For Ladies : High heels damage leg muscles

Wearing high heels on a regular basis can cause leg muscle damage and change the way a woman walks even after taking the shoes off, findings suggest.

In a study published in The Journal of Applied Physiology, researchers of the Griffith University compared walking and gaiting behavior of “habitual high heel wearers” and those who rarely wore heels. 

Heel lovers used to wear 2 inch (about 5 centimeter) heels for at least 40 hours a week for a minimum of two years while the others wore heels less than 10 hours per week. 

Findings showed that habitual high heel wearers had a neuromechanically adapted style of walking including shorter and more forceful strides. 

They also kept their feet almost constantly in a flexed, toes-pointed position which along with the shortened stride caused their calf muscles to shorten. 

The changes put heel users at a significant risk of damaging muscle strains and caused slides on more comfortable shoes like sneakers or flip-flops. 

“This represents a potential injury risk, and may partly explain the fact that high-heeled shoes are often associated with discomfort and muscle fatigue,” said lead author Neil Cronin who also warned that the changes and their related damages increase as heel wearers age. 

Researchers recommended women to take a break from their high heels and wear them only “once or twice a week”. 

High heel wearers should also apply particular care when exercising and putting strain onto their feet tendons that are not often fully flexed in order to prevent strains.

Source: www.presstv.com

Iran ready to assist African nations

Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi 

Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has expressed the country's readiness to extend cooperation with African nations in the fields of industry, science and technology and medicine.

In a meeting with Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba on Monday, Salehi referred to Iran's industrial, scientific, technological, and pharmaceutical achievements and experiences, and declared Tehran's readiness for assisting Namibia and other African nations in these fields. 

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 18th African Union Summit which was held in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, January 29-30. 

Leaders of 54 African nations attended the summit, in which Iran participated as an observing member. 

Salehi also informed the Namibian president of Iran's plans to open an embassy in the country's capital city, Windhoek, in the near future. 

Pohamba, for his part, pointed to Namibia's need for the construction of oil refineries and said Windhoek would welcome Iran's cooperation in this regard. 

The Namibian president stressed the necessity of expanding bilateral ties with Iran particularly in the industrial and oil sectors. 

The Iranian foreign minister also held talks Bhutan's Foreign Minister Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering on the sidelines of the summit. 

During the meeting, the two foreign ministers stressed bilateral cooperation within the framework of regional and international organizations.

Source: www.presstv.com

Iran produces High Quality Biotech medicines to treat different types of Cancer, Asthma and Bone Diseases

Iran has produced six cheap and high quality biotechnological medicines to treat different types of cancer, asthma and bone diseases, Press TV reported.

The newly produced drugs were unveiled during a ceremony held in the Iranian capital city of Tehran on January 29. 

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Minister of Health and Medical Education Marzieh Vahid-Dastjerdi attended the ceremony along with Iranian university professors and medical researchers. 

The new drugs are Salmeterole to cure asthma, Riluzole to cure Amyotrophic lateral (ALS), Letrozole to cure Aromatize and breast cancer, Zoledronic acid to prevent Osteoporose, Botulinum toxin to cure skin diseases and Antihemophilic Factor VII for coagulation. 

The newly produced drugs can save 68 million dollars every year for the country compared to their foreign equivalents. 

“Iran produces seven types of radioisotopes, and plans to export anti-cancer products in the near future,” announced Dr. Vahid-Dastjerdi during the ceremony. 

She added that the ministry plans to promote and protect the health of Iranians through partnership and joint ventures with international firms. 

Iran has also obtained great achievements in producing biosimilar and biotechnology drugs, which are among the most expensive medicines. 

The country has achieved significant medical progress despite sanctions imposed against the country and is estimated to be one of the world's top 10 countries in medical research with a record of over 400 medical research facilities and 76 medical magazine indexes.

Source: www.presstv.com