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Why does a narwhal’s tusk twist and what’s it made of?
- An international research team led by chemist Henrik Birkedal of Aarhus University in Denmark published findings in Nature Communications revealing that narwhal tusks possess a double-helix structure of mineralized collagen providing exceptional strength.
- Despite growing over 6.6 feet long, narwhal tusk formation eluded scientists for decades; researchers previously understood the left-handed spiral shape but lacked knowledge of the interior molecular structure at atomic scales.
- Using particle accelerator X-ray sources at synchrotrons in Sweden, Switzerland, and France, the team mapped the tusk's interior, discovering the outer cementum layer forms a left-handed helix while the inner dentine layer forms a right-handed helix.
- The opposing double-helix structure makes tusks more stable against bending and twisting than single-spiral designs, with flexible fibers and stiff mineral matrix working together—insights that could help materials scientists design advanced materials for construction and medicine.
- Birkedal said researchers are working to analyze annual growth layer patterns to "map the life history of a narwhal through its tusk and thereby gain insights into living conditions for the whales in the arctic." Since narwhals live up to 80 years, their tusks form a historical record.
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58 Articles
58 Articles
Scientists have pierced the mystery of the narwhal tooth, whose unique form has been fascinating for centuries.
·Montreal, Canada
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Danish researchers have found a possible explanation for why the narwhal's long tooth both grows straight and twists around its own axis.
·Copenhagen, Denmark
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The secret of the "sea horns": For the first time, researchers look into the interior of a narwal toss tooth.
·Zürich, Switzerland
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources58
Leaning Left15Leaning Right11Center25Last UpdatedBias Distribution49% Center
Bias Distribution
- 49% of the sources are Center
49% Center
L 29%
C 49%
R 22%
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