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Health & Science3h 55m ago
Scientists have discovered that the Venus flytrap’s closure is initiated by a rapid softening of cell walls in the outer layer of the plant’s trap, rather than rapid water redistribution.
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Paris, Marseille
Who
Yoël Forterre, Jeongeun Ryu, Charles Darwin
What
Scientists have discovered that the Venus flytrap’s closure is initiated by a rapid softening of cell walls in the outer layer of the plant’s trap, rather than rapid water redistribution.
When
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 01:28:46 GMT · 3h 55m ago
Where
Paris, Marseille ·
Why
This research solves a century-old mystery about how one of the fastest movements in the plant kingdom occurs.
The Frontline Impact
How this affects you
This new understanding of the Venus flytrap's snapping mechanism, involving active tuning of material stiffness, could inspire future developments in soft robotics and smart materials. It settles a question that has puzzled scientists since Charles Darwin.
Story chain
4 events in this thread- Health & Science3h 55m agoScientists have found the physical mechanism behind the snapping action of Venus flytraps, initiating closure by rapid softening of cell walls in the outer layer of the plant’s trap.Open article
- Health & Science3h 55m agoScientists have now found the physical mechanism behind the snapping action of Venus flytraps, which involves a rapid softening of the cell walls in the plant’s outer layer.Open article
- Health & Science3h 55m agoScientists have found the physical mechanism behind the snapping action of Venus flytraps, attributing it to a rapid softening of cell walls in the plant's outer layer.Open article
- Currently Reading3h 55m agoScientists have discovered that the Venus flytrap’s closure is initiated by a rapid softening of cell walls in the outer layer of the plant’s trap, rather than rapid water redistribution.