By Kaprice Sanchez, Reporter

Can’t lose that last 10 pounds? Blame the glow from that computer screen.

A new study from Ohio State University suggests that light from technological devices, such as televisions and computers, can affect people’s metabolisms.

In the study, researchers exposed mice to differing amounts of light: one group was in bright light 24 hours a day, one group was in dim light for eight hours at night, and one group was in eight hours of total darkness. Researchers found that mice exposed to dim light gained 50 percent more weight than mice that had eight hours of total darkness, largely because the animals tended to eat at times they would normally be sleeping.

The researchers suggest the same might be true for humans, which could explain why even humans who eat well and exercise can gain weight.

School nurse Jackie Mueller explained that since the body’s circadian rhythms go through a 24-hour cycle, hormones can get unbalanced when people are in light at night, which may alter the metabolism.

Science teacher Sally Wilson added that the body’s metabolism is slower when people sleep, so eating less than a hour before going to bed can cause weight gain.

The researchers recommended turning off electronic devices that emit light and dimming interior lights by 9:30 p.m., then sleeping in total darkness, to reduce the effects.