Meet the bird that can kill with a kick and it's closely related to dinosaurs
Imagine being on a tour to
northern Australia
or New Guinea and while walking through the dense, humid rainforests you find yourself at the crossroads amid sudden rustle of leaves and next you catch a glimpse of a tall bird with electric-blue skin, fiery red wattles, and jet-black feathers.
This might be one of the most scary experiences of your life and might seem to be a scene from a lost world, but this was the most dangerous bird that stood your way.
The bird is so ancient-looking, that it seems to be picked up from the pages of prehistory and is often called a 'living dinosaur'. Apart from that it is also known to be one of the most fearsome survivors of the world.
The most dangerous bird!
Cassowaries are known as the most dangerous bird in the world, not because they feed on human veins but because their powerful kicks are sufficient to put a man downl. While the title may sound exaggerated, that is only until one learns of its weapon-like claws, bursts of explosive speed, and capacity to defend itself with killing force. In fact, the bird's lineage traces directly back to the age of dinosaurs, and its features and behaviors seem similar to that of the primeval past.
Where are Cassowaries found?
Cassowaries are flightless birds that are native to Northern Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands. Despite their shy nature, cassowaries are known to be the most lethal birds on Earth, largely due to their huge size, strength, and defensive instincts. While they rarely attack unprovoked, the damage they can do is no joke. In 2019, a tragic incident in Florida showed their potential danger when a
cassowary
fatally injured its keeper at a private bird collection.
What makes them dangerous birds?
Standing up to six feet tall and weighing as much as 160 pounds, the Southern Cassowary is the largest of its kind. These powerful birds are not only fast, in fact they are capable of sprinting up to 31 miles per hour and can also leap 7 feet into the air and swim with ease. But what truly makes them formidable are their legs, which are 'used for delivering strong kicks,' and their 4-inch, dagger-like claws that can 'slice and puncture any animal that is a threat, including humans' , according to Unsplash.com.
Cassowaries mainly feed on fallen rainforest fruit but are known to eat insects, fungi, and even carrion. Interestingly, they have a unique method of fishing, which is sitting in streams and spreading their feathers to trap fish.
Beyond their physical power, cassowaries play an important ecological and cultural role. Indigenous Australian groups often include cassowaries in traditional ceremonies and Dreamtime stories, and now are also a part in conservation efforts using both ancestral knowledge and science.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
12 hours ago
- Hans India
Researchers develop brain training game for chronic nerve pain
New Delhi: Australian researchers have developed a new interactive game, showing early promise as a non-invasive, drug-free alternative for managing chronic nerve pain. The project, called PainWaive, trains users to regulate abnormal brain activity linked to neuropathic pain, Xinhua news agency reported. Developed by researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), the game uses a headset to monitor brainwaves in real time while players engage with a mobile game that rewards healthy brainwave patterns, offering a potential home-based replacement for painkillers such as opioids. Three out of four participants reported significant pain reduction after four weeks of use in a recent trial. Their relief was comparable to or greater than what is typically achieved with opioid medication, the team found. The game is based on disrupted brainwave activity in people with nerve pain, particularly changes in the thalamus -- a key relay centre in the brain. The technology helps users retrain abnormal brain activity using mental strategies like relaxation or positive imagery, said Sylvia Gustin, professor at UNSW. The findings are published in the Journal of Pain. 'Participants felt empowered to manage their pain in their own environment. That's a huge part of what makes this special,' said Dr Negin Hesam-Shariati from UNSW's NeuroRecovery Research Hub. Participants used a low-cost EEG (electroencephalogram) headset and tablet-based game at home, with remote monitoring by researchers. Designed using 3D printing and open-source parts, the headset costs around $193.7, far cheaper than commercial systems, and uses wet electrodes to target the brain's sensorimotor cortex for accurate pain-related readings, PainWaive's design prioritises accessibility for those with limited access to conventional treatments, Gustin said. She added that recruitment is underway for two larger trials targeting chronic spinal pain and neuropathic pain from spinal cord injuries.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Is there a link between Vitamin D deficiency and heart attacks?
