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WHAT DOES POISON IVY LOOK LIKE? HOW TO ID AND AVOID IT

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Poison ivy is an extremely prevalent plant east of the Rocky Mountains, and probably one of the most well known poisonous plants in the world. The common nature of the plant is probably due to the fact that many different bird species feed on its berries, as poison ivy does not have the same irritating effect on animals that it does on humans. There is a resin in the plant’s sap called urushiol that causes an itchy rash for humans following contact with any part of the plant. You’ve probably heard the “leaves of three, let it be” rule, which dictates that a plant with a compound leaf of three—or three distinct leaflets joining together on a single stem—may be poisonous and should be avoided. However, the trouble with poison ivy is that even within this rule, it can take on many different appearances that vary by season or even just by plant. What Does Poison Ivy Look Like? Poison ivy leaves can present as smooth-edged, or wavy or jagged, and can also appear either waxy and sh...
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LIGHT THERAPY: THE BENEFITS OF HEALING THROUGH SUNLIGHT

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Light is critical for our health and well-being. Two hundred years ago, 75 percent of the population worked outdoors; today, less than 10 percent work in natural light. As the brain needs 5000 lux of sunlight to operate correctly, the 400 lux available in an average office falls short and could contribute to light-related health problems. In addition, skin must be exposed to sunlight in order to produce vitamin D. MORE:  9 Signs That Could Mean You’re Not Getting Enough Vitamin D The right amount of light at the correct time of day ensures your body clock operates normally. Modern living has altered nature’s cues, resulting in a dramatic increase in light- deficiency symptoms such as seasonal affective disorder and sleeping problems. Light therapy has been developed as a quick way to restore equilibrium to the body all year round. It is also used to treat certain skin conditions. How Light Therapy Works Light therapy can be a valuable tool to rectify a lack of light...
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HOW NOT TO DIE OF BOTULISM

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After tanking up on “pruno,” a bootleg prison wine, eight maximum-security inmates at the Utah State prison in Salt Lake County tried to shake off more than just the average hangover. Their buzz faded into double vision, weakness, trouble swallowing, and vomiting. Tests confirmed that the detainees came down with botulism from their cellblock science experiment. In secret, a prison moonshiner mixed grapefruit, oranges, powdered drink mix, canned fruit, and water in a plastic bag. For the pièce de résistance, he added a baked potato  filched from a meal tray weeks earlier and peeled with his fingernails. After days of fermentation and anticipation, the brewer filtered the mash through a sock, and then doled out the hooch to his fellow yardbirds. The party was short-lived. The potato was a big mistake. Investigators traced botulism spores to the humble spud. Within hours of the first swig, botulinum toxin infiltrated the prisoners’ nerve cells, causing weakness an...
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