Polar bear hair research could lead to ski and snowboard technology advancements

A team including Irish researchers has found that greasy hair gives polar bears' fur anti-icing properties

After collecting hair from six polar bears in the wild, scientists homed in on the hair 'sebum' (or grease) as the all-important protectant. Picture: Jenny E Ross.

An international team of scientists has discovered the anti-icing secret of polar bear fur — something that allows one of the planet’s most iconic animals to survive and thrive in one of its most punishing climates.

That secret?