Silk screws prepared by bidirectional dialysis for bone fracture fixation.

Summary: Imagine breaking a bone and needing screws to hold it together, but instead of metal hardware that might need a second surgery to remove, the screws are made of silk. Scientists have developed a new, faster way to turn liquid silk into super-strong, solid screws using a process called "bidirectional dialysis." These silk screws are incredibly tough—comparable to high-performance plastics—and are fully compatible with the body. In tests with rats, the screws held broken bones stable for four months without causing irritation. Even better, they dissolve very slowly, staying strong while the bone heals, eliminating the need for future removal operations.