Nadalian Marks PG Sands With Peace

TEHRAN, Mar 8 (Press TV)--The Iranian environmental artist Ahmad Nadalian has marked the Persian Gulf coast in southern Iran with the country's message of peace.
Nadalian biked over 1400 kilometers on Hormuz Island, leaving imprints reading 'Dream of Peace in the Persian Gulf'. The text has been made with rubber letters, which have been attached to the tires upside down
“I have created the text in English to deliver the Iranian people's message of peace to the world. I want to protect Iran's geographical, political and cultural territory and believe art is the most humanitarian way to oppose the distortion of the name of the Persian Gulf,” Nadalian previously said.
The Iranian artist is also slated to ride the peace bicycle on the western coasts of the Persian Gulf and at the Ganaveh sand sculpture festival in March.
Nadalian is known for his unique rock-carvings, which can be found in many countries including the US, the UK, Italy, Germany, Spain, France, China, the Netherlands, Greece, Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Bangladesh, Finland, Lebanon, Syria, Azerbaijan, Sweden, Denmark, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Turkey, Switzerland and Serbia.
Nadalian is supported and sponsored by different international organizations and his works embody the natural elements water, earth, fire and air.
Most of his stone-carvings have been scattered across the globe and some of them have been buried as 'Hidden Treasures' to be unearthed by future generations.
Ahmad Nadalian has participated in numerous international art events including the 50th Biennale of Venice where he presented his River Art project.
Ahmad Nadalian is set to ride his peace bicycle along the Persian Gulf.


Iran Releases 'Age of Heroes' Computer Game

TEHRAN , Mar 8 (Press TV)--Iran's National Foundation for Computer Games has released 'The Age of Heroes', a three-dimensional computer game based on the Shahnameh.
The game has been designed based on the stories narrated in the Persian epic poet Ferdowsi's magnum opus, Shahnameh.
'Age of Heroes' offers a three-dimensional presentation of Iranian natural scenes, outfits and historical architectural structures. The music of the game also has an Iranian-epical theme and some 35 voice actors have dubbed the game.
The game introduces some 110 mythical figures living in nine regions. Users must use various weapons and superpowers to ward off evil characters.
Shahnameh (The Book of Kings) is a classic work of Persian epic poetry and recounts Iran's mythical and historical past. The book was composed when Arabic was the main scientific and literary language of Iran.
The romance of Zal and Rudaba, the Seven Stages (or Labors) of Rostam, Rostam and Sohrab, Siavash and Sudaba, Rostam and Akvan Div, the romance of Bizhan and Manizheh and Rostam and Esfandyar are among the most popular Shahnameh tales.
A frame from 'The Age of Heroes'.


Experts to Rebuild Burnt City Woman's Face

TEHRAN, Mar 8 (Press TV)--Iranian and European experts are to reconstruct the face of the woman whose 5,000 year-old artificial eye was found in the Burnt City.
Experts will use computer methods, CT scans and accurate photography to reconstruct the face of the woman, who is believed to have been between 28 and 32 years of age.
“The process will be a completely scientific procedure and the result will be a precise image that will even show the woman's facial muscle structure,” said head of the Burnt City archeology team, Seyyed Mansour Seyyed Sajjadi.
The 5,000 year-old eye, unearthed two years ago, is made of natural tar and animal fat and thin lines of gold have been used to represent its capillaries.
“The golden lines are half as thick as human hair and can only be seen through a microscope,” said Seyyed Sajjadi. “Such craftsmanship is incredibly unique for 5,000 years ago.”
“If everything goes well we will have a 95 percent reconstructed face of a Burnt City inhabitant,” Seyyed Sajjadi added.
Believed to be the world's oldest prosthetic, the artificial eye was found in the left eye socket of a woman's skeletal remains. A leather pouch was also found beside the skeleton which appears to have been used to keep the eye when it was removed.
The 5,000-year-old Burnt City is located near the northeastern city of Zabol and spans an area of over 300,000 hectares.
Four civilizations have lived in the city which was burnt down three times and not rebuilt after the last fire.
The world's oldest animated picture, dice and backgammon set, and caraway seed have been found in Burnt City.
World's oldest artificial eye, unearthed in Iran's Burnt City archeological site.


Enzyme Behind Cancer Spread Found

LONDON, Mar 8 (BBC)--Scientists say they have discovered a way to stop cancer spreading to other parts of the body.
Cancer metastasis, where the cancer spreads from its original location, is known to be responsible for 90% of cancer-related deaths.
Institute of Cancer Research scientists have found that an enzyme called LOX is crucial in promoting metastasis, Cancer Cell journal reports.
Drugs to block this enzyme's action could keep cancer at bay, they hope.
The researchers studied breast cancer in mice, but are confident that their findings will apply to humans with other cancer types too.
LOX (lysyl oxidase) works by sending out signals to prepare a new area of the body for the cancer to set up a camp. Without this preparation process the new environment would be too hostile for the cancer to grow.
Lead researcher Dr Janine Erler described the discovery as "the crucial missing piece in the jigsaw that scientists have been searching for."
She said it was the first time one key enzyme has been identified as responsible for effectively allowing the cancer to spread.
"If we can interrupt the body's ability to prepare new locations for the cancer to spread to, we can effectively prevent cancer metastasis.
"Cancer metastasis is very difficult to treat and this new discovery provides real hope that we can develop a drug which will fight the spreading of cancer," she said.
Dr Julie Sharp, Cancer Research UK's science information manager, said: "A better understanding of how cancer spreads is crucial to improving the treatment of the disease. This research takes scientists a step closer to understanding this major problem - the next stage will be to find out if the LOX protein can be switched off to stop cancer spreading."