Birds Use Nanostructures To Prevent Graying With Age

Plants and Animals





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Remarkable bird, squire. Beautiful plumage. Jausa/Shutterstock

Going gray is something most people worry about at some point in their lives. Curiously, birds do not share the same problem, as their plumage always remains a vibrant collage of colors until they die. Scientists have now discovered how this is possible, at least in terms of the : It generates its patterns by manipulating the growth of many tiny structures on its feathers, instead of using dyes or pigments that would fade over time.