Collaborate Disseminate
We know spider silk carries some amazing capabilities, with its light weight, incredible elasticity and a status as one of nature’s strongest materials. Scientists have made another extraordinary discovery in this area, finding that orb-weaving spiders… Continue reading Spiders found to extend their hearing by using webs as giant audio arrays
The incredible properties of spider silk have seen it weave its way into the world of medical research, where it has shown potential in areas ranging from gene therapy to reconstructive surgery. Scientists exploring its potential in next-generation can… Continue reading Spider silk ups the potency of cancer-fighting “guardian” protein
Adhesives that hold strong in wet environments are elusive, but could be useful for underwater repairs or healing in the body. Researchers have now developed a new type of adhesive hydrogel that combines the underwater stickiness of mussels with the st… Continue reading New adhesive boasts stickiness of mussels and strength of spider silk
A new smartphone app developed by researchers at the University of Basel is using augmented reality to help reduce a person’s fear of spiders. In a study published in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders the app was found to significantly reduce feelings o… Continue reading Smartphone app uses AR to help conquer fear of spiders
Spider silk is one of nature’s most impressive materials, exhibiting impressive strength and toughness. Now, researchers at Washington University in St. Louis claim to have created an artificial version that can outperform some natural spider silks.Con… Continue reading Synthetic spider silk stronger and tougher than the real thing
As unlikely as it may seem, the venom of the deadly funnel web spider could prove a valuable source of a number of life-saving medicines, including drugs that kill skin cancer and reduce brain damage in stroke victims. Adding to these possibilities is … Continue reading Protein in deadly spider venom blocks “death signal” after heart attack
As unlikely as it may seem, the venom of the deadly funnel web spider could prove a valuable source of a number of life-saving medicines, including drugs that kill skin cancer and reduce brain damage in stroke victims. Adding to these possibilities is … Continue reading Protein in deadly spider venom blocks “death signal” after heart attack
By mimicking the self-assembling microstructures that give spider silk its incredible strength, scientists at the University of Cambridge have produced a plant-based film with the strength of common single-use plastics, offering a “vegan” eco-friendly … Continue reading “Vegan spider silk” offers a plant-based replacement for common plastic
Although spiders do help us by eating pests such as mosquitos, many people still aren’t wild about having the things in their homes. Such folks may be interested in new research which suggests that ant chemicals could be used to harmlessly keep spiders… Continue reading Fire ant chemicals may find use as eco-friendly spider deterrent
Tarantula venom is not something people would normally associate with relief from pain, but strangely enough, the ingredients within it could hold the key to new medicines that offer just that, and without some of the common side effects. A new underst… Continue reading Study of tarantula toxin opens door to next-gen drugs for chronic pain