Woodpecker 'holds secrets to protecting against brain injury'RSS Feed

The structure of a woodpecker's head could hold the secret to creating better helmets to prevent brain injury, scientists have said.

Researchers uncovered some parts of the woodpecker's anatomy which could potentially be used to design more effective headgear, they report in a paper in journal PLoS ONE.

Woodpeckers peck at trees at a high speed but do not sustain brain injury. To investifate this researchers recorded the behaviour using two synchronous high-speed cameras and took scans of the bids' heads.

They then built 3D models that allowed for further testing and measurement.

It was found that specific details of the cranial bones and beak were crucial to protect against injury upon impact.

This follows news that researchers investigated a new series of adult football helmets designed to cut the risk of concussion during play.

One of the helmets was awarded five stars by Virginia Tech scientists, while five others were deemed to be 'very good', with a four star rating.

Serious Law, award winning brain injury law firm

Posted by Matthew Heap
 

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