Secret bones of woodpecker heads

Researching the head bones of woodpeckers can help scientists build helmets that protect the brain from serious injury.

Research results on woodpeckers show that despite the unique hunting habit, this bird has no nerve damage or serious injury. When using sharp beaks to tap continuously at a fast pace on the trunk, the woodpecker suffered at the same time tremendous pressure on the head - the pressure could cause people to die. But in fact this bird is still unharmed. That's why experts study how woodpeckers are protected from harmful effects during the trunk operation, hoping to find new approaches to prevent and treat head injuries. people.

Head injury is one of the major causes of death worldwide. Estimates of brain damage account for up to 15% of deaths and disabilities. These injuries may occur under the influence or sudden change in the speed of the head. Even so, the law that applies to humans does not seem to have any impact on woodpeckers, regardless of how often they use a beak to cut the trunk at speeds of 6-10m / sec, and sometimes produce force pressed to 1,000G.

Experts from Beijing Aviation University and Hong Kong Polytechnic University have chosen to study the woodpecker species that inhabit the Eurasian continent and are the most popular species in the UK. Research results published in scientific journal PLoS ONE show that these birds are equipped with complex shock reduction systems inside the skull. The researchers used high-speed camcorders and performed brain scanning of woodpeckers to determine the structure of the skull. They found that the structure of the head bone and mine plays an essential role in reducing the impact of the collision. And this shockproof system is not based on a single factor but the result of a combination of different morphological characteristics.

After research, experts say it is possible to apply this discovery in the design of new generation helmets to minimize the impact of deadly collisions on the human brain.