As one can imagine, this isn’t fun at all. In fact, recently, scientists have called for improved safety guidelines and better research into how these electrodes destroy brain cells, as well as how they trigger the brains’ inflammatory immune system response.
Now, researchers from Carnegie Mellon University, funded by the Department of Defense’s research wing, DARPA, may have found a way around this. They’ve developed a flexible, squishy-silicon-based hydrogel that sticks to neural tissue, bringing non-invasive electrodes to the brain’s surface.
This hydrogel, which was tested on a cat’s dorsal root ganglion – a cluster of spinal nerve cells – can conform and adhere to cells. This lets the enclosed electrodes record brain activity without actually exposing the brain to the electrodes.
The researchers are hoping that their work will lead to a new era of safer neural implants, while also giving rise to better, more accurate neural readings that could help us better understand diseases and other brain conditions.
In a press release, Chris Bettinger, a Carnegie Mellon University engineer who worked on the hydrogel said: “Imagine you have a bowl of Jell-O, and you insert a rigid plastic fork into the bowl and move it around.” This is what it’s like when a conventional electrode is inserted into the brain.
While this is an over exaggeration, electrodes do cause a tiny amount of structural damage on their way down through the cortex. While scientists are still split on whether or not the adult human brain can grow new cells, it’s probably best to minimize the number of holes that you drill into it.
Furthermore, the brain knows that electrodes don’t belong there, so it calls on the immune system to fight them off. This leads to the eventual degradation of electrodes, meaning they give off inaccurate cell recordings and hamper neuroscientific research. Since the hydrogel can pass as brain-like, the body is much less likely to try to fight it off.
It’s far too early to say exactly how this new neural implant hydrogel will affect the realm of medical neuroscience, but if human trials work as well as the experiments on cats, then the brain-computer interfaces of the future could become much more seamless and a lot less harmful.
Source: futurism
Images: depositphotos
Myths in Medicine and Health That We MUST Stop Believing
In this video, Dr. Seema Yasmin helps debunk (and confirm) some common myths about medicine and health.
Eye-opening Infographic Reveals What Extends Our Lifespan
This infogprhic sheds light on what truly increases our lifespan and what does the exact opposite
These Non-Routine Medical Tests Could Save Your Life!
Here are 8 non-routine tests that really have the potential to save your life, and some of them even need to be taken as early as 30.
What Drinking Whiskey Actually Does to Your Body
While we now know that whiskey isn't the cure-all medicine people once though it was, it does have a few proven health benefits.
Here’s How You Can Improve Lung Health Post COVID-19
A severe case of COVID-19 can damage one's lungs. You can reduce the resulting lung damage with these tips.
This Is What’s Currently Known About COVID-19 Immunity
We now know for certain that recovering Covid-19 patients possess antibodies for the illness. What does that mean regarding their immunity for reinfection?
Study: Biggest Ocean in the World is.. Underground?
A groundbreaking discovery by researchers reveals an enormous water reservoir deep beneath the Earth's surface.
You Won't Believe That These Things Exist in Japan...
If there's one place on this planet that well and truly at the forefront of modern technology, it has got to be Japan, as these inventions prove...
Can One Photo Really Tell How Good Your Eyesight Is?
Scientists say that this single photograph can tell you whether you have good vision or not. Who can you see in the image?
7 Weird Facts About the Human Voice That Will Surprise You
We bet you didn’t know these peculiar facts about the human voice.
The Future is in Our Hands - Next Generation Technology
These young brilliant minds grind hard at finding and creating solution to waste recycling, and the results are promising.
These Expensive Megaprojects Proved to be a Waste of Time
Not all megaprojects are useful. Here are some worthless ones.
10 Incredible Animal-Inspired Robots
Let's meet some incredibly realistic robotic animals.
19 Things to AVOID to Make Your Phone Live Longer
19 common mistakes we all make, that make our phones age quicker.
Is It 3024 Already?! – 14 Wildly Futuristic Things
These revolutionary ideas are about to change our world.
New Study: There is a Sure Way to Slow Aging
This new study confirms what has long been suspected: The less calories we consume, the slower we age.
Six Inventions Da-Vinci Made Ahead of Their Time
He created and envisioned many inventions that were sometimes even centuries ahead of their time. Was there ever a genius as great as Da-Vinci?
I Never Knew These Stunning Facts About Our Universe
If you thought you understood the universe, you'll be completely floored by this insane facts.
19 Everyday Items That Started as Military Inventions
Look around your home, and you’ll surely find a handful of these items that were originally developed for the armed forces.
Chocolate Exposed! Here's What It Does to Your Brain!
Just what is it that makes chocolate so irresistible to so many people around the world? Find all of the answers in the article.
WATCH: What Is the Fingerprint of God's Creation?
The golden pattern, describes the mathematical code of the universe. Is this the scientific evidence of God's will and plan?
What Does the Appendix Actually DO?
Dr. Berg explains, in this video, all about the appendix and what it actually does in our body.
Visual Illusions: What Color Are These Strawberries?
Tricking our brain into believing that something is one color or shape than another thing is surprisingly easy, but can we explain why?
6 Weird and Creepy Medical Tools of the Past
After seeing these weird and creepy medical devices of the past, you’ll be thankful you live in the 21st century. Take a look for yourself.
Erecting a Behemoth: Installation of an Offshore Oilrig
How do they install an offshore oilrig? This video will show you, step by step, how it is done.
26 Incredible Facts About the Human Mind
The human brain is an interesting and powerful organ, which is why we've gathered 26 interesting facts about exactly how human psychology works.
8 Biggest Mysteries Still Surrounding the Human Body
Although modern science has revealed much about the human body, there are some things that still remain unknown. Here are the 8 biggest mysteries about it.
Incredible Science Breakthroughs That Made News in 2022
Let’s check out some of the most interesting scientific discoveries of 2022.
Scientists Develop Wrap That Determines if Food is Spoiled
Scientists at MIT have developed a biodegradable plastic-like wrap that changes color when food goes bad. Find out more…
Amazing Science: THIS is the True Scale of Our Universe...
Get a sense of the true scale and shape of the universe we've discovered so far.
10 Classic Paradoxes fom Philosophy, Math, and Physics
in every sphere of human knowledge, we’re bound to run into inconsistencies. That’s how fascinating paradoxes like these are born.
24 Confusing Optical Illusions Explained - Fascinating!
How do our eyes fool the brain? Let's find out as a neuroscientist explains the truth behind the most confusing optical illusions.
How to Make Cleansing Hydrogen Water from an Old Battery
Let's embark on this scientific journey to unlock the potential of water and discover the practical uses of hydrogen and oxygen in everyday life.
WHY is Sugar So Devilishy Addictive?
There seems to be a fascinating scientific explanation for why our will power is weak when it comes to sugar!
These Things All Say Something About Your Body Or Mind
There are many things that you can determine about your body and mind just by looking at yourself. Here are 10 things that your body says about you.
16 Surprising Things I Never Knew About Sleeping!
Who knew there was so much we don't know about our most popular activity! Here are 16 facts you may not have known about your sleep.
50 Crazy But True Facts About Dreams You Need to Know
Here are some strange and unusual facts about dreams that will surprise you.
13 Incredible ROOF INNOVATIONS For Your House
Keep the roof of your house safe with these incredibly useful inventions.
How Can You Recognize a Fake Gadget Before Buying It?
More often than not, you're almost unable to recognize them. So, before purchasing the product you want to have, bear in mind the following tips:
Ancient Skull Found In China Unlike Any Human Ever Seen
A newly-discovered skull in China had baffled scientists. This could mean we might have discovered an entirely new species of humans.
Revealed! This Is How Far We Have Sent Crafts into Space!
Ever wondered just how far humans have sent spacecrafts into space? If the answer is yes, then this video is just what you've been looking for.
NASA's Plan to Colonize the Moon by 2026
NASA has a Moon colonization plan that involves utilizing 3D printers to construct an entire space station by 2026. Here's what it will look like.
Toilets: The Greatest Medical Advancement in Human History
While toilets make some people laugh, they are actually a deadly serious medical advancement. This video explains what toilets mean to civilization.
6 Signs That Someone is Listening on Your Cellphone Calls!
With technology advancing all the time, there is the ever-increasing chance of our phones being tapped. Here are 6 signs that your phone could be tapped.
9 Women Inventors Who Have Been Overlooked by History
History has overlooked many great women inventors. Here’s your chance to get to know a few of them.
The McGurk Effect - Don't Believe Your Eyes!
What we hear can be affected by what we see...
The Psychology Behind Why Some People Are Habitually Late
Now we finally know why some people are habitually late.