Category: Feature Stories

An international team of researchers has dedicated itself to solving a puzzle about the sun that already occupied Galileo Galilei. The background is the formation of our star’s magnetic field. Astronomers have always had difficulties locating it. New calculations by a NASA supercomputer now show that the magnetic field is probably generated around 32,000 kilometers below the surface. This is significantly less deep than originally assumed. Previously, there were indications that the origin was around 210,000 kilometers below the surface. The new results were published on Wednesday in the scientific…

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The more a person walks, the lower their risk of dying early from various diseases. This has been confirmed by an analysis of 17 studies from all over the world with a total of almost 227,00 participants. However, the number of daily steps required to achieve health benefits is lower than previously assumed. The researchers write in their meta-analysis that just 4,000 steps are enough to reduce deaths from any cause significantly. The study, published on Wednesday in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, found that walking at least 3,967…

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Electric bicycles (e-bikes) are proving to be almost as beneficial to health as riding conventional bicycles, according to a new study by the Hannover Medical School. This finding could play a vital role for people with health restrictions, as pedelec riding is perceived as less strenuous but still offers significant health benefits.The extensive study analyzed the heart rate and other health data of e-bike users and conventional cyclists. The study showed that the heart rate of e-bike riders differs only minimally from that of cyclists, indicating similar positive effects on…

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In the exuberance of a summer holiday, you shouldn’t forget certain rules, especially regarding road traffic: The traffic regulations and costs for traffic offences abroad can differ from those in Austria. ‘Before setting off on holiday, you should learn about local traffic regulations. In principle, what is taboo at home should also be taboo abroad,’ said ÖAMTC lawyer Verena Pronebner on Thursday. Alcoholized: Severe penalties in Italy and SpainAnyone who drives too fast, parks incorrectly or is under the influence of alcohol in popular holiday destinations can face heavy fines,…

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According to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report, the climate crisis is exacerbating floods and droughts and reducing water quality. This poses an increasing threat to people’s health. In the report published on Wednesday, the Copenhagen-based EU authority calls for swift action and better coordination between governments and authorities to limit or prevent health risks. According to the EEA, 5,582 deaths caused by floods and 702 deaths caused by forest fires were recorded in 32 European countries between 1980 and 2022. According to the EEA report, one in eight people…

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Always drinking just water or unsweetened tea can quickly become boring. That’s why many people turn to soft drinks, smoothies or energy drinks. We are easily seduced by the tempting flavours and glittering packaging. This is okay from time to time, but it should be the exception rather than the rule. Because although lemonades, iced teas and the like taste great, they can lead to health problems in the long term. The unhealthiest drinksSo, which drinks are particularly unhealthy and bad for your health? A list recently compiled by ‘heidelberg24.de’…

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Astronomers have discovered an Earth-sized planet, Speculoos-3b, orbiting an ultra-cool red dwarf star that is expected to shine 100 times longer than our Sun. This remarkable find was made 55 light years from Earth as the planet passed in front of its host star, causing a brief dimming of the starlight.The research, published in Nature Astronomy and highlighted by The Guardian, shows that Speculoos-3b is virtually the same size as our Earth. However, the planet orbits its star in just 17 hours, which means that a year on Speculoos-3 B…

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Crab mentality is a phenomenon that is prevalent among Filipinos, although it is not unique to them. It refers to pulling down or undermining successful or talented others out of envy or insecurity. This destructive behaviour is akin to crabs in a bucket, where one crab tries to escape only to be dragged back down by the others. The roots of crab mentality can be traced back to colonial history, where Filipinos were pitted against each other by their colonizers to maintain control. Over the years, this mentality has been…

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The spread of misinformation online and via social media has great potential for social upheaval. Which ‘fake news’ is preferred differs from country to country. A study from Italy shows that small cultural differences have a major influence on the dissemination of false information on certain topics. Researchers are now well aware of how misinformation spreads on the internet and the role played by factors such as echo chambers, in which like-minded people reinforce each other’s beliefs. Recommendation algorithms in social media are also suspected of fueling the spread of…

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