By mimicking the outer coating of pearls (nacre, or as it's more commonly known, mother of pearl), researchers have created a lightweight plastic that is 14 times stronger and eight times lighter ...

But strip away a blueberry’s waxy outer coating and the berry looks black. Squish it and the juice that’s released is a deep red, because of the berry’s anthocyanin compounds.

The outer coating owes its resilience to a tough fiber called cellulose, which humans don't have the proper enzymes or gut bacteria to digest. Related: Does sugar make kids hyper? Even ruminant ...