Myths – Encyclopedia.com

Is it True That Under Brown Eyes is Blue?

Makayla — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 00:47:12 +0000

Some people think that under brown eyes is blue. It is possible that an eye surgery designed to change brown eyes to blue is responsible for the rumor. No matter where the rumor originated, it gave many brown eyed people who wanted blue eyes a false idea about how eyes get their color. Is it true that under brown eyes is blue? No. Scientists say that everyone has brown eyes, even hiding under their blue ones. To understand why blue eyes aren’t hiding behind brown ones, it’s important to understand how we get our eye color. It isn’t just from genetics but also from how our brain perceives color. The colors that we see are formed because of how light is reflected. This means that even though it looks like a person has blue eyes, they don’t. We only see their eye color as blue because of the way certain parts of their eye is made up. This means that everyone has brown eyes but the way it reflects light is different. When the light is reflected, we see eye color when we look at a person. Is it True That Under Brown Eyes is Blue? Blue eyes get their color in the same way that everything that is blue gets it color. It absorbs less light and reflects more back than darker eyes. When that light is scattered the wavelengths are shorter. Shorter wavelengths show up as blue on the spectrum to the human eye. This means that people with blue eyes reflect more light back than those with brown eyes. That’s actually what makes us see someone’s eyes as blue. However, the makeup of the eye is important and the reason that light reflects the way it does has everything to do with melanin in the Iris. Simply put – the more melanin the iris contains the darker the eye. Blue, green or brown – how the eye gets it’s color is about melanin. Are brown eyes really blue? All eyes are really brown because of melanin inside the iris. The Iris is the colored part of the eye. It’s muscles are used to control how much light gets thru to the pupil. It’s made up of two layers and for almost everyone, the bottom later contains enough melanin to be brown. The top layer, or the stroma, also contains melanin but here is where there is some variance. It’s this variance that results in different eye colors. When a person has brown eyes, it’s likely they have plenty of melanin in both the bottom and top layers of their iris. For people who have lighter colored eyes, the top layer (and sometimes the bottom layer) has significantly less or lighter colored melanin. People with blue eyes have little to no melanin in the top layer of their iris. The lack of melanin makes the fibers scatter and absorb the longer wavelengths of light. This means that it is not true that under brown eyes there are blue ones but instead that under blue eyes, and all eye colors, they are actually brown.

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Is it True That Lice Like Clean Hair?

Makayla — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 23:50:02 +0000

Rumors about lice have been circulating since the highly contagious parasite first infested a classroom. Stigma has made it nearly impossible to know if lice like clean hair or dirty hair but it seems there is a good reason for that. As it turns out, lice are less crafty and less picky than we have been led to believe. So do lice like clean hair or dirty hair? Years ago when lice circulated through school, the kids who had it were seen as gross and disgusting. Thousands of parents thought that keeping their kids squeaky clean would keep them from getting lice. Most of the time that was not the case and lice spread like wildfire, regardless of how clean a kid’s hair was. Some people began to see that lice like clean hair too and others still believed that having lice was synonymous with being dirty. Do lice like clean hair? Yes, lice like clean hair. They also like dirty hair. In fact, they just like hair. Lice use strands of hair, clean or dirty, to climb. They latch on and discreetly make their way to the hair follicle and scalp. There, they penetrate the scalp and feast on human blood 3x per day until they lay their eggs. Some sources say that it’s easier for lice to attach to clean hair. Other sources claim that lice aren’t picky and will attach to any hair that gets close enough for them to attach to. This doesn’t mean that lice like clean hair. It also doesn’t mean they like dirty hair. The truth is lice just like accessible hair. And that means hair close to where ever the lice are. Some experts claim that active children that spend time around other kids and on sports teams are often at much higher risk to contract lice than the poor dirty kids that were previously blamed for lice infestations. Lice spreads by close contact to any hair – clean or dirty. Can you get rid of lice with clean hair? Lice likes clean hair because it makes it easier for them to climb in some cases. It’s been said that lice can be killed by vigorous hair washing or by using questionable homemade concoctions. While some of those remedies will make hair cleaner, clean hair is good for lice. They are strong and usually have a tight grip on the hair strand they are using to get to the scalp. This means that a simple hair washing will do little to get rid of lice. Instead it’s advised to use lice treatments provided by a doctor and to launder all of the personal belongings of the family member impacted. According to recent studies, lice have evolved and are now immune to most over the counter treatments available. Lice can not live more than a couple of days without a host so they don’t stay on clothes, bedding and car seats very long. It is true that lice like clean hair. They like any hair that will get them to a person’s scalp for a meal.

