Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Think You're Pretty Hot? You're Probably Wrong Study finds we have inflated vision of ourselves »

Hippo Sweat Key to Phat Sunscreen

Researchers aim to harness properties of hippo secretions for human use

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 17, 2009 3:02 AM CDT

(Newser) – Scientists puzzling over how hippos can loll around in the sun all day without getting burned believe they may have hit upon the next big thing in sunscreen, Discovery News reports. The animals secrete a substance that protects them from burns by scattering light. Researchers hope to someday recreate the important properties of hippo sweat in a product humans can take to the beach.

"It would be nice to also try and replicate the antiseptic and insect-repellent characteristics of the sweat, to obtain a four-in-one product," said one of the researchers. "Just so long as the stuff doesn't smell like hippo."

Scientists say hippo sweat has both sun-blocking and sun-screening properties.
Scientists say hippo sweat has both sun-blocking and sun-screening properties.   (©tomsaint11)
Hippos loll on the beach, secreting a substance that protects them from sunburns by scattering light.
Hippos loll on the beach, secreting a substance that protects them from sunburns by scattering light.   (©Chadica)
Biomimicry professionals aim to use the molecular properties of hippo secretions to create a sunscreen for human use.
Biomimicry professionals aim to use the molecular properties of hippo secretions to create a sunscreen for human use.   (©NileGuide.com)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Nature is full of solutions to our technical problems. We just have to figure out how to look in the right place, and ask the right questions.
- Christopher Viney, biomimicry researcher at the University of California, Merced

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne