Month: December 2024

The USB-C charging plug will become the standard for smartphones, tablets, and other electrical devices throughout the EU. Which devices does the directive apply to?All new cell phones, tablets, and digital cameras should be able to be charged via the USB-C charging plug. This also applies to loudspeaker boxes, headphones, portable navigation systems, mice, and printers. Starting in spring 2026, all new laptops will have a standardized charging plug. Under the new directive, other conventional plugs, such as the older micro-USB connector and the Lightning connector for iPhones, will no…

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Twinkling lights and festive feasting—but Christmas also has its dark side: an extra meal ends in the bin. And then there’s the gift wrapping. A fine festive roast, Christmas carp, vegetables, fruit—often carted from far away—tasty cheese, fine sausages, sophisticated desserts, and cookies: it’s time for a little more, they say during the holidays. Austria’s households produce 4.5 million tons of waste every year. Despite high prices, food accounts for 16 percent of residual waste. When we surprise our loved ones with a delicious meal, our eyes are often bigger…

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Which countries are top donors, particularly helpful, or heavily involved in voluntary work? The “World Giving Index,” one of the world’s most comprehensive studies on charity and donation behavior, provides the answers. Published by the British Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), the index evaluates 142 countries in three categories: willingness to help strangers, willingness to donate, and volunteering. The data comes from surveys conducted by the US market and opinion research institute Gallup.Indonesia is the most generous country in the worldFor the seventh time in a row, Indonesia tops the index…

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Physical activity is considered the best medicine in many areas, including staying mentally fit for as long as possible. A new study now shows which aspects of intellectual abilities can be influenced by exercise. First, on the treadmill, and then on the questionnaire, 650 people between the ages of 65 and 80 had to prove their physical fitness, after which they were given various tests. The speed with which the participants processed information, short-term memory, visual-spatial perception, and the ability to plan and organize were examined. The study, which has…

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