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Is it True That 98% of What you Learn is a Waste?

Makayla — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 18:18:04 +0000

Used as a hot button in political debates, the idea that 98% of what you learn is a waste gets tossed around often in conversation. Most of us know it’s true that not everyone will need Algebra and Trigonometry during their life, but is it also true that 98% of what we learn is a total waste? Democrats and other advocates looking to change the school system have long said that a large percentage of what children are taught doesn’t actually help them. Some even say that the way the lessons are taught is also problematic, allowing very little room for comprehension but plenty for competition. Some lifelong teachers point to the pressure of standardized test scores as a reason that school is a waste of time while others simply say that 98% of what kids learn is a waste altogether. However, many of those ideas behind learning are misguided and not based in how the brain learns. Since the brain is constantly learning based on perception of it’s environment, the notion that 98% of what we learn is a waste is a bit short sighted. Learning isn’t just about memorizing the times tables and knowing when to use prepositional phrases but is also about seeing how to act in groups, learning to follow directions and developing a sense of self discipline. Is 98% of what we learn a waste? If 98% of what we learn is a waste, what could be taught that makes our time spent learning worthwhile? Some intellects and philosophers believe that as long as something is learned that no time was wasted. However, others believe that teaching kids more “valuable lessons” in school could help us be sure that we learn is usable. Even among the proponents of changing the system so that 98% of what we learn isn’t a waste have differing opinions on what kind of learning we could institute that would accomplish such a task. Parents point to teachers and teachers point back to parents, but that kind of blame game does very little to change what and how we learn. If the changes did occur, would they ensure that we learn more than goes to waste? 98% of what we learn changes More accurate than the idea that 98% of what we learn is a waste is the idea that it changes. Since most of what we learn isn’t from reading books and taking tests in school, the idea that learning is synonymous to education is the actual problem. Every second your brain is processing inputs from all of your senses. It learns something from every single input. The brain learns things and makes associations that we are not even aware of. As humans, we survive by learning. Over the years our research has taught us many things. some things that were useful immediately and some things that were not useful until years after they were learned. What we learn from our everyday interactions is just as important as what we learn in a classroom. Looking at it from that perspective – it is NOT true that 98% of what we learn is a waste.

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Is it True That Honey Never Goes Bad?

Makayla — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 18:09:03 +0000

Many scientists have found evidence that honey never goes bad. Pots of honey that have been sitting in tombs for hundreds of years were just as fresh as when they were made, according to the archaeologists who found them. Does this mean that honey never goes bad and will be delicious forever? It’s not quite that simple. Honey never goes bad as long as it’s sealed. Sealed honey has can remain untainted forever. It isn’t the only food that doesn’t go bad when it’s stored. Things like rice and sugar are also stable for an indefinite amount of time. However, there is one key difference between preserved honey and stored sugar. Honey is able to remain stable and unspoiled in it’s edible form. So is it wise to eat 100,000 year old honey? Researchers say it would taste and look like it did the very day it was put into the jar. Mind-blowing as it is, honey does not go bad, no matter how long it’s been stored. Turns out what makes honey so stable is also what makes it so delicious and beneficial. Honey never goes bad Honey that remains sealed never goes bad. Even honey that has been opened has a very low chance of spoiling or turning into a breeding ground for bacteria. Experts say the reason honey never goes bad is complex. The truth behind why honey never goes bad is because of what’s in the honey and how bees make it. Honey never goes bad because it’s makeup essentially suffocates bacteria, insects and any other micro-organism that tries to live inside it. It contains very little water in it’s natural form and unless water and moisture is introduced, it will stay stable for years. In additional being low on the water bacteria needs to thrive, honey is also very acidic. So acidic (between 3 and 4.5 on the ph scale) in fact that it actually kills anything that tries to live inside it. Honey never goes bad because bees are amazing Natural and raw honey contains a perfect storm for longevity and preservation. It contains very little water and is quite acidic but those two things aren’t the only thing working in favor of the honey. Bees consume nectar which is mostly water. Inside their stomach, their system breaks down the nectar into gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide. This hydrogen peroxide works inside the honey in the same that it works when humans use it on wounds. For this and many other reasons, honey has been used for it’s medicinal properties around the globe. Honey never goes bad because of the same reasons it’s a valuable resource to many humans. The way honey is made and what it contains creates an environment that makes it nearly impossible for bacteria and micro-organisms to grow. This means that honey will keep forever – as long as it’s sealed. This isn’t the case for all honey though. Once it’s opened, the opportunity for moisture to seep in and cause bacteria to grow increases. Honey never goes bad as long as it’s sealed but eating honey that has been left open could still be risky.

