The larvae of a species of beetle native to Central and South America can apparently survive with plastic as their only food source. The larvae's appetite for Styrofoam could be the key to mass plastic recycling.

Swarms of bees as models for drones in construction: Empa has tested drones that work in teams under human control to 3D print materials for building or repairing structures.

Researchers want to harness the unusual wear resistance of limpet teeth for new types of materials.

A new high-tech honeycomb makes it possible to study bee colonies. The hive robot developed by EPFL researchers should provide new insights into the survival of pollinators.

According to a Swiss study, Leonardo da Vinci had superior vision, which allowed him to observe even the individual beats of a dragonfly’s wings.

ETH researchers have developed a method that could possibly replace insulin injections for diabetics in the future. In a gene network built into cells, insulin production can be switched on with green light.

Astronauts cannot do their laundry - and also have to share certain items of clothing with their colleagues. Austrian researchers are now investigating how microbes could be used to keep more than just underwear clean in space.

Melanin is more valuable than gold. Researchers at Empa recently succeeded in extracting large quantities of the pigment from the honey fungus. One of the intended applications of this versatile substance is to restore antique wind instruments.

Cyanobacteria may be able to thrive even in the inhospitable conditions on Mars. They are excellent oxygen producers and could enable astronauts to survive self-sufficiently on future missions.