Posted on 07/15/2022 4:17:40 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
Shock absorption would make them less efficient peckers, study argues
Scientists have long hypothesized that a spongy bone in the woodpecker’s skull cushions its repeated head slams like a well-designed safety helmet. (Indeed, engineers have modeled football helmets and shock-absorbing electronics after this idea.) But a new analysis shows the birds may be opting for power over protection.
...But woodpeckers, despite smacking with accelerations three times the human concussion threshold, seem to escape unharmed, says Sam Van Wassenbergh, a biomechanist at the University of Antwerp and lead author on the study. This impressive resilience led previous researchers to search for a specialized structure protecting the birds. Some hypothesized its spongy skull bone could act as an airbag, whereas others proposed its elongated tongue could be a seatbelt for the brain.
They should be banging their heads against some hard object near them; all they’re getting is whiplash.
—”The article seems to say that if woodpeckers did employ some sort of shock-absorbing technique,”
A few years back an evil car ran over me on my bicycle.
When I awoke two weeks later the neurosurgeon explained contrecoup and other fun bits.
Not so much as a mark on my helmet, but my head was like a dropped egg. And I had always been so proud of my nice hard Scottish skull!
The many compliments about my hard head; flattery and nothing more.
Also, a type of hammer known as a dead blow hammer is filled with shot that impacts slightly after the initial hit adding to the total force.
Re: 14 - they are not a focal species that I study but am amazed by woodpeckers. I think you are correct - the hyoid bone is an important factor in the ability to protect their brain from injury.
And yes, I am being sarcastic for those who can't see that fact.
Funny how the article goes from “according to popular belief” to “scientists hypothesized”. Presumably only those scientists involved in woodpecker science. Not, say, nuclear scientists.
I doubt that there are any truly “popular” beliefs about much of anything related to woodpeckers.
1. How about those in the White House?
The headline is erroneous. According to the researchers, the size and the orientation do protect the birds brain from damage. So the birds do protect their brains. My GUESS is the absorption of energy from the shock is through other energy dissapating mechanisms....like the way the skull and brain are constructed(both material and energy dissapating mechanisms.
What would the woodpecker peck if the woodpecker couldn’t peck wood?
Maybe they’re faking it.
—”Maybe they’re faking it.”
YES! The old workers’ comp scam!!!
I bet you are.
Funny!
LOL!
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