Polar bears' greasy fur oil helps them repel ... wonder what was so special about polar bear grease, said Carolan, so they brought in experts in oil and fat and got new samples of polar bear ...

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 Scientist.

Polar hair hair oil has natural non-stick qualities that help these animals from getting stuck on ice, says PhD candidate Julian Carolan. (© Kieran McIver / Polar Bears International) Polar bears' ...

Kieran McIver / Polar Bears International) Polar bears' greasy fur oil helps ... so special about polar bear grease, said Carolan, so they brought in experts in oil and fat and got new samples ...