Stretching a Bit of Saliva (IMAGE) Purdue University Caption Stretching a bit of saliva between the thumb and forefinger demonstrates a long-mysterious phenomenon that causes some fluids containing long molecules called polymers to form beads, while others do not. Now engineers and scientists at Purdue University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Rice University have solved the riddle. The findings could have many applications in industry and medicine. Credit Gareth H. McKinley/MIT Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.