Last night, thousands of walkers and hundreds of runners in Edinburgh kicked off the Courtesy of NVA.org.uk

A bunch of research went in to creating this light up gear to meet the NVA’s head designer James Johnson’s following standards:

For the runners, the design team wanted something dramatic, so they ended up going with concentrated point source LEDs, which looked great both close and at a distance. The LEDs allowed them to mix color and adjust intensity of the lights remotely. The runners themselves had to be in tip-top shape, able to run 10 miles at a 9-10 minute pace in all kinds of weather. Therefore, as to not hinder them in their physical feat, the design team fashioned a webbing suit out of the LEDs, complete with a radio and battery pack. Check them out:

The only shortcoming of these suits was that they couldn’t be powered by the runner’s motion. After attempting to harvest energy via knee braces, they determined any impediment to the runner’s motion dramatically affects his or her performance.

For the walkers, Johnson and his team wanted to build something subtler, to provide adequate safety lighting, but not to distract from the viewing experience. They decided to go with staffs/walking sticks illuminated by a combination of electroluminescent tape, fiber optic fabric, and diffused and non-diffused LEDs. Each staff housed a micro-computer that would synch up the flashing patterns with the Orchestra’s score, with changes triggered by movement and altitude. And here they are:

The research team was able to use motion to generate power in this instance, since walking is a more leisurely, steadier movement. To harness the power of movement, two LEDs, two high power Neodymium magnets, and a copper coil go in the top of the staff, then as the walker strides along, striking the stick against the ground, one of the magnets oscillates through the coil, creating a small electrical current. One LED lights up when the magnet travels down, and the other when the magnet travels up, producing a twinkly effect.

The runners also received a smaller version of this staff in the form of a baton.

A 9-year, $3.8 billion study conducted at The Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee in collaboration with the Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention at Maharishi University found “a 47 percent reduction in the combination of death, heart attacks, and strokes” in those who practiced transcendental meditation daily. Does pretending to breath in light still sound weird?

I also encountered a study found that “Meditation provides a good starting point for learning and creativity.” The researchers assert that “There are strong pedagogical reasons for including meditation as part of the daily experience of pupils of all ages and abilities.” The study concludes that “Meditation is a proven means for stilling the mind, encouraging mindfulness, and providing optimum conditions for generative thinking and reflection.”

I’m sold. But, you know what? I’m also “sold” that drinking kale juice every morning would be great for me. That doesn’t mean I do it. Meditation, I’m convinced, is GREAT for you and for everyone. I really believe that. But how does one meditate? And when? And what will people think of me if I stare into the dark center of a candle’s flame daily?

For me, the benefits of meditation outweigh any concerns, and using the candle light solved the problem of how to meditate. I think it would be cool to stare at the dark center of a flame for a few minutes per day. Better mood? Increased focus? Better thinking and reflection? Less risk of heart disease? Yes, I think I’ll sign up.

You know, it goes without saying, but light is truly amazing.

Is your smoke detector hard-wired into your electrical system? Doing so has many benefits, including the fact that you never have to worry about the battery going dead—though battery backup is a wise choice as well. However, just like any other appliance or home security system, your hard-wired smoke detectors do experience wear and tear over the years, and eventually will need to be replaced. How do you know when it’s time though?

Hard-wired smoke detector systems are designed to last about a decade. The reason they wear out isn’t necessarily from use, but rather because over time, dust gathers inside the smoke detectors and eventually desensitizes them. It’s a wise choice to replace all the smoke detectors connected to your system at once, to ensure that they are all fully functional. The safety of your home and your family may depend on it. Be sure to hire a professional electrician to do this job, so that you ensure it is done correctly.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) shares the following safety tips to ensure your family is protected as well as they can be from the risks of a fire: