It is well known that repeated loading cycles can reduce the strength of a material and cause eventual failure by the gradual build‐up of damage. Previous work has shown that mammalian bone is able to extend its life almost indefinitely by continuously repairing microdamage, preventing the development of macroscopic cracks. However, no study has been conducted until now to investigate repair of microdamage in any other biological material. We applied cyclic bending loads to the hind tibiae of desert locusts (Schistocerca gregaria). We observed a significant decrease in the elastic stiffness (Young's modulus) of the cuticle during the five applied loading cycles, indicating that microdamage had been induced. The tibiae were then left to rest for various time periods: 1 hr, 24 hr, 1 week, and 4 weeks. When tested again after up to 24 hr, there was still a significant decrease in stiffness, showing that some microdamage remained. However, in the samples left for 1 week or 4 weeks before retesting, this decrease in stiffness had disappeared, indicating that the microdamage had been repaired. This is the first ever indication that insects are capable of repairing microdamage. It is a highly significant finding—insects such as locusts rely on the stiffness and strength of their hind legs for jumping. This study suggests that, within a time period of order of a few days, the insect can fully restore the mechanical function of an overloaded leg and thus return to normal activities.

中文翻译：

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修复由昆虫表皮中的周期性负载引起的微损伤。

众所周知，重复的加载循环会降低材料的强度，并由于逐渐形成的损坏而导致最终的故障。先前的工作表明，哺乳动物骨骼能够通过不断修复微损伤来无限期地延长其寿命，从而防止宏观裂纹的发展。但是，到目前为止，尚未进行任何研究来研究其他生物材料中微损伤的修复。我们将周期性弯曲载荷施加到沙漠蝗虫（Schistocerca gregaria）的后胫骨上）。我们观察到在五个施加的加载循环中，表皮的弹性刚度（杨氏模量）显着降低，表明已引起微损伤。然后让胫骨休息不同的时间段：1小时，24小时，1周和4周。在长达24小时后再次进行测试时，刚度仍显着下降，表明仍存在一些微损伤。但是，在重新测试前放置1周或4周的样品中，刚度的这种降低已经消失，表明微损伤已得到修复。这是有史以来第一个表明昆虫能够修复微损伤的迹象。这是一个非常重要的发现-象蝗虫这样的昆虫依靠后腿的刚度和强度来跳跃。这项研究表明，在几天的时间内，