In this week's Science Saturday, we look at science news ranging from robots to the human brain.

Xenobot

Scientists have recently created the world's first self-healing robots. Named "Xenobot", they are made with the stem cells of an African clawed frog. Unlike traditional robots, they have no steel gears or arms, but instead look like a blob of moving pink flesh. Researchers say they can achieve things typical robots cannot, such as cleaning radioactive waste and carrying medicine inside human bodies.

PigeonBot

Another group of scientists from Stanford University have created a special "winged robot", known as "PigeonBot". Its wings are made from 40 real feathers. Researchers created it to find out how birds maintain controlled flight by changing the shape of their wings. They discovered that bird feathers stick to those adjacent to them to resist sliding in one direction. They also found bird feathers are softer and lighter, and are easy to get back into shape after a crash.

Researchers: Proteins helped to preserve human brain for 2,600 years

An international research team has found that proteins have contributed to the preservation of a human brain from 2,600 years ago. The brain was found inside a skull which was dug up by archaeologists in York, England, in 2008. Despite being shrunken, its exterior morphology was retained. Researchers say this case can provide insights into some protein-based neurological diseases including Alzheimer's.

Stunning floral pattern found by accident during mixture of bacteria

A combination of two bacteria types has unexpectedly produced a floral pattern under the microscope. A biophysics student surnamed Xiong from the University of California, San Diego, found in his petri dish that escherichia coli and acinetobacter baylyi produced a mysterious flower-like pattern. The discovery was made by accident as Xiong was preparing for another project. A research team later found the phenomenon was caused by the difference in the two bacteria varieties' speed of movement on the agar nutrient medium.

SpaceX aims to launch astronauts this spring after successful Crew Dragon escape test

SpaceX's crew capsule has successfully completed an emergency escape test, marking a significant step toward its upcoming manned flight in the spring. The test was carried out last Sunday with only dummies on board. The Crew Dragon capsule jetted away from its Falcon 9 rocket within the expected time after lift-off before splashing down in the Atlantic Ocean.

"Science Saturday" is part of CGTN's science and technology series "Tech It Out." The segment brings you the latest news about innovations and technological breakthroughs in the past two weeks from across the world.