Every day, we each perform thousands of tasks using different senses and parts of our bodies without thinking twice about it. But for some people, these daily activities aren't so easy. People with physical impairments, ranging from the loss of sight to the loss of a leg, face hurdles that most of us don't even consider. Fortunately, as technology makes life easier for everyone, innovations have also made life easier for people with physical disabilities. These nine inventions have helped many of the people in our communities do the things we take for granted each day.

1. Braille

   For those of us blessed with sight, those strange little bumps we see on signs are totally foreign to us, but for blind people, Braille is a way of learning, being independent, and staying safe. Braille is a system that allows those without sight to read using their fingertips by assigning patterns of raised dots to each character in the alphabet and other symbols. Before the invention of Braille, books for the blind were made by embossing traditional letters, but they were time-consuming to produce and hard to read at a normal pace. Lessons were learned verbally, passed down from older students or tutors. A blind Frenchman named Louis Braille developed the idea, building on a rejected idea for a military code, and the system was put into practice in 1825. Today, you can find Braille on signs, telephones, and even the banknotes in some countries.

2. Walker

   The device that aids many of our grandparents, as well as people with other mobility issues, has become so commonplace that we hardly give it a second thought. Less than a century ago, as people grew old and had a hard time getting around, they might use a cane. Once they started having problems with their balance, however, they would have to use a wheelchair or stay in bed most of the time. In 1988, Andrejs Muiza, an immigrant to the U.S. from Latvia, patented the modern-day walker. This device allows people to remain more active, mobile, and independent in old age than they could in the past. Walkers can even contribute to better health since they keep users from being stuck in a chair or bed, which can exacerbate medical issues. There are a variety of walkers in use today, with wheels, seats, and baskets. There are even special kinds for children with disabilities and obese people.

3. Flex-Foot feet

   Among the many difficulties a person faces after losing one or both legs, the idea of never running or playing sports again can be one of the toughest for previously active amputees. Early prosthetics were wooden and difficult to use, causing problems with posture and gait. There have been many advances since the beginning of prosthetic research, such as improvements in the way limbs are attached and how they are controlled. Some of the most exciting prosthetic technology has come from Ossur, a company that moved beyond building prosthetics that looked like the leg they were replacing and focused more on functionality. The Flex-Foot line of products makes legs with feet made from carbon fiber, which is known for its strength and flexibility. With these, amputees can regain the active lifestyle they once knew. Just ask Oscar Pistorius, a double amputee who competes in able-bodied track races on the world stage using a model of Flex-Foot.

4. Cochlear implant

   Many deaf people embrace their hearing disability and become a part of the deaf community and culture, which has its own social cues and language. But the fact that there's even an option for a deaf person to gain the ability to hear is amazing. Parents can now choose to give their deaf children the chance to integrate into the mainstream hearing community. A cochlear implant is a device surgically placed in the skull that stimulates the inner ear. The sounds aren't completely natural, because the implant sends electrical pulses into the ear, but many patients get used to it and learn to use the device effectively. The first cochlear implant was created in 1957, and the practice has now been performed on more than 200,000 people throughout the world.

5. ReWalk exoskeleton

   Most people's first thought after getting in an accident that leaves them paralyzed is "Will I ever walk again?" While some people experience temporary paralysis that allows them to work toward walking again, others may not be able to use their legs on their own. The ReWalk exoskeleton, a product developed within the last few years, allows paraplegics to stand, walk, climb up stairs, and go down again. By wearing leg braces and a device on their back, users can tell the equipment what they want to do, and the ReWalk measures the angle of their torso and then moves the legs in a way that allows the person to keep balanced. Invented in Israel, the ReWalk is on sale now, but its high price might keep many paraplegics from buying it just yet. Even so, it's a literal step in the right direction for paraplegic technologies.

6. Mechanical larynx

   Communication is one of the most vital parts of every relationship, and as a human, it's essential that we are able to talk to each other. When people suffer damage to their larynx, or voicebox, from cancer or another injury, it can be very frustrating for them to try to express themselves and for others to understand them. The first artificial larynx was produced in the 1920s, back before they knew the dangers of smoking, and the first electrolarynx, the popular electric device still used today, was created in the '40s. It's normally a small handheld device that a person can hold up to his or her throat that produces speech from the throat's vibrations. This allows people with injured larynxes to lead normal lives, speaking to people in person and over the phone. Though some users dislike the mechanical voice that the device creates, researchers are getting close to finding ways to create a more natural-sounding voice with inflections and better pronunciation.

7. Text telephones

   In today's world, there are many ways for people to communicate even if they can't hear or speak well. There are web cams that would allow people to use sign language, text messages, and apps on cell phones to convert speech to text and vice versa. But before this technology era, traditional telephones were a major form of communication. Text wasn't a verb yet, so it was difficult for hearing-impaired people to keep in contact with each other or loved ones. In the 1960s, a deaf scientist named Robert Weitbrecht helped solve that problem. He created the teletypewriter, or TTY, a sort of text telephone where users could type messages to each other that were transmitted through a normal telephone line. Though the technology was initially limited to communication between people who both had TTY devices, relay services began to allow TTY users to call people who had regular telephones. As a pre-cursor to today's cell phone, TTY was an innovative aid allowing deaf people (and others) to keep up with relationships and call 911 if necessary.

