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May 22, 2024 • 4 min read

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FDA Approves Second Neuralink
Scientists Discover Hidden Nile River Branch

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FDA Approves Socond Neuralink:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a proposal by Elon Musk’s Neuralink to proceed with a second human implant of its brain chip. This follows a first trial where issues arose, leading to the company's development of modifications to improve the device's stability and functionality. These modifications involve implanting the device's ultrathin wires deeper within the brain's motor cortex, moving from the initial three-to-five millimeters to eight millimeters.
Neuralink’s first test participant, Noland Arbaugh, has shared his experiences of significant highs and lows with the device. Initially, the implant enabled him, a quadriplegic, to operate a computer cursor via thought alone, dramatically enhancing his interaction with technology. However, the device's functionality declined when most of the threads dislodged, reducing his ability to control the cursor. Despite this setback, Arbaugh noted that about 15% of the threads remain effectively in place, and subsequent software updates restored much of the device’s functionality.
Looking forward, Neuralink plans to implant its brain chip in 10 individuals within the year as part of a broader study to assess the technology across different behaviors. Currently, the company is addressing the demographic skew of its patient registry, which predominantly consists of white males, and is accepting further applications. Neuralink also anticipates expanding its trials to include participants from Canada and Britain, pending regulatory approval.

Scientists Discover Hidden Nile River Branch:

Scientists have made a new discovery, uncovering a hidden branch of the Nile River that once ran near more than 30 pyramids in Egypt, potentially clarifying how ancient Egyptians transported the massive stones used in their construction. This 40-mile-long river branch, lying dormant beneath desert and farmland, was identified using radar satellite imagery that can penetrate sand and reveal buried geological features.
The study, published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, explains that the river's proximity to the Giza pyramid complex and other sites suggests it played a crucial role in the logistics of pyramid construction. The findings were validated by field surveys and sediment cores from the site, suggesting the river was active between 4,700 and 3,700 years ago, aligning with the era when these monumental structures were built.
Historically, the presence of a waterway near the pyramids had been hypothesized but remained unconfirmed in terms of its exact location and scale. This ancient river likely facilitated the transport of heavy materials and laborers essential for the pyramids' construction, significantly easing the movement of stones sourced from the south.
Archaeological insights suggest that the river's banks were integral to the pharaohs' funeral rites, possibly serving as arrival points for funeral entourages before proceeding to the pyramids for burial. Over time, shifting river courses and volumes may have influenced the siting of pyramids by different dynastic rulers, reflecting adaptive strategies in response to environmental changes. The study sheds light on the complex interplay between geography, climate, and human activity in one of history's greatest architectural feats.

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