Quadriplegic Man Controls Robot With Mind. Source: Forbes.com

News of a miraculous advancement in robotic medicine broke today and the story is truly amazing to hear. A quadriplegic man, Tim Hemmes, has finally regained the ability to function somewhat thanks to a robotic arm that he can control with his mind. Hemmes became paralyzed and quadriplegic seven years ago following a horrific motorcycle accident and thanks to the amazing advancement in medicine he can now control a robotic arm through electrodes placed in his mind.

The concept is not new, but it is the first time such an extreme case has been successful. Thanks to funding from Johns Hopkins University and Pittsburg Medical Center Hemmes was able to undergo the experimental and cutting edge surgery to implant electrodes into his brain just a few weeks ago. These electrodes are what make it completely possible for Hemmes to control the robotic arm.

After receiving the implants Hemmes went through extensive training to learn how to control the robotic arm as well as movements on a computer. As he advanced through training Hemmes eventually gained nearly complete control of the arm which essentially made it possible for him to reach out and touch someone. That is exactly what he did, for the first time in seven years Tim Hemmes reached out and took hold of his girlfriends hand, all without any help or support from anyone else. This is truly a miraculous and amazing story that shows how far medicine and robotic technologies are advancing.

About 4 years ago Egypt closed their borders with the Gaza strip to nearly all citizens and other traffic due to the political unrest in the area. Today however, 4 years later, that border crossing has once again reopened and with it hope has flooded back into the hearts of many in the area.

According to analysts in the area many citizens on both sides of the border were affected greatly by the strong blockade which prevented nearly all traffic from crossing between the two areas. Groups of fully packed busses crossed from both sides of the border to reunite families and friends that may have not seen each other since the border restrictions were put in place.

According to many on the Palestinian side the border reopening is a very big deal for them simply because it opens up a whole new trade market as well as much improved healthcare. Prior to the travel ban many Palestinians traveled to Egypt for medical treatments and many have already been transported to Egypt following the revocation of the travel ban.

Overall political analysts in the area say it is a good sign that the border between Egypt and Gaza has reopened although it is not the end of the story in the area. Political unrest and fighting are still continuing in much of the area and unless more is done analysts say that there will likely not be any sort of resolution anytime soon.