Recent studies explore the connection between vitamin D deficiency and heart attacks, revealing inconsistent findings. An Australian trial indicated that vitamin D supplementation might lower the risk of major cardiovascular events, particularly heart attacks and coronary revascularization. However, other research, including a Michigan State University study, found no significant reduction in cardiovascular disease risk with vitamin D supplements. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are on the rise across the globe. According to the World Health Organization, CVDs are the leading cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year. Researchers are looking at the factors that contribute to CVDs, especially heart attacks, and its link with Vitamin D deficiency has been gaining popularity of late. Is there a link between vitamin D deficiency and heart attacks? Let's take a look. What is vitamin D Vitamin D, also known as the 'sunshine vitamin', is a fat-soluble nutrient essential for maintaining healthy bones, supporting immune function, and promoting overall well-being. The body produces it when exposed to sunlight, and it's also found in certain foods and supplements. People in developed nations may have insufficient levels, particularly those with limited sun exposure or darker skin tones. Link between vitamin D deficiency and heart attacks Multiple studies have identified an association between low vitamin D levels and cardiovascular issues, including sudden heart attacks. Though observational studies have consistently shown a link between vitamin D levels and CVD risk, randomised controlled trials have found no evidence that vitamin D supplements prevent cardiovascular events. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo To see if there is a link, the Australian researchers conducted a Trial (2014–2020) in older adults. The 2023 study involved 21,315 participants aged 60–84, who were randomly assigned to receive either 60,000 IU of vitamin D or a placebo monthly for up to five years. The researchers also collected data on hospital admissions and deaths to identify major cardiovascular events, including heart attacks, strokes, and coronary revascularisation (treatment to restore normal blood flow to the heart). During the trial, most participants (80%) took their tablets regularly over five years. The researchers found that those who received vitamin D had a 9% lower rate of major heart-related events compared to the placebo group. The rate of heart attack was 19% lower and the rate of coronary revascularization was 11% lower in the vitamin D group, but there was no difference in the rate of stroke between the two groups. The findings suggested that vitamin D supplementation may reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events. 'This protective effect could be more marked in those taking statins or other cardiovascular drugs at baseline,' the researchers said. Representative image. Another 2021 study found that vitamin D supplementation lowered the risk of heart disease in people with dark skin. Though most of the darkly pigmented people are at greater risk of vitamin D deficiency, especially in areas with less sun exposure, supplementation drastically reduces the risk of blood vessel dysfunction, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. "Vitamin D supplementation is a simple and safe strategy to ensure vitamin D sufficiency. Our findings suggest that promoting adequate vitamin D status in young, otherwise healthy adults may improve nitric oxide availability and blood vessel function, and thereby serve as a prophylactic to reduce the risk of future development of hypertension or cardiovascular disease," the researcher said. Easy ways to increase your Vitamin D intake A 2019 Michigan State University study found that taking vitamin D supplements did not really reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The large-scale study noted that vitamin D supplements did not decrease the incidence of heart attacks, strokes, or other major adverse cardiovascular events. "We thought it would show some benefit. It didn't show even a small benefit. This was surprising," the researchers said. They also suggested thinking twice before taking vitamin D to reduce the risk of a heart attack or other cardiovascular issues. "We don't recommend taking vitamin D to reduce this risk," they said. What you should do The NIH recommends a daily intake of 600 IU of vitamin D (mostly from foods) for people ages 1-70 and 800 IU for adults ages 71 and older. While vitamin D deficiency is linked to cardiovascular diseases, going overboard with supplements is not recommended. Getting too much can lead to adverse effects, including high calcium levels in the blood or kidney stones. To get adequate vitamin D, get incidental sun exposure. Also, eat vitamin D-rich foods, including fatty fish, fortified dairy products and cereals, and certain mushrooms. Also, consult a doctor before taking any supplements. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
News18
3 days ago
- News18
Can This Covid Vaccine Technology Also 'Kick And Kill' HIV?
Last Updated: A team of Australian scientists has developed a novel method to reveal hidden HIV in white blood cells Scientists at Australia's Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne have developed a groundbreaking method to 'wake up" hidden HIV within the human body, a crucial step that could enable their complete removal. And they have used mRNA technology, the same kind used in Pfizer and Moderna's Covid-19 vaccines. Nearly 40 million people are living with HIV worldwide. One of the main challenges in curing the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) lies in its ability to establish latent reservoirs. These are small numbers of infected cells, primarily resting CD4+ T cells, where the virus integrates its genome but remains dormant and invisible to both the immune system and antiretroviral therapies (ART). While ART can suppress the virus to undetectable levels, it cannot eliminate these hidden reservoirs. If treatment stops, the virus can re-emerge and replicate, necessitating lifelong medication for people living with HIV. The Australian team discovered a novel way to deliver 'special instructions" to these hidden, latently infected cells. In a study published in Nature Communications, the researchers demonstrated how they packaged mRNA inside novel, microscopic fat-like bubbles called lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), specifically a new design termed 'LNP X". The key breakthrough was engineering these LNPs to successfully transport the mRNA into the previously hard-to-reach resting CD4+ T cells. Once delivered, the mRNA instructs these cells to 'give up" the dormant virus, forcing it out of hiding and making it visible. This strategy aligns with the long-sought 'kick and kill" approach to HIV cure, where latency-reversing agents 'shock" the virus out of its dormant state, allowing the body's immune system or other therapies to 'kill" the newly exposed infected cells. Dr Paula Cevaal, a research fellow at the Doherty Institute and co-first author, described the initial results as astonishing, requiring repeated experiments to confirm their accuracy. 'We were overwhelmed by how big the difference was," she noted, emphasising the unprecedented success in revealing the hidden virus. While the research is currently laboratory-based and conducted on cells donated by HIV patients, this innovative method represents a significant step forward. The next crucial phase involves preclinical testing in animal models, followed by human trials to assess safety and efficacy. First Published: June 07, 2025, 04:36 IST
