Porcupine
quills easily penetrate flesh but prove hard to remove due to microscopic
barbs, say scientists.
North
American porcupines are famed for their unique defence as they carry 30,000
quills on their backs.
Researchers
studied the structures to understand how they effortlessly enter flesh but do
not leave as smoothly.
Tiny
backward-facing barbs studding the tip of each quill were found to reduce
penetration force and maximise staying power.
The
team, including Dr Jeffrey Karp from the Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston,
US and Dr Robert Langer from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US,
suggests the discovery could revolutionise medical equipment for human use.
The
findings are published in the Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences.
Continued: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/20628302
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