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Video game 'Thoughts and Prayers' mocks political inaction on gun violence
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Amid some congressional representatives' calls to end moments of silence following mass shootings and other filibustering to try and inspire more stringent gun control measures, video game developers are also airing their frustration, with a game. - photo by Chandra Johnson
Americans are all reacting to the recent shooting in an Orlando nightclub differently.

Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes tweeted in frustration that he would "not attend one more moment of silence on the (House of Representatives) floor" because "our silence does not honor the victims, it mocks them."

Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy also reacted in frustration, holding a 15-hour filibuster in the hopes of banning suspected terrorists from owning or buying guns.

"Ask yourself: What can you do to make sure that Orlando or Sandy Hook never, ever happens again? Murphy said before relinquishing the Senate floor.

Video game developer GOP Arcade is also airing frustration with a game, "Thoughts and Prayers." GOP Arcade has released a series of games designed to "make the hoopla surrounding the election somewhat more enjoyable," according to its website. The games play with 80s style aesthetics as they comment on political issues in another game in the series, players pry Donald Trump's tax records "from his sausage fingers."

"Now, thanks to the folks at GOP Arcade, a new online game gives everyone the chance to be just as effective as a Republican legislator," Slate Magazine quipped about the game.

In the game, players hit buttons marked "Think" and "Pray" as many times as possible while shootings pop up across a map of the United States, complete with hashtags like #PrayforSeattle. At the end of each round, a old-fashioned score tally comes up marking how many thoughts and prayers were submitted vs. lives saved always zero.

"While its unlikely to change anyones mind, or actually bring about a change in our nations laws regarding firearms, 'Thoughts and Prayers' is a razor-sharp reminder that, ultimately, the life-and-death fight over gun control is anything but a game," Rafi Schwartz wrote at Fusion Magazine.
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.