8. Car hand controls

   There are few things that make you feel more free and independent than getting in your car and driving somewhere. We all remember what it was like before we got our driver's licenses and had to rely on other people to shuttle us around. That's a feeling no one wants to go back to, whether you're physically disabled or not. When a person loses the use of his legs, still being able to drive a car can be incredibly encouraging. Adaptive hand controls for your car can be permanent or portable, and allow you to operate a vehicle without the use of your legs for braking and accelerating. With one hand, you can control the two pedals in your car with a special device and the other hand is used to steer, often with a knob attached to the steering wheel to make it easier. This allows many physically disabled drivers to get back a little piece of their independence.

9. Color identifier

   This invention may not be life-changing for a visually impaired person, but it allows him or her to live as any other person would and "see" parts of their surroundings. Choosing clothes we like with colors that match or complement each other is something most of us take for granted. Determining what to wear each morning is a split-second decision, but one we rely totally on our sight to make. We also rely on color to tell us many other things that we don't think about, such as identifying important signs or pills we're about to take. Color identifiers are hand-held devices (or apps you can put on your smartphone) that can tell you aloud what color an object is. It's an important tool for the blind and visually impaired when shopping and walking around, and can help them fit better into mainstream society.

When a celebrity dies, the whole world takes notice. Police officers work diligently to get answers and the media goes into overdrive. But just like the people that die every day, there are sometimes holes in the story of how a celebrity died. The recent reopening of Natalie Wood's case brings to mind the dozens of mysterious celebrity deaths that have gone unsolved or should be revisited. Here are 10 celebrity deaths surrounded by mystery.

1. Marilyn Monroe

   The tragic death of Marilyn Monroe has led many to wonder if it was in fact a suicide, or if it was actually a murder. On Aug. 5, 1962, Monroe was found dead in her home after allegedly overdosing on barbiturates. Although the coroner's report called Monroe's death a probable suicide, many people still believe she was murdered. At the time of her death, the 36-year-old starlet was allegedly involved with John F. Kennedy and possibly his brother, Robert, which has led to various conspiracy theories about her mysterious death. Others believe it could have been the work of the CIA or mafia.

2. Notorious B.I.G.

   The death of rap legend Notorious B.I.G. has continued to mystify those investigating the 14-year-old murder case. On March 9, 1997, Notorious B.I.G. and his entourage attended an after party following the Soul Train Awards. After leaving the party, a black Chevrolet Impala SS pulled alongside Notorious B.I.G.'s GMC Suburban and its lone driver fired at the men. The man shot Biggie four times in the chest and the rapper was pronounced dead shortly after the incident. The murder remains unsolved, but there are many theories as to what happened to Biggie that dark night. Many believe it was an act of the West Coast rap rivals, while others suggest corrupt LA police officers were behind the shooting.

3. George Reeves

   The mysterious death of TV's Superman, George Reeves, has caused a great deal of debate over the events of June 16, 1959. After a night of dinner and drinks with friends, Reeves was found lying naked on his bed with a gun between his feet. His house guests made a delayed call to the police and were unable to give officers clear or coherent witness accounts of the night. Police labeled Reeves' death a suicide. Reeves' fiancé, Leonore Lemmon, said he was depressed from his "failed career." Some have attributed his alleged suicide to being type-casted as Superman and not being able to find new work because of his well-known role.

4. Tupac

   The unsolved murder of Tupac Shakur has remained a subject of controversy over who killed the rap artist and why. On the night of Sept. 7, 1996, Shakur was shot multiple times by drive-by shooters in a white, late-model Cadillac. Shakur was taken to a Las Vegas hospital, where he was sedated and placed on life support machines. Shakur remained in the trauma center for six days and died of internal bleeding on Sept. 13, 1996. Several theories surfaced about who was responsible for Tupac's death. Rival East Coast rapper Notorious B.I.G., Orlando "Baby Lane" Anderson, and the Southside Crips have been linked to the attack. Tupac's killer or killers have yet to be found and the case remains unsolved.

5. Brittany Murphy

   On Dec. 20, 2009, actress Brittany Murphy collapsed and died from a combination of multiple drug intoxication, pneumonia, and an iron deficiency. At the time of Murphy's death, the 32-year-old was battling laryngitis and flu-like symptoms and was taking a wide range of prescription and over-the-counter medications, including an antibiotic, cough medicine, and several prescription pain killers. Although the death was ruled as an accident, many questioned the cause of her death and if her husband was somehow involved. Adding to the mystery of Murphy's death, her husband, Simon Monjack, died five months later from natural causes. The English screenwriter also apparently suffered acute pneumonia and severe anemia. Theories circulated about other possible causes of the deaths, including toxic mold in their house, which was vehemently dismissed by the coroner and her mother.

6. Bob Crane

   The unsolved murder of Bob Crane, the star of Hogan's Heroes, has left many wondering who was actually responsible for the brutal killing. While working on his play, Beginner's Luck, in Scottsdale, Ariz., Crane was found bludgeoned to death with what was believed to be a camera tripod. A day before his death, Crane allegedly called John Henry Carpenter to end their friendship following an argument they had in person. Carpenter was an electronics salesman who videotaped Crane's sexual escapades with women. Carpenter was the accused murderer, but his name was cleared due to insufficient evidence.

7. Elizabeth Short

   The unsolved murder of aspiring actress Elizabeth Short has sparked an enormous amount of interest in her life and subsequent death. On Jan. 15, 1947, Short was gruesomely murdered, stripped naked, mutilated, and severed into two pieces. The incident became known as the Black Dahlia murder. The public was fascinated by the murder and detectives were on a mission to find her killer. The alleged killer sent some of Short's belongings to the editor of the Los Angeles Examiner, and wrote letters to the newsroom calling himself the "Black Dahlia Avenger." Although more than 50 men and women have confessed to Short's murder, the murderer has not yet been caught.

8. Bruce Lee

   The death of martial arts movie icon Bruce Lee shocked the world and left the public with many questions surrounding his untimely demise. On July 20, 1973, Lee was found unconscious and later pronounced dead after allegedly experiencing an allergic reaction to the prescription painkiller Equagesic, which was given to him by his colleague Betty Ting Pei. The coroner's report ruled "death by misadventure." A few months before his death, Lee suffered from seizures and headaches and was diagnosed with cerebral edema. Lee experienced the same symptoms on the day of his death, which has fueled differing views of why he died. Some of the popular theories about Lee's death include that it was a murder involving the triads, and someone was out to curse him and his family. Others believe it was a delayed reaction from a deadly fighting strike.

9. David Carradine

   Kung Fu star David Carradine was found naked and dead in his Bangkok hotel suite on June 3, 2009. The 72-year-old's body was hanging by a rope in the closet of his hotel. His wrists, neck, and genitals had been tied up, leading the media to point to suicide or an accident during autoerotic asphyxiation. Some of Carradine's ex-wives confirmed that the actor liked to engage in dangerous self-bondage and sexually deviant behavior. Autopsies concluded that Carradine did not commit suicide and asphyxiation was the likely cause of death. Although some still speculate that Carradine committed suicide or was murdered, the investigators did not find enough evidence to back these theories.

10. Thelma Todd

    On Dec. 16, 1935, movie star Thelma Todd was found dead in her parked car in actress Jewel Carmen's garage. Carmen was the former wife of Todd's lover. The cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning, but was it suicide or murder? Todd had blood on her head and dress, which indicated that she may have been knocked unconscious before being poisoned, while others believed she was targeted for extortion and decided to end her own life. Two years later, Todd's ex-husband was murdered and the mystery continues.

By: Madeline Sanders

A college education can be expensive, but it is certainly not out of financial reach for anyone. There are a tremendous number of resources available to students that can help to relieve some of the financial stress involved with completing a college education. The first step to pursuing financial aid to help pay for your college is evaluating your individual situation and educating yourself on the options you have.

Begin by familiarizing yourself with the different types of financial assistance that exist. There are two basic categories of financial aid: gift aid, which comes in the form of scholarships and grants, and self-help aid, which comes in the form of student loans and work-study programs. Some financial aid is provided by the federal government and other financial aid is provided by the school. It is common for students to utilize both federal and school aid. You must educate yourself on financial aid before you can determine whether it is right for you.

The next step in the process is to do the math. You need to figure out approximately how much your education will cost before you can be sure whether you want to take on financial aid. There are several tools online to help you determine how much your college education will cost, but all of it depends on the individual school you choose to attend. Next, determine how much money you will have to spend on your education during the time you are in college. Once you calculate these two numbers subtract the cost of your college education from the amount of money you have to spend on it. This end number will be roughly the amount of financial aid you will need.

If you have decided that financial aid for your college education is something you would like to pursue, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form is also used by the college you select to determine what financial aid they will offer you. So, even if you do not wish to utilize financial aid through the federal government, you will still have to complete the FAFSA. After your FAFSA is competed the government and the school you decide to go to can offer you financial aid. You may choose to accept or deny any or all of the offer as you deem necessary.

Financial aid can be a great option for students who are concerned about the cost of a college education. Understanding that you have multiple options for aid is essential when you are considering taking on the investment of college tuition. Educate yourself on the many options available to you and remember that going to college doesn't have to mean taking on insurmountable debt.

By: Madeline Sanders

College is a time full of new and exciting experiences. You get to learn new things and explore new aspects of life. For many students, college is the time you stretch beyond your comfort zone and become a truly independent person. While college can be fun and exciting, it can also be stressful and overwhelming. All too often, college students spend so much time researching for papers and cramming for exams that they end up neglecting their health.

