Aside from taking away the excess energy and everything, there isn't a noticeable effect at all, they just are. They're seen when they want to be and not the rest of the time. Usually they make themselves known to high energy providers though. So if you haven't seen one before you're probably from someplace that doesn't have them.
Coming home the way I was it would have to be the Atlantic, unless I got really lost, water was pretty warm though.
I'd love the help, actually, provided the Shadows think an article is a good idea of course, I don't know the first thing about publishing. I know some copyright law, but not a whole lot.