Category: Feature Stories

Climate change is apparently upsetting more than just the climate itself. According to a new study, the melting of polar ice is causing the Earth’s rotation to slow down. This is having an impact on our chronology. Shift second for customisationSince 1972, a so-called leap second has been used to harmonise the time measured by atomic clocks with the speed of the Earth. According to the researchers, the next leap second will be delayed by three years due to climate change. “So much ice has melted and sea levels have…

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According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one in six schoolchildren between the ages of 11 and 15 was bullied on online platforms in 2022. This represents an increase of three percentage points over four years, according to a study published in Copenhagen on Wednesday. “This report is an alarm signal that requires us to take action against violence when and where it occurs,” emphasised Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. Cyberbullying has increased since the start of the coronavirus pandemicAccording to the study results, the proportion of physical…

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For centuries, various customs and symbols have been associated with Easter, some of which have survived in a different form. Some of them, such as the ratchet and the epitaphios, a liturgical blanket, are only common in individual Christian denominations. The rabbit, Easter lamb and egg are probably the best-known Easter symbols. However, there are also numerous other traditions for the main festival in the Christian church year, such as the palm bush, ratcheting and the Easter food blessing, which is popular in rural areas. While the blessing of food…

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The twice-daily ritual in the bathroom is brushing your teeth and washing your face. A dermatologist explains the consequences if the latter falls by the wayside. Unlike the rest of the body, the face is not protected by clothing and is surrounded by environmental influences all day. It goes without saying that the dirt has to be cleaned off in the evening. But what is the point of washing extensively in the morning? Is it necessary, or can our skin cope better than we think it would without it? Dermatologist…

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Eggs are not only on everyone’s lips at Easter: whether as a soft-boiled version at breakfast, as a savoury omelette for a quick dinner or as a baking ingredient in afternoon cakes, eggs are regularly on the menu. At the same time, eggs had an image problem for a long time, as they were notorious for being a real cholesterol bomb. This bad reputation has been crumbling for years, as it has been shown that the egg is much more of a high-quality nutrient bomb with many important vitamins and…

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The world’s population is still growing, but according to a current forecast, it is likely to shrink again in the long term: by 2100, only six countries worldwide—Samoa, Tonga, Somalia, Niger, Chad, and Tajikistan—will be above the 2.1 children per woman mark. This value is considered the threshold for keeping the population at a constant level. For the remaining 198 countries, the researchers assume that the birth rate in 2100 will be below the 2.1 mark. The number of people there is likely to fall in the long term unless…

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The comet “12P/Pons-Brooks” is currently traveling through the inner solar system and is rapidly approaching Earth. It will soon reach its maximum brightness and thus offer a fascinating observation opportunity. It can already be spotted in the night sky with a suitable lens. But what is behind this celestial phenomenon, and when is the best time to observe it? Comets and their characteristic featuresHistory and discovery: Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks was first discovered on July 12, 1812, by the French astronomer Jean-Louis Pons. Over seventy years later, William Robert Brooks accidentally came…

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What is celebrated on Palm Sunday – and what does it have to do with Holy Week? We explain the customs, history, and significance of Palm Sunday in the church, religion, and art. Palm Sunday (March 24, 2024) marks the beginning of Holy Week, also known as “Silent Week,” during which Christians remember the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross and prepare for Easter. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and the beginning of his Passion. According to the Gospel accounts, Jesus rode into the city on…

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