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Does Vaping Cause Popcorn Lung?

Makayla — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 18:06:29 +0000

Once commonplace and even endorsed by medical doctors, tobacco use has come under serious scrutiny over the last few decades by both the health industry and society at large. The previously glamorous habit is now seen as dirty and unhealthy. But the reality is people still enjoy the physical buzz and psychological comfort nicotine provides. The industry has responded by innovating new, smokeless ways of ingesting tobacco, most notably in the form of vapes or e-cigarettes. But lately researchers have uncovered disquieting information about vaping much as scientists did with smoking during the mid-twentieth century. Several viral memes circulating throughout social media have found their way into mainstream news which indicate vaping causes popcorn lung. Is it true that vaping causes popcorn lung? Unfortunately, at this time the research is inconclusive. Vaping could be a harm reduction technique to help people stop smoking but it could also be causing major damage of its own kind. Do E-Cigarettes and vaping cause popcorn lung? What are the facts when it comes to vaping and popcorn lung? Do e-cigarettes and vaping cause popcorn lung? For starters, what even is popcorn lung? Lung.org explains how about “a decade ago, workers in a microwave popcorn factory were sickened by breathing in diacetyl—the buttery-flavored chemical in foods like popcorn, caramel and dairy products. While this flavoring may be tasty, it was linked to deaths and hundreds of cases of bronchiolitis obliterans, a serious and irreversible lung disease” more commonly known as popcorn lung. Turns out diacetyl is an ingredient in e-cigarettes and vaping products. “When inhaled, diacetyl causes bronchiolitis obliterans – more commonly referred to as “popcorn lung” – a scarring of the tiny air sacs in the lungs resulting in the thickening and narrowing of the airways. While the name “popcorn lung” may not sound like a threat, it’s a serious lung disease that causes coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath, similar to the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)” says Lung.org. According to the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD), a division of the NIH, there is currently no cure for popcorn lung! While treatments exist to alleviate symptoms of the condition, nothing has been found to reverse it. But just because vaping means exposing the lungs to this harmful chemical, is that definitive proof that e-cigarettes and the like cause popcorn lung? Could vaping cause popcorn lung? According to fact checking website Snopes, research is inconclusive regarding the causation of popcorn lung due to vaping. Much of the recent hysteria surrounding vaping and popcorn lung originates with a misleading viral meme, images from which were then circulated with statements from a Harvard University study which broadcast the inclusion of diacetyl in e-cigarettes. But the same study did not draw any solid conclusions. Rather, Harvard’s researchers stated that “urgent action is recommended to further evaluate the extent of this new exposure to diacetyl and related flavoring compounds in e-cigarettes.” So while no studies have proven vaping causes popcorn lung, there is legitimate cause for concern.

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Is it True That Video Games are Bad for You?