The first step to remaining healthy while in college is eating right. As a new college student it is likely that this is the first time you have had to cook for yourself. Between classes, homework, studying, and a social life finding the time to cook a balanced meal can seem impossible (if not pointless). As a college student, you need your mind to be working at its fullest capacity. Without the proper nutrients, your mind may suffer and, therefore, your grades may suffer. Be sure to eat breakfast every morning to prepare you for the day. It's impossible to stay attentive during a lecture when all you can do is think about your empty stomach. Junk food is a popular choice among students who don't have time to spare for a proper meal. This can be okay sometimes, but do not make a habit of it. Eat regular meals with a lot of variety everyday to ensure that your mind is working at its greatest potential.

The next step to staying healthy in college is exercise. Again, as a student, you are busy. You have class, homework, studying, tests, group projects, clubs, meetings, parties, the list goes on, but fitting in a time for regular exercise may make all the difference. Finding time to exercise throughout the day will help you stay physically, mentally, and psychologically healthy. College is an extremely stressful time in a person's life. You are constantly busy with class and studying and on top of all that you are trying to decide who you are and who you want to be. Regular exercise allows you to relax and de-stress a little away from the crazy world of college academics. Much of college is spent in a stationary state. You sit in class or sit and do homework. Getting up and getting active keeps your body healthy and your mind attentive and alert.

Lastly, it is endlessly important to get enough sleep when you are in college. This can be hard, but is essential to succeeding academically. Sleep deprivation results in decreased immune system function, problems with concentration, problems with memory, irritability, and depression. All of these things deter you from performing your best in the academic world. Find time to take naps in-between classes or simply go to sleep earlier. Remembering to eat right, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep at night is key to becoming a truly successful student and eventually a truly successful working adult.

The witness protection program is frequently used as a plot device in movies and on TV shows, but many people don't know much about the system in reality. In the U.S., witness security has protected 7,500 witnesses and 9,500 of their family members since it began, and the testimonies of these witnesses has led to an 89% conviction rate of those they testified against. Here are 10 other things you didn't know about the program that helps take down organized crime, gang violence, and terrorism.

1. It started in the U.S.

   It's kind of surprising that the U.S. was the first to come up with the idea of creating a program to protect witnesses. Even stranger is that witness security is only about 40 years old. It began when the Organized Crime and Racketeering Section of the Justice Department introduced the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 and started to actively protect witnesses in 1971. The law gave the Department of Justice freedom to arrange for the security of witnesses as they see fit, and though it was originally passed in order to curb mafia crimes, it now covers people who testify against drug cartels, gangs, and terrorist groups. The program was expanded by the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984 to cover some relatives and associates of the witnesses. Though there are still some problems with the program, it has been incredibly effective in coercing witnesses to provide testimonies that have landed major criminals in prison.

2. Now the idea has spread around the world

   Since many countries struggle with organized crime, the method for protecting and relocating essential witnesses has been picked up in many countries around the world. Australia, a country whose population famously started with criminals, began their own program in 1983, along with complementary regional programs. Germany has had one since the mid-'80s and Hong Kong started theirs in the '90s. Colombia established a three-program system in their constitution, which provides information and monitoring for witnesses. The third and most intense program is for the witnesses of kidnappings, terrorism, and drug trafficking, and provides relocation assistance and support. Even the International Criminal Court has established a witness security organization.

3. It was inspired by a mafia member

   Before the establishment of an official witness protection program in any country, no one could get mafia members to speak against their leaders to police or in court. Their code of silence meant that if you cooperated with police, they would kill you. In 1963, Joseph Valachi became the first person from the Italian-American Mafia to break the code of silence and he testified to a congressional committee about how the mafia works. While talking to the committee, he was guarded by 200 U.S. Marshals because there was rumored to be a $100,000 bounty on his head, and he was the first person to be offered protection for his testimony. He spent the rest of his life in protective custody in prison, afraid to even eat food prepared by anyone but himself. His testimony and protection led the U.S. to start a program for witnesses.

4. You have to qualify

   If you think you can testify against a criminal and just waltz into a new life in the witness security program, you're wrong. There are several qualifications you have to meet to be eligible to take part in witness protection. First, your testimony has to be essential to the case, usually a serious criminal one, and put your life or your family's life in danger. If they can get testimony against a criminal from someone else that would be at less risk, they'll use them instead of you. Your testimony also has to be seen as credible and they have to be sure that you're going to show up at trial. Unreliable people don't get new identities. Ultimately, the U.S. Attorney General's office has the final say in who gets to enter the program, but all the requirements have to be met so that resources are only used on the most important and at-risk people.

5. There are some perks

   It's obviously really difficult to leave behind family and friends and cut all ties with the life you knew, but witness protection does offer some perks to help participants get back on their feet quickly. U.S. Marshals find a reasonable job opportunity or provide vocational training for the participants and help them find housing. The witnesses normally receive about $60,000 in subsistence payments, but if they don't actively seek employment, those payments will stop. Obviously this assistance wouldn't be spectacular for someone who used to make six figures in a previous life, but for many, this is more than they had before. You'll also likely get to come up with your new name, so if your parents gave you a bad one, — you're a boy named Sue or something equally horrible — this is your chance to turn things around. The payments, training, new name, and other help is all in addition to getting to stay alive, which is probably the biggest plus.

