   wow, brain interface directly to fiber optics
  Well, almost.neurons can be made sensitive to light, then controlled opticallyThat is really amazing. Researchers could make group of neurons sensitive to blue light by infecting them with special virus (which changes genetic material in live neuron), then use such crude retina for interfacing to the brain. AFAIK it is also possible to make neurons bioluminescent (make light when them fire), for complete two-way optical brain-machine interface. Optical image can be projected with high enough resolution to signal to individual neurons, something that is impossible with electrode arrays; it would perhaps allow blind to use cameras with resolution on par with human eye (rather than 100x100 pixel which is about maximum that has been done with electrode array).   
Don't you know you're going to shock the monkey ...;  Nice. Little by little we're getting there.   ;Quote:Original post by owlNice. Little by little we're getting there.Where, exactly?Ignoring the reporter who likes hype and looking directly at the actual research papers coming from the lab we can get closer to what they've really done.The old research was to install a fancy LED into the creature's brain.  Turns out that by doing some fancy chemistry the creature could identify when it turned on.  Since LEDs are bulky, they tried again by just implanting a fiber cable rather than a big LED.  When the light went on, the animal was trained to do something.  Later they used a multi-colored LED and trained it to do different things based on specific colors.  Amazing, the animal can see a lightbulb inside their brain.  So next they tried it on monkeys.  The several rounds of monkeys died.  Later the monkeys survived the operation, but couldn't see the light.  Finally the scientists found some chemistry that let the monkey see the light and survive.Interesting research, of course, and I'm sure it will maybe possibly be useful to somebody someday for the benefit of humanity.Here's how I'd have written the article:Quote:Geek scientists who like to stick electronics into unsuspecting animals are reporting an advancement today.Previously these nerds have been able to install blinkenlights into the brains of mice and fish, and train the animals to respond to different colors shined into the fiber optic cables.  For the fish, they trained them that when the light turned on they needed to hide or be eaten.  For the mice, trained them to look for food (such as fish with glowing brains) when the light was turned on.  The amazing announcement is that they have successfully installed blinkenlights into a monkey, then trained that monkey to do something unspecified --- perhaps fling poo at an unfortunate lab assistant --- whenever the light was turned on.As human research is prohibited, the scientists are set to begin testing blinkenlight implants in spammers, training them to only send their emails when the light is turned on.  Assuming all goes well, the spammers will then be trained to send different types of email (phishing, enlargements, watches, viagra, and acne medications) by simply varying the color of light.Imagine the joy you will feel someday soon when you get some blinkenlights installed in your own brain.  Imagine the pleasure of partygoers everywhere who can cause you to fling poo or emails at innocent bystanders by turning on a light.  Simply Amazing.What will those pocket-protector-wearing freaks think of next?Or something like that.   I think I'll apply to Wired as a freelance technical journalist.   ;  frob: you're idiot or pretending to? there is obvious important application: camera interface for blind; current methods (electrode array) allow for like 100x100 pixels at best, while optical system can allow for maximal resolution (a pixel per neuron).   ;Quote:Original post by frobQuote:Original post by owlNice. Little by little we're getting there.Where, exactly?Where nobody has been before.;Quote:Original post by Dmytryfrob: you're idiot or pretending to? there is obvious important application: camera interface for blind; current methods (electrode array) allow for like 100x100 pixels at best, while optical system can allow for maximal resolution (a pixel per neuron).Maybe he just isn't aware that the electrode method actually works, and does allow us to input visual data into a brain?;  everyone brace for borg assimilation[Edited by - Calin on May 1, 2009 5:13:32 AM];Quote:Original post by d000hgMaybe he just isn't aware that the electrode method actually works, and does allow us to input visual data into a brain?"Maybe" I wrote about that in OP?Anyhow, it doesn't take this much of scientific knowledge to refrain from making retarded attempt at joke, does it? Or am I missing some cultural context?(the only funny thing I seen here is irony... a spare-time computer programmer making redneck jokes about bio researchers. Ha ha.)edit: also, what is your point anyway, spoiling my attempt at letting fool attribute idiocy to lack of knowledge?[Edited by - Dmytry on May 1, 2009 6:34:38 AM];  do they attach the fiber to some loose nervs(neurons) or it's the brain area responsible with vision(sight)?   