Makayla — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 17:47:52 +0000

Once an esoteric hobby reserved for computer geeks, videogames have gained massive popularity over the last few decades. Videogames are a multibillion dollar industry now. But many have questioned the effect of videogames on those who play them. Some have said that videogames have a negative impact but is it true that video games are bad for you? Like many forms of new technology, videogames have a primarily positive impact on users but can be abused. There is no link between videogames and violent behavior, however. Where did the idea that videogames are bad for you come from? One reason behind the idea that videogames are bad for you comes from political fearmongering. The Republican party in particular has been quick to blame video games for mass shootings. Rather than examine larger cultural forces at play, as well as the ease with which one can purchase firearms in the United States, it’s far simpler to simply cast videogames as the villain. Another reason many feel videogames are bad from you comes from negative stereotypes of gamers as hopelessly addicted to playing. In this instance, it turns out videogames can be bad for you the same way any potentially addictive behavior could be. Medical News Today “researchers have discovered that video gaming can be addictive – a phenomenon known as ‘Internet gaming disorder.’ In gaming addicts, there are functional and structural alterations in the neural reward system – a group of structures associated with feeling pleasure, learning, and motivation. Exposing video game addicts to game-related cues that cause cravings, and monitoring their brain responses, highlighted these changes – changes that are also seen in other addictive disorders.” Are videogames bad for you? As described above, videogames can develop addictive behaviors and in this way can be bad for you. But this is rarely the case. It’s worth noting that only a minority of gamers develop addictive behaviors. Just as there are shopping, gambling and even sex addicts, the majority of people engage in these behaviors regularly without becoming addicted. Videogames do change the brain and this is often to the benefit of the gamer. Medical News Today goes on to explain how “video game use is known to affect attention. The studies included in the review show that video game players display improvements in several types of attention, including sustained attention and selective attention…. Evidence also demonstrates that playing video games increases the size and competence of parts of the brain responsible for visuospatial skills – a person’s ability to identify visual and spatial relationships among objects.” Videogames are also said to have positive effects on the following mental skills: problem solving and logic; hand-eye coordination, fine motor and spatial skills; planning, resource management and logistics; multitasking, simultaneous tracking of many shifting variables and managing multiple objectives. Overall, videogames are not likely to be bad for you provided you keep an eye out for any signs of videogame addiction.

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Is it True That Sperm is Good for Your Skin?

Makayla — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 17:44:51 +0000

People are always trying new fads to try and improve their skin. From dietary fads to topical treatments, it seems there’s always a newly discovered ingredient that helps improve the complexion. Recently, many have been saying sperm is good for the skin but is it true that sperm is good for your skin? If so, what is the best way to use sperm for improving your skin? Researchers have since disproven the notion that sperm is good for your skin. That does not, however, mean sperm has no beneficial uses outside of pornography and making babies. Why do people think sperm is good for your skin? Marketing hype and the male ego are largely to blame for why people think sperm is good for your skin. Men would like to believe that their ejaculate is the stuff of magic and while it turns out there are healthcare applications of sperm, the science simply does not back up the myth that sperm is good for your skin. Sperm may have minor benefits for dental health. According to Bustle “semen doesn’t just contain sperm, but also vitamins like zinc and calcium, which is why some claim it may help prevent tooth decay…. While semen does contain vitamins that help keep your teeth healthy, it might not contain those vitamins in concentrated enough amounts to actually make a difference.” Many also are under the impression that this negligible combination of vitamins as well as the high protein content in sperm would provide nutritional value to the skin through topical treatment. Although the texture of sperm is not unlike a beneficial serum or gel, there is more to efficacy than texture. There are sperm facials and sperm skin creams that make big promises but are in reality nonsense. One former Cosmopolitan editor famously extolled the virtues of sperm facials but despite her praises, the reality is she was duped. Turns out there is no proven evidence that sperm can provide any benefits to the skin. Is sperm good for your skin? Sperm is not good for your skin neither in terms of treating blemishes nor creating a more youthful appearance. Dr. Will Kirby, a respected dermatologist in Los Angeles, explained to Cosmopolitan recently that “there is nothing in semen that has demonstrable skin benefits,” Kirby said. “Anyone who says otherwise is either misinformed or purposefully misleading you.” Healthline further explained how useless sperm is in terms of treating acne specifically. “A common belief is that spermine — an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent found in sperm and cells throughout the human body — can combat blemishes. Again, no evidence exists to confirm this.” Sperm facials are usually targeted at combatting the signs of aging on the skin. Sadly, the fountain of youth is not a euphemism for the male organ. “Spermine derives from spermidine. One study published in Nature Cell Biology found that injecting spermidine directly into cells can slow down the aging process. But little is known about the effects of applying it topically.” In short, when it comes to skincare, stick to the science and skip the sperm!

