From Wired.com:

Hackers who commandeer your computer are bad enough. Now scientists worry that someday, they’ll try to take over your brain.

In the past year, researchers have developed technology that makes it possible to use thoughts to operate a computer, maneuver a wheelchair or even use Twitter — all without lifting a finger. But as neural devices become more complicated — and go wireless — some scientists say the risks of “brain hacking” should be taken seriously.

From The New Scientist:

When you brush your teeth, the toothbrush may actually become part of your arm – at least as far as your brain is concerned. That's the conclusion of a study showing perceptions of arm length change after people handle a mechanical tool.

The University of Washington's Parviz Research Group is actively developing a contact lens containing embedded circuitry to enhance vision.  The technologies developed could be the building blocks of future products such as lenses that allow zoom capability, advanced video devices for use with cell phones, or even image enhancement overlays such the heat-maps shown in Predator.

Some interesting new mind-reading headsets are finding their way to market.  The devices relay the electrical signals within the wearer's brain to a computer, which then can use the information to control such things as characters in video games, medical devices, or even robots.

Researchers in Israel have developed new technology that allows them to create circuits with neurons acting as the core logic elements.

Some of you may remember a recent story on Synthetic Thought about the Frankenbot, the robot with a rat brain.  Well, unsurprisingly a video of it is on YouTube.  Video follows.

Just found this cool little animation on YouTube.  A nanobot replacing neurons:

A retinal implant under development has the potential to help individuals with severe eye disorders such as acute macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.  The implant is powered wirelessly and receives a simple, low resolution image captured via a pair of eyeglasses.

The U.S. Army is funding research into what may be considered a 'thought helmet'.  Verbal communications in the field can be dangerous, therefore it is highly desirable to find new methods of silent communication.  One experimental method involves the reading and transmission of an individual's thoughts wirelessly to the rest of the squad.

In an unusual experiment, scientists have greated a robot with an organic mind.  They collected brain cells from rats, connected them to electrodes which in turn are connected to a robot via Bluetooth.  The brain receives input from sensors and outputs signals which controls the robot's wheels.