Source: The Hindu

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Recently, A new study shows that salamanders can control blood flow to their toes. This helps them to move more easily on tree bark & other surfaces because it improves their ability to stick and release.

Key Points of the Study

• Blood Flow in Toes: Salamanders can control the blood flow in their toe tips, which helps them grip surfaces like tree bark better.
• Better Grip: By changing the blood flow, they can adjust the pressure in their toes to hold on uneven surfaces more easily.
• Easier Detachment: When they need to let go, the blood flow helps them to reduce contact with the surface which makes it easier for them to detach with less effort.
• Future Uses: This is important to understand how salamanders control their toes could help create better adhesives, prosthetics (artificial limbs), and robotic arms.

What is a Salamander?

• Salamanders are small amphibians that look like a mix of lizards and frogs, with long bodies and tails.
• Size: They can range from 2.5 cm to 20 cm long. The largest type of the Chinese Giant Salamander can grow up to 5 feet.
• Habitat: They live in moist places, mostly near water, like ponds, streams, & under rocks. They can be found in North America, Europe, Asia, & parts of South America & North Africa.
• Regeneration: Salamanders can grow back lost limbs, toes & tails in few weeks.
• They are cold-blooded, which means their body temperature changes with the surroundings, and are active mostly at night. 
• Some species can be poisonous and may also have  teeth.

Why Does This Matter?

It is important to Learn how salamanders control their toes could lead to new inventions:

• We can make sticky materials that work like the salamander's toes, sticking and releasing easily.
• The study might help to improve artificial limbs which makes them more flexible and useful.
• Robots: It could help us to create robots that can move more easily on rough surfaces.

By studying how salamanders move, researchers could create new tools and technology that make life easier.

Source: The Hindu