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Is it True That Mascara is Made of Bat Poop?

Makayla — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 17:28:51 +0000

It’s well known that many widely used cosmetics throughout history turn out to contain harmful chemicals and sketchy ingredients. Queen Elizabeth famously wore a heavy foundation made of lead as was typical of facial cosmetics at that time. Given the reputation of cosmetics to contain such questionable ingredients, it’s normal to question exactly what’s in makeup and other toiletries. One commonly held belief is that mascara is made from bat poop. But is it true that mascara is made from bat poop? Thankfully, no, it is not true that mascara is made from bat poop. However, there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for why people believe mascara is made from bat poop. Furthermore, exactly what’s in mascara may still have many questioning using this particular cosmetic. Is mascara made from bat poop? No, mascara is not made from bat poop! So what is mascara made from exactly? According to WebMd “mascara’s ingredients typically include a carbon black or iron oxide pigment to darken lashes; a polymer to form a film that coats lashes; a preservative; and thickening waxes or oils such as lanolin, mineral oil, paraffin, petrolatum, castor oil, carnauba wax, and candelilla wax.” Consumers should still be wary and “be on the lookout for thimerosal, a preservative that can cause conjunctivitis and eyelid dermatitis (a rash). Thimerosal is still used in some mascaras.” So while people can use mascara without worrying about any bat poop in their eyes but perhaps remain skeptical of what they use on their faces. Why do people think mascara is made from bat poop? If it’s not true that mascara is made from bat poop, how would such a rumor develop and take hold? The reputable fact-checking site Snopes.com explains how this misconception originates due to “a similarity between two words that causes them to be confused for one another: guano and guanine. Mascara contains the crystalline form of guanine, a word that derives from the Spanish word guano, meaning ‘dung.’…. The crystalline guanine used in beauty products doesn’t derive from excrement, though, either from bats or from any other critter.” “Yet there is a bit of a “yuck!” factor to that ingredient, as guanine is manufactured from fish scales.” That means mascara is technically not a vegan or vegetarian product as fish scales are an animal product. It’s also worth noting that “guanine is used extensively in the cosmetics industry, where it functions as a colorant and as an opacifying (shimmering or light diffusing) agent. It’s found in bath products, cleansing products, fragrances, hair conditioners, lipsticks, nail products, shampoos and skin care products.” Nor is guanine the only less than appetizing yet FDA approved ingredient frequently found in cosmetics. Lipsticks often contain crushed insects as a coloring agent unbeknownst to most consumers. Vegan lipsticks are specially formulated to use synthetic colorants instead. Meanwhile, some strange ingredients are advertised as an innovative selling point of a product. Many people now buy moisturizers and face masks containing snail ooze and bull semen – but not mascara that is made from bat poop!

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Is it True That Periods Sync?

