Category: Feature Stories

Good friendships are more than a pleasant part of life — they may be one of the most powerful, universal drivers of human health. A new global study analyzing data from more than 200,000 adults suggests that people who feel satisfied with their friendships and close relationships tend to report better physical and mental well‑being, regardless of where they live, how much they earn, or how they grew up. The research, led by Veli Durmus of Kütahya Health Sciences University in Türkiye and published in the Journal of Mental Health,…

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Wasp season is in full swing across Austria, and anyone who sits down with a slice of cake or a piece of fruit knows the drill: within seconds, the yellow‑black insects arrive. Their landing spots, however, are not limited to human food. Wasps also visit carrion, spoiled leftovers and even feces — a fact that understandably unsettles many people. But how dangerous is it really when a wasp touches your meal? Wasps on Food: A Psychological Problem More Than a Health Risk Wasps are drawn to sugar and protein, making…

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New research suggests that different mosquito species are attracted to different people, a finding that could lead to more targeted ways of preventing mosquito-borne diseases. Not everyone is bitten by mosquitoes equally. While some people seem to attract swarms of the insects, others can spend time outdoors with barely a bite. New research from the United States may help explain why. Mosquitoes need the blood of vertebrates to develop their eggs, making humans a common target. With warmer weather and periods of rain creating ideal breeding conditions, mosquito bites can…

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Western Europe experienced its hottest June and July on record, according to the EU climate monitoring service Copernicus. The average temperature across the region, which includes parts of Austria in the Copernicus classification, reached 21.62°C over the two-month period.That figure was 2.79°C above the long-term June average for 1991–2020. The data include nighttime temperatures, meaning the exceptionally warm conditions persisted around the clock. Copernicus also highlighted a pronounced temperature gradient across Europe: while western parts of the continent experienced extreme heat, temperatures were considerably lower in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia.…

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Spicy food is popular all over the world. Chili peppers, hot sauces and spicy dishes can make meals more exciting, but they also raise an important question: Is eating spicy food actually healthy, or can it harm the body?The main substance responsible for the hot taste of chili peppers is capsaicin. It stimulates receptors in the mouth and creates the familiar burning sensation. Interestingly, capsaicin does not actually burn the body; it activates nerves that normally respond to heat. For many people, spicy food can have health benefits. Capsaicin may…

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Good friendships and close social relationships may play an important role in both physical and mental health, according to a new international study involving more than 200,000 adults. The research, led by Veli Durmus of Kütahya Health Sciences University in Turkey and published in the Journal of Mental Health, examined how people’s satisfaction with their friendships and relationships was associated with their overall well-being. The study found that strong social connections were more closely linked to better health than positive memories of family relationships during childhood. Data from 22 countriesResearchers…

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We spend an astonishing 26 years of our lives asleep. It’s a quiet, unconscious ritual we all share — yet how we sleep may say more about us than we think. Sleep researcher Professor Chris Idzikowski, Director of the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service, explored this idea in a study published by the BBC. His findings suggest that our preferred sleeping position can reflect aspects of our health, stress levels, and even our personality traits. The Six Most Common Sleeping Positions — and What They Suggest Why Sleep Positions Might…

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The world is on track to surpass ten billion people around the year 2065 under the most realistic scenario for global social, economic and climate development, according to newly updated long‑term projections by Austrian demographers.  A Higher Peak Than Previously Expected Researchers from the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in Laxenburg and the Wittgenstein Centre for Demography and Global Human Capital (WIC) have revised their earlier forecasts for the second time since 2018. Their new model, WIC2023, integrates updated global data on population, education and migration — as well as demographic effects of the Covid‑19 pandemic and…

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Vienna is gearing up for a lively August, with a full calendar of free events designed to bring residents and visitors into the city’s shopping streets and neighborhood hubs. From multi‑day street festivals to weekly farmers’ markets and a citywide summer promotion, local businesses are working to draw people into the districts as part of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce’s WIENerLEBEN initiative. 🎉 Landstraßenfest Returns for Three Days From 20 to 22 August, the square between Wien Mitte The Mall and Center Wien Mitte will once again transform into a…

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