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Militant movements in Iraq could cost U.S. drivers at the pump
Man Pumping Gas
James Evans talks about gas prices Wednesday, June 18, 2014, as he puts gas in his rental car in Salt Lake City. - photo by Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
McKenzie Romero
Deseret News National
Updated: Jun 22, 2014, 1:00 PM
Published: Jun 19, 2014, 4:52 PM

When Dennis Woodruff sees headlines about unrest in the Middle East, a part of his mind can't help but turn to his business.
"I'm more concerned about how that affects humanity … but I'd be lying if I said that it's not in the back of my mind," Woodruff said.

In the eight years Woodruff has owned his lawn care and tree removal business, he has watched gas prices climb. He chose compressed natural gas for his two fleet vehicles to avoid high gasoline prices, but if violence in Iraq drives up oil prices, it will still cost him.

"My saws and any kind of other equipment all run on gasoline, so that will make a difference," Woodruff said. "What really hurts is that every time the price of oil goes up and fuel prices go up, then shipping for parts is more and the parts themselves cost more, so consequently my maintenance goes up."

AAA indicated on its Fuel Gauge Report this week that gas prices have started to climb as an al-Qaida-inspired group has taken city after city in a campaign aiming at Iraq's capital. The fighting Wednesday took militants near the nation's largest oil refinery.
In light of the eroding situation in Iraq, AAA predicts drivers will pay between $3.55 and $3.70 for a gallon of unleaded gasoline this summer — and possibly more if the conflict continues.

The national average price had reached $3.66 per gallon Wednesday, AAA reported.

Gas prices across the country are creeping up at a time when they would normally be dropping, AAA spokeswoman Cynthia Harris said Wednesday. For now, the increase is slight, but that could change if the conflict escalates.

"Things could take a definite turn should there be an escalation," Harris said. "Should there be any distribution issues of crude oil from Iraq, that definitely could increase the prices for us as consumers."

Woodruff's worries about a hike in gas prices go beyond his business.

"As a father, as a commuter to work, as a dad who wants to take my family camping, increasing gas prices are going to impact that more," he said. "I do realize it's going to affect (my business) down the road, and if it's not this summer it will be this fall, or this winter, or next spring. … That's just the world we live in."

James Evans, an Idaho driver said he averages $150 in gasoline per month. Evans said he would consider buying a more fuel-efficient car if gas prices continue to climb, as well as travelling less and telecommuting more.

However, Evans feels confident the conflict in Iraq won't impact the pump too much as the market turns instead to other suppliers.

"It's just economic change, and people have to adapt," he said. "It is what it is."

Ashley Erekson commutes about 80 miles, round trip, each day for work and school, filling the tank of her Hyundai Elantra at least three times every two weeks. Rising gas prices would add up fast, she said.

Erekson said she might opt to take public transit, which is less convenient for her route, if costs climb.

"You always know something happening in the Middle East is going to have something to do with your gas," she said as she fueled up for her drive home Wednesday.

Email: mromero@deseretnews.com
Twitter: McKenzieRomero
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.