Month: November 2022

Researchers discover ‘zombie viruses’ in Siberian ice

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Researchers* have brought thousands of years old viruses from the Siberian permafrost back to life. The oldest is estimated to be 48,500 years old; the “youngest” has 27,000 years under its belt. These “zombie viruses” remain dead in the ice but can be brought back to life as soon as they are thawed. Oldest revived virusWith their discovery, the researchers* have set a record. Never before has a nearly 50,000-year-old frozen virus been revived to the point of becoming potentially infectious again. It has been christened Pandoravirus yedoma, after the…

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Family relief against inflation – up to 625 euros more per child

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As of January 2023, families will receive additional relief against inflation. By increasing the family allowance, the family bonus, and the child deduction, they will benefit from up to 625 euros more per child per year. If there is more than one child, the relief increases again. Families with children are also strongly affected by the continuing inflation in Austria. Some relief measures have already been implemented, such as the increase in family allowance in August. However, these one-off payments cannot cushion the price increase in the long term. From…

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Employees in the care and health sector can look forward to an additional Christmas bonus this year

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A 2,000-euro nursing bonus was already decided in October and will be paid out this year in December. For 2023, the bonus will be transferred 14 times with the monthly salary payments. Employees in care professions can look forward to an additional Christmas bonus this year. The care bonus, already decided in October, is to be paid out as early as December. Although the amount includes non-wage labor costs and must be taxed according to the income tax scale, it should provide additional financial relief for this occupational group. Full-time…

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Corona infections increasingly common with new mutations

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According to the Corona forecast, there could be an increase in infection numbers in the coming days. In addition to seasonal effects, the spread of new variants also plays a role. The Corona hospital situation is expected to remain stable over the next two weeks. In terms of infection numbers, the Covid forecasting consortium believes a general “trend reversal to increasing numbers” is possible within the next seven days, according to the model calculator update released Wednesday. Corona forecast: hospital numbers stable, infection increase possibleThere has already been a slight…

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Flu viruses on the rise in Vienna

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Last week, a jump in flu cases was observed, especially in Vienna, Lower Austria, Salzburg, Tyrol, and Styria. Run on free flu vaccinationIn the previous calendar week (week 46), there was a sharp increase in the number of influenza cases in Austria. However, epidemic levels – i.e., a flu wave – have not yet been reached, MedUni Vienna’s Center for Virology reported on Thursday. The flu reporting service of the city of Vienna estimated 16,250 new cases of flu-like infections and influenza for the previous week. Jump in the number…

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Black Friday: These tips you should consider when bargain hunting

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November is ending, and Black Friday is just around the corner. Experts warn against discount traps again and again. If you’re browsing online stores or wandering through shopping streets and malls, you’ve probably already noticed that there’s a real rain of discounts. Everywhere retailers are tempting customers with offers of -20, -50, and even up to -70 percent off. Many people are tempted to buy. But that’s precisely what experts warn against every year. On the one hand, you might be tempted to buy things you don’t need. And on…

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New Corona variants spreading rapidly

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Despite their unwieldy names, Corona variants BA.5+R346TandBQ.1 could soon dominate everything – and drive up case numbers. After weeks of decline, the numbers of new coronavirus infections detected daily appear to have bottomed out. “Most age groups continue to show stagnation in reported case numbers,” the Covid Prognosis Consortium reported in its latest report Tuesday. The only exception is among 5- to 14-year-olds. But that is not likely to remain the case. Both the reported positive tests and the wastewater signal currently show a tendency to increase in some states.…

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Is it okay to drive while on sick leave?

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There is a traffic jam on Austria’s roads and doctors’ waiting rooms – everywhere, people are coughing and sniffling. Even if one would prefer to pull the covers over one’s head in such a condition, it is sometimes almost unavoidable that one gets into the car: For example, for trips to the doctor, to the pharmacy, or the supermarket to stock up on essential groceries. But is it even okay to get behind the wheel while on sick leave?“As with any car journey, it is a question of whether you…

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Without a dryer: How to quickly dry the laundry in winter?

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In the summer, it goes in an instant – off with the laundry rack on the balcony or in the garden, and already a little later, pants, socks, and T-shirts are dry again. But what do you do in winter, when the laundry has to dry indoors, and you don’t have a dryer or don’t want to use one for the sake of the environment and your wallet? Do not, under any circumstances, place the clothes horse in a room without windows. Because that’s how mold can develop, how to…

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