The team of researchers at UCSD’s Institute for Nonlinear Science (INLS) led by Henry Abarbanel, professor of physics, Misha Rabinovich at INLS and Allen Selverston, professor emeritus of biology, has successfully integrated an electronic neuron within a group of 14 biological neurons from the California spiny lobster. The artificial neuron was accepted by the real ones and its signaling rhythm fell into place with the other cells.
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The finding comes after two years of research, using $7.50 worth of circuit parts from a Radio Shack store and dozens of spiny lobsters from La Jolla Cove purchased from a local fisherman.
It is the first time that researchers have been able to get artificial and biological neurons to function together in a network family. In their normal function, the 14 neurons control the rhythmic way food is passed from the stomach to the lobster’s digestive system.
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The next step is to gradually replace each of the neurons with electronic ones.
I wonder if there is how the Cylons got started.
Unlike a long line of other leaders who paid some kind of homage to Arafat’s grave at the entrance to the Mukata, when visiting PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), [US Secretary of State Condoleeza] Rice’s car simply pulled into the compound, passed the grave and Rice got out and walked into the building.
On the way out, she also made no acknowledgment of the grave, unlike other leaders, like EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana who laid a wreath or British Prime Minister Tony Blair who walked by and nodded.
While emitting various bodily fluids on the grave might seem more appropriate, complete indifference is probably the most insulting thing she could do.