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The robot takeover is not all that bad
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Not everything about the rapidly advancing developments in technology belongs in a sci-fi dystopian novel. - photo by JJ Feinauer
JJ Feinauer
Deseret News
Published: Jun 2, 2015, 10:10 PM
Robots may be well on their way to taking over the economy (depending on who you talk to, that could be considered a good thing) but according to Henry Evans, the rapidly advancing technology thats paved the way for a robotics takeover is getting a bad rap.

According to Evans, robotic technology is doing amazing things for those who are permanently bedridden. And he should know, since Evans has been immobile since he experienced a stroke in 2002.

It took me several years, Evans said during a Ted Talk he gave in 2013, but with the help of an incredibly supportive family, I finally decided life was still worth living."

According to his bio at ted.com, Evans is now quadriplegic and mute as a result of his stroke, but with the help of new technology he has been able to travel more than most could ever dream.

In the past year, he has visited Vermillion, South Dakota; Sydney, Australia; and Qusar, Azerbaijan, Teds Kate Torgovnick May wrote on May 7. According to May, Evans has been able to do this due to the use of "aerial drones" that act as what he calls body surrogates.

These surrogate technologies have also allowed Evans to perform menial tasks that many take for granted, but that Evans is no longer able to perform unassisted, such as opening the refrigerator and even shaving.

As part of his efforts to evangelize these new technological developments, Evans produced a video that discusses five new technologies that he believes will help the disabled experience the world again.

You can learn more about Evans and the technologies he discusses in the video at Teds website.
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.