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Viral video shows snake battling catfish
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In the second video, a water snake once again tangles with a catfish, and this particular snake decides to take the battle to dry land. - photo by Grant Olsen
Grant Olsen
KSL.com
Published: Oct 29, 2015, 3:29 PM
COLORADO RIVER Judging from two popular videos on YouTube, water snakes have no problem taking on large prey. Whether or not a mid-sized snake could swallow a catfish is beside the point whats impressive is that they try.

The first video was posted earlier this year. According to the videos description, it was filmed on the Colorado River near Bastrop, Texas. It begins with a large water snake moving out into the river with a catfish in its jaws. The fish still has plenty of life in it, so the two creatures writhe in the water for nearly 4 minutes.

Did the snake ever claim the victory? Not according Bruce Burns, who posted the video. In response to a question in the comments section, Burns revealed that the snake released the catfish shortly after the conclusion of the video and they both swam away.

In the second video, a water snake once again tangles with a catfish, and this particular snake decides to take the battle to dry land.

According to a WRAL News article, the video was shot at Falls Lake in North Carolina. Angler Jason Dickerson was testing out his new kayak when the snake swam past him with the catfish in its mouth.

Dickerson began filming the action as the snake began dragging the fish up onto a rock. The fish doesnt put up much of a fight so it appears this snake has a decent chance of success. The WRAL News article revealed that after the camera stopped rolling, the snake was able to get the catfish all the way up onto the rock.
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.