This year BrainGate became the first brain-machine implant government-approved for clinical testing in humans. The 16-square-millimeter silicon wafer is by far the most advanced device designed to help patients with total paralysis, enabling them to control a computer cursor using their thoughts alone. When implanted onto the brain’s motor cortex—the region that controls motion—the chip intercepts electrical nerve signals intended for the spinal cord and reroutes them to a computer, which translates the data into specific cursor commands. The able-bodied stand to benefit too: Implanted chips may one day control common household electronics such as TVs, lights and robotic vacuum cleaners.

Victoria Day in Canada, May 23. We trotted out the Queen at the Stadium here in Edmonton. Green Day on Thursday was awesome! Billy Joe Armstrong rules Punk Rock for ever! I named my fighting fish after him. New iPod is incredible. So that's what the fuss is about.