Makayla — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 17:14:55 +0000

It’s a common belief that people who spend prolonged periods of time together will also end up having the same menstrual cycle and get their menstrual periods simultaneously. This phenomena is known as “period syncing,” “menstrual synchrony” or “the McClintock effect.” But is it true that periods sync? Will individuals who menstruate and live together find that they both get their period at the same time? Would that also mean they both ovulate simultaneously? Do periods sync after time spent together? The scientific basis for the popular belief that periods sync after time spent together originates with a 1971 study published in the influential scientific journal Nature. The study was conducted by Harvard doctor Martha McClintock using a group of 135 women living together in a dorm. The research determined “that over the course of the school year, there was an increase in period synchronization for roommates and close friends, but not among random pairings of women” explains Modern Fertility. But do McClintock’s 1971 findings hold true today nearly fifty years later? Have more recent studies debunked the belief that periods sync after people spend time together? It turns out that period syncing is a myth disproved by subsequent studies. In 1971, the feminism movement was beginning to take hold in Western societies. “I find that sometimes ‘society values’ are hiding in hypothesis,” explains anthropologist Alexandra Alvergne. “From a feminist point of view, the idea that [those who menstruate] would co-operate in the face of [patriarchal] domination is attractive” and hence the willingness for many to embrace the concept of period syncing. After all, cisgender men are the one group who do not ever menstruate. A far more recent study from 2006, however, indicates that period syncing is only a long held myth. Healthline explains how “any period syncing that appeared to occur, the study concluded, was within the realm of mathematical coincidence.” An even more recent joint study from 2017 performed by period tracking app Clue and Oxford University has even further debunked the myth of syncing periods. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics explains how “not only did the study find that periods will not sync over time between those who spend a lot of time together and those who live together, it actually revealed that they are more likely to become more separate.” Periods syncing aren’t the only thing to come from spending time with someone While period syncing and the McClintock effect are only myths without a true basis in biology, there are other ways in which people who spend lots of time together can “sync up.” For example, it’s often said two people who spend a lot of time together over many years “start to look alike.” This is not due to facial features changing over time but because humans naturally adopt the mannerisms and gestures of those with whom they spend the most time. Similarly, humans will often adopt the beliefs, values and tastes of those with whom they grow close. This is why the old adage “birds of a feather flock together” carries real weight.

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Is it True That Cats Only Meow at Humans?

Makayla — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 17:00:17 +0000

Meowing is one of the most endearing aspects of domesticated felines, more commonly known as house cats. Recently, viral memes have spread on social media which indicate cats only meow at people But is it true that cats only meow at humans? Do cats ever meow at each other or other animals? While not all social media memes can be trusted, it turns out this viral meme is based on a real fact. It is true that cats only meow at humans. But why do cats meow only at humans? Cats meow at humans The internet is a very cat friendly place. While there are many online forums and groups dedicated to dogs, very few canines have become part of viral memes the way several notable cats have. Keyboard cat, Grumpy cat, Maru and Lil Bub are all cats whose image gained viral traction online resulting in a unique form of celebrity feline status. Unlike famous dogs on TV like Wishbone or Lassie, these cats were not playing a part but just being themselves. Their unique appearances and behaviors led to their use in popular memes and even advertising campaigns. Some of these cats are known for their distinctive and adorable meows. Lil Bub in particular has an especially cute but unusual meow. Many cat owners are similarly charmed by their own cats’ meows. That is not a coincidence. Adult cats meow only at humans and for good evolutionary reasons. Do cats meow only at humans? So why do cats meow only at humans? According to the ASPCA, while “Kittens meow to let their mother know they’re cold or hungry, but once they get a bit older, cats no longer meow to other cats. But they continue to meow to people throughout their lives.” But just because cats don’t meow at each other, does not mean they do not communicate with each other. Purina explains how “adult cats, living apart from humans, have very clear communication with one another. Cat language is spoken mostly through scent, then through facial expression, complex body language and touch.” The reason cats meow exclusively at humans is simply because “cat language” doesn’t work on people! Purina further explains how a “cat is dependent on [its owner] and quickly learns that” humans are no good at “picking up the scent messages… or the body language [the cat] is attempting to use…. So the meowing develops into a second language to communicate to [people]. Some scientists would go so far as to say that cats have refined their meows specifically to manipulate people.” Like different words in any language, cats use different sounding meows with different meanings. A short meow is a simple greeting, like “hello!” While a drawn out or mid-pitch meow indicates a demand such as for food or being let out, a high-pitch meow indicates distress like pain or anger. Remember, too, that meows are not the only way a cat communicates with people. Purring is another adorable sound cats make that indicates comfort and happiness. Hisses are a famously a way cats warn others, including humans, to stay away.

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