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5 road trips that are perfect for family bonding
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No Caption - photo by Shelby Slade
Summer is the perfect time to hit the open road and see the unusual sights the U.S. has to offer.

While family road trips are often fodder for cheap jokes about families in movies, they are a great time for brothers and sisters to grow closer and reconnect with parents after a busy school year.

Family trips are where memories that bind families together for years are made, Susan Krauss Whitbourne wrote for Psychology Today.

According to Travel + Leisures Rebecca Hiscott, these are Americas best road trips you and your family should take. Granted they dont end at a theme park, but they do cover some of the most beautiful scenery the U.S. has to offer.

Pacific Coast Highway, California: This trip keeps the beach in sight at all times as you curve along Californias beautiful coastline. Bonus points for the magical fog that rolls into the area in the morning.

Route 12, Utah: This trip will wind you through the beautiful red rocks of southern Utah and even through Bryce Canyon National Park. Combine these different views with the funky towns you pass through, and the whole family is sure to enjoy it.

U.S. Route 9, New York: You can drive all the way from Delaware to Canada on this road, but the New York stretch of it is unique. The farms in the area keep roadside stands and farmers markets well stocked with delicious treats, and the historical nature of the area means you see some interesting homes.

San Juan Skyway, Colorado: This area was once known for its silver and gold mines, but now the views alone earn it the name Million Dollar Highway.

Texas Hill Country Bluebonnet Tour: Try driving through rural Texas to see the beautiful bluebonnets and wildflowers that thrive in the area. Its a colorful site that will keep your familys eyes glued to the windows.

Related links:

Top 10 most affordable vacation spots for families

7 benefits of taking vacation time

Ever imagine taking a year-long vacation? For some families, it's not a daydream
Its toxic: New study says blue light from tech devices can speed up blindness
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A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers. - photo by Herb Scribner
It turns out checking Twitter or Facebook before bed is bad for your health.

A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers.

That process can lead to age-related macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, according to the researchs extract.

Blue light is a common issue for many modern Americans. Blue light is emitted from screens, most notably at night, causing sleep loss, eye strain and a number of other issues.

Dr. Ajith Karunarathne, assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, said our constant exposure to blue light cant be blocked by the lens or cornea.

"It's no secret that blue light harms our vision by damaging the eye's retina. Our experiments explain how this happens, and we hope this leads to therapies that slow macular degeneration, such as a new kind of eye drop, he said.

Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease that often affects those in their 50s or 60s. It occurs after the death of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Those cells need retinal to sense light and help signal the brain.

The research team found blue light exposure created poisonous chemical molecules that killed photoreceptor cells

"It's toxic. If you shine blue light on retinal, the retinal kills photoreceptor cells as the signaling molecule on the membrane dissolves," said Kasun Ratnayake, a Ph.D. student researcher working in Karunarathne's cellular photo chemistry group. "Photoreceptor cells do not regenerate in the eye. When they're dead, they're dead for good."

However, the researchers found a molecule called alpha-tocopherol, which comes from Vitamin E, can help prevent cell death, according to Futurism.

The researchers plan to review how light from TVs, cellphones and tablet screens affect the eyes as well.

"If you look at the amount of light coming out of your cellphone, it's not great but it seems tolerable," said Dr. John Payton, visiting assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "Some cellphone companies are adding blue-light filters to the screens, and I think that is a good idea."

Indeed, Apple released a Night Shift mode two years ago to help quell blue lights strain on the eyes, according to The Verge. The screen will dim into a warmer, orange light that will cause less stress on the eyes.