Category: Feature Stories

Even if the situation remains tense for the Pope, there is cautiously positive news for the faithful for the first time. Once in the morning and once in the evening, the Vatican provides information on the state of health of the Pope, who has already been hospitalized for 13 days. Initially, it was “only” bronchitis, but now both lungs are inflamed. At times, he even had to struggle with attacks of breathlessness as a result – and his kidneys were also in danger of failing. His condition has remained unchanged…

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Recent study data from the Czech Republic show that how well you sleep is more important than how long you spend asleep in bed. In the long term, a good night’s sleep increases your well-being more than sleeping regularly in the morning. Sleep is known to be essential for recovering from the stresses and strains of everyday life at night. Sleep disorders can quickly manifest themselves in physical and mental problems – even the occurrence of certain cancers is promoted by too little and too poor sleep. Previous studies in…

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This rare phenomenon offers a unique opportunity for skywatchers in Austria to marvel at the planets in an impressive alignment. Seven-planet parade on 28 February 2025Since January 21, 2025, six planets – Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Venus, and Saturn – have been visible in the evening sky. On 28 February, Mercury will join them, making a total of seven planets appear in a line. While Mars, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn are visible to the naked eye, you will need a telescope or good binoculars for Uranus and Neptune. Mercury is…

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A rare celestial spectacle is on the horizon: Over the next few nights, all seven more planets will be visible from Earth. Seven-planet parade on 28 February 2025Since January 21, 2025, six planets – Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Venus, and Saturn – have been visible in the evening sky. On 28 February, Mercury will join them, making a total of seven planets appear in a line. While Mars, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn are visible to the naked eye, you will need a telescope or good binoculars for Uranus and Neptune.…

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Does putting the toilet lid down when flushing really help to prevent infection? A study sheds light on this question. A new topic that can break up couples and friendships has entered our social discussions: the toilet lid issue. Some claim that putting the toilet lid down when flushing can drastically reduce the risk of infection. However, a new study published in the AJIC has shown that flushing the toilet plays a major role. Toilet lids: should we follow the general recommendation?The logic seems inexorable: closing the toilet lid and…

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Many people who wear glasses have been teased or labelled as smarty pants because of their glasses – and rightly so, as a British study shows.What sounds like a cliché has now been proven in a study. People who wear glasses are said to appear smart or intellectual. However, it has now been found that people who wear glasses are actually more intelligent than those who do not need visual aids. The link between intelligence and visual impairmentIn the study, which was published in the journal Nature Communications, researchers from…

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During the coronavirus lockdowns at the latest, many people (re)discovered walking for themselves. Since then, the desire to walk has made a real comeback – for all age groups. And for good reason! Walking is more than a relaxing leisure activity: The gentle exercise strengthens the body and mind equally. Walking reduces the risk of developing cancer or cardiovascular disease, as several studies suggest. Thomas Schneider, a specialist in orthopaedics and trauma surgery, explains why this is the case and how to make the most of a walk. Walking has…

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If something itches, don’t scratch it because it will itch even more: small children are taught this. However, scratching has a double effect, as new research shows: On the one hand, it exacerbates skin inflammation, and on the other, it can strengthen the immune system. From an evolutionary perspective, it’s actually a paradox: if scratching is so harmful, why does it feel so good? “It must also offer some kind of benefit,” says Daniel Kaplan, a dermatologist at the University of Pittsburgh and lead author of a study that has…

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According to EU regulations, mealworm powder can be used in various products but must be declared. A new EU regulation will come into force on Monday (February 10, 2025): mealworm powder may now be included in bread and cheese, among other things. However, the authorization is initially limited to 5 years. Dried yellow mealworms have already been approved as a food in the EU since 2021, and now mealworm powder, which can be added to other products, is also included in the EU’s list of “novel foods”. In the future,…

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