10/10/2024

LYFE THURSDAY | OCT 10, 2024

22

WORLD SIGHT DAY

For adults and children, it is highly recommended to use “night mode” on apps and devices to mitigate blue light strain.

A S the world continues to rapidly evolve into a digital one, there is a growing concern over the effects of blue light exposure from the increase in time spent looking at screens, particularly for children left under the care of tablets and smartphones. For parents and caregivers, it is important to know the impact of the aforementioned and that it is important to safeguard the vision of the next generation. Blue light defined A high energy visible light in the spectrum of 415 – 495 nanometres, blue light primarily comes from the sun but it is also emitted by digital devices such as smartphones, tablets, computers and LED lighting. In recent years, the time most individuals spend staring at screens has skyrocketed among adults and children, particularly beginning with the pandemic accelerating remote learning and entertainment consumption through digital platforms. For instance, a 2021 research published in the Journal of Children and Media revealed out of the 340 Malaysian parents surveyed, 60% started giving their children screen time before the age of 18 months. Globally, children are estimated to spend four to six hours a day watching or using screens. Due to how young they are, the eyes of children are particularly susceptible to adverse reactions from blue light. Their crystalline lenses are clearer, allowing more short-wavelength blue light to penetrate and reach the retina. As children’s eyes are still developing, they are more sensitive to potential damage from prolonged exposure. Potential effects on children’s eye health Prolonged exposure to blue light can lead to digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome. Symptoms include: 0 Eye fatigue and discomfort 0 Dry eyes 0 Headaches Ű BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR Whether or not blasting Mozart could help plants grow has long been a matter of scientific debate. The US TV show MythBusters even tested it out. It found out that plants exposed to death metal and classical music grew a little better than those left in silence but deeming the results inconclusive. However, with the plant world facing a raft of human-driven challenges, including erosion, deforestation, pollution and a burgeoning extinction crisis, the future of the world’s biodiversity and crops are increasingly feared to be under threat. According to a new study in the journal Biology Letters , the role of acoustic stimulation in fostering ecosystem recovery and sustainable food systems remains under-explored. Based on previous work that

Periodic eye examinations will ensure greater eye health.

Blue light blues o Digital device Ý strain eyes of children

eliminate the potential risks of blue light exposure, these are several strategies parents and caregivers can consider using to protect the eye health of children. 0 Limit screen time: Follow age appropriate guidelines for screen use. 0 Encourage outdoor activities: Time spent outdoors has been associated with a reduced risk of myopia development in children. 0 Use blue light filters: Consider installing blue light filtering apps on devices or using screen protectors designed to reduce blue light emission. 0 Adjust device settings: Many devices now have built-in “night mode” or “eye comfort” settings that reduce blue light emission. 0 Practise the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away. Over a period of time, this will help reduce eye strain. 0 Consider blue light filtering glasses: While their effectiveness is still being studied, some eye care professionals recommend these for children who spend significant time in front of screens. 0 Regular eye check-ups: Ensure children have regular comprehensive eye exams to monitor their vision health and detect any issues early. As it is World Sight Day today, it is crucial to remember digital devices, when used appropriately, can be valuable tools for learning and development. The goal should not be the complete elimination of time spent on screens but to find the least dangerous middle ground where children can still benefit from technology.

Children are most susceptible to the effects of blue light. – PICS BY FREEPIK

young children. This could be seen even before 2020, with a 2019 study published in Jama Pediatrics linking an association between higher screen time in preschool-aged children and lower scores on developmental screening tests. Protecting children’s eyes To mitigate, negate or even

The petri dishes were played this sound at a level of 80 decibels for half an hour a day. After five days, the growth and spore production were higher in the fungi that were played the sound, compared with those that sat in silence. While far from definitive, the researchers suggested some potential reasons this could happen. The acoustic wave could be converted into a fungi-stimulating electrical charge under what is known as the piezoelectric effect. Another theory involves tiny receptors on the membranes of the fungi called mechanoreceptors. These are comparable to the thousands of mechanoreceptors on human skin that play a role in our sense of touch, which involves reacting to pressure or vibration. “It might be that sound waves stimulate these mechanoreceptors in the fungi, which then trigger a cascade of biochemical events that lead to genes being switched on or hormone responsible for regulating every human’s sleep-wake cycle. This can be particularly problematic for children as adequate sleep is crucial for their physical and cognitive development. The impact of blue light extends beyond physical eye health. Some researchers have suggested a potential link between excessive screen time and attention issues in

0 Blurred vision Though the short-term effects are well-documented, more research on the long-term consequences of blue light exposure is needed and ongoing. Impact on sleep and behaviour One of the most significant concerns regarding blue light exposure is its effect on sleep. Blue light suppresses the production of melatonin, the

Music boost for crops, gardens exposed the E. coli bacteria to sound waves, a team of Australian researchers set out to assess the effect sound has on the growth rate and spore production of the fungus Trichoderma harzianum. A study has suggested, playing a monotonous sound stimulates the activity of a fungus that promotes plant growth, raising the potential that playing music could be good for crops and gardens.

New study suggests music could be good for plants. – 123RFPIC

The fungus is often used in organic farming for its ability to protect plants from pathogens, improve nutrients in the soil and promote growth. The researchers built little sound booths to house petri dishes full of fungi. Instead of pop bangers, they were played Tinnitus Flosser Masker at 8 kHz. This was the audio from one of many white noise videos on YouTube which are intended to relieve tinnitus or help babies fall asleep. “Think of the sound of an old-school radio in between channels. We chose this monotone for controlled, experimental reasons but it might be that a more diverse or natural soundscape is better. This needs further research,” explained lead study author Jake Robinson of Flinders University in Adelaide.

microbial communities as a whole? Can we speed up the soil restoration process by stimulating the earth with natural soundscapes? What impact might this have on the soil fauna? “There are many important questions to keep us busy,” Robinson said. – AFP

off, for instance, the kind of genes responsible for growth. “Our preliminary research suggests the fungi respond to the sound but we do not know yet if this benefits the plants. So, this is the next step. “Can we influence soil or plant