Venus flytrap

Gardeners and plant enthusiasts are sharing photos of a strong year for Venus Flytraps, the carnivorous plant native to the wetlands of the Carolinas in the United States. Posts celebrating a 'decent crop' of the insect-eating plants are drawing attention from the carnivorous plant growing community and nature photographers alike.

Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have developed a new material inspired by the Venus flytrap that can sense objects and grasp them when exposed to light. The finding points to soft robotic hands that respond to stimuli without complex electronics, and it is drawing attention in robotics and materials science circles.