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Autism rate doubles, but here's why you don't need to worry
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A report reveals 1 out of 50 kids is autistic, but that statistic might not be as terrible as it seems. - photo by Melinda Fox
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, autism spectrum disorder has doubled in the last year. That means now 1 out of 50 kids has autism in comparison to last year's 1 out of 100.

Defining autism

So what's caused this drastic change? It turns out this increase is likely due to the adjustment of the questions asked in the survey. The new questions allow for a broader definition of the disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder encompasses a myriad of social and developmental challenges from mild to severe. According to Health Day, "Several different conditions are considered autism spectrum disorders, but they share some common features. They're characterized by difficulty communicating and interacting with others socially, as well as patterns of behavior that are very repetitive and often impaired, compared with what is usually seen in an age group."

The diverse symptoms and types of autism mean that survey respondentsparents of kids with autismmay have had difficulty accurately responding to questions in past years. However, this problem isn't uncommon or solely an issue with these types of surveys. Because data needs to be easily quantifiable, survey makers have to use a few categories to define a wide range of responses. This can result in answers that are misunderstood or not absolutely accurate.

Changing the question

That's why this year the survey was changed to get a more complete picture. Chief psychiatrist and medical director of Children's Health Council in Palo Alto, California Dr. Glen Elliot said, "Probably the most important finding of this paper, which is hardly new, is that how one asks a question matters."

So, due to the new way the survey asks questions, it's likely there are not actually more kids with autism but the parents of autistic children are only now reporting their children's disorders.

Seeing the impact

At the end of the day, the doubled numbers aren't anything to panic about. The purpose of these types of surveys is to make sure children are getting the care they need. An accurate understanding can make a positive difference in the lives of families dealing with these issues.

For example, Elliot stated, "The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder could have a profound impact if insurance companies are compelled to cover services for toddlers and even older children." But these benefits extend beyond insurance. This report can help schools better understand the needs of their students and provide for them. Furthermore, these new numbers can inspire additional research and justify funding.

While we might not have a good idea about whether or not autism is increasing or not, changing the definition can have a positive impact on the way these kids are cared for.

So, maybe it's a good thing the numbers doubled.
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.