No smartphones in bed: Evening cell phone ban improves sleep and good grades

Strict smartphone rules pay off: when young people are not allowed to use their cell phones in the evening, they sleep an average of 40 minutes longer and perform better at school. This is shown by a new study from the University of Geneva. “Parents therefore play a key role. Their commitment directly influences the health and success of their children,” said lead author Kevin Mammeri in a statement released by the University of Geneva on Wednesday. For the study, published in the journal Discover Public Health, researchers examined responses…

Read More

October is the month of the Orionids

While some people still mourn the long summer nights, stargazers rejoice in October’s longer nights, which give them more time to observe the starry sky. And it’s worth it. Thanks to the moon, the Orionid meteor shower is likely to provide some special wow moments this year. The Orionids are a meteor shower whose path crosses the Earth from October 2 to November 7. The Orionids are known for their brightness, and many of them are so-called fireballs, meaning they leave a trail behind them. This makes them easy to…

Read More

Coffee Day: We checked out some common myths about our favorite drink

Coffee every day—that’s how we like it. But how healthy is it really? On Coffee Day, we take a look at the most interesting myths, the latest studies, and a few surprising facts. Spoiler alert: The truth is usually much more relaxed than you might think. Coffee: Myth or truth? 1. “Coffee dehydrates you” Not true. Yes, caffeine has a short-term diuretic effect, but the water in coffee easily compensates for this. So if you think you need to drink twice as much water after every cup, you can breathe…

Read More

Which Countries Have the Highest Income Taxes — And Why

In 2025, several countries stand out for having the highest top marginal personal income tax rates, particularly in Europe. These are rates that apply only to the highest income brackets, not what everyone pays. Still, they offer a glimpse into how different nations structure tax burdens and social welfare systems. Top Countries by Highest Personal Income Tax Rates Some of the highest marginal income tax rates around the world are: Country Top Marginal Rate* Denmark 55.9% France 55.4% Austria 55% Finland 55 % Spain 54% (national + regional taxes) Belgium…

Read More

Why can’t some people say hello?

Saying hello is one of those things. Some people call out a friendly greeting from afar, sometimes accompanied by a cheerful wave. Others remain stubbornly silent, no matter how clearly you say “hello.” Anyone who has ever entered a doctor’s waiting room with a cheerful greeting and been punished with audible silence knows what we’re talking about. But it’s not just the sick and miserable who sometimes find moving their lips as strenuous as lifting a car with one hand. The same thing happens in the elevator at work, in…

Read More

Time change 2025: When will the clocks change?

Opinions are divided on the time change: some are in favor of it, while others would prefer to abolish it. The fact is: the clocks will be turned back at the end of October. The fact that summer is finally over is not only evident from the thermometer – the clocks will also be turned back to standard time, incorrectly referred to as “winter time.” This is because so-called winter time is standard time, Central European Time (CET), and lasts five months, from the end of October to the end…

Read More

Particularly high levels of microplastics in the brain

Tiny plastic particles are now found not only in the most remote regions of the world, but also almost everywhere in the human body. Tissue analyses of deceased individuals now show how much pollution has increased over the years. Higher amounts accumulate in the brain than in the kidneys and liver. Over the past 50 years, environmental pollution from tiny plastic particles has increased worldwide. The nano- and microparticles range in size from one nanometer to 500 micrometers. According to estimates, humans ingest up to five grams of them every…

Read More

Copenhagen Claims World’s Most Livable City Crown in 2025

In a dramatic shift at the top of global liveability rankings, Copenhagen, Denmark, has taken over the #1 spot, ending Vienna’s three-year reign as the world’s most livable city, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) 2025 Global Liveability Index. Top Ranked Cities for 2025 Here are the top 10 most livable cities in 2025. Rank City Country 1 Copenhagen Denmark 2 (tie) Vienna Austria 2 (tie) Zurich Switzerland 4 Melbourne Australia 5 Geneva Switzerland 6 Sydney Australia 7 (tie) Osaka Japan 7 (tie) Auckland New Zealand 9 Adelaide Australia…

Read More

All-out alert – Asteroid “2025 FA22” hurtling towards Earth

Asteroid 2025 FA22 will pass unusually close to Earth on September 18. Researchers give the all-clear; observation campaigns are underway worldwide. Earth is getting a visitor from space: on September 18, 2025, asteroid “2025 FA22” will race unusually close to our planet. Measuring up to 280 meters in size, it is classified as a “potentially hazardous” celestial body—but researchers have given the all-clear: a collision is virtually impossible. “2025 FA22” was only discovered in March with a telescope in Hawaii (USA). NASA initially classified it as level 1 on the…

Read More