A company called PhotoThera is testing a laser-based treatment for stroke victims that's designed to stimulate the brain, and help patients recover faster.

The device directs an infrared beam through the scalp, towards several different target areas in the brain. The treatment is supposed to be administered 24 hours after the onset of symptoms, and is believed to promote metabolism in the areas of the brain that receive the infrared tanning session.

So, does it work? We should find out before too long, as PhotoThera is in the midst of a large double-blind clinical trial.—Gregory Mone

Via MedGadget

The Matrix, here we come. Japanese researchers have developed a brain-computer interface that enables a user to control his or her virtual avatar in the popular virtual world, Second Life.

An electrode-equipped headpiece picks up activity in areas of the brain associated with controlling arm and leg movements, then converts this into virtual action. At this point, the movements are pretty simple, but in the future the researchers hope their device will enable users to execute complex gestures and motions via thought alone, and give people with severe physical impairments a chance to freely communicate and even conduct business in the virtual space.—Gregory Mone

Via PinkTentacle