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The perfect amount of homework for students
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Recent research from the University of Oviedo in Spain indicates homework neednt take up an entire night. In fact, researchers found the perfect amount of time per day for homework was just one hour. - photo by Tyler Stahle
When a teenager arrives home from school in the afternoon, the last thing he or she wants to worry about is homework. After all, theres TV to be watched, friends to hang out with and maybe even a job to fulfill.

However, recent research from the University of Oviedo in Spain indicates homework neednt take up an entire night. In fact, researchers found the perfect amount of time per day for homework was just one hour.

The study, which looked at more than 7,000 students living in Spain approximately 13 years old, found a positive correlation between the amount of homework a student completed and the level of the childs understanding and that optimal level was achieved in one hour.

But dont get too excited too quickly.

Researchers say such results arent fully conclusive. The authors note that though they found a correlation between an hour of studying and the optimal level of learning, it doesnt necessarily translate to better test results.

As a matter of fact, a variety of other studies indicate otherwise.

According to a 2012 article published in The Guardian, a study from the Department for Education in the UK found that children who put in two to three hours a night of homework were more likely to get better grades in school.

The study found that one of the main determinants of a students attitude toward homework came from the influence of the school. When students were expected to do thorough homework, they were likely to spend more time completing it.

Thats one of the reasons Indian and Chinese children do better, said Pam Sammons, an education professor at Oxford University. They tend to put more time in. Its to do with your effort as well as your ability.

Sammons noted that homework doesnt need to occupy an entire night, but there are benefits to spending a few extra minutes on assignments.

What were not saying is that everyone should do large amounts, said Sammons. But if we could shift some of those who spend no time or half an hour into doing one to two hours.

And perhaps youve heard the popular saying of 10 minutes per night per grade coined by researcher Harris Cooper. Cooper recommends 10-20 minutes of homework per night beginning in first grade, then an additional 10 minutes added for each grade level after that.

But even though there may not be a one-size-fits-all recommendation, it is possible that too much studying can be detrimental. Just last year, research from Stanford University reported that high school students grades were negatively affected when they spent too much time with homework.

Any student who is doing more than three and a half hours of homework a night is actually at risk for higher stress levels and poor mental and physical health, said Denise Pope, a senior lecturer in Stanfords School of Education who participated in the study.
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.