Huh; not an antidote for poison, but all those nerve endings might be Uplifted to have some cool abilities like touch telepathy, or healing of mental illness...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10456798/ ...After four trips to the Canadian High Arctic to study these whales, Martin Nweeia of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine has discovered that the narwhal's tooth, while seemingly rigid and hard, has remarkable sensor capabilities. With ten million tiny nerve connections tunneling from the central nerve of the tusk to its outer surface, the thing is like a membrane with an extremely sensitive surface and can detect changes in water temperature, pressure, and particle gradients. Because these whales can detect particle gradients in water, they can discern the salinity of the water, which could help them survive in their Arctic ice environment. They can also detect water particles that hint at the fish that make up their diet... ...The findings point to a new direction of scientific investigation. The tusk is also sensitive to touch, and narwhals are known for their "tusking" behavior, when males rub tusks with each other. Because of the tactile sensory ability of the tusk surface, the whales are likely experiencing a unique sensation... ...Because of their physical structure, the tusks are both strong and flexible—an eight-foot-long tusk can yield one foot in any direction without breaking. For this reason, researchers are currently investigating narwhal tusks for practical insight into ways of improving restorative dental materials. Debbi who hasn't caught up on any listmail to speak of, but will try (no breath-holding!) "soon" ____________________________________________________________________________________ Shape Yahoo! in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel today! http://surveylink.yahoo.com/gmrs/yahoo_panel_invite.asp?a=7 _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