6. Marshals have tricks for getting witnesses to trial

   Getting witnesses to the trial to testify is one of the most important tasks that faces a U.S. Marshal. This is the time when the person needs the most protection so that the criminal can be convicted and the witness can be taken to a safer place. Some of the tricks for transporting witnesses to trial safely include using nontraditional vehicles that potential assailants wouldn't expect. The founder of the witness security program, Gerald Shur, says Marshals have used everything from mail trucks to helicopters to fishing boats to bring witnesses to trial. Sometimes decoy cars are sent to the courthouse to distract people while Marshals sneak the witness in through another entrance. Nothing is too crazy to keep the witnesses safe to testify.

7. No witnesses have been killed

   According to the U.S. Marshals service, no witnesses who have entered their protection and followed the rules have ever been harmed. The rules basically say that you can't have any contact with associates from your past or unprotected family members and that you can't go back to the city where you lived before relocation. Lots of witnesses who break these guidelines have been killed. For example, a young man who had been relocated from San Francisco returned there in 2006 and was shot to death. Another girl, just 17 years old, testified against a notorious gang, got a new identity, and then contacted some of her old associates that were still tied to the gang to come try out her hotel's hot tub. She was killed within days of the phone call.

8. There's less chance of committing a crime

   Many of the people who enter into witness security programs are criminals themselves who have given key testimony on their former bosses or associates. Before allowing a criminal to participate in witness protection, the U.S. Attorney General evaluates whether the risk the witness would pose to his new community is less than the value of his testimony. If they think the danger to the community isn't high, they'll relocate the witness and inform the local law enforcement of his location and criminal record. There's obviously some chance that a criminal will go back to his old ways while in witness protection, but the percent of criminals that re-offend while in the program is between 17% and 23%. The rate of parolees who return to crime after prison is somewhere between 40% and 60%, significantly higher than those in witness protection.

9. People in jail can be protected

   If someone in witness protection commits a crime or a criminal becomes a witness but is headed to prison, they can still be protected. They'll be taken into protective custody and no longer be under the authority of the U.S. Marshals but by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. There are different layouts for protective custody in various prisons, but the main idea is that the witnesses are separated from the general prison population to avoid revenge for testifying. Other types of prisoners are often placed in protective custody, too, such as those whose crimes put them at high risk for attacks by other inmates or those trying to avoid getting in trouble as they near their parole date, so it becomes hard to tell who was a witness.

10. Victims of witnesses can be compensated

    Because the government was responsible for placing a criminal witness in your community, and the law enforcement there was informed of their presence, if they commit a crime against you, you're entitled to be compensated out of the Victims Compensation Fund. The money is given for certain crimes to cover expenses for medical or funeral costs, and lost wages if you had to take off work. You should be aware that the government's not just going to hand you this money; you have to seek restitution or compensation under the law or through a lawsuit, and they won't cover what's been paid by your insurance. Of course, you won't know if someone who assaults or robs you is under federal protection, so you should seek compensation whenever you're a victim of a crime. You could get lucky and get to blame the government.

George Washington famously once said "A free people ought to be armed." In America, weapons have always been a strong part of the culture — we associate them with freedom, personal independence and self-reliance. During wars, we've depended on the latest innovations to give us an edge against our enemies, hoping to minimize casualties on our side. Only a select few of them, however, have drastically altered the manners in which wars are fought, populations are controlled and foreign policy is handled. The following weapons sent shock waves around the world when they were created — some literally — and, to varying degrees, have altered the course of humanity.

