By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Tiger brings down drone in new viral video from China
5bc77c9194f7e7d77a447a1869ab1e1f942566bd57fe3e62fc7250dfd33390ab
Everyone knows that tigers are fearsome predators. But as seen in a popular video from China, even electronic devices can become prey. - photo by Grant Olsen
HEILONGJIANG PROVINCE, China Everyone knows that tigers are fearsome predators. But as seen in a popular video from China, even electronic devices can become prey.

The video, posted to YouTube by China Central Television, shows a large group of tigers pursuing an aerial drone. According to a report from The Washington Post, the encounter took place in Chinas Harbin Siberian Tiger Park in Heilongjiang province. The park is one of the countrys largest tiger farms and is also home to other large cats, such as lynx and lions.

At the videos onset, several large tigers are shown strolling around the parks enclosure and lounging on the snow. When the drone is introduced into the scene, many of them begin to chase it.

One of the tigers finally took matters into its own paws, lunging high into the air before striking the drone and bringing it to the ground. The other tigers then surrounded the downed quadcopter, chewing on its components until the battery erupted with smoke.

A staff member then reportedly removed the drone before the malfunctioning device could pose a threat to the animals. Drones such as the one in the video are actually used to give the tigers exercise, as they enjoy pursuing them.

While the video is certainly enjoyable to watch, The Washington Post reports that there are controversial elements to the park where it was filmed. An investigation from 2014 revealed that the tigers were kept in deplorable conditions. And the government allegedly allowed the park to sell wine made from tiger bone, which has been outlawed since 1993.
Its toxic: New study says blue light from tech devices can speed up blindness
93cbd7a5475cccd1cee701424125d3abaa9b4beaa58d3663208f656cbbbd7661
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.