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Monkey brain experiment could help paralysed people
Scientists have used brain scans from one monkey to control another in an experiment which could eventually help people with paralysis.
Scientists have used brain scans from one monkey to control another in an experiment which could eventually help people with paralysis.

Scientists "advance possibility of reconstructing limb movement"

Scientists in the US, say they have managed to uses the brain of one monkey, to control movement in another sedated monkey, as part of an experiment that could help paralysed people.

Injury to the central nervous system can result in paralysis.

Harvard Medical School scientists used brain scans to read thought patterns in a "master" monkey which were then used to electrically stimulate the spinal cord of the sedated money, who was holding a joy stick.

"These findings advance the future possibility of reconstructing limb movement in paralysed subjects," said the scientific team.

The findings have been published in Nature Communications. 

Image by CopyrightFreePhotos.HQ101.com

 

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.