第2836期:What insects can teach surgeons

Sawflies are named after the saw-like organ used by the females to lay eggs in plants. The insects want to avoid killing the plants, which provide food for their larvae.锯蜂以它身上一种像锯子一样的器官命名，雌性锯蜂会用这个锯状器官在植物内部产卵。这种昆虫会尽量避免杀死植物，因为植物可以为它们的幼虫提供食物。The researchers discovered that small serrations on the sawfly's teeth worked with larger protrusions to create a selective cutting action, allowing them to avoid cutting internal structures carrying water and nutrients. The team scaled up the mechanism and tested it on material mimicking human tissue.研究人员发现，锯蜂牙齿上较小的锯齿状突起和较大的突起物共同作用，从而创造出了一种具有选择性的切割动作，这种动作让锯蜂能够避免切断植物中含有水分和养分的内部结构。研究团队按比例放大了这一构造机制，然后在模拟了人体组织的材料上对其进行了测试。Although more work is needed, they think there's potential for a surgical instrument based on this natural mechanism, which could instinctively avoid critical tissues whilst cutting.虽然尚有更多工作需要完成，但研究人员认为也许能够发明出一种基于这种自然机制的外科手术器械，这种器械可以在切割时本能地避开关键组织。