But scientists are teasing out useful purposes for these powerful substances that (sometimes incidentally) can cause us so much pain and damage. Recen

Snake-Venom 'Super Glue' Can Stop Wounds Bleeding in Seconds With a Flash of Light

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2021-07-24 05:30:06

But scientists are teasing out useful purposes for these powerful substances that (sometimes incidentally) can cause us so much pain and damage. Recently we've seen developments from several types of venoms, from bee venom as a cancer treatment to using platypus venom for diabetes.

A team of researchers has developed the next venom-based medical advancement: a fast-acting "super glue" that stops bleeding in under a minute.

While synthetic adhesives can be easier to manipulate, their degradation can potentially be toxic. Meanwhile, natural bioadhesives are more likely to "have excellent biocompatibility", explained the authors in their new paper, but limited overall integrity and adhesion.

To remedy those failings, researchers crafted a bioadhesive gel that includes the venom of the common lancehead pit viper (Bothrops atrox).

One of the most venomous snakes in the region, the common lancehead pit viper stalks tropical lowlands of South America for small mammals, birds, and reptiles, which it takes down with venom that destroys their vascular systems.