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Have You Seen This? How to revolutionize your morning routine
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Are your mornings a little sluggish, and you wish you could change that? This delightful video straight out of the 1980s has the perfect answer for you. - photo by Mary Dalrymple


THE EIGHTIES Do you feel like you need more pep in your step? Are your mornings a little sluggish, and you wish you could change that? Well, I've got great news, in the form of this delightful video straight out of the 1980s.

In the clip from the 1985 Hong Kong action romantic comedy film, "Mismatched Couples," martial arts superstar Donnie Yen demonstrates the best way to get ready in the morning: through a combined martial arts and breakdancing routine where you get to kick on your Converse kicks and slide on a pair of tearaway sweatpants.

Because it's Monday, my morning routine looked nothing like this guy's. OK, so my mornings never look like this. But I'd like them to. I think we'd all be a lot happier if we added a little more '80s enthusiasm to our lives.

Here's a challenge: tomorrow, add some breakdancing to your routine and let me know how it goes. I'll be honest, if you manage to have even an ounce of this guy's energy before 10 a.m., that's impressive enough for me.
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.