February 2023 Archives

February – The shortest month

February 13, 2023February 13, 2023 admin

February is the only month with only 28 days and the shortest month of the year. The shortness and number of days in February are related to thousands of years old superstition.One day more in leap yearsFebruary has 28 days this year, in so-called leap years, one day more.Origin from the time of the RomansThe 28 days of February originate from the time of the Romans. Their annual calculation began with March, in Latin “mensis Martis,” the month of Mars.December, the tenth monthThe Roman year had only ten months. Hence…

Up to 13 degrees: Valentine’s Day will be sunny and mild

February 13, 2023February 13, 2023 admin

Early temperatures will still be frosty in the coming week, but highs will climb into double digits. Valentine’s Day will be sunny and mild, up to 13 degrees. On Wednesday, even up to 15 degrees plus are expected. Especially in the north and east, but also on the eastern edge of the Alps and in southeastern Styria, high foggy residual clouds often persist on Monday morning. These will only thin out slowly in the afternoon and gradually make way for the sun. However, the humid layer is particularly tenacious over…

Red roses, white lilies: The symbolism of flowers

February 13, 2023February 13, 2023 admin

Once upon a time, the symbolism of flowery bouquets communicated feelings prevented by etiquette. What messages flowers convey depends not only on the variety – the colour also plays a role. For example, red roses mean love, while white ones stand for death and farewell. If you combine colours, the symbolic power can be defused: Thus, yellow (envy and jealousy) and white (death and mourning) flowers may also be included in the Valentine’s Day bouquet. Red roses – stand for love, passion and loyalty: according to ancient legends, roses originated…

Where in Europe does masking still apply now?

February 13, 2023February 13, 2023 admin

With the end of April, the last mask obligation falls in Austria. But how does it look in the neighbouring countries? After three years of the coronavirus pandemic, the time has come: by June 30, 2023, all corona crisis measures will be ended in Austria. These include the FFP2 mask requirement in Vienna’s public transport and pharmacies, which is even to be dropped as early as the end of February. Those in hospitals, older adults’ homes and nursing homes, which apply throughout the country, will be history at the end…

Researchers discover “invisible” galaxy

February 12, 2023February 12, 2023 admin

A research team from Italy discovered a dark and very distant galaxy previously invisibly. The object is a young galaxy filled with dust and gas formed 2 billion years after the Big Bang. At that time, the universe was about one sixth of its current size. “Very distant galaxies are true mines of information about the past and future evolution of our universe,” lead author and astrophysicist Marika Giulietta of the International School of Advanced Studies said in a news release. Studying these galaxies, however, is very challenging, she said.…

Coffee helps keep blood pressure down: Here are the results of an all-Italian research

February 12, 2023February 12, 2023 admin

Some scientists have changed their minds about coffee.While until today, coffee was a drink not recommended for people with high blood pressure, now the opinion is changing completely. According to an Italian study conducted by the University of Bologna and the IRCCS Hospital-University Company Bologna – Polyclinic Sant’Orsola, coffee would help keep blood pressure low. How the research was conductedThe researchers took a sample of 720 men and 783 women, all of Italian nationality. For each individual, they looked at various factors, such as blood pressure, coffee consumption habits, and…

No climate bonus yet? You will have to wait for it now

February 12, 2023February 12, 2023 admin

The second wave of climate bonus payments started on February 2. However, those who receive the bonus by mail still have to wait. Since September 1, the climate bonus has been paid out in Austria.Most people in Austria have already received the 2022 climate bonus in the fall: around 7.4 million people by bank transfer and over 1.2 million as a voucher. However, those who have not yet received it had to be patient until February 2 – according to the Climate Protection Ministry, this involved 457,000 people. Eligible are…

Corona symptoms in omicron are harder to distinguish from flu, according to Robert Koch Institute

February 11, 2023February 11, 2023 admin

Less frequent loss of taste, more frequent sore throat: the symptoms of Corona patients have changed during the pandemic, according to an analysis by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). The so-called symptom profile has become increasingly “flu-like” in the omicron variant BA.5 and has approached that of other respiratory diseases, the authors write in the “Deutsches Ärzteblatt.” Therefore, it is becoming increasingly important for primary care physicians to test their patients for corona and influenza to treat them properly, he said. Across all variants, cough and cold were the most…

What travel insurance you really need

February 11, 2023February 11, 2023 admin

High cancellation costs if you cancel your vacation at short notice, high treatment costs if you fall ill abroad: when it comes to travelling, it can be expensive if something goes wrong. Here’s how to protect yourself. Vacation and the anticipation of it should be carefree. Nevertheless, a lot can go wrong before or during the trip. Vacationers should think about this during or at the latest shortly after booking, even if it may be difficult given thoughts of palm trees, sun and sandy beaches. But: illnesses, accidents and other…