Although the method of applying petroleum-based paints to damaged or pruned trees has persisted (and many hardware stores stock wound-dressing products), it has not been shown to help trees.  Wound dressing trees may prevent the trees from forming callouses, which trees use to protected wounded areas. Dark-colored tree paint—especially paint that contains asphalt—on a tree’s trunk will raise the tree’s temperature, often to a harmful degree. Contrary to helping a wounded or pruned tree, wound dressing can actually be harmful.  Painting tree wounds may interfere with the tree’s growth of “scar tissue”-like wood.  Wound dressing can also seal in excess moisture (which is unhealthy for the tree) and can trap harmful bacteria and fungi inside of the tree. In most cases, trees do not need to be painted in order to resist fungal or insect infestations. Trees already have natural methods of protecting and defending themselves from foreign invaders, and do not need human help.  If you prefer to take an active role, apply an organic dressing that contains beeswax and lanolin to protect the wound’s surface moisture. You may also apply a light coating of insecticide or fungicide to the wounded or pruned wood. Unlike human bodies, trees do not “heal” wounded flesh. Rather, they use a process called compartmentalization, by which a tree can internally seal off damaged areas   This is a natural process, and one which trees do not need assistance to perform. The scar tissue that develops from compartmentalization protects the tree from fungus and blocks the undamaged parts of the tree from invasive insects. Just below the bark on a tree are systems that carry nutrients and fluids throughout the tree. These will transfer nutrients within the tree and help compartmentalize when a section has been damaged. Often tree wound dressing is applied to poorly pruned trees, in an effort to “heal” them from the effects of poor pruning. If a tree is properly pruned, the tree will not need to be painted.  When you prune a limb, cut as close to the trunk as you can. Make the cut close to vertical (do not prune tree limbs at an angle). The vertical cut will have a smaller surface area than a diagonal cut, and will leave the tree with less surface area exposed. Prune trees in the winter, when their growth has slowed and insect infection rates are lower.
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One-sentence summary -- Avoid painting damaged trees when possible. Recognize the potential harms of wound dressing. Assist the tree in healing itself organically. Let the tree compartmentalize the wounded area. Prune trees correctly.


You can use any kind of paper for this glider. Origami paper works well but regular printer paper will do fine.  The bigger the paper, the better the plane will fly. If you're starting with a rectangular piece of paper, make it into a square with the following method.  Measure the length of the shorter side of the paper. For standard printer paper, this is 8.5". Mark the point along the longer side of the paper that's as long as the shorter side. So for standard printer paper, use your ruler to mark a spot 8.5" up the longer side. Draw a horizontal line using the mark as a guide. Cut along that line. Hold the glider by the pointed end between your index finger and thumb. Hold it as high as you can, preferably from over a balcony or the like, and let go. It will fall and start gliding forward.
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One-sentence summary -- Get a square of paper. Throw your glider.


Strengthening of the muscles around the knee joint may help decrease the burden on the knee. Preventing atrophy of the muscles is an important part of maintaining functional use of the knee and reducing further damage to the joint. Prescription and nonprescription anti-inflammatory pain medications (such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs) are drugs that help treat the pain as well as the inflammation in the knee.  Always consult your doctor before attempting to treat arthritis with over-the-counter medications, especially if you are taking other medications to treat arthritis. Never exceed the recommended dosage of any medication, including over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. Overdose of NSAIDs can be life-threatening. Hyaluronic acid helps lubricate the joint and is naturally found in the fluid of your knee. If you suffer from arthritis, the natural hyaluronic acid in your knee becomes thinner and less effective.  Your doctor may recommend a hyaluronic acid (also called artificial joint fluid or visco supplementation) injection into your knee joint. Although these injections are not helpful to everyone, they can relieve the symptoms for three to six months. There are some prescription medications available to treat arthritis. Consult your doctor whether you are a candidate for some of these treatment options.  Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (such as methotrexate or hydroxychloroquine) slow or stop your immune system from attacking your joints. Biologics (such as etanercept and infliximab) target various protein molecules involved in the immune response that leads to arthritis. Corticosteroids (such as prednisone and cortisone) reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. They can be administered orally or injected directly into the painful joint. If conservative treatments are not limiting arthritis pain or are not enough to prevent further damage, you may need a surgery, such as joint fusion or joint replacement.  During a joint fusion surgery, your doctor will remove the ends of the two bones in the joint and then locks those ends together until they heal into one rigid unit. During a joint replacement surgery, your doctor will remove the damaged joint and replaces it with an artificial one.
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One-sentence summary -- Go to physical therapy. Take anti-inflammatory medications. Get hyaluronic acid injections in your knee. Ask your doctor if you should take corticosteroids or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Consult your doctor whether you need a surgery.


Using a blender that can’t crush ice could damage or even ruin the blades. Look for one that is high-powered, with at least 300 watts of blending power, and that has stainless steel blades. If you already have a blender but aren’t sure if it's safe to use with ice, check the owner manual first.
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One-sentence summary --
Pick a blender that is able to crush ice.