1. Atomic Bomb: Robert J. Oppenheimer, recognized as the "father of the atomic bomb," fully comprehended the magnitude of such a creation. Years after the first nuclear weapons test of the atomic bomb, he reflected on the feelings of those involved: "We knew the world would not be the same. A few people laughed, a few people cried. Most people were silent." The U.S. holds the distinction of being the only country to use them during a war. "Little Boy" was detonated in Hiroshima and "Fat Man" was detonated in Nagasaki. Combined, they killed approximately 200,000 people, not including those who suffered illnesses due to the fallout.
2. AK-47: An invention of the Soviets after the end of World War II, the AK-47 remains one the world's most used combat weapons. Small arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov conceived it as a response to the advanced German weaponry brought forth in World War II. Because it's relatively inexpensive to produce and incredibly efficient, the AK-47 is a staple of at least 50 armies, plus conflicts involving revolutionaries and terrorists. In the more than 60 years of its existence, roughly 100 million have been produced and spread around the world.
3. Longbow: The longbow first appeared in the battle of Falkirk in 1298 and became England's preferred weapon for the next two hundred years. During the battle of Agincourt, more than 5,000 Englishmen used it to defeat the large but over-matched French army, firing tens of thousands of arrows during the brief conflict. Proficient longbowmen honed their craft from an early age, developing the strength and skill to lift the 200-pound instrument and turn it into a killing machine. Longbows have also made excellent hunting devices for numerous cultures.
4. RPG-7: Rocket propelled grenade (RPG) launchers enable one person to take out armored vehicles and other large objects with a single fire. Designed by the Soviets and manufactured by the Bazalt company, the RPG-7, like the AK-47, is inexpensive to produce, easy to use and incredibly effective — it's also very accurate given its simplicity. Guerilla forces from around the world have been using it in conflicts since the Vietnam War, and today, more than 40 countries around the world use it.
5. Thompson Submachine Gun: General John T. Thompson's quest to build a semi-automatic rifle led to the development of a "one-man, hand-held machine gun" best known as the Tommy gun. The U.S. Marines were the first to purchase the weapon, introducing it to combat during the Banana Wars in China, but it became a part of popular culture — and crime culture — when gangsters used them during Prohibition and the Great Depression. The carnage these guns are capable of inflicting became evident to the public in 1929 during The St. Valentine's Day Massacre, in which six members of Chicago's North Side gang and one other man were brutally murdered.
6. Maxim Gun: American-turned-Brit inventor Hiram Maxim was inspired by a friend to construct a gun that would allow "Europeans to cut each others' throats with greater facility," so along came the Maxim gun. With one fell swoop, the self-powered machine gun could incur more damage than most people could fathom during the late 19th century. It was prominently used during Europe's colonization of Africa — at one point in the First Matabele War, 50 British soldiers neutralized 5,000 warriors with just four Maxim guns. The gun would evolve by World War I, bringing forth the reliable Vickers machine gun.
7. ICBM: Like many other world-changing weapons, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) were developed during World War II and have threatened peace ever since. Nazi Germany undertook the first design in Projekt Amerika with the goal of procuring damaging long-range bombs to use on major American cities. Soviets and Americans developed and tested their own ICBMs during the Cold War, making the threat of a nuclear war more possible. Eventually recognizing their potential for causing a major irreversible catastrophe, both powers agreed to the SALT and START treaties to control the buildup of such weapons.
8. M1 Garand: Praised by General George S. Patton as "the greatest implement of battle ever devised," the M1 Garand, the original semi-automatic rifle, helped give the U.S. a decided advantage in firepower during World War II. A decade earlier, it became the standard service rifle of the U.S. Armed Forces because of its quick recovery time between shots. Today, some areas of the armed forces still use it, and it's also used by civilians for recreational purposes.
9. Arquebus: During the 14th century, the Ming army fought the Mongols out of China with the help of the Arquebus, a precursor of the rifle. Its presence was felt in several notable battles from that point to the beginning of the 17th century, when the Dutch used it in the Battle of Nieuwpoort. The powerful firearm was effective against enemies wearing steel plate armor, but was best utilized during volley fire, a rotating firing squad, because of the slow reload times. Once armies determined its proper use, it became a key component of even more battles.
10. Gladius: The subject of Roman lore, the gladius — or sword — was an item prevalent during gladiator competitions and battles. There were several different types of gladii, each produced during different eras to meet different needs. The Gladius Hispaniensis in particular, which was used by the Romans from about 200 BC to 20 BC, enabled them to win conflicts more decisively. The Pompeii and Mainz versions of the gladius were also popular, and have been recovered and examined in modern times because of their importance to the history of weaponry.

It's somewhat comforting to see celebrities reveal themselves as flawed human beings. They are so deified for performing work that takes significant talent but ultimately isn't very important in the grand scheme of things. But when the going gets extremely rough — see the ongoing Charlie Sheen spectacle — you can't help but feel kind of sorry for them, wondering what exactly caused them to plummet on such a downward spiral. For a few of the following celebrities, all the adoration in the world wasn't enough to keep them on the straight and narrow. Hopefully, the ones who are still struggling will get their acts together before their careers and/or lives are destroyed beyond repair.

1. Charlie Sheen: We'll refrain from using the played out meme "winning," but his misguided PR blitz in which he's come across as downright deranged certainly hasn't helped his cause. But Sheen seems to reside in an entirely different reality from the rest of us. He was happy to be fired by Warner Brothers from his $2 million per episode job, and until recently, he lived with two porn stars. Of course, he's battled alcoholism and drug addiction for more than two decades, he's accidentally shot his fiancee, and he's been charged with domestic abuse, and that's really only scratching the surface.
2. Robert Downey Jr.: Once nominated for an Oscar for his performance in Chaplin, Downey has experience the highs and lows that come with being unstable in Hollywood. The lows come from his taste for drugs that he developed when he was just eight years old, which have caused him to enter numerous drug treatment programs. He's spent two separate months-long stints in prison, one lasting almost a year. Notably, he was arrested in 1996 for entering his neighbor's home and sleeping in a child's bed. Recent years have been good to Downey, however, as he's made a ferocious comeback to the "A" list, thanks in part to Mel Gibson.
3. Mel Gibson: You won't find a lot of people who sympathize with Mel these days. First, there was his DUI arrest and the accompanying anti-Semitic remarks. Then, there were the recordings of him berating his former girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva, who, in order to protect herself and their son, filed a restraining order against him for domestic violence. The tapes also featured racist comments that obviously don't bear repeating. Gibson has battled alcoholism for decades, but it's hardly an excuse for his despicable behavior.
4. Britney Spears: One time compared to Madonna, Britney took a precipitous plunge after her career peaked. She married dancer/loser Kevin Federline, became the subject of photos indicating she was in over her head as a parent, divorced Federline, entered a drug rehab facility, shaved her head, entered more rehab facilities, lost custody of her children and was committed to a psych ward. Despite it all, she's still successfully releasing albums.
5. Lindsay Lohan: Lohan started sabotaging her promising acting career in 2007, when she was arrested for a pair of DUIs and was in and out of rehab facilities. In the summer of 2010, she spent 13 days in jail for violating her probation, and recently, she was accused of stealing a $2,500 necklace from a Venice jewelry store. Who knew Cady Heron could be capable of such behavior?
6. Tom Cruise: By simply sharing his beliefs, Cruise has managed to ruin his reputation and become one of Hollywood's most disliked celebrities. His seemingly contrived couch-jumping incident on Oprah in 2005 made him appear a bit loony. In the same year, he criticized Brooke Shields for taking antidepressants for postpartum depression and had a heated debate with Matt Lauer on the Today show about Ritalin. On the plus side for Cruise, he's become the most famous Scientologist ever.
7. Russell Crowe: Fittingly, the guy who played Maximus in Gladiator has quite a temper in real life. In 2005, Crowe was charged with second degree assault for throwing a phone at a hotel employee after the Oscar winner was unable to make a call to Australia. This was just one self-destructive act that damaged his reputation and caused critics to deride him — he's been involved in a few heated altercations in the past. He better be careful.
8. Alec Baldwin: Considered one of Hollywood's biggest pricks, Baldwin, who's probably best remembered for his scene in Glengarry Glen Ross, showed his true colors in a 2007 voice recording in which he berated his 11-year-old daughter. He called her a ''thoughtless little pig," causing people to question his parenting ability — or lack thereof. The ordeal apparently led him to contemplate suicide on multiple occasions.
9. PeeWee Herman: By the early 1990s, Paul Reubens had grown tired of being PeeWee. So it was probably for the best that he faded from the public eye for a few years in order to do a little soul searching. The star of PeeWee's Playhouse was arrested for masturbating in an adult theater in 1991, and became the butt of jokes — which he addressed during the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards by saying "Ha, that's so funny I forgot to laugh!" Because the public empathized with him, he's been allowed to reinvent his career, even reappearing as PeeWee every once and a while.
10. Rick James: Go figure that the singer of "Mary Jane" and "Super Freak" was an avid drug user with freakish sexual habits. Music executive Mary Sauger accused James of kidnapping and beating her with Tanya Hijazi during a period of 20 hours in 1991. Two years later, they imprisoned 24-year-old Frances Alley for several days. Reportedly, they burned her with a crack pipe while forcing her to perform sex acts. James was eventually sentenced to two years in prison. (Crack) Cocaine is a hell of a drug.
11. Martin Lawrence: Martin was a dangerous man during the mid-to-late 1990s. In 1996, he was arrested for brandishing a gun and yelling at passersby on Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks. Later that year, he was arrested for carrying a loaded gun in Burbank Airport, and in 1997, he assaulted a man in a Hollywood nightclub. By 2000, he transformed into a big, obnoxious woman in Big Momma's House.
12. Mariah Carey: After maintaining a clean reputation during the 1990s, a decade in which she was one the music industry's most successful artists, Mariah's mental state deteriorated in the early 2000s as she suffered a breakdown physically and emotionally. At one point, she made an impromptu appearance on MTV's Total Request Live, handing out popsicles and performing a little striptease. Her film Glitter was a complete failure, her contract with Virgin Records was bought out and her album Charmbracelet was mercilessly panned. Fortunately for Mariah, her 2005 album The Emancipation of Mimi emancipated her career from the cellar.
13. Michael Richards: The apex of Richard's career ended when Seinfeld ended. Everyone knew him as Kramer, and that was the problem. He certainly separated himself from the affable character during his racist diatribe in 2006, however, as he was addressing two hecklers during his standup routine at the Laugh Factory. His subsequent apology on the Late Show with David Letterman was nearly as awkward. The event all but eliminated any hope he'd make a comeback.
14. Whitney Houston: It's a classic case of good girl gone bad, and many blame her bad boy husband Bobby Brown. Rumors circulated in the late 1990s that she was using cocaine, and in 2000, she and Brown were busted in an airport for carrying marijuana in their luggage. Poor and missed performances and a frail appearance fueled suspicion of addiction, to which she eventually admitted during a highly rated interview with Diane Sawyer. Currently, Houston is still with Brown and continues to churn out hits.
15. Michael Jackson: The King of Pop's tumultuous life was cut tragically short in 2009. The circumstances of the death remain a mystery, though multiple drugs were found in his system. Once a golden boy, his reputation — along with his appearance — deteriorated during the 1980s. In 1994, Jackson faced his first allegation of child sexual abuse and similar charges were filed again in 2003. He's also remembered for the bizarre marriages, odd parenting choices (dangling baby), and money problems. It's sad considering all of it eventually overshadowed unparalleled talent.

It is not easy learning a new skill – it takes time, practice, and determination. With all the energy you can spend on your studies and other extracurricular activities, sometimes the last thing you want to do when you are hungry is take the time to make your own meal. However by setting aside the necessary time every day to put together your own breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you will be able to save yourself money while developing your cooking abilities. Cooking is an activity few have mastered over time, but there is no reason to give up early. There are endless websites, books, and television shows dedicated to helping you get better.

When you take the time to put together your own food, there is that sense of accomplishment as you take your first bite. That feeling does not normally accompany eating a french fry through a drive-thru window. The more effort you put towards learning how to cook, the faster and easier it will be every time you start your next dish. Cooking can be a fun experience when you have the right attitude. What probably turns off most college students from making their own meals all the time is the endless supply of food around them – whether it is a café or dining hall. Another reason behind this lack of desire is the simple turn off of not only having to cook, but then clean the dishes when you are done. It is true, there is no grand way to try and make cleaning dishes sound fun and enjoyable, but that's why we have dish-washers.

By putting together a menu with multiple dishes on it, you can find yourself not being subjected to eating the same few options from a fast-food restaurant, sandwich shop, or dining hall. Because while what you cook may not start being too extraordinary, you will soon develop some creativity in the kitchen. If you need motivation, try and challenge your housemates to join in the fun. See who can create the best-tasting dish, or share the duties and increase the ingredients, while minimizing the amount of effort each chef has to apply. Cooking a big meal for everyone to enjoy can bring a house together, and create a stronger bond. The one thing to always remember is that no one goes into college already knowing how to put together a four course meal – unless they are majoring in the culinary arts.

Everyone knows scholarships are widely available for students who need help paying for college, but not everyone knows how to find them. It can be difficult navigating the vast world of scholarships, but don't fall victim to scams that claim to help you find scholarships for a fee. Too much quality information on scholarships is available for free! For those who aren't sure where to start, here's a primer.

Your State's Higher Education Agency

Even though individual states have had to cut back on their scholarship offerings due to budget deficits, nearly every state has a scholarship program in place for its residents. You can look for scholarships by clicking on your state on the U.S. Department of Education's handy list of state higher education agencies.

Think Locally

If you are still in high school, the best place to start is your school's guidance counselor. Ask for an appointment in which you talk exclusively about college scholarships. After you've explored this option, make some calls to your local Chamber of Commerce, City Hall, Lion's Club and American Legion chapters and ask for information about scholarships. While your local city government or the local chamber itself is not likely to offer scholarships, they may be able to connect you with local businesses and philanthropic organizations that do. You can also ask your church or the local ministerial alliance about available scholarships.

Visit Free Scholarship Search Sites

Scholarship search websites compile hundreds of scholarships opportunities in one place and usually only require users to register with the site. Steer clear of any site that charges a fee for membership. The largest and best-known scholarship search site is Fastweb, a site that matches you with scholarships tailored for you and even sends notices to your e-mail inbox if a new scholarship is posted that fits your criteria. The College Board also offers a free scholarship search service. Student loan giant Sallie Mae offers yet another free scholarship search service. While you may see the same scholarships listed on two or more of these sites, by visiting them all you will up your chances of finding one that didn't know about before.

Ask the College You Plan on Attending

Last but certainly not least, call up the financial aid office at the college or university you plan on attending and ask to speak with someone about available scholarships.

Even students that get their degrees online have to take notes, study, and pass their exams. In fact, taking online exams is a crucial part to succeeding in and completing online courses, and eventually to earning your degree. In many programs, final grades will rely heavily on the grades that you made on your exams throughout the semester so it is important to be prepared for them. Here are some tips and pointers to help you get through your exams with good grades.

For starters, where you take your test can have a huge impact on your concentration and on your grade. Be sure to pick a place that is free from distraction. Areas that can be distracting include a room or place that has TVs and/or radios, children or dogs playing, or a place where there are a lot of people. Leave your cell phone out of reach or in another room where it can not distract you, and tell others that may bother you that you will be busy for a while so that you are able to give your exam your full attention without any distractions.

Most online tests are timed, so it is important to pace yourself in order to be able to finish your test in the allotted time period. Go through your test and answer questions to the best of your knowledge. Should you get stuck on one question, do not take too much time on that question. Skip over to the next question and go back to questions you skipped after you have completed your exam. Spending too much time on one question may mean that you don't have time to finish the rest of the test, and that would likely be more harmful than skipping a few questions and going back to them.

Because your tests will more than likely be timed, it is important to wait to start your test when you are ready. You probably will not be able to exit or pause, so have everything you need in front of you and be ready before you decide to enter the program to start your exam. If your test needs to be submitted before a specific time, be sure do complete your exam plenty of hours ahead of time in case something goes wrong and you need to contact your professor or the school. Also be sure to click on your answer once to avoid multiple clicks would could register the wrong answer with the computer.