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The 3 most important elements of a successful marriage
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The art of marriage is typically thought of to be exactly that an art form. But could there be a more scientific approach? - photo by JJ Feinauer
The art of marriage is typically thought of to be exactly that an art form.

With numerous variables and the complexity of human emotion on full display, marriage has long held a reputation as something to be examined with wonder and fear often reserved for the paintings of Jackson Pollock. Though they may seem identifiably similar on the surface level, no two people are the same, making the union of two souls a delicate game.

But what if that game was less complicated than its reputation lets on? Maybe marriage really is more of a science, not an art. That seems to be the implication of a new study published by Cornell University.

According to the study, recent research into happy marriages shows that, despite the countless variables that certainly exist in every relationship, there seems to be a few identifiable traits found in most successful marriages. The press release for the study goes so far as to claim a formula for success when it comes to marriage.

To better understand this formula, researchers surveyed close to 400 Americans who had been involved in a romantic union for 30 years or more. All participants were Americans age 65 or older. The researchers inquired into what makes a relationship last, and compiled the answers to form the Cornell Marriage Advice Project.

From that research three major themes emerged: communication, knowledge and commitment.

Communication

According to the researchers, communication is key to making any relationship last. The majority of those surveyed said they believed most marital problems can be solved through open communication, and conversely many whose marriages dissolved blamed lack of communication.

As I wrote in February, good communication can go a long way in calming the waters of arguments that naturally arise during any relationship.

Keep yapping at one another, one responded reportedly told the researchers. If you cant communicate, youre just two dead ducks.

Knowledge

Knowledge plays many important roles in marriage. Understanding what lies ahead for you and your partner is vital to charting a successful life together, for example. But one of the most important types of knowledge, according to the survey, is an intimate understanding of the person youll be marrying. How they think, what they love and what they want from life can all be make-or-break issues for compatibility. Thats why its so important to know exactly who youre marrying.

Those looking for a successful marriage should wait to marry until they have gotten to know their partner well and have a number of shared experiences, the researchers said, summarizing the responses.

Their strongest recommendation is to marry someone who is generally similar to you, they explained elsewhere. Marriage is difficult for anyone, but its much easier with someone who shares your interests, background and orientation.

Commitment

Its no secret that despite recent declines, high divorce rates remain an important part of the public dialogue around marriage. While theres certainly no surefire way to eliminate divorce altogether, the researchers found that those in successful relationships think marriage is as much a state of mind as anything.

Rather than seeing marriage as a voluntary partnership that lasts only as long as the passion does, the researchers found the elders propose a mindset in which it is a profound commitment to be respected, even if things go sour over the short term.

They see marriage as a discipline, one of the researchers found. Like becoming an athlete or a musician you never reach perfection, you are constantly learning, and you sacrifice short-term gain for something more rewarding later on.

But in the end, one of the most poignant lessons the researchers found in the wisdom of the elders, is that marriage is indeed worth it.

It is a sublime experience, they said. A connection to another person unlike any other relationship.
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.