Muscle Power Is Designed, Not Evolutionary
July 13, 2013
The wonder of muscle inspires both awe at its design and opportunities for evolutionary storytelling.
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New Biomimetics Projects
July 7, 2013
These recently-reported attempts to mimic nature show that the biomimetics revolution continues, with no end in sight.
Brain Cells Have a Twist-Open Gate
June 25, 2013
The structure of an important potassium-ion gate in the membrane of brain cells has been found to open like a camera iris.
Quantum Secret of Photosynthesis Revealed
June 22, 2013
The magic of light capture by plants is so small and fast, its secrets are only now being understood.
Molecular Motors Put a Spring in Your Step
June 11, 2013
When you feel in spring in your step, thank tiny molecular motors in your muscles and tissues that make it possible.
Wonders of the Spliceosome Coming to Light
June 3, 2013
The more we learn about a vital molecular machine in the nucleus, the spliceosome, the more complex and important it seems.
Hear Ye! Directional Sound Enabled by Superfast Neurons
May 30, 2013
How can you tell where sounds come from? The brain is quicker than the speed of sound between your ears.
Depending on Source, Stem Cells Can Kill or Heal
May 29, 2013
Stem cells continue to show promise for dramatic healings, but reporters don't always clarify what lived or died to produce the cells. Adult stem cells inhabit all living humans; embryonic or fetal stem cells require a human death.
New Biomimetics Stories
May 26, 2013
Here are some new ways scientists are imitating plants and animals to understand their designs and make new products.
Human Cloning Is Back
May 17, 2013
If you thought work on human cloning and embryonic stem cell research went out of style with the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells, watch out. The pro-cloning people, who never lost their lust for toying with human embryos, are back.
Burning Plants Tell Seeds When to Germinate
May 6, 2013
Forest fire ash is not all useless. It contains signaling molecules that can switch on the next generation of plants.
Bug-Eye Camera, Fly Robot and other Bio-Inspired Tech
May 4, 2013
Incredible advancements in technology are coming from the imitation of nature, but engineers cannot yet attain animal performance.
How Intricate Patterns Grow in Flowers, Feathers
May 1, 2013
How does a growing flower bud or feather follicle know where to put the intricate colors and patterns on a mature flower or feather? Scientists are beginning to get partial answers.
Biomimetics Roundup
April 20, 2013
Here's a quick rundown of news on new technologies emerging from the study of plants, animals, and cells.
What's New in the Primordial Soup?
April 19, 2013
The bubbling froth percolates with ideas about how life "emerged," each new notion trying to outdo the last in vacuity.