The benefits of infrared

The first time I heard of infrared (IR) was probably in some war movie. My first physical encounter with IR must have been the TV remote, like many others of my generation. But it was the cell phone that made the term popular during the start of the new millennium.

People used it to share ring-tones and later pictures and videos for free. That was the beginning of IR being used as a personal tool.

IR is now used in varied fields. The military uses it in the form of night vision devices and to track targets (IR based devices were used extensively during the Gulf War). infrared filters are used in photography; the manufacturing industry uses IR for selective heating. Many electronic appliances at home use IR-based remote control. It's also used in meteorology for weather forecasting and in astronomy as infrared and far infrared imagery.

Infrared or IR

The term infrared is actually composed of two words—infra and red—joined together. IR has a higher wavelength than visible red. As wavelength is inversely proportional to frequency. It means IR has a lower frequency than red. 'Infra' is Latin for below, so it's actually 'below' red.

Astronomer William Herschel discovered infrared radiation in the early 19th century.

A therapy with a difference

Infrared has generated renewed interest among researchers working in the field of medical science. Infrared therapy is a common application today. This type of therapy relies on the radiation that causes heat in the target tissues. A 250-watt IR bulb or newer lamps that heat a metal plate constructed from numerous mineral substrates are used to transfer heat to the affected area (of the body) from a safe distance. Handheld infrared therapy devices for animals are now in popular use.

Infrared and ultraviolet (UV) ray treatments for both therapeutic and cosmetic purposes are fast catching up with the public. So much that they are available in many health and beauty establishments. IR ray treatment in such cases is used mainly as a pre-heat treatment to soothe aching muscles and joints or to enhance the effects of treatments such as a specialised face mask.

IR cures Alzheimer's?

Independent research at the University of Sunderland highlights once again the many benefits of infrared. Researchers at the university have discovered that regular exposure to low level IR light can improve learning performance and promote the thinking function of the brain.

This is remarkable as the current treatments for dementia (a medical condition, especially in old people, which causes gradual loss of memory and other mental abilities) can only slow down the brain's deterioration. The next obvious step is to translate these results into a possible cure for other illness like Alzheimer's.

The new IR device is actually a helmet that the patients could wear in the comfort of their homes, for about ten minutes or so every day. Experts have claimed that dementia patients in early stages would see an improvement in their condition within a month of following the ten-minute schedule. Human testing of this treatment will start soon.

A remarkable discovery

The device is a creation of Dr Gordon Dougal who is also the director of medical research company Virulite. This company was also behind the development of the innovative cold sore machine, which used low levels of infrared light.

Dr Dougal got the inspiration forthe innovative helmet after the successful use of infrared in the treatment of cold sores.

As I tried to dig deeper into this important discovery, I found some critics as well. They have their own observations: 1) the experiment was performed on one mouse only; 2) a mouse brain is smaller in size; 3) a mouse skull is thinner. These are certainly relevant questions and I'm sure the researchers must have thought the same. I did try to contact the university press but couldn't receive a reply in time.

Anyway, this would be a big breakthrough if found successful in humans. It would certainly give the elderly a reason to smile and their loved ones one more chance to hear lovely stories from an era gone by. I for one certainly pray that infrared does what the scientists claim!

The writer is a guru of tech who runs a trading company in Dubai

Disclaimer: The opinions and ideas expressed here are purely those of the author and in no way reflect the views of Notes on any technology.