At Hahnemann Medical College in Philedelphia, Pennsylvania, a team of researchers trained rats to control a robotic arm by using brainpower.

The rats were taught that if they pressed a lever that controlled a robotic arm, a drop of water would fall out for them. Electrodes were then implanted in the rats' brains to record electrical activity that was involved with pressing the lever. The recorded data was then turned into a signal that could control the machine.

The scientists then changed the control of the arm from the lever to the signal. When the rats wanted to press the lever, their brain waves actually triggered the the arm to drop the water.

This important development is paving the path for new devices that enable paralyzed people to control prosthetic body parts more easily.