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'Huckleberry' fans are in for another clean, romantic treat
Huckleberry Summer
"Huckleberry Summer: The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill" is by local author Jennifer Beckstrand. - photo by Kensington Publishing Corp.

"HUCKLEBERRY SUMMER: The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill," by Jennifer Beckstrand, Zebra Books, $7.99, 341 pages (f)

For those who fell in love with the Helmuth family earlier this year with the arrival of "Huckleberry Hill," another treat is available in the sweet new romance "Huckleberry Summer," which was released this month.

Jennifer Beckstrand takes readers back to the Helmuth's Wisconsin farm where Anna has determined that her grandson Aden needs to live with her and her husband, Felty, for the summer. And Aden needs to get married. This summer. Her matchmaking worked before, and she is certain she can do it again.

Aden is busy in his own life, but a higher power steps in and lends a hand to ensure Aden finds his way to his grandparent's farm. Anyone else might fight against aggressive matchmaking, but Aden does not mind his kind grandmother's meddling, especially after he meets the girl: the beautiful, kind and always obedient Lily.

As with all good romance novels, the huckleberry path is strewn with thorns and obstacles. Aden is not the only suitor for Lily's hand. Another man, Tyler, is also pursuing Lily, and Tyler has the benefit of being community- and parent-approved. Readers may be frustrated by Lily's long and often anguishing decision-making process, but that will not stop them from continuing to turn the pages, time and again, because Beckstrand throws in enough surprises to keep the story fresh and moving.

Set in an Amish community, "Huckleberry Summer" has clean language and no violence. And while Aden does manage to steal a kiss, or two, or three, the romance does not advance beyond that point.

"Huckleberry Summer" is the second book in a series of Amish romance novels by Beckstrand. "Huckleberry Christmas" is next in the series and is scheduled to be released in October.

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.