Plenty of research is dedicated to finding ways to improve the human condition, especially for those less fortunate than most. Cybernetic implants to help the blind to see are one such popular field, and a team at the University of Glasgow are hoping to use the same technology employed in digital cameras to create a retinal prosthesis that will pipe visual data directly to the brain via the optic nerve. The current versions are still quite basic, but they envisage smart-chip developments in the future enabling added features such as slow-motion replay – which will doubtless be fitted as standard to all football referees.