(CNN) A rare iron mineral has been discovered in the teeth of a living organism for the first time -- one that bears the pet name "wandering meatloaf." While it sounds like a tour update for the musician Meat Loaf, this research concerns a large mollusk called a chiton (not a "bat out of hell"). Chiton need tough teeth because they essentially chew on rocks to scrape off algae and other food substances. Their teeth are one of the hardest materials in nature and are attached to a flexible tongue-like structure called a radula. The new research is helping scientists understand how chiton teeth can survive the wear and tear of their dietary needs which could allow them to develop a 3D printer ink that can create ultrahard and durable material.

Source: CNN May 31, 2021 18:56 UTC