Recag/C4_44 · Datasets at Hugging Face

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The Arc gene, which is critical for animals’ ability to learn from experiences, has an incredible origin story.
When Jason Shepherd first saw the structures under a microscope, he thought they looked like viruses. The problem was: he wasn’t studying viruses.
Despite its importance, Arc has been a very difficult gene to study. Scientists often work out what unusual genes do by comparing them to familiar ones with similar features—but Arc is one-of-a-kind. Other mammals have their own versions of Arc, as do birds, reptiles, and amphibians. But in each animal, Arc seems utterly unique—there’s no other gene quite like it. And Shepherd learned why when his team isolated the proteins that are made by Arc, and looked at them under a powerful microscope.
He saw that these Arc proteins assemble into hollow, spherical shells that look uncannily like viruses. “When we looked at them, we thought: What are these things?” says Shepherd. They reminded him of textbook pictures of HIV, and when he showed the images to HIV experts, they confirmed his suspicions. That, to put it bluntly, was a huge surprise. “Here was a brain gene that makes something that looks like a virus,” Shepherd says.
That’s not a coincidence. The team showed that Arc descends from an ancient group of genes called gypsy retrotransposons, which exist in the genomes of various animals, but can behave like their own independent entities.* They can make new copies of themselves, and paste those duplicates elsewhere in their host genomes. At some point, some of these genes gained the ability to enclose themselves in a shell of proteins and leave their host cells entirely. That was the origin of retroviruses—the virus family that includes HIV.
So, Arc genes are the evolutionary cousins of these viruses, which explains why they produce shells that look so similar. Specifically, Arc is closely related to a viral gene called gag, which retroviruses like HIV use to build the protein shells that enclose their genetic material. Other scientists had noticed this similarity before. In 2006, one team searched for human genes that look like gag, and they included Arc in their list of candidates. They never followed up on that hint, and “as neuroscientists, we never looked at the genomic papers so we didn’t find it until much later,” says Shepherd.
The similarities don’t end there. When genes are activated, the instructions encoded within their DNA are first transcribed into a related molecule called RNA. Shepherd’s colleague Elissa Pastuzyn showed that the Arc shells can enclose RNA and move it from one neuron to another. And that’s basically what retroviruses do—they use protein shells to protect their own RNA as it moves between cells in a host.
So our neurons use a viral-like gene to transmit genetic information between each other in an oddly virus-like way that, until now, we had no idea about. “Why the hell do neurons want to do this?” Shepherd says. “We don’t know.” One wild possibility is that neurons are using Arc (and its cargo) to influence each other. One cell could use Arc to deliver RNA that changes the genes that are activated in a neighboring cell. Again, “that’s very similar to what a virus does—changing the state of a cell to make its own genes,” says Shepherd.
“We have way more questions now than when we started out,” he says. “What is the RNA cargo? What is the signal [that the Arc shells] are carrying? When Arc is released by a neuron, how far can it travel?” And perhaps more importantly, how does all of this influence the brain? If the team stops neurons from releasing Arc, how does that affect an animal’s ability to learn or to form new memories? “I can see what people are thinking: Is memory a virus?” Shepherd says, laughing.
As if that wasn’t weird enough, other animals seem to have independently evolved their own versions of Arc. Fruit flies have Arc genes, and Shepherd’s colleague Cedric Feschotte showed that these descend from the same group of gypsy retrotransposons that gave rise to ours. But flies and back-boned animals co-opted these genes independently, in two separate events that took place millions of years apart. And yet, both events gave rise to similar genes that do similar things: Another team showed that the fly versions of Arc also sends RNA between neurons in virus-like capsules. “It’s exciting to think that such a process can occur twice,” says Atma Ivancevic from the University of Adelaide.
This discovery has medical implications, too. Arc has been implicated in many brain disorders, like Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, and Fragile X syndrome. It might also be involved in the mental declines that accompany aging. Shepherd says that young mice produce lots of Arc protein, and old mice make much less. If he artificially boosts Arc protein levels in the visual centers of the brains of old mice, he can make them as responsive to new experiences as those of younger rodents.
“This may be the tip of a giant iceberg,” says Harmit Malik from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. It’s entirely possible that animals which lack Arc genes, such as fish, “use entirely different domesticated gag proteins to achieve the same purpose.” Indeed, the human genome has more than 100 gag-derived genes. What are they all doing?
This is part of a broader trend: Scientists have in recent years discovered several ways that animals have used the properties of virus-related genes to their evolutionary advantage. Gag moves genetic information between cells, so it’s perfect as the basis of a communication system. Viruses use another gene called env to merge with host cells and avoid the immune system. Those same properties are vital for the placenta—a mammalian organ that unites the tissues of mothers and babies. And sure enough, a gene called syncytin, which is essential for the creation of placentas, actually descends from env. Much of our biology turns out to be viral in nature.
* This article has been corrected to reflect the fact that Arc genes were co-opted by animals from a group of genes that also gave rise to retroviruses, and are not directly descended from retroviruses, as originally stated. We regret the error.
STACEY Dooley has insisted there are "two sides to every story" after her secret romance with Kevin Clifton was revealed.
The Strictly Come Dancing champion has spoken for the first time since her scorned ex-boyfriend Sam Tucknott exposed her relationship with her former dance partner.
She broke her silence after Sam revealed he found a text from Kevin, which read: "I love you."
Sam told The Sun on Sunday he and the TV star had agreed to split and were clearing their flat when the message flashed up on her mobile.
With any $25+ purchase. Get a Briogeo Color Me Brilliant Mushroom as well as a Bamboo Color Protect Primer trial size.
with any purchase worth $25 or more.
With any $35+ online purchase. Get a bonus trial-size lipstick on top.
Valid with purchase of select fragrances.
Valid on selected fragrances. Get a Dolce & Gabbana pouch trio.
Beauty Insiders saved 15% on every online order using this Sephora code- no exceptions. This Beauty Insider special occurs a few times a year, so don't miss the next one.
Valid with any $35 purchase.
Sephora promo codes rarely cover free shipping, but you can get this service by spending more than $50. Save your items for later so your list can build up. Or, you can share an order with a friend so you'll have more items in your basket to meet the minimum free shipping amount.
Scour the Internet for discounted gift cards. Select retail stores, such as JC Penney, even sell them for up to 20% off. Sometimes, you'll be able to find Sephora gift cards sold for a lower price on beauty forums. These may be sold by users who cannot use them and don't want it to go to waste.
This hack gives more value than a Sephora coupon. Here's what to do: Purchase a Sephora 15-sampler set of perfumes. It costs $65, and you can have samples from prestige brands. The set includes a "scent certificate" which allows you to redeem a full-sized bottle of perfume at no cost.
Play! by Sephora is the brand's own beauty box subscription.
You can check what boxes have included in the past on their official website.
Subscription is only $10, and you can choose to get it on a monthly basis or cancel anytime.
The total savings are valued up to $70, and the box often includes prestige brands.
Supplies are limited so make sure to grab it fast if you want to try out coveted products.
Play! by Sephora often includes prestige-brand beauty and skincare products as well as tried-and-tested cult favorites of every price range.
You will also receive 50 Beauty Insider points in the box which you can upload to your account.
Look out for our Sephora coupon which lets you snag this month's Play! box.
Travel sizes - no matter how cute the packaging - are a bit of a splurge. There are better alternatives available.
Seasoned savers know to scroll right past them and head for the full-sized products instead.
If you're flying, most airlines allow 10 bottles of liquid, each no more than 100ml (up to 1000 ml in total) on your carry on. Most foundation, concealers and face creams are often below or just at this amount. Chances are, you can bring them on board with you.
It's more economical to buy reusable travel-sized plastic containers for about a dollar and transfer shampoo or other liquids from larger bottles when flying.
If you're traveling for a very short period, pop into a Sephora and pick up free samples of what you need. Employees are allowed to give you 3 samples. Choose samples for fragile items you don't want to carry with you, like fragrances and foundation. Look through our Sephora promo codes for trial-sized products, and you'll be all set to take off.
Only Beauty Insiders can apply Sephora promo codes at checkout.
Anyone can become a Beauty Insider. All you have to do is open a free account on Sephora.com and make purchases while signed in. It's part of the store's membership program.
Becoming a Beauty Insider is the first step towards becoming a VIB and VIB Rouge member. The higher your membership level, the more perks you get.
Plus, you'll be able to collect points with every dollar you spend both in-store and online. These accumulated points can be put towards redeeming full-sized gifts of your choice.
To get the very best out of Sephora, you need to upgrade to VIB (Very Important Beauty) status.
You automatically achieve this status when you spend more than $350 a year at Sephora.
VIBs also get exclusive Sephora coupon codes, and the offers last longer, so you don't have to rush to purchase.
The next step up from there is VIB Rouge, the highest rank you can achieve at Sephora. To become one, you must spend $1,000 a year at Sephora.
In return, you get free two-day shipping on every order, exclusive Sephora promo codes, multiple free makeovers as long as you book them in advance, a private hotline, and easier returns on already-opened products.
You’ll also receive invites to Rouge members-only beauty events where you'll meet well-known faces from the beauty world and walk away with tons of free products.
There are no Sephora coupons to redeem the items listed in the Insiders Bazaar because members get them as a reward when they've accumulated enough points.
With every online order, you have the chance to choose 3 free samples from an inventory of monthly picks.
Make use of our Sephora promo codes to find a sample you’ll love.
Sometimes high-end makeup is even in the mix. It's the perfect opportunity to test new products you aren't sure about buying. If you liked the product but want more samples before you buy the full-size product, you can walk into any Sephora store and ask for another sample for free.
If your recent purchase goes on sale, you can get a price adjustment within two weeks.
So, if you've just bought a pricey ABH palette and there's a Sephora coupon for a Beauty Insider sale the next week, go ahead and get your 10% off.
Terms state that only full-priced products are eligible for a price adjustment.
The best deals happen every Tuesday and Thursday from 9am-5pm P.T when Sephora runs its Weekly Wows.
Around 10-15 most sought-after products are sold for 50% off or more.
In the past, we've seen ABH liquid lipsticks go for $12, Naked Smokey Eye at 50% off, and Tarte products at a steal.
If you're a member, you'll get alerted to sales.
In any case, let our coupons take you straight to the best of the Weekly Wow.
PS: You can use coupons on Weekly Wow purchases.
Makeup can be an expensive passion. That's why it's crucial to get the shade, color or formula right.
As hard as we here at Business Insider try to help you save using Sephora coupon codes, money spent is still money you worked hard for. So return whatever doesn't suit you.
Bought the wrong shade of foundation? Return it. Made an impulse buy on a lipstick? Return it too - and get your money back.
You can return opened products that have been used to only a certain degree (one or two times) for absolutely free and no questions asked.
Make sure to use the pre-paid return label that came with the package and send it back within 60 days for a full refund.
The product must be in its original packaging with all relevant documentation.
When you send it back within 90 days, you'll be reimbursed with store credit.
Once you've chosen your 3 free samples at checkout, don't forget about the "Apply a Promo Code" bar.
Find it in the right-hand corner of your order information section.
You can only apply a code while signed in to your Sephora account.
All active codes can be found right here at Business Insider, so make sure to keep another tab with this page open when purchasing. Just read through our coupons and select what free item you'd like.
If you've applied a code but immediately saw something you like more, just click "X" next to the promo code to remove the current one and add another.
You can keep doing this until you find one that you like the best.
If you measure time according to how long it takes for a Sephora package to arrive in the mail, then you should take advantage of Sephora's offer of free 2-day flash shipping. It lets you buy 2-day shipping for 1 year for only $10.
It allows you to ship any order, no matter how little, to your doorstep within 2 days.
If you're a frequent shopper who often ends up paying a shipping fee on small orders, this is a no-brainer way to save.
If you're buying online, get your colors and shades determined beforehand.
Because our skin has different undertones and products oxidize differently once applied, simply guessing your right shade is always a risk.
While many websites do online color matching, they may not always be very reliable. Or they may not feature a product you're looking to buy at Sephora.
Sephora Color IQ is an in-store service. It uses a device which scans your skin and assigns you a color ID. Using this ID, you can match your shade to products like foundation and concealer when shopping online.
The Color IQ also assigns you an ideal foundation shade and lip color on the spot so you can go home with your perfect shade of everything.
They also do scent matching by determining what kind of fragrances compliment your natural scent.
When you're all set, head back to Business Insider and pick up a Sephora code to shop with confidence.
Southgate residents can voice their opinions on new design proposals for Ditchling Hill Play Area through a Crawley Borough Council online survey.
The survey allows residents and stakeholders to choose their favourite proposal, which will modernise the current facilities and deliver a much-improved play area.
There are three potential designs, provided by play equipment suppliers, included in the survey.
Suggested kit for the play area includes: a trampoline, surf rider, climbing wall, tube slide and lots of colourful, exciting apparatus.
If you have young children who would benefit from a new and improved play area, submit your survey by Tuesday July 31.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, September 30, 2015, 15 U.S. common stocks are scheduled to go ex-dividend. The dividend yields on these stocks range from 0.6% to 7%. All of these stocks can be found on our stocks going ex-dividend section of our dividend calendar.
Owners of Choice Hotels International (NYSE: CHH) shares, as of market close today, will be eligible for a dividend of 20 cents per share. At a price of $46.46 as of 9:37 a.m. ET, the dividend yield is 1.6%.
The average volume for Choice Hotels International has been 208,100 shares per day over the past 30 days. Choice Hotels International has a market cap of $2.8 billion and is part of the leisure industry. Shares are down 16.8% year-to-date as of the close of trading on Monday.
Choice Hotels International, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a hotel franchisor worldwide. It operates in two segments, Franchising and SkyTouch Technology. The company has a P/E ratio of 22.89.
TheStreet Ratings rates Choice Hotels International as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, increase in net income, growth in earnings per share and expanding profit margins. We feel its strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows weak operating cash flow. You can view the full Choice Hotels International Ratings Report now.
Owners of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (NYSE: BBVA) shares, as of market close today, will be eligible for a dividend of 7 cents per share. At a price of $8.39 as of 9:37 a.m. ET, the dividend yield is 4%.
The average volume for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria has been 2.1 million shares per day over the past 30 days. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria has a market cap of $52.5 billion and is part of the banking industry. Shares are down 12.7% year-to-date as of the close of trading on Monday.
Owners of Corrections Corp of America (NYSE: CXW) shares, as of market close today, will be eligible for a dividend of 54 cents per share. At a price of $29.90 as of 9:35 a.m. ET, the dividend yield is 7%.

The Arc gene, which is critical for animals’ ability to learn from experiences, has an incredible origin story.

When Jason Shepherd first saw the structures under a microscope, he thought they looked like viruses. The problem was: he wasn’t studying viruses.

Despite its importance, Arc has been a very difficult gene to study. Scientists often work out what unusual genes do by comparing them to familiar ones with similar features—but Arc is one-of-a-kind. Other mammals have their own versions of Arc, as do birds, reptiles, and amphibians. But in each animal, Arc seems utterly unique—there’s no other gene quite like it. And Shepherd learned why when his team isolated the proteins that are made by Arc, and looked at them under a powerful microscope.

He saw that these Arc proteins assemble into hollow, spherical shells that look uncannily like viruses. “When we looked at them, we thought: What are these things?” says Shepherd. They reminded him of textbook pictures of HIV, and when he showed the images to HIV experts, they confirmed his suspicions. That, to put it bluntly, was a huge surprise. “Here was a brain gene that makes something that looks like a virus,” Shepherd says.

That’s not a coincidence. The team showed that Arc descends from an ancient group of genes called gypsy retrotransposons, which exist in the genomes of various animals, but can behave like their own independent entities.* They can make new copies of themselves, and paste those duplicates elsewhere in their host genomes. At some point, some of these genes gained the ability to enclose themselves in a shell of proteins and leave their host cells entirely. That was the origin of retroviruses—the virus family that includes HIV.

So, Arc genes are the evolutionary cousins of these viruses, which explains why they produce shells that look so similar. Specifically, Arc is closely related to a viral gene called gag, which retroviruses like HIV use to build the protein shells that enclose their genetic material. Other scientists had noticed this similarity before. In 2006, one team searched for human genes that look like gag, and they included Arc in their list of candidates. They never followed up on that hint, and “as neuroscientists, we never looked at the genomic papers so we didn’t find it until much later,” says Shepherd.

The similarities don’t end there. When genes are activated, the instructions encoded within their DNA are first transcribed into a related molecule called RNA. Shepherd’s colleague Elissa Pastuzyn showed that the Arc shells can enclose RNA and move it from one neuron to another. And that’s basically what retroviruses do—they use protein shells to protect their own RNA as it moves between cells in a host.

So our neurons use a viral-like gene to transmit genetic information between each other in an oddly virus-like way that, until now, we had no idea about. “Why the hell do neurons want to do this?” Shepherd says. “We don’t know.” One wild possibility is that neurons are using Arc (and its cargo) to influence each other. One cell could use Arc to deliver RNA that changes the genes that are activated in a neighboring cell. Again, “that’s very similar to what a virus does—changing the state of a cell to make its own genes,” says Shepherd.

“We have way more questions now than when we started out,” he says. “What is the RNA cargo? What is the signal [that the Arc shells] are carrying? When Arc is released by a neuron, how far can it travel?” And perhaps more importantly, how does all of this influence the brain? If the team stops neurons from releasing Arc, how does that affect an animal’s ability to learn or to form new memories? “I can see what people are thinking: Is memory a virus?” Shepherd says, laughing.

As if that wasn’t weird enough, other animals seem to have independently evolved their own versions of Arc. Fruit flies have Arc genes, and Shepherd’s colleague Cedric Feschotte showed that these descend from the same group of gypsy retrotransposons that gave rise to ours. But flies and back-boned animals co-opted these genes independently, in two separate events that took place millions of years apart. And yet, both events gave rise to similar genes that do similar things: Another team showed that the fly versions of Arc also sends RNA between neurons in virus-like capsules. “It’s exciting to think that such a process can occur twice,” says Atma Ivancevic from the University of Adelaide.

This discovery has medical implications, too. Arc has been implicated in many brain disorders, like Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, and Fragile X syndrome. It might also be involved in the mental declines that accompany aging. Shepherd says that young mice produce lots of Arc protein, and old mice make much less. If he artificially boosts Arc protein levels in the visual centers of the brains of old mice, he can make them as responsive to new experiences as those of younger rodents.

“This may be the tip of a giant iceberg,” says Harmit Malik from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. It’s entirely possible that animals which lack Arc genes, such as fish, “use entirely different domesticated gag proteins to achieve the same purpose.” Indeed, the human genome has more than 100 gag-derived genes. What are they all doing?

This is part of a broader trend: Scientists have in recent years discovered several ways that animals have used the properties of virus-related genes to their evolutionary advantage. Gag moves genetic information between cells, so it’s perfect as the basis of a communication system. Viruses use another gene called env to merge with host cells and avoid the immune system. Those same properties are vital for the placenta—a mammalian organ that unites the tissues of mothers and babies. And sure enough, a gene called syncytin, which is essential for the creation of placentas, actually descends from env. Much of our biology turns out to be viral in nature.

* This article has been corrected to reflect the fact that Arc genes were co-opted by animals from a group of genes that also gave rise to retroviruses, and are not directly descended from retroviruses, as originally stated. We regret the error.

STACEY Dooley has insisted there are "two sides to every story" after her secret romance with Kevin Clifton was revealed.

The Strictly Come Dancing champion has spoken for the first time since her scorned ex-boyfriend Sam Tucknott exposed her relationship with her former dance partner.

She broke her silence after Sam revealed he found a text from Kevin, which read: "I love you."

Sam told The Sun on Sunday he and the TV star had agreed to split and were clearing their flat when the message flashed up on her mobile.

With any $25+ purchase. Get a Briogeo Color Me Brilliant Mushroom as well as a Bamboo Color Protect Primer trial size.

with any purchase worth $25 or more.

With any $35+ online purchase. Get a bonus trial-size lipstick on top.

Valid with purchase of select fragrances.

Valid on selected fragrances. Get a Dolce & Gabbana pouch trio.

Beauty Insiders saved 15% on every online order using this Sephora code- no exceptions. This Beauty Insider special occurs a few times a year, so don't miss the next one.

Valid with any $35 purchase.

Sephora promo codes rarely cover free shipping, but you can get this service by spending more than $50. Save your items for later so your list can build up. Or, you can share an order with a friend so you'll have more items in your basket to meet the minimum free shipping amount.

Scour the Internet for discounted gift cards. Select retail stores, such as JC Penney, even sell them for up to 20% off. Sometimes, you'll be able to find Sephora gift cards sold for a lower price on beauty forums. These may be sold by users who cannot use them and don't want it to go to waste.

This hack gives more value than a Sephora coupon. Here's what to do: Purchase a Sephora 15-sampler set of perfumes. It costs $65, and you can have samples from prestige brands. The set includes a "scent certificate" which allows you to redeem a full-sized bottle of perfume at no cost.

Play! by Sephora is the brand's own beauty box subscription.

You can check what boxes have included in the past on their official website.

Subscription is only $10, and you can choose to get it on a monthly basis or cancel anytime.

The total savings are valued up to $70, and the box often includes prestige brands.

Supplies are limited so make sure to grab it fast if you want to try out coveted products.

Play! by Sephora often includes prestige-brand beauty and skincare products as well as tried-and-tested cult favorites of every price range.

You will also receive 50 Beauty Insider points in the box which you can upload to your account.

Look out for our Sephora coupon which lets you snag this month's Play! box.

Travel sizes - no matter how cute the packaging - are a bit of a splurge. There are better alternatives available.

Seasoned savers know to scroll right past them and head for the full-sized products instead.

If you're flying, most airlines allow 10 bottles of liquid, each no more than 100ml (up to 1000 ml in total) on your carry on. Most foundation, concealers and face creams are often below or just at this amount. Chances are, you can bring them on board with you.

It's more economical to buy reusable travel-sized plastic containers for about a dollar and transfer shampoo or other liquids from larger bottles when flying.

If you're traveling for a very short period, pop into a Sephora and pick up free samples of what you need. Employees are allowed to give you 3 samples. Choose samples for fragile items you don't want to carry with you, like fragrances and foundation. Look through our Sephora promo codes for trial-sized products, and you'll be all set to take off.

Only Beauty Insiders can apply Sephora promo codes at checkout.

Anyone can become a Beauty Insider. All you have to do is open a free account on Sephora.com and make purchases while signed in. It's part of the store's membership program.

Becoming a Beauty Insider is the first step towards becoming a VIB and VIB Rouge member. The higher your membership level, the more perks you get.

Plus, you'll be able to collect points with every dollar you spend both in-store and online. These accumulated points can be put towards redeeming full-sized gifts of your choice.

To get the very best out of Sephora, you need to upgrade to VIB (Very Important Beauty) status.

You automatically achieve this status when you spend more than $350 a year at Sephora.

VIBs also get exclusive Sephora coupon codes, and the offers last longer, so you don't have to rush to purchase.

The next step up from there is VIB Rouge, the highest rank you can achieve at Sephora. To become one, you must spend $1,000 a year at Sephora.

In return, you get free two-day shipping on every order, exclusive Sephora promo codes, multiple free makeovers as long as you book them in advance, a private hotline, and easier returns on already-opened products.

You’ll also receive invites to Rouge members-only beauty events where you'll meet well-known faces from the beauty world and walk away with tons of free products.

There are no Sephora coupons to redeem the items listed in the Insiders Bazaar because members get them as a reward when they've accumulated enough points.

With every online order, you have the chance to choose 3 free samples from an inventory of monthly picks.

Make use of our Sephora promo codes to find a sample you’ll love.

Sometimes high-end makeup is even in the mix. It's the perfect opportunity to test new products you aren't sure about buying. If you liked the product but want more samples before you buy the full-size product, you can walk into any Sephora store and ask for another sample for free.

If your recent purchase goes on sale, you can get a price adjustment within two weeks.

So, if you've just bought a pricey ABH palette and there's a Sephora coupon for a Beauty Insider sale the next week, go ahead and get your 10% off.

Terms state that only full-priced products are eligible for a price adjustment.

The best deals happen every Tuesday and Thursday from 9am-5pm P.T when Sephora runs its Weekly Wows.

Around 10-15 most sought-after products are sold for 50% off or more.

In the past, we've seen ABH liquid lipsticks go for $12, Naked Smokey Eye at 50% off, and Tarte products at a steal.

If you're a member, you'll get alerted to sales.

In any case, let our coupons take you straight to the best of the Weekly Wow.

PS: You can use coupons on Weekly Wow purchases.

Makeup can be an expensive passion. That's why it's crucial to get the shade, color or formula right.

As hard as we here at Business Insider try to help you save using Sephora coupon codes, money spent is still money you worked hard for. So return whatever doesn't suit you.

Bought the wrong shade of foundation? Return it. Made an impulse buy on a lipstick? Return it too - and get your money back.

You can return opened products that have been used to only a certain degree (one or two times) for absolutely free and no questions asked.

Make sure to use the pre-paid return label that came with the package and send it back within 60 days for a full refund.

The product must be in its original packaging with all relevant documentation.

When you send it back within 90 days, you'll be reimbursed with store credit.

Once you've chosen your 3 free samples at checkout, don't forget about the "Apply a Promo Code" bar.

Find it in the right-hand corner of your order information section.

You can only apply a code while signed in to your Sephora account.

All active codes can be found right here at Business Insider, so make sure to keep another tab with this page open when purchasing. Just read through our coupons and select what free item you'd like.

If you've applied a code but immediately saw something you like more, just click "X" next to the promo code to remove the current one and add another.

You can keep doing this until you find one that you like the best.

If you measure time according to how long it takes for a Sephora package to arrive in the mail, then you should take advantage of Sephora's offer of free 2-day flash shipping. It lets you buy 2-day shipping for 1 year for only $10.

It allows you to ship any order, no matter how little, to your doorstep within 2 days.

If you're a frequent shopper who often ends up paying a shipping fee on small orders, this is a no-brainer way to save.

If you're buying online, get your colors and shades determined beforehand.

Because our skin has different undertones and products oxidize differently once applied, simply guessing your right shade is always a risk.

While many websites do online color matching, they may not always be very reliable. Or they may not feature a product you're looking to buy at Sephora.

Sephora Color IQ is an in-store service. It uses a device which scans your skin and assigns you a color ID. Using this ID, you can match your shade to products like foundation and concealer when shopping online.

The Color IQ also assigns you an ideal foundation shade and lip color on the spot so you can go home with your perfect shade of everything.

They also do scent matching by determining what kind of fragrances compliment your natural scent.

When you're all set, head back to Business Insider and pick up a Sephora code to shop with confidence.

Southgate residents can voice their opinions on new design proposals for Ditchling Hill Play Area through a Crawley Borough Council online survey.

The survey allows residents and stakeholders to choose their favourite proposal, which will modernise the current facilities and deliver a much-improved play area.

There are three potential designs, provided by play equipment suppliers, included in the survey.

Suggested kit for the play area includes: a trampoline, surf rider, climbing wall, tube slide and lots of colourful, exciting apparatus.

If you have young children who would benefit from a new and improved play area, submit your survey by Tuesday July 31.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, September 30, 2015, 15 U.S. common stocks are scheduled to go ex-dividend. The dividend yields on these stocks range from 0.6% to 7%. All of these stocks can be found on our stocks going ex-dividend section of our dividend calendar.

Owners of Choice Hotels International (NYSE: CHH) shares, as of market close today, will be eligible for a dividend of 20 cents per share. At a price of $46.46 as of 9:37 a.m. ET, the dividend yield is 1.6%.

The average volume for Choice Hotels International has been 208,100 shares per day over the past 30 days. Choice Hotels International has a market cap of $2.8 billion and is part of the leisure industry. Shares are down 16.8% year-to-date as of the close of trading on Monday.

Choice Hotels International, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a hotel franchisor worldwide. It operates in two segments, Franchising and SkyTouch Technology. The company has a P/E ratio of 22.89.

TheStreet Ratings rates Choice Hotels International as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, increase in net income, growth in earnings per share and expanding profit margins. We feel its strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows weak operating cash flow. You can view the full Choice Hotels International Ratings Report now.

Owners of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (NYSE: BBVA) shares, as of market close today, will be eligible for a dividend of 7 cents per share. At a price of $8.39 as of 9:37 a.m. ET, the dividend yield is 4%.

The average volume for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria has been 2.1 million shares per day over the past 30 days. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria has a market cap of $52.5 billion and is part of the banking industry. Shares are down 12.7% year-to-date as of the close of trading on Monday.

Owners of Corrections Corp of America (NYSE: CXW) shares, as of market close today, will be eligible for a dividend of 54 cents per share. At a price of $29.90 as of 9:35 a.m. ET, the dividend yield is 7%.