Category: Feature Stories

VIENNA – Central European Summer Time (CEST) comes to an end this weekend as clocks across Austria and much of Europe are set back by one hour, marking the return to standard time, commonly referred to as winter time. The change takes place during the night from Saturday, October 24, to Sunday, October 25, 2026. At 3:00 a.m., clocks will be turned back to 2:00 a.m., giving residents an extra hour of sleep. Standard time will then remain in effect until the next clock change in March. Why was daylight…

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Misplaced keys. Forgotten names. A shopping list that vanishes from memory the moment you enter the supermarket. For many people, such lapses become more common with age. But when does ordinary forgetfulness cross the line into something more serious? Researchers are working to answer that question while exploring new ways to protect brain health long before dementia develops. “Where did I put my keys?” It is a question almost everyone has asked themselves at some point. Equally familiar is the frustration of forgetting a name, struggling to recall a word,…

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For years, many people have wondered why mosquitoes seem to target certain individuals while leaving others largely untouched. A growing body of research now suggests the answer lies in a specific mix of chemicals released by human skin, with one compound emerging as a particularly powerful attractant. Anyone who has attended a summer barbecue has likely seen the phenomenon firsthand. One person repeatedly swats at mosquitoes while others sit comfortably nearby. By the next morning, that same individual may be covered in itchy welts and wondering what makes them such…

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For years, the advice seemed simple: drink about two liters of water every day. The recommendation became so widely accepted that many people rarely questioned it. But modern research suggests the reality is far more nuanced. How much water a person actually needs depends on age, lifestyle, climate, health status, and even what is on the menu that day. Most people are familiar with the effects of dehydration. Even mild fluid loss can leave a person feeling tired, sluggish, and unable to concentrate. Yet determining the ideal amount of water…

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A common kitchen habit could be spreading germs around your home, experts warn. For many people, the routine is familiar: wipe down the kitchen counter, rinse the dishcloth, and drape it over the tap to dry. It seems practical and harmless. However, hygiene experts say this everyday habit could turn both the cloth and the faucet into breeding grounds for bacteria. A Moist Environment for Germs Damp cleaning cloths already provide ideal conditions for microorganisms to grow. When a wet cloth is left hanging over the kitchen tap, moisture can…

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A cold cup of coffee is a familiar frustration for many people. The quick solution is often to pop the mug into the microwave for a few seconds. But a persistent online myth claims that reheating coffee in the microwave makes it toxic. Experts say that is simply not true. Microwave-Reheated Coffee Is Not Toxic Reheating black coffee in a microwave does not make it poisonous or unsafe to drink. Microwave ovens work by heating water molecules contained in food and beverages. They do not make food radioactive, nor do…

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For generations, people have repeated the old saying: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” It is a simple piece of folk wisdom that has endured across cultures and decades. But does modern science support the claim? While researchers cannot guarantee that a daily apple will eliminate trips to the doctor, they do agree on one thing: regularly eating apples is good for health. Apples are among the most popular fruits worldwide, and for good reason. They are packed with important nutrients, including vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber.…

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The European Central Bank’s plans for a new generation of euro banknotes are entering a crucial phase, with a final design decision expected next year. However, consumers will still need to wait several years before the redesigned notes appear in their wallets. The European Central Bank (ECB) is making steady progress on the development of a new series of euro banknotes. After unveiling 10 proposed designs earlier this year, the institution has now completed a major public consultation that drew participation from more than nine million people across Europe. The…

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A powerful Super El Niño developing in the tropical Pacific has nearly matched the highest daily temperature anomaly ever recorded, raising concerns that its strongest global effects could emerge in 2027. According to an analysis by climate publication Carbon Brief, the current El Niño event reached a Niño-3.4 sea surface temperature anomaly of 3.07 degrees Celsius on September 19, just shy of the previous daily record of 3.08 degrees Celsius set during the major 2015 El Niño episode. The Niño-3.4 index measures how much sea surface temperatures in a key…

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