir Mountains could unlock secrets to protect the world's glaciers from climate change.
Discover why spicy food causes a runny nose and how capsaicin triggers a protective response in our bodies.
In October this year, India announced its intention to build Maitri II, the country’s newest research station in Antarctica and India’s fourth, about 40 forty-odd years after the first permanent research station in Antarctica, Dakshin Gangotri, was established. The Hindu talks to Dr Harsh K Gupta, who led the team that established it
Study reveals rising artemisinin resistance in Africa, echoing Asia's past, urging urgent action to prevent widespread crisis.
Michelin launches The Grappe, a new wine distinction, recognizing excellence with one to three grapes, starting with the Burgundy and Bordeaux regions
A groundbreaking experiment transforms skin cells into egg-like cells, offering hope for infertility treatments amidst ethical considerations.
Discover Niraba, a collaboration merging Odisha's sabai grass weaving and dhokra craft into contemporary furniture and lighting design.
How do you create a Christmas tree with crochet? Take notes from crochet artist Sheena Pereira, who co-founded Goa-based Crochet Collective with crocheter Sharmila Majumdar in 2025. Their artwork takes centre stage at the Where We Gather exhibit, which is part of Festivals of Goa, an ongoing exhibition hosted by the Museum of Goa. The collective’s multi-hued, 18-foot crochet Christmas tree has been put together by 25 women from across the State. “I’ve always thought of doing an installation with crochet. So, we thought of doing something throughout the year that would culminate at the year end; something that would resonate with Christmas message — peace, hope, joy, love,” explains Sheena.
Max Born made many contributions to quantum theory. This said, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for physics in 1954 for establishing the statistical interpretation of the ____________. Fill in the blank with the name of an object central to quantum theory but whose exact nature is still not fully understood.
Join the Moms of Kochi for the Purple Carnival, a vibrant lifestyle exhibition featuring stalls, competitions, and entertainment on December 13-14.