You can receive Featurettes by e-mail daily, weekly or monthly by request. We can e-mail by your choice of topic or all stories as you may prefer. To make it even more convenient for editors to use our stories, NAPS has added an RSS syndication feed to our Web site. Simply hit the RSS button on our site for automated updates on available content. Please contact us to arrange to receive Featurettes in the format that works best for you at (800) 222-5551 or e-mail your request to us at printmedia@napsnet.com. We can provide Featurettes on CD-ROM or you can download it online at www.napsnet.com. Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2614 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 415 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017 Feathered Friends Understanding Your Oil Filter (NAPSA)—Practicing good vehicle maintenance to extend the life of your vehicle is important, especially in today’s economy. One of the critical components of car care is engine maintenance, including regularly scheduled oil changes based on your vehicle’s manufacturer recommendations. It helps to know whether the quality of your oil filter matches the quality of the oil you’re using. Here are a few facts to help you make the right oil filter choice for your vehicle: What’s in an Oil Filter There are several main components in an oil filter. The shell is the solid material that surrounds the actual filter. It keeps your filter safe during the wear and tear on your vehicle and protects it from punctures. The media is the component that filters the oil. It’s a maze of cellulose, synthetics and microfibers that removes harmful debris from your engine oil. The core of the filter is inside the filter media and constructed from a variety of materials. It helps keep the shape and prevents it from collapsing under extreme pressure. The base plate is the threaded part of the filter. It also directs the oil flow. The gasket is the flexible rubber ring that seals the filter to the engine’s oil filter base. Types of Filters The quality of the filter depends on the material used to make each part. In basic filters, the media is of natural wood fibers. These filters (NAPSA)—Birds of a feather flock together—and the same can be said of bird-watchers. Millions of Americans spend time bird-watching, making it the second-most popular hobby in the U.S. Each year, more than a million people of all ages visit Audubon Centers and Sanctuaries. Last year, during the Great Backyard Bird Count, birdwatchers spotted over 600 species and counted more than 11 million It’s important to make sure you are selecting the right oil filter for your car and the oil you use. do the job but need to be changed frequently. Middle-grade filters use a blend of fibers that are primarily cellulose with a minimal amount of synthetic fibers. These enhance the media strength and efficiency performance. Premium filters, such as those from Royal Purple, use microglass filter technology. These advanced filters are designed to extend the life of both vehicle and equipment. In addition to superior filtration media, the other internal and structural components are of higherquality materials, making for easier installation and removal as they are much less likely to crush in the process. Just as the company’s motor oil lasts a long time, Royal Purple oil filters can extend change intervals up to 12,000 miles. Vehicles under warranty should follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended filter change intervals. Learn More For more information about Royal Purple products, visit www.royalpurple.com. A collection of plush birds—with authentic birdcalls—is coming home to roost with bird lovers of all ages. birds. Fostering interest in this popular pastime—as well as the curiosity of youngsters—is a collection of detailed plush birds that sing with authentic birdcalls. Wild Republic offers nearly 100 different species of Audubon birds—from puffins to kestrels to swallows. Every anatomically correct bird in the line is an exact replica and has authentic birdcalls, which were recorded in the wild by ornithologists at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Audubon birds are available at Audubon Society gift shops around the country, Bass Pro Shops and a variety of zoos, garden centers, sporting goods stores, toy shops and specialty stores. To learn more or for a list of retail locations, visit the site at www.wildrepublic.com. Driving Better Vision (NAPSA)—In today’s world, the ability to drive often means freedom and independence. Driving is a demanding and highly complex task relying on sensory input that is 90 percent visual. The ability of two drivers may be about the same during the daylight hours and markedly different at night. Driving safely at night requires seeing well not only under low illumination, but also requires one to see low-contrast objects. Sensitivity to glare is a common problem faced by drivers of all ages. Glare is the disruption of vision due to a veiling luminance (such as the light from the headlights of oncoming traffic at night) being superimposed on the visual image. Glare recovery is the rapidity with which the driver’s vision function returns. The sharpest central vision occurs in the macula, which is protected by macular pigment (MP). Macular pigment consists of two antioxidants, zeaxanthin (zee-uh-zanthin) and lutein (lu-teen). A recent study conducted by Dr. Stuart Richer of the Department of Veterans Affairs found that supplementation with dietary zeaxanthin from marigolds improves visual acuity, shape discrimination and contrast sensitivity. Participants who received daily dietary zeaxanthin supplements also expressed significantly improved confidence in their driving ability. Dr. Richer’s research showed that glare recovery does improve significantly with supplementation of zeaxanthin and You may be better able to stay on the road to safety if you’re sure your eyesight is optimum when you drive. lutein. Imagine driving at 60 mph with your eyes closed for five seconds: You would travel 440 feet without seeing where you are going. Dr. Richer found photostress recovery time is directly related to the amount of MP in the eye: Subjects with very high MP density recover about twice as quickly as those with very low MP density. Another study by Dr. Billy Hammond also showed that supplementation with 2 mg of zeaxanthin and 10 mg of lutein resulted in an increase in MP that was directly related to improvements in glare disability and photo-stress recovery times. Protecting and enhancing the ability to drive can be as simple as supplementing your diet with dietary zeaxanthin: Adequate levels of zeaxanthin in the center of your eyes help you maintain and improve your ability to drive and keep you safe. More information on all-natural zeaxanthin and lutein from marigolds and the latest science can be found at www.ezeyes.info.