Tech

Paralysed man with severed spice walks again

Published

12 months ago

February 8, 2022

ticker NEWS, Brittany Coles

It’s a world-first: A paralysed man, Michel Roccati, with a severed spinal cord has taken his first steps in years

In 2017 Roccati became paralysed after a serious motorcycle accident which caused him to lose all feeling in his legs.

It wasn’t until Swiss researchers, neuroscientist Prof Grégoire Courtine and neurosurgeon Prof Jocelyne Bloch, developed an electric implant that was surgically attached to the patient’s spine which allowed him to walk again.

It’s the first time someone with a complete cut to their spinal cord has regained their ability to walk.

“This is a monumentally huge step forward,”
says Dr Ronaldo Ichiyama at the University of Leeds, UK.

Alongside Roccati, the electrical implant has helped two other patients according to the research team, which has sparked hope for paralysed people to gain back their independence.

Even though this is a major advance in technology, Dr Ichiyama says this needs to be seen in more people before everyone gets “too excited”.

The gift of technology

Michel Roccati called the technology a “gift” and now utilises the implanted device for up to two hours a day to go on walks by himself.

The range of simulation programs also allows him to also stand, cycle and swim.

But researchers are emphasising that it isn’t a cure for a spinal injury and is still too complex for everyday life. It is expected that the technology will continue to be developed and strengthened.

Written by Savannah Pocock

Business

Companies to pay extra for verified Twitter accounts

Published

1 hour ago

February 6, 2023

ticker NEWS

Elon Musk has announced that companies and brands will have to pay $1,000 per month – plus an additional $50 per sub-account – to get verified check-marks on Twitter

The new pricing falls under the new Twitter Blue for Business service.

Within the next few months, only paying Twitter customers will have verified status.

Twitter has stacked on $12.5 billion in debt, and this move hopes to increase subscription revenue to meet Musk’s obligations.

Advertisers halted spending on Twitter after the takeover, but Twitter has since announced partnerships with two brand-safety vendors to win back marketers.

Musk also announced that Twitter would start sharing ad revenue with creators for “ads that appear in their reply threads”, but didn’t provide further detail.

Business

BMW to invest €800 million in Mexico

Published

1 hour ago

February 6, 2023

ticker NEWS

BMW is set to invest €800 million in Mexico, to produce its next generation of high-voltage and fully electric batteries

The carmaker is looking to convert more than half of its sales into all-electric cars by 2030.

Construction will begin next year with production beginning in 2027.

The announcement follows several other major expansions from the automaker in recent months, including a $1.7 billion investment in the United States.

The move will add around 1,000 new jobs to its Mexico operations.