The bionic human is nearly a reality. In recent years, scientists have been able to develop everything from bionic eyes to bionic hands. Yet these machines are still largely dependent on the existing human structures to which they connect. If a person’s nerve endings are damaged, for instance, the usefulness of these machines becomes limited. Scientists might soon be able to overcome these obstacles, however, as researchers were able to use an implant to deliver gene therapy to the auditory portion of a guinea pig’s ear — a treatment that not only caused the animal’s auditory nerves to regrow, but improved the human-machine interface in the process.
via The Verge
Image: UNSW / J. Pinyon & G. Housley
