Friday, July 27, 2012

Bone Builders



If Spider-Man had gone to medical school, he could have made a fortune in orthopedics.  That is because new research shows that spider silk, combined with tiny glass beads called silica, creates new material that could one day be used in growing and repairing human bones.
Spiders usually use their silk to make webs and catch prey.  For long scientists have studied the benefits of the flexible, strong fibers.  The new “fusion” material promises to improve the quality of bone implants in surgery.  Earlier research on spider silk suggests it can be used in many products including surgical sutures, body armors and even artificial ligaments for people with knee injuries. For how long this will take to develop, maybe five years from now.

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