Category: Feature Stories

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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The first bite seems harmless. By the second, the tingling begins, the nose starts to run, the forehead grows damp and the mouth feels aflame. For some, this is pure culinary pleasure; for others, it is a nightmare. But what exactly happens inside the body when we eat spicy food? Not a Taste, but a Pain Signal Spiciness is not one of the classic tastes like sweet, sour, salty, bitter or umami. Instead, it is a pain reaction. Compounds such as Capsaicin (chili, paprika), Piperine (pepper), Gingerol (ginger), Allicin (garlic)…

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A long‑standing belief in happiness research is losing ground. For years, the dominant assumption was clear: income boosts daily life satisfaction only up to a threshold of 75,000 US dollars per year. Beyond that point, additional earnings were thought to have little emotional impact. This conclusion, drawn from a widely cited 2010 study, shaped public debate and academic thinking alike. New Analysis Shows Happiness Continues to Rise A fresh evaluation published in 2023 paints a more nuanced picture. According to the updated findings, well‑being continues to increase for most people…

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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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