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Download the Nature Podcast 06 August 2025
In this episode:
00:45 Researchers develop a new glue and test it on a rubber duck
Aided by machine learning, researchers have developed a super-sticky compound that works as an underwater adhesive. Inspired by animals like barnacles, the team developed a new kind of a material called a hydrogel. The material is capable of securely fastening objects together even when immersed in salty water— a challenge for existing adhesives. To show off its properties the researchers applied it to a rubber duck, which stuck firmly to a rock on a beach despite being battered by waves.
Research Article: Liao et al.
News and Views: AI learns from nature to design super-adhesive gels that work underwater
07:37 Research Highlights
The tomato-infused origins of the modern potato — plus, a specific group of stem cells that may help to drive osteoarthritis.
Research Highlight: Potato, tomato: the roots of the modern tater
Research Highlight: Ageing stem cells in the knees drive arthritis damage
09:46 The diversity of microbes within living trees
By taking samples from more than 150 trees in a forest in the United States, researchers have revealed a previously unknown community of microorganisms living there. Although the microbiomes of animals have been well explored, studies looking at the microbes living inside trees are limited. In this work, the team shows distinct populations of microbes living within different parts of a tree, and huge diversity in populations between trees. The team behind the work hopes these findings will lead to a greater understanding of tree physiology and the role these microbes play in broader ecosystems.
Research Article: Arnold et al.
18:46 The ‘de-extinction’ debate
Back in April, the company Colossal Biosciences claimed to have de-extincted dire wolves, a large-bodied wolf species that once roamed North America. We discuss the science behind this technology, and the debates within the research community surrounding Colossal’s announcement.
News Feature: This company claimed to ‘de-extinct’ dire wolves. Then the fighting started.
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