science π¦· Narwhal tusk hides a secret double spiral structure
Scientists discovered a surprising second spiral inside a narwhal's tusk, which initially led the research team to doubt the data. This complex structure, found in tusks analyzed by an international team, involves an outer left-hand spiral and an inner right-hand spiral. The study, published in Nature Communications in August 2026, used advanced 3D X-ray imaging on tusks from Greenlandic Inuit hunters. This dual-spiral design provides optimal flexibility and strength, similar to wind turbine towers. Researchers now aim to pinpoint how this architecture develops within the animal's skull. π²