Category: Feature Stories

Smartphones quietly exchange data even when we sleep — and while much of it is essential for smooth performance, security experts warn that some background connections reveal far more about our behaviour than most users realise. The biggest mistake is assuming that default settings are automatically safe. Security specialists from NordVPN say many phones send and receive far more background data than necessary — and some of it can be used to build detailed behavioural profiles. Why your phone talks to servers at night Even in standby mode, a smartphone…

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Many Android users in Austria and across Europe have noticed a small N‑symbol appearing at the top of their smartphone screen. It looks cryptic, almost like a hidden system alert. In reality, it points to one of the most useful — and often underestimated — features built into modern phones: NFC, short for Near Field Communication. A tiny icon with powerful capabilities NFC is a short‑range wireless technology that allows devices to exchange data when they are just a few centimetres apart. It has been standard in Android phones for…

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The market for sugar‑free soft drinks is booming. Zero‑products promise fewer calories and a healthier lifestyle, but that impression is misleading. A closer look at the ingredients of Cola Zero reveals that it differs only marginally from regular cola: water, carbon dioxide, colorant E150d, phosphoric acid (E338), sodium citrate, natural flavors, caffeine and a mix of artificial sweeteners. Phosphoric acid: A direct attack on tooth enamel Cola’s characteristic acidity comes from phosphoric acid, added partly to enhance the stimulating effect of caffeine. Analyses show that one liter of cola contains…

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Crab mentality—the socio-cultural phenomenon where individuals actively sabotage the success or advancement of a peer, much like crabs in a bucket pulling down any compatriot trying to escape—remains one of the most persistent and deeply scrutinized traits in Filipino society. Often invoked in casual conversations, corporate post-mortems, and social commentary, it acts as a mirror reflecting the anxieties, scarcity mindsets, and historical wounds embedded within the national psyche. Roots in Scarcity and Survival – Anthropologists and sociologists trace the origins of this behavior not to inherent malice, but to historical…

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The humble dish sponge is one of the most-used items in any kitchen — and one of the most contaminated. Studies show that a single cubic centimetre of sponge can harbour up to 50 billion bacteria from around 350 different species. In fact, many kitchen sponges contain far more microbes than the average toilet seat. The reason is simple: a warm, moist environment combined with food residues trapped deep in the pores creates ideal living conditions for bacteria. Over time, they multiply, produce unpleasant odours and turn the sponge into…

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A new study shows how late‑night meals can disrupt your metabolism — and why shifting your dinner earlier can make a real difference. The long summer evenings in Vienna make it tempting to push dinner back: a late walk, a drink outdoors, a relaxed pace that feels good. But what feels effortless has measurable effects on your body. According to new research, when you eat may be almost as important as what you eat. Your body switches modes in the evening Your metabolism doesn’t run at the same speed all…

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A quick glance at the phone — and suddenly twenty minutes are gone. Checking messages, scrolling through social feeds, watching a short video: the smartphone has become a constant companion for millions. But where does useful connectivity end, and where does dependency begin? Increasingly, experts warn that excessive smartphone use is leaving deep marks on our mental and physical well‑being. “Smartphone addiction” may not be an official medical diagnosis, but the behavior it describes is becoming unmistakably visible in everyday life. A Modern Addiction With Familiar Symptoms According to Michael…

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The longest-running study on happiness has delivered a conclusion that cuts through centuries of speculation: close, reliable relationships are the strongest predictor of a fulfilling and healthy life. Not wealth, not career prestige — but human connection. The world’s longest happiness study The Harvard Study of Adult Development, launched in 1938, followed 724 young men from adolescence into old age. Over the decades, researchers expanded the project to include their spouses and more than 1,300 descendants. The goal was simple yet profound: uncover what keeps people healthy and happy across…

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A particularly strong El Niño event is building in the tropical Pacific — and international climate agencies warn that its global effects could be significant. While the phenomenon primarily affects regions around the central and eastern Pacific, experts say Europe may still feel indirect impacts. A powerful El Niño is forming El Niño occurs every two to seven years and is marked by unusually warm sea-surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific. These anomalies disrupt global atmospheric circulation and increase the likelihood of extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and…

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