Techyville.com: Paralyzed Rats Can Now Walk

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Scientists are excited about a new breakthrough where paralyzed rats can now walk and even run.  They say that after going through a series of exercises, the rats are standing up, going through mazes and doing things that were difficult to do even before their spinal injuries.  This is a huge breakthrough and something that some expect to change how science works for the rest of us.

A major scientific breakthrough occurred this week, as Swiss scientists were able to teach paralyzed rats how to walk again.  Rats who’d had their spinal cords severed were given a therapy and training that allowed them to not only walk again, but to even sprint and avoid obstacles.

NPR covers the story:

IRA FLATOW, HOST:

This is SCIENCE FRIDAY. I’m Ira Flatow. Journalists should shy away from using the word breakthrough; it is a very rare event. But it’s hard to ignore that word when you hear about this experimental rehab technique used in rats.

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