A paralyzed man with a tiny sensor implanted in his brain has been able to open e-mail and move a robotic hand simply by thinking about it. The man said that learning to be able to control the devices using the sensor took only a few days. Researchers have also been able to teach monkeys to operate robotic arms using neural signals. Join Joe Palca in this hour of Science Friday for a look at the latest in efforts to harness computer power to help paralyzed people.

Plus, a plan to preserve dying languages before they disappear entirely. The National Science Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, and Smithsonian institution are planning approximately $2 million in funding to fight the 'imminent death of an estimated half of the 6000-7000 currently used human languages.' We'll find out why, and what form some of the research may take. Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (2-3 Eastern). Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Guests:
John Donoghue
Chief Scientific Officer
Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems
Wriston Professor, Department of Neuroscience
Director, Brain Science Program
Brown University
Providence, Rhode Island

Krishna Shenoy
Head, Neural Prosthetic Systems Laboratory
Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering & Neurosciences Program
Paul G. Allen Center for Integrated Systems
Stanford University
Stanford, California

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D. Terence Langendoen
Director, Cyberinfrastructure
Co-Director, Linguistics Program
Division of Behavioral & Cognitive Sciences
National Science Foundation
Arlington Virginia

Books/Articles Discussed:

A high-performance brain–computer interface: Nature 442, 195-198(13 July 2006)

Neuronal ensemble control of prosthetic devices by a human with tetraplegia: Nature 442, 164-171(13 July 2006)

(find books discussed on previous broadcasts)

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This segment produced by Karin Vergoth