"Pig's Brain Kept Alive Outside Body for Five Hours"
Scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a machine that kept a pig's brain alive outside of its body for five hours, allowing for independent study of brain function. The system uses an artificial pump to isolate the brain from the body and mimic real circulation, enabling researchers to investigate brain physiology without the body's influence. This innovation could provide insights into brain function and potentially be used as a cardiopulmonary bypass system for cardiac surgery and transplantation.