Scientists in Israel have "developed a way to control the growth pattern of neurons to build reliable circuits that use neurons rather than wires." This brings us closer to several major scientiffic advancements.

One major advancement is direct neural interfaces for prosthetic limbs and other assistive devices. Since the human interface has been one of the most limiting factors in cybernetic hands, for example, this technology could lead the way to creating more natural and life-like replacements for people who have lost limbs or were born without them.

The other major advancement is neural computing in general. By creating a logic gate with neurons, these engineers have started the process of creating biological replacements for the transistors that have been at the core of every electronic gadget made in the last 40 years or so. The only real problem with the path they're taking is that the brain, the closest biological analog to neural computing, doesn't have anything that looks like an AND gate. So, while this is a great step forward, it feels like using a bicycle pump to open a beer bottle. It's functional, but not necessarily optimal.

Anyway, read the article at New Scientist. It's short and informative and therefore perfect for people like me.

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