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Five apps to help couples stay together in an infidelity-obsessed world
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There are countless apps that help people cheat on their spouses or significant others. Here are some that might help couples keep their bond strong. - photo by Chandra Johnson
Chandra Johnson
Deseret News
Published: Nov 2, 2015, 3:09 PM
Marriage can be tough, and a media culture that seems obsessed with infidelity doesn't help.

From the Ashley Madison scandal to TV shows like "The Affair," it can be hard to remember that Americans these days value the institution of marriage at all.

There are countless apps that help people cheat on their spouses or significant others. Here are some apps that might help couples keep their bond strong.

Couple

Android and Apple, Free

Rather than share everything for the rest of the world to see via Facebook or Instagram, Couple gives people a private, intimate space to document and share their relationship with the two people who matter most each other.

Users can connect no matter where they are using a joint timeline, photo stream and calendars. The app also allows couples to connect in real time with live sketch (a real-time drawing feature) and thumb kiss, which allows couples to virtually touch thumbs across screens.

The Marriage App

Apple and Android, Free

Created by marriage counselors, The Marriage App provides users with daily prompts and reminders that keep users in touch with their spouse amid a sea of daily distractions. Each day gives users an inspirational story, activity idea or piece of scripture as a healthy reminder that marriage can be a challenge, but one worth taking.

Focus on the Family

Android and Apple, Free

Part social network, part support app, the Focus on the Family app offers spouses a place where they can get tips on everything from keeping a marriage fresh to parenting advice to conversation starters for the family dinner table, In addition, the app allows users to share strategies for success with the wider community of app users.

The Love Dare

Apple, $.99

Based on the bestselling book, The Love Dare app features daily reminders about love, marriage and relationships designed to help affirm and strengthen relationships. The pieces of advice in the app may confirm the feelings users have about their relationship, or it may make them think more deeply about their commitment, depending on where they are in the relationship.

My Marriage Coach

Apple and Android, Free

Whether users of this app are newly married or struggling in their marriage, My Marriage Coach has something to offer for anyone. Designed by therapist and marriage counselor Jackie Black, this app offers solutions to help with a variety of problems most couples experience at one time or another, whether they be emotional problems, communication issues or couples faces big life changes like illness or parenthood.
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.