Polar bear fur could hold the secret to replacing ‘forever chemicals’
Now, researchers have discovered the bears have another unexpected Arctic adaptation: greasy fur. It’s a trait that, surprisingly, might help us find alternatives to “forever chemicals,” a class of widely used compounds that are linked to a range of health problems in people.
Scientists just figured out how polar bear fur repels ice no matter how cold it is
Discover the amazing properties of polar bear fur that repel ice and prevent ice buildup. Learn how their specialized hair grease keeps them warm in freezing Arctic waters.
Why polar bear fur doesn't freeze
New research finds that grease that coats polar bear fur contains a specialized mixture of chemicals that make it resistant to freezing.
Polar Bear Fur's Natural Oil Prevents Ice Build-Up, Study Finds
New research reveals that polar bears use more than just thick fur to survive the Arctic—they also have a natural oil that stops ice from sticking.
Oily polar bear hair won't ice up thanks to special sebum
You have something in common with polar bears. Polar bears and humans produce sebum. It's an oily substance that comes from our hair glands. In humans, sebum helps protect your skin from irritation, infections and even helps regulate your body temperature.
Here's how Polar Bear's thrive in freezing Arctic Water
Polar bears thrive in the harsh Arctic due to unique adaptations. Scientists discovered their greasy fur prevents ice from sticking, helping them stay warm. A study analyzed the chemical makeup of their hair,
Popular Science9d
How do polar bears keep ice off their fur? Grease.
Polar bears need all the help they can get to survive their frosty Arctic environment. One of their biggest survival secrets appears to be greasy hair. The sebum–or hair grease–on their fur ...
The Independent8d
Polar bears are greasier than you think. Here's why
“Unwashed, greasy hair made it much harder for ice to stick. In contrast, when the polar bear fur was washed and the grease largely removed it performed similarly to human hair, to which ice ...
The Engineer7d
Polar bear fur could be key to advances in anti-icing solutions
Polar bears have black skin. The polar bear’s fur is also translucent, and only appears white because it reflects visible light - AdobeStock The international study found that a unique mix ...
New Scientist9d
How polar bears stop ice from freezing on their fur
Bodil Holst at the University of Bergen in Norway and her colleagues have shown that the ice resistance of polar bear fur is due to natural oils secreted onto the hairs, rather than a property ...
Smithsonian Magazine7d
How Do Polar Bears Keep Ice Off Their Fur? New Study Reveals the Secret—and It Could Improve Technology
Senior author Bodil Holst, a physicist at the University of Bergen in Norway, was inspired to investigate polar bear fur after watching a TV quiz program, she tells Michael Le Page at New ...
Yahoo6d
Scientists Know How Polar Bears' Fur Repels Snow and Ice
The animals spend their lives in cold climates, sometimes rolling around in snow, but walking away without any of it clinging to their fur. After researching, scientists found that a polar ...