Why crying is good for your body

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Crying relieves stress, strengthens the nervous system, and supports emotional well‑being. Why tears are not a sign of weakness — read on. A sad movie, a touching message, or sheer stress — and suddenly your eyes fill with tears. Some people fight them back, others let them flow. The belief that frequent crying is a sign of weakness is still widespread, but research paints a different picture. People who cry often aren’t unstable — they’re often deeply in touch with their emotions. Crying is far more than a reaction to…

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Iran Conflict: Gas Prices Surge – What Customers in Austria Need to Know

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The attack on Iran has caused major uncertainty on global energy markets. With the Strait of Hormuz blocked, the most important transport route for oil and liquefied natural gas is disrupted. Wholesale markets are already seeing noticeable price increases. On the Amsterdam exchange, the price for the key TTF natural gas futures contract for delivery in one month rose to €59.44 per megawatt-hour (MWh) — about 30% higher than the previous day. Gas Prices on Exchanges Up by 80% Since the beginning of the week, European natural gas prices have…

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El Niño could return — “normal” is long gone, and the Earth is getting even hotter

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According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there is a 50–60 percent chance that El Niño will develop between July and September and continue beyond that period. At the same time, NOAA expects the transition from La Niña to a neutral ENSO state to occur between February and April, with a probability of around 60 percent. However, NOAA warns that model uncertainty remains “considerable.” Forecasts made this early in the year are often less accurate. What are El Niño and La Niña? El Niño and La Niña…

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Why the Moon Captivates Us

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A full moon has long been blamed for strange moods, restless nights, and impulsive decisions. The idea that lunar light can stir something deep within us is one of humanity’s oldest beliefs — and while modern science has dismissed many of the wilder claims, researchers are discovering that the story isn’t as simple as “myth versus fact.” Some lunar effects may be subtle, but they are not entirely imaginary. For ancient cultures, the Moon was more than a celestial body — it was a clock, a compass, and a symbol…

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Why You Should Stop Eating Three Hours Before Bed

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Many people eat late at night — dinner gets delayed, and a snack often follows before sleep. But new research suggests that when you eat may matter just as much as what you eat, especially for heart health. A recent study found that finishing your last meal at least three hours before bedtime can improve blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar levels — even without reducing calories. Timing Instead of Dieting Researchers at Northwestern Medicine studied 39 overweight adults at increased risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.…

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Austria Records Its Gloomiest February Since 2018

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February was unusually dull and wet this year, marking the cloudiest February in Austria since 2018. Sunshine levels were about 25 percent below the long‑term average, according to Geosphere Austria. Precipitation, on the other hand, was nearly 50 percent higher than normal. Temperatures made it the fourteenth‑warmest February ever recorded in the country. “Compared with the recent climate period from 1991 to 2020, February 2026 was 2.4°C warmer in Austria’s lowlands and 2.7°C warmer in the mountains. Relative to the 1961–1990 period, the month was 3.3°C warmer in the lowlands…

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Spring Settles In: What to Expect from This Week’s Weather

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Spring is moving in across the country, bringing a week of mild, sunny weather according to Sunday’s forecast from Geosphere. Temperatures will feel increasingly spring‑like, with highs reaching up to 18°C as high‑pressure conditions take over. Early Week: A Few Showers, Then More Sun At the start of the week, isolated rain showers are still possible before clearer, sunnier conditions spread in. Tuesday: Mostly Sunny, Increasing Showers Near the Alps Apart from some shallow fog—mainly in the western Danube Valley and occasionally in the east and southeast—the day starts bright.…

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Rising Pollen Levels: Austria Braces for an Intense Allergy Season

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Austria is facing a high pollen load as sunny weather and mild temperatures set in. Because many plants are producing large numbers of catkins this year, experts expect pollen concentrations to exceed last year’s levels. Allergy sufferers are preparing with medication and other remedies. “This will be a strong season for hazel and alder,” predicted Maximilian Bastl, head of the Vienna Pollen Service. Both the common hazel (Corylus avellana) and the Turkish hazel (Corylus colurna) are currently in bloom. Among the alders, the black alder (Alnus glutinosa) has already reached…

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UK enforces digital entry permit – transition period ends

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After the end of a transition phase, entering the United Kingdom has no longer been possible without a digital entry permit (ETA) since Wednesday. From now on, anyone who has not purchased the authorization online in advance for £16 (around €19) will be denied boarding by airlines and ferry operators. Citizens of all ages from 85 countries — including EU member states, the United States, and Canada — must present the permit in order to enter the UK, the British Home Office explained. A separate entry permit must be obtained…

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