Japanese spider socks for toe-wriggling pleasure

TOKYO (Reuters Life!) - It might be just the thing to ease your arachnophobia: Japanese researchers have created a pair of comfortable yet durable socks from spider thread and silk.

"By genetically modifying silkworms, I thought it might be possible to create good spider silk," said Masao Nakagaki, a professor at Shinshu University in central Japan who developed the fiber after 10 years of research.

"I think it is better for the environment to replace artificial fibers that use up precious oil with natural recyclable fibers," he told Reuters on Monday.

Nakagaki succeeded in creating spider silk consisting of 10 percent spider proteins and 90 percent silk by injecting genes from a golden orb weaving spider into silkworms.

Spiders produce at least seven different types of thread, ranging from tough ones that hold up the web to elastic ones encircling it.

Experts say these threads are stronger than steel and lighter than existing artificial fibers such as Kevlar, used for bullet-proof vests. But spider fibers are difficult to mass-produce due to the limited amount that spiders can make.

The developers of the spider socks aim to revitalize both the wearers' feet with possible anti-ageing effects and Japan's waning silk and socks industry.

"These Japanese industries have sunk, overwhelmed by Chinese manufacturers. We want to distinguish ourselves with our unique efforts," Yoshiyuki Ueda of Okamoto Corp said, adding customers can expect to find their dream socks in stores around 2010.

(Reporting by Yoko Kubota, editing by Miral Fahmy)