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One fish's health hazard is a scientist's medical technology.

Scientists are constantly on the prowl to find animals in nature that have qualities that could positively influence medical technology. Recently, researchers decided to harness the power of the Pomphorhynchus laevis, a spiny worm. According to National Geographic, the worm is a parasite that makes its way to a fish's intestinal wall. It fastens its snout to the wall, then inflates it so that it cannot be dislodged. In the meantime, the snout is able to retrieve all the nutrients that it needs from the water washing over its snout, absorbing everything that it needs.

Researchers thought that they might be able to harness the parasitic worm's abilities for good. Indeed, they developed a mechanism that they believe could be used to close surgical wounds and fasten skin grafts, as LiveScience reports. Both surgical wounds and skin grafts are currently closed by using stitches or staples, but doing so can damage the tissue underneath the skin and leave openings for bacteria to enter.

The researchers created two-layer microneedles based on the spiny worm. The stiff, cone-shaped core is made up of polystyrene, while the soft outer layer consists of polyacric acid, a chemical that is absorbent and is found in disposable diapers.

The needles are able to easily puncture flesh and they latch in place when the outer layer meets with the water in the body and swells. They are stronger than current adhesives, requiring three times as much force to remove. When they are removed, they also cause much less damage to the underlying tissues, blood vessels and nerves. The tips also automatically close any holes that they create, making it near-impossible for bacteria to enter. They also can be used on wet and dry tissue, meaning that they could potentially be used inside the body.

Researchers do not think that the applications of the technology are necessarily limited to skin grafts either. They could also be used to distribute therapeutics as well - simply by soaking the needles in the medicine and then inserting them into the skin.

The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.

A video on the subject can be found below.