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Nanopillar cones covering cicada wings bond with bacterial membranes, stretching the portion between the cones to the point of rupturing.

Inherent plasticity and microfracture toughening mechanisms work together to prevent antlers from breaking. 

The shape of scales causes water flow to streak across fish skin, reducing turbulence and minimizing drag.

The desert locust becomes social and forms swarms through an increase in serotonin triggered by the presence of other locusts.

The giant larvacean rapidly and regularly builds a house out of mucus capable of filtering large quantities of water.

Boreal forested peatland captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it long‑term through delayed decomposition of plants.

The shell of a tortoise withstands pressure through interlocking scutes of various shapes consisting of both rigid and flexible layers.

Light intensity concentrates hormones that alter the water levels in cells causing plants to bend toward the light source.

Dolphins send out broadband whistles and bursts of clicks to prevent messages from being distorted underwater.

Otters and seals have a two‑layer fur system that prevents water penetration and creates an insulating layer.

Two classes of hormones drive different responses to help vertebrates survive short‑ and long‑term stressors.

In the face of environmental stress, birds with fewer chances to breed suppress their stress response, keeping their focus on reproduction instead of survival.

The mucus “houses” of the giant larvacean enable it to filter seawater and sequester carbon in the ocean more efficiently than any other zooplankton.

Chimpanzees train the next generation simply by sharing tools. 

Specialized proteins in gall fly larvae create channels to let freezing water flow out of their cells and natural anti‑freeze flow into them.

Negatively‑charged squalamine binds to positively‑charged cell membranes, displacing proteins and blocking viruses from replicating.

Hummingbirds produce lift and sound on both the downstroke and upstroke of their wingbeats, creating a steady musical hum instead of the pulsing whoosh of larger birds.

A combination of mineral crystals and collagen fibers protects bone from major fractures by sacrificing small structural elements.

Snakes use zig‑zag anchor points and friction to maneuver through tight spaces.

A distinct set of hormones alter insect behavior by changing metabolic function during times of stress.

Hibernating hedgehogs slow their metabolism and organ function to a near standstill.

Microbes build external protein networks of "nanowire" to export electrons outside their cell walls.

Running together, teacher ants lead student ants to a food source, allowing them to wander and develop first‑hand knowledge of the route. 

The bigger barbules and higher number of microscopic prongs on the down of eider ducks trap more heat than other feathers.

The roots of maize defend against phytopathogens by releasing a pesticide that also attracts a beneficial microbe that preys on the target pest.

Mycorrhiza allow Egyptian clover to grow in salty soil by regulating the uptake and distribution of salt ions into the plant.

The echidna respires while buried underground by using its snout to move the soil around its head, enabling access to the air trapped between soil particles.

Mycorrhizal network sustains diversity in a forest by transporting nutrients and water.

The awn of wild wheat grass drills the seed into the soil by absorbing moisture, causing the awn to unwind.

The cuticle of plants are good sorbents for organic compounds due to rigid (crystalline) polymethylene moieties of the biopolymers cutin and cutan.

The below‑ground mounds of Odontotermes termites strongly influence savanna productivity via ordered spatial distribution and modification of soil composition.

Plants and bacteria break down organic compounds in the soil through a mutualistic relationship.

The feeding behavior of nematodes increases nitrogen availability to plants because they prey on nitrogen‑hoarding bacteria and excrete excess nitrogen in a form plants can use.

The soil ecosystem supports plant growth through interactions of millions of organisms that work together to break down chemicals and aerate the soil.

The bee's complex wing positions create steady and unsteady lift forces.

The wrist joints of the hummingbird enable hovering by rotating back and forth.

Spiders travel thousands of miles through the air using their silk to ride electrostatic repulsion instead of the wind.

Membranes of skin between the wrists and ankles enable gliding possums to travel farther by increasing lift and reducing drag.

The eyes of a kestrel remain fixed on an object due to the bird’s ability to use reflexes to rapidly reposition its eyes and head with respect to its body.

Bone of birds helps flight because it is dense

The wing of Pallas's long‑tongued bat generates lift by flipping the outer edge upside down and quickly back up for the upstroke.

Wings of gliding birds increase aerodynamic performance by continuously changing shape and size.

The leading edge of the tornado‑like spinning maple seed provides a constant lift force, allowing seeds to disperse over a greater area.

Wingtip feathers in birds are aerodynamically efficient because of their torsional flexibility.

The square tail of the seahorse helps give it extra grip when hunting for prey.

The siphuncle of nautiloids controls buoyancy by active transport of ions and osmosis between the siphuncle and shell chamber.

The silica skeleton of the Venus’ flower basket sea sponge is tough and stable because multiple levels of organization each help to manage forces.

Fronds of seaweed change shape and orientation to allow them to move with instead of resisting strong water currents.

Oysters build strong but flexible reefs using minerals in a sticky protein web.

Salpa aspera transport carbon to the ocean floor via their fecal pellets.

Antarctic crustaceans create wax within their bodies to help them sink deep into the water to hibernate for winter.

The blood vessel network in the tongues of gray whales precools blood to avoid heat loss via counter‑current heat exchange.

Skin cells of hagfish are capable of directly absorbing organic nutrients using specially adapted transport channels and leveraging sodium ion gradients.

The relationship between the clownfish and sea anemone allows both to flourish through symbiosis.

Photosynthesis in plants converts solar energy into chemical energy using electrons and protons from water.

Wings of morpho butterflies create color by causing light waves to diffract and interfere.

The respiratory system of the hissing cockroach creates one‑way airflow using valves and active pumping.

Surfaces of wing covers on some darkling beetles gather water using nanoscale bumps and body position.

The shape of the kingfisher beak allows it to dive into the water without splashing.

The structure of above‑ground macrotermite mounds facilitates gas exchange in the below‑ground nest using internal air currents driven by solar heat.

Blood‑filled sinuses within the eye sockets of horned lizards squirt blood in self‑defense by swelling and rupturing.

Leaves of the sensitive plant protect themselves from predators and environmental conditions by folding in response to touch.

The large ears of the jackrabbit are used in cooling, radiating heat via an extensive network of blood vessels.