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Disney unveils first photos and video of Star Wars park
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On Friday, Disney unveiled a video at the D23 Convention that shows a scale model of the upcoming Star Wars park. - photo by Herb Scribner
Herb Scribner
DeseretNews.com Web Team
Published: Jul 15, 2017, 7:01 PM
Disney just gave us all a first look into a galaxy from far, far away.

On Friday at the D23 Convention, Disney unveiled a video and photos that offer a glimpse of the upcoming Star Wars theme park, which includes features from the Star Wars universe, most prominently the Millennium Falcon spacecraft seen in the earliest movies of the series, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

Two specific areas of the park were already announced, though they dont have official names. One includes the Millennium Falcon, and the other puts visitors in the battle between the First Order and the Resistance, which are both groups seen in the recent Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Scott Mallwitz, executive creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering, told The Orange County Register that visitors can act out different roles in this battle.

As you move through the areas, you might be recruited to join one side or the other, he said. Are you a spy? Are you part of the Resistance or willing to join the First Order? Its up to you. And your role inside of that will be defined by how you choose.

As for the setting, Disney told the Orlando Sentinel these parks will be set on a planet not yet seen in the Star Wars universe.

The parks will open in 2019, according to the Sentinel.

The new land will also be one of the final stops before the Wild Space attraction, where people can visit with Star Wars characters in real life, Disney said in a blog post.

Bob Chapek, chairman of Disney Parks and Resorts, said his team is excited to add some Star Wars flair to the Disneyland and Walt Disney World theme parks.

"To say we are excited for the Star Wars-themed lands to open in 2019 is an understatement, he said, according to the Sentinel. All along, we have said this will be game-changing, and through the model we can begin to see how truly epic these immersive new worlds will be.
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
Herb Scribner
Deseret News
Published: Aug 13, 2018, 1:39 PM
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.