Scientific & Technological Achievements of Iranians | ||
Scientific & Technological Achievements of Iranians Compiled By: Firouzeh Mirrazavi Deputy Editor of Iran Review Part 1
*Iranian Researcher Invents Auditory ATM for the Blind Iranian researcher Ebrahim Khaninzadeh has invented an auditory system that helps the blind recognize banknotes and assess the value of the money. Blind people have always been in trouble using ATMs or other automatic bank services, but the new system can resolve their problems, said Khaninzadeh. Using the new system, the blind will be able to assess their money value and amount of banknotes, he added. Khaninzadeh’s design simulates human fingers’ joint matrix and operates by utilizing the sensors applied in the thumb. All electronic systems can be easily controlled by finger joints that allow the blind to be informed through an auditory command. Khaninzadeh has been awarded in several international competitions in Switzerland, South Korea, Germany and Romania for his designs and inventions. *Iranian Researcher Helps Treating Muscular Dystrophy Using Stem Cells Iranian researcher and lecturer Radbod Darabi jointly with his collogues from the University of Minnesota’s Lillehei Heart Institute have effectively treated muscular dystrophy in mice using human stem cells derived from a new process which for the first time makes the production of human muscle cells from stem cells efficient and effective. The research outlines the strategy for the development of a rapidly dividing population of muscle-forming cells derived from induced pluripotent (iPS) cells. IPS cells have all of the potential of embryonic stem (ES) cells, but are derived by reprogramming skin cells. They can be patient-specific, which renders them unlikely to be rejected, and do not involve the destruction of embryos. This is the first time that human stem cells have been shown to be effective in the treatment of muscular dystrophy. According to the researchers, there has been a significant lag in translating studies using mouse stem cells into therapeutically relevant studies involving human stem cells. This lag has dramatically limited the development of cell therapies or clinical trials for human patients. The latest research from the University of Minnesota provides the proof-of-principle for treating muscular dystrophy with human iPS cells, setting the stage for future human clinical trials. As the researchers noted one of the biggest barriers to the development of cell-based therapies for neuromuscular disorders like muscular dystrophy has been obtaining sufficient muscle progenitor cells to produce a therapeutically effective response. They stressed that up until now, deriving engraftable skeletal muscle stem cells from human pluripotent stem cells hasn’t been possible. The results demonstrate that it is indeed possible and sets the stage for the development of a clinically meaningful treatment approach. *Iranian Scientists Develop New Technique to Cure Malignant Liver Tumor Iranian scientists developed a new radiopharmaceutical to cure malignant liver tumor for the first time in the country. The method uses injecting radioactive particles was carried out in Heart and Vessel Center of Shahid Rajaei Hospital, Tehran. The radiopharmaceutical was only used by certain countries including Canada so far, but researchers in Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) managed to build the drug domestically. Liver cancer is cured in Iran only through surgery or foreign radiotherapy, but using this method, radiopharmaceutical would be injected into a vessel feeding tumor trough angiography. The experiments of the new method would be applied to the human phase by the next year. The new method also prevents the risk of radio hepatitis. The liver would not be damaged. The animal phase of the project being was successfully carried out on rabbit and sheep and the tests would be carried out on human being by the next year. *Iran Builds Machine to Help SCI Patients Iranian researchers have designed and built a machine that helps patients suffering from Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) increase their movement abilities. An Iranian faculty member of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science, Amir Massoud Arab, told ISNA that there is no treatment for trauma and rehabilitation plays a significant role in helping patients to return to their previous condition to some extent. Arab noted that the functional electrical stimulation-assisted rowing machine has been made by Iranian experts to increase the movement of SCI sufferers and materialize rehabilitation objectives. (SCI refers to any injury to the spinal cord caused by trauma instead of disease. Depending on where the spinal cord and nerve roots are damaged, the symptoms can vary widely from pain to paralysis to incontinence. Spinal cord injuries are described as “incomplete”, which can vary from having no effect on the patient, and “complete” injury, which means a total loss of function. Arab noted that the patients’ lack of movement as well as their dependence on wheelchair is considered a major threat for SCI sufferers and the machine would reduce their dependency and let them have more activities. He said the advantages of rowing exercise compared to other ones is that upper limbs would be involved in movement while lower limbs would help the functioning of the patients’ heart, adding that the machine has been tested on a number of patients and the results were satisfying. The Iranian lecturer pointed out that the machine possesses a fly wheel equipped with magnetic brakes with nine resistance levels, adding that there is a chair equipped with a dorsal so that the patient does not have any problem while sitting on it. “Four straps have been designed for the machine, two of which are designed for lower limbs and the two others for upper limbs,” he said. Treatment of spinal cord injuries starts by restraining the spine and controlling inflammation to prevent further damage. The actual treatment can vary widely depending on the location and extent of the injury. In many cases, spinal cord injuries require substantial physical therapy and rehabilitation, especially if the patient’s injury interferes with daily activities. Spinal cord injuries have many causes, but are typically associated with major trauma from motor vehicle accidents, falls, sports injuries and violence. *Iran Ranks 2nd in Robocup Dutch Open Championships Iran’s soccer-playing robots stood 2nd in the International RoboCup Dutch Open Championships.The Iranian teams of MRL from Qazvin Azad University was ranked 2nd in the Robocup Dutch Open in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Iranian runners-up beat Mexican Cambada Team in semi-final plays, but were defeated by Techunited, from the Netherlands in final plays which is one of the world’s champions. Iran’s second position in the RoboCup Middle Size League has been obtained for the first time over the plays. At the Mid-Size League (MSL), two teams of each five robots play soccer against each other. This is preformed completely autonomous, they determine their own strategies and react completely independent at the situation. The robots have a height of approximately 80 cm. Source: www.iranreview.org
to be continued...
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