Tue Oct 07 13:37:47 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

This article from *The Hindu* explores the fascinating adaptations of woodpeckers that allow them to repeatedly peck wood without injury. It details how their unique gene expression uses pecking for communication, much like songbirds use song. The article also highlights the woodpecker’s extraordinary tongue, which is not only used for extracting insects but also wraps around the skull to cushion the brain during pecking. Finally, it discusses how the woodpecker’s shock-absorbing skull structure has inspired innovations like the “Kranium” bike helmet, designed to better protect cyclists from head injuries.

**News Article:**

**Woodpeckers: Nature’s Shock Absorbers Inspire Cutting-Edge Safety Technology**

*The Hindu, October 7, 2025* – Scientists and engineers are increasingly looking to nature for innovative solutions, and one bird, the woodpecker, is proving to be a particularly valuable source of inspiration. A new article in *The Hindu* delves into the incredible anatomical adaptations that allow these birds to withstand the repeated impact of pecking wood at high speeds.

The article highlights the woodpecker’s unique gene expression, which uses the rhythmic drumming of wood for communication, similar to how songbirds use song. But beyond communication, the woodpecker’s skull and tongue are the key to its survival.

“The woodpecker’s tongue is a marvel of natural engineering,” explains the article. This incredibly long and sticky tongue not only helps the bird extract insects from deep within trees, but also acts as a built-in shock absorber. By wrapping around the skull, the tongue cushions the brain during the repeated impacts of pecking. Furthermore, soft bones in the skull help dissipate the force of each blow.

This natural shock-absorbing mechanism has inspired innovators like Anirudha Surabhi, creator of the “Kranium” bike helmet. Surabhi, a former design student, was inspired after suffering a concussion while wearing a conventional helmet. He set out to create a helmet that could better protect cyclists from head injuries by mimicking the woodpecker’s skull.

“The woodpecker is nature’s inspirational living creation that showcases the science of cushioning impact,” the article states. The “Kranium” helmet and other potential innovations inspired by the woodpecker demonstrate how studying the natural world can lead to advancements in safety and technology.

The full article is available on *The Hindu* website.

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