Category: Feature Stories

In more and more countries, two and a half years after the pandemic outbreak, mandatory quarantine is now being lifted and replaced by voluntary isolation. In Austria, only a traffic restriction currently applies; infected persons are allowed to take part in everyday life wearing a mask and take a five-day break from it, provided no more symptoms appear. But how long could they – theoretically – infect others? The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its recommendations on this question. The experts advise infected people to…

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Due to its distinctive taste, ginger enjoys great popularity and is used in the kitchen in many ways. Fresh or dried, the ginger root is used for preparing tea, smoothies, Asian dishes, or as a candied sweet. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) originates from the Far East, although the closer origin is unclear. The herbaceous plant is cultivated mainly in China, West Africa, South America, and Australia. Due to the long leaves, the ginger plant has a reed-like appearance and can reach a growth height of 150 cm. Up to 500 ingredients…

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In September, Apple will unveil the 14th generation of its successful iPhone smartphone – according to rumors, four different models. According to previous rumors, the Pro models will stand out more from the standard iPhone. In addition to technical innovations, Apple fans expect a nasty surprise: higher prices. iPhones are already luxury goods: the 256-gigabyte version of the iPhone 13 Pro costs around 1250 euros, according to an online price comparison. If it’s up to the well-informed Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo from the investment house TF International Securities in Taiwan,…

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Many people have some immune protection against covid-19 through vaccination, infection, or a combination of both. Most recently, experts in Austria estimated the covid immunity rate in Austria at 70 percent in early August. But how much protection does each individual have? Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have now developed an easy-to-use test to answer that question. Their test, which works in the same way as most rapid antigen tests for Covid-19, measures the level of neutralizing antibodies that target the SARS-CoV-2 virus in a blood sample. The…

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We all know and love the apple. But we obviously don’t know much about it, which is indicated by several circulating misconceptions. What is the truth behind the numerous statements about this fruit? With only 45 to 60 kilocalories per 100 grams, apple fruit is low in calories and has a high fiber content as well as valuable vitamins and other vital substances. Therefore, the saying “One apple a day keeps the doctor away!” came long ago because the crunchy, fruity fruit is healthy and does us good. But is…

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A key advantage of so-called mRNA vaccines has always been how quickly they can be adapted to new virus variants. So far, however, no such adapted vaccine has been approved in this country. But they have already been developed: the manufacturer Biontech has now announced that it has two vaccines ready – these are to be available from October. From October, the “next generation” vaccine should be available in Europe.Delivery of the vaccine could be available as early as October 2022, subject to regulatory approval, the company said Monday. The…

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The popular messenger app gets new features for better privacy protection. All those who remain in an annoying WhatsApp group to be polite will be happy about the new WhatsApp features. Namely, the world’s most popular messenger has introduced new features that serve better privacy protection. WhatsApp parent Meta describes one of the new functions as “silently leaving groups.” This means that users can now leave WhatsApp groups without all group members seeing that they have left the group. In the future, only the group administrators will be informed. Online…

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It is said to be one of the best-kept secrets in the world: The recipe for Coca-Cola, the ever-popular soft drink developed in 1886. But why the secrecy? Because the sparkling soft drink contains, say, cocaine? Of course not. At least not since 1903, and the Coca-Cola Company categorically denies its use. Even the alcohol initially contained in the drink has not made it into the company’s bottles and cans for quite a while now. It is replaced by sugar. So why is the Coca-Cola recipe kept as secret as…

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The price increase for district heating of Wien Energie in Vienna by 92 percent as of September 1 is now fixed. This was said by the responsible city councilor Peter Hanke (SPÖ) in an interview on ORF-“Wien Heute” on Monday evening. Prices for district heating in Vienna rise by 92 percent Vienna extends energy support thanks to inflation“There will be this increase from September 1,” Peter Hanke (SPÖ) said on the district heating price increase. According to Hanke, Wien Energie had announced the plan in June, and now a commission…

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