Category: Feature Stories

Fruit and vegetables are healthy, including for the microbiome in the intestines. As the meta-study by a research team in Graz shows, regular consumption contributes to bacterial diversity in the human gut. The influence is particularly strong in the first years of life. The human microbiome, i.e. the entirety of all microorganisms that colonize the gut, is largely transmitted to babies via the maternal microbiome and passed on with breast milk. However, other sources have not yet been proven, according to TU Graz in its press release. However, the team…

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Comet dust will burn up at over 200,000 km/h and observers can make a wish with every shooting star.Midsummer time is shooting star time: As every year around August 12, the legendary Perseids swarm promises countless shooting stars these days. It’s worth taking a look at the sky in the coming nights. The Perseids meteor shower can be observed in the night sky for a long time until almost the end of August. Some of these shooting stars can already be seen, and the spectacle should reach its peak on…

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In Austria, it is generally forbidden to run a red light. However, there are exceptions for special situations, such as the approach of an emergency vehicle (ambulance, police, fire department) with blue lights and siren switched on. If an emergency vehicle is approaching and you have to make way for it, you can take the following steps: Be careful and attentive: Reduce your speed and watch the traffic and the emergency vehicle. Signal your intentions: Use turn signals to signal your intentions to other road users. Leave the intersection safely:…

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To ensure that everything runs smoothly on the journey home from your vacation, travelers should follow a few tips. Every year, travelers bring back souvenirs from all over the world. “The safest vacation souvenir is always a photo. If you do want a souvenir, please follow the tips for a carefree return journey,” advises Austrian Finance Minister Brunner.In principle, the free movement of goods applies within the EU. However, there are exceptions: Upper limits must be observed for alcohol or tobacco. Four cartons of cigarettes are permitted, a limit of…

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Under the most “realistic” scenario for the social, economic and climatic development of the Earth, the population will exceed the ten billion mark by 2065. This is the result of new, comprehensive forecasts by Austrian demographers. According to the study, there will only be a slight decline by 2100. This is mainly due to the fact that an overall higher level of education will put less pressure on birth rates in some regions of the world than expected. In their working paper, the scientists from the International Institute for Applied…

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Funeral processions usually show mourners dressed in black. But do you have to conform to this common color choice or can you wear other colors instead of black?Do you have to wear black to a funeral and if so, do you have to wear all black? Many mourners probably ask themselves these two questions shortly before a funeral. For a long time, this color was predominant at funerals. But has anything changed? Do you have to wear black to a funeral?While you can look around your closet more freely for…

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The moon constantly slows down the rotation of the earth – but the sun counteracts this. According to a recent study, this interaction is responsible for the constant length of the day. But global warming could also influence it. The tidal mountains of the oceans caused by the moon act like brake shoes and slow down the Earth’s rotation. If the rotation of our planet depended solely on the Earth’s satellite, a day would now have to be 60 hours long. However, the sun has brought the slowing down of…

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A friendly driver or an attentive waitress: good service is often rewarded with a tip in this country. But what about financial appreciation abroad? In most countries, a tip of five to ten percent of the bill is the right amount. You should dig deeper into your pocket in the USA or Canada, where 15 to 20 percent is expected – unless a service charge is already included in the bill, as the Association of German Banks explains. In American restaurants, in particular, tipping is an unspoken obligation. If you…

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Water is essential for life. It makes up about 60% of our body weight and is crucial for maintaining bodily functions. However, there is often confusion about how much water we should drink daily. This article aims to clarify the recommended water intake, factors influencing hydration needs, and practical tips for staying adequately hydrated. The Common Recommendation: 8×8 Rule The most well-known recommendation for water intake is the “8×8 rule,” which suggests drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day, totaling about 2 liters or half a gallon. This guideline…

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