By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Have You Seen This? 5K+ black snakes lit simultaneously
1d3a23aedbf0bb03484385e123610def6a3599bc78055e24803625c89c9021f1
While in theory, the Fourth of July is an all-inclusive day for Americans and any other freedom-loving folk, some people are not so fond of the accompanying pyrotechnics. - photo by Angie Treasure
MERICA While in theory, the Fourth of July is an all-inclusive day for Americans and any other freedom-loving folk, some people are not so fond of the accompanying pyrotechnics.

For fear of burnt fingers, some people are nervous about holding sparklers, and heaven forbid a spinning firework flower or fountain doo-dad actually erupts, showering ones driveway with patriotic colored bits of chemically compounded bits of shiny death.

Ok, so maybe its just me that doesnt love fireworks.

What I did like as a young, easily startled little girl, were the little black snakes. For those who dont know, snakes are small, coin-sized pellets that smoke and expand to create a large ash trail that looks like a small snake, giving it its name. I created my fair share of black pockmarks on my parents Darling Street curb watching the snakes smoke and fizzle in a slow but satisfying manner.

So imagine my surprise when I stumbled on an experiment where YouTube user Adam Snoza decided to light more than 5,000 snakes on fire simultaneously.

According to the video description, the project involved 18 cases of product, meaning 864 packages or approximately 5,184 individual snakes. Wowzer. Snoza wrote that it took seven hours to construct, which Im assuming includes making the wooden box and then stacking all the nickel-sized disks on top of each other. Lots and lots of stacking.

The result is literally a slow burn, as an Empire State building-like monolith rises from the flames and grows slowly until it collapses under its own weight, much like the doomed Titanic.
Its toxic: New study says blue light from tech devices can speed up blindness
93cbd7a5475cccd1cee701424125d3abaa9b4beaa58d3663208f656cbbbd7661
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.