Category: Feature Stories

Originally from Asia, the persimmon fruit is also becoming increasingly popular in Europe. Taste, preparation, and health benefits. It is orange, looks like a tomato and tastes sweet: the persimmon, also known as the Chinese quince, Sharon fruit or persimmon, is becoming increasingly popular in this country. It has been one of the oldest cultivated plants in Asia for over 2,000 years. What is there to know about the persimmon, often referred to as the “sweet fruit of the gods”? Where the persimmon growsPersimmon trees grow in mild climates and…

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Not everyone knows why urine is yellow. You’re not alone if you’ve ever wondered why your urine is sometimes yellow. The secret behind the yellow color of urine is not widely known, although the explanation has existed for some time. But what is the real reason for this color change? According to Nyheder24.dk, who researched this topic, the color of urine is not directly due to the food we eat. Instead, it is a by-product of the breakdown of red blood cells. This process occurs in the liver, spleen, or…

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Microplastics have now been detected almost everywhere, from the human heart and brain to remote areas of the Arctic. Not much is yet known about even smaller plastic particles—nanoplastics. Plastic particles with a size of fewer than 0.001 millimeters are very difficult to detect. Even scientists have been surprised by the amount of nanoplastic in standard PET water bottles. Plastic bottles can contain up to 100 times more nanoplastics than previously assumed. Abrasion when squeezing and opening the bottlesNaixin Qian’s team at Columbia University in New York obtained conventional 1-liter…

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When you’re sick, your body is infected. But with what? With a virus or with bacteria? To understand what it is, here’s how you can tell the difference between the two. Bacteria and viruses? Both the same, both harmful? Far from it. Although they all belong to the large family of microbes, are tiny, and are often confused, they differ significantly in their form and the diseases they can cause. In the event of an infection or several infections, it is important to know the cause. So, to make sure…

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According to a recent study, warning labels and, in particular, shock images on sweets influence purchasing behