Why we yawn

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Humans and monkeys do it, dogs and cats do it, and birds and fish yawn too. If something is so widespread, it must have a purpose. Or rather, purposes, because in addition to sleep, yawning has a variety of functions: it aids breathing, empathy, and alertness. “Yawning is a silent cry for coffee” is a phrase that can be read on many a cafeteria mug. It has some merit, but it doesn’t quite satisfy the requirements of a scientific explanation—in this case, the field responsible is chasmology, as the study…

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Europe’s best airports in 2025 – Vienna only ranks 13th

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A new study shows that Vienna International Airport ranks in the middle of the pack in Europe. The frontrunners come from Turkey and Portugal, while Crete and Bordeaux bring up the rear. After an intense travel season, the vacation rental portal Holidu examined 50 of Europe’s most-used airports based on their Google ratings—the result: significant differences in organization, comfort, and service. The data was collected in June 2025 and shows where passengers prefer to depart from—and where frustration is high. Vienna International Airport: Stable position in the middle of the…

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Vignette 2026 available: This is how much the last “real” sticker costs

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Fire red will be burned into the memory of many Austrian road users. This is the color of the last “real” sticker—i.e., the highway vignette—for motorcycles and cars. The annual vignette for 2026 has been available for purchase since Wednesday, still in physical form for sticking on. From 2027, the highway vignette will only be available in digital form. The price has risen slightly compared to this year. The annual vignette for single-track motor vehicles now costs €42.70 (in 2025 it was €41.50), and the vignette for passenger cars costs…

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Foggy morning, followed by plenty of sunshine

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Even though the morning temperatures are slowly heralding the approach of winter, the coming days will be bright and beautiful. After fog in the morning, the sun will prevail in most parts of the country until the new week. Only a few clouds may interfere. Thursday is already looking sunny. Patches of fog will mostly clear up in the morning. According to the forecast by Geosphere Austria, the wind will pick up noticeably in the northeast and come from the southeast. A light foehn wind is expected on the northern…

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Now “collapse” looms – Earth warming by 2.8 degrees

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Climate crisis: UN report warns of 2.8 degrees of global warming by 2100. A 1.5-degree target is hardly achievable; climate protection remains urgent. The climate crisis continues to worsen. According to the latest figures from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the planet is facing a dramatic 2.8-degree rise in temperature by the end of this century—measured against pre-industrial levels. Experts believe that the target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees will already be exceeded in ten years’ time. Although there have been minimal improvements compared to last year—when the…

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Bank card: If you do this, your PIN can be read via your cell phone

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The Slovakian security software company ESET has uncovered a campaign in which criminals use a new type of Android malware to steal data from bank cards—including PINs—and forward it to a second, pre-programmed cell phone. The aim is to make cash withdrawals directly from ATMs. Money gone because of Android malware: How the scam works For potential victims of Android malware, it all starts with a text message in the name of the bank, as ESET explained in a press release. The hook often involves a tax refund. If recipients…

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Strong solar storm expected to hit Earth on Thursday and Friday

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Scientists are tracking these natural phenomena to better understand how space weather affects our planet’s technology and atmosphere. Storm warning The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a severe warning of a geomagnetic storm for Thursday and Friday. The event is related to a coronal mass ejection from the sun, which is expected to reach Earth between Thursday evening and Friday morning. The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center classified the storm as G3—a level that can cause significant disturbances in the Earth’s magnetic field. Researchers believe the…

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Black Friday – the danger of fake deals is huge

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Black Friday: Online fraud on the rise – One in four Austrians falls for fake deals—tips on how to spot fraudulent offers. The countdown to the shopping event of the year is on. But while many are looking forward to mega discounts on Black Friday, there is a great danger lurking on the internet: fraudulent online shops, fake bargains, and nasty traps. A recent study by the Austrian E-Commerce Quality Seal shows that one in four Austrians has fallen for online fraud on Black Friday! Despite the hunt for bargains,…

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You should always unplug these 3 devices at night

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Nighttime is probably the best time to save electricity actively. That’s when you’re least likely to notice that your electrical appliances are not in use. However, it’s also imperative to note that there are power guzzlers in your household for which this method is highly recommended. Power guzzlers in the household: keep an eye on three devices Just because you’re asleep doesn’t mean your electrical appliances are too. On the contrary, standby mode, unused plugs and the like ensure that energy continues to flow at night. You’re sure to find…

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