Scientists "hacked" the brain of a fly and were able to control it remotely

Researchers at Rice University were able to "hack" the brains of fruit flies to make them remotely

manageable. The flies performed a specific action within a second of sending the command to neurons in their brains. Discuss

First scientists genetically modified fliesso that they express a certain thermosensitive ion channel in some neurons. When this channel sensed heat, it fired the neuron. This neuron, for example, caused the fly to spread its wings, which they often do during mating.

Thermal trigger came in the form of nanoparticlesiron oxide injected into the brain of insects. When a magnetic field appeared nearby, these particles would heat up, causing the neurons to fire. The fly took a pose with spread wings. The experiment showed that when the magnetic field was turned on, the insects took the desired position in about half a second.

Why are scientists doing this? Their ultimate goal is to create a method for partially restoring vision in humans. Researchers would like to effectively stimulate the visual cortex.