Category: Feature Stories

On average, a full truckload of plastic enters the world’s oceans every minute and floats in the water. However, a large proportion of this also sinks into the depths: it is estimated that there are already three to eleven million metric tonnes of plastic waste at the bottom of the oceans today, according to a study by the Australian science agency Csiro and the Canadian University of Toronto. With the help of remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs), it was possible for the first time to quantify approximately how much plastic…

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Two opposing trends will continue to increase in 2024: the amount of time we spend in front of screens and the intention to reduce it. How to keep track.In recent years, the average time we spend in front of screens has steadily increased. Various surveys confirm this, and the pandemic, in particular, has intensified the trend towards more screen time. At the same time, other surveys show that more and more people want to take a conscious break from digital media. Fortunately, both Android and iOS devices offer built-in features…

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The German Nutrition Society (DGE) has revised its Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDG). Plant-based foods should be included more than ever before. In line with the motto “Colourful and healthy”, nuts and pulses should be included in the daily, climate-conscious menu alongside vegetables.The recommendations are based on a newly developed mathematical optimisation model. What is new is that, besides recommending a healthy diet, it also considers aspects such as sustainability, environmental impact, and regular eating habits. “Change your diet now!” “If we want to eat healthily and protect the environment at…

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The brain subconsciously decides what we remember and what we don’t. According to a new study, experiences end up in long-term memory when specific signals in the brain “mark” the information. Experiments with mice suggest that rewards play an important role in this process. Whether learning for a test, finding your way in a new environment or getting to know previously unknown people, After people experience something, the nerve cells in their hippocampus generate several different signals. These include the pointed signal waves known as “sharp wave ripples,” which are…

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The morning glass of water is more than just a thirst quencher; it’s a health ritual with multiple benefits. Scientific studies and nutrition experts emphasise the importance of hydration right after waking up. The human body loses fluid overnight through respiration and perspiration, so morning water intake is essential to balance the water. The German Nutrition Society recommends drinking at least 1.5 litres of water daily. This amount should be increased accordingly during physical exertion or high temperatures. A glass of water in the morning activates the metabolism, as the…

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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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