Inspired by cicada wings, researchers study the insects' antimicrobial properties to develop antibacterial surfaces

Trillions of periodical cicadas—several species of the genus Magicicada that emerge every 13 or 17 years—broke soil across the Eastern U.S. this summer. News outlets likened the event to Armageddon, an apocalypse or an invasion. But what about using words like mesmerizing? Mysterious? Magical?