It's always a blast to see how progress in science can eerily sound like science fiction. This is one such progress: scientists have been able to control nanobots using a tiny chemical "brain" that was inspired by one of the functions of our own brains. Read the story after following the "read more" link below.

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in our brain cells that will prove to be important in further studies. According to those involved in the research, it was learned that the star-shaped glial cells found in our brain are more than just "glue" for the existing nerve cells.

Basically, these glial cells eventually transform into nerve cells. However, during the later phase in our development, the glial cells lose this ability and that is the very reason why our bodies can't generate new nerve cells in the brain.

The scientists now argue that the solution lies in reversing the development process to renew the lost regeneration ability. The research team, headed by Dr. Benedikt Berninger, shared that what they did was introduced single regulator proteins to re-activate the glial cells' ability to transform into nerve cells. He added:

These new nerve cells then have also the typical electrical properties of normal nerve cells. Our results are very encouraging, because the generation of correctly functional nerve cells from postnatal glial cells is an important step on the way to be able to replace functional nerve cells also after injuries in the brain.

Fountain of youth, anyone?