Science

Scientists have successfully taken control of a bird's flight by implanting electrodes in its brain. They were able to use radio signals to force a pigeon to fly in any direction they chose, Chinese researchers report.

Triggered by radio waves, the electrodes mimicked natural brain signals that control movement of the bird's wings. The scientists had sufficient control to steer the animal through the air, they said. They also performed a similar experiment on mice in 2005, according to local media reports.

Researchers in Korea are close to combining monkey DNA with cow cell to create a man-made stem cell, they claim. The scientists believe they will ultimately be able to implant human DNA into an animal ova  to make an artificial stem cell which avoids some of the current ethical issues surrounding stem cell 'harvesting'.

Key international science journals are shunning Korean scientists following a fraud scandal last year, according to a Korean academic.

"International journals have rejected our articles recently while taking issue with minute data and this indicates something,'' the professor told the Korea Times, "It's about reputation. We have no other choice but to rebuild.''