Paralyzed Man Walks

June 1, 2023

On this week's episode: a footbridge that rolls over, rewilding Tasmanian devils, and a paralyzed man learns to walk again.

Bridge
Tasmanian Devils
Paralyzed Man Walks

On this week's news update…

A rolling footbridge…

Rewilding Tasmanian Devils

Tasmanian devils’ rewilding success…

Paralyzed Man Walks

…and a paralyzed man walks again.

First up…

The Cody Dock Bridge is a one-of-a-kind footbridge, in London.

The bridge is inspired by Nineteenth Century engineering and made from steel and oak.

It looks similar to other footbridges, but give it 20 minutes and it transforms.

To move, the steel teeth on the end of the bridge connect with the pair of tracks on either side of the riverbank.

This allows the bridge to roll over 180 degrees to let boats pass underneath.

No motors or electricity are required to operate it.

Instead, it moves by hand winches.

Scrap metal and concrete are used to balance the weight of the walkway and the top of the bridge so that it can smoothly roll over.

The bridge’s architects hope that it will become an important landmark and a symbol of what creativity and engineering can achieve.

Up next…

It’s animal watch…

Tasmanian devil

Tasmanian devils live on the island of Tasmania, but have been extinct on mainland Australia for around 3,000 years.

However, in 2020, 11 Tasmanian devils were reintroduced to the mainland where they were released into a sanctuary, as part of a rewilding program by the conservation organisation, Aussie Ark.

Since then another 21 adults have been brought to the sanctuary and 16 babies have been born.

Now Lisa, the very first Tasmanian devil released as part of the rewilding program, is carrying triplets in her pouch.

biodiversity

Conservationists have discovered that by introducing Tasmanian devils to the sanctuary, it has helped to control the spread of other species and maintain biodiversity.

Now, across the world, other rewilding programs are looking to follow the example set by Aussie Ark.

And finally…

Doctors have created brain implants that could help some paralyzed patients to walk again.

The implants are surgically placed in the areas of a patient’s brain and spinal cord that control leg movement.

When turned on, these implants wirelessly reconnect the electrical signals from the brain to the spinal cord via an external computer.

In some cases, and for certain patients, this can restore movement to paralyzed legs. In some cases, and for certain patients, this can restore movement to paralyzed legs.

After spending a decade paralyzed and unable to move his legs, Gert-Jan Oskam became the first human patient to trial this breakthrough technology.

A year after receiving the implants, he can now stand, walk, and climb stairs.

The procedure has been so successful that it is thought new nerve connections have started to develop and the spinal cord is showing slight signs of recovery.

Astonishingly, this means that he can now walk with crutches when the implant is turned off.

With these promising results, the doctors who made this breakthrough hope to be able to adapt the technology for patients with other types of paralysis.

That's all for this week, we'll see you next time!

Teaching Overview

Learning Points

Architects have designed a footbridge that can roll over 180 degrees to let boats pass underneath.
Rewilding of Tasmanian devils proves successful in terms of breeding and maintaining biodiversity in Australian sanctuary.
Brain implants help a paralyzed man to walk again.

Curriculum Keywords

Bridge
Tasmanian Devils
Paralyzed Man Walks

Spark a Discussion

Rolling Footbridge

What is the name of the bridge?
How is the bridge operated?
Can you design your own bridge?

Rewilding Tasmanian Devils

Where were Tasmanian devils extinct until 2020?
What was the name of the very first Tasmanian devil released as part of the rewilding programme?
Can you think of another species that could benefit from a similar rewilding programme?

Paralyzed Man Walks

Where are implants placed in the patient’s body to help them to walk?
What can Gert-Jan Oskam now do when the implants are turned off?
What other types of paralysis do you think the implants could help treat?

Credits

Rolling Bridge: Bridge designer Thomas Randall-Page, film by Jim Stephenson and Nyima Murry
Rewilding Tasmanian Devils: Aussie Ark
Paralyzed Man Walks: NeuroRestore

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Classroom Resources

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