Not really very significant- leech neurons simply happen to be big enough to do this sort of microsurgery upon. "Neural networks" as applied in trainable systems are *simulations* of neurons, far easier to maintain than chopped-up invertebrates. Now, if they had a useable interface to undamaged neurons, they might be onto something.
By the way, the clock on your computer is off by a few years.
J wrote:
>
> This was sent to me today. I was in _awe_. I am unsure if this was already
> sent to the list. I didn't find it in the archives. If so, I apologize.
> If not, please do enjoy.
>
> "A computer made of neurons taken from leeches has been created by US
> scientists."
>
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_358000/358822.stm
>
> Challenge me!
> Jasmine
> *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
> jazz@blatt.org http://www.blatt.org/jazz ICQ 17296019 Jasmine- on dalnet
> "Dum spiro, spero!" -- Cicero
> *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
-- Doug Jones, Freelance Rocket Plumber