Tag

Museum Preservation

All articles tagged with #museum preservation

biology9 days ago•16 min saved

Superworms Prove a Greener, Faster Way to Clean Skeletons for Museums

Researchers in Iran and Germany tested using the larvae of Zophobas morio—the superworm—to clean animal skeletons for museum displays, finding they can efficiently remove flesh in a safe, affordable, and environmentally friendlier way than chemicals or dermestid beetles. The study in PLOS One identified an optimal worm-to-carcass ratio (about 10–15 grams of worms per 1 gram of carcass) and reported minimal damage to delicate bones while reducing pest risks.

via Gizmodo|

#biology #dermestid-beetles #environmentally-friendly

science10 days ago•5 min saved

Superworms as Safer, Faster Skeletal Cleaners for Museums

A team led by Fatemeh Rastekar tested the larvae of the common pet worm Zophobas morio (superworms) as an alternative to dermestid beetles for cleaning skeletal remains. They found an optimal ratio of 10–15 grams of larvae per gram of specimen, which minimized cleaning time without bone damage and offered easier containment since the larvae don’t pupate or escape in crowded conditions. The process involved initial flesh removal, feeding larvae fruit scraps, regular container rotation, and avoiding harsh bleach, with bones finally rinsed and lightly varnished for display. The results suggest superworms are a practical, adaptable option for museum and research skeletal preparation, performing comparably to beetles across tested specimens.

via Ars Technica|

#forensic-science #museum-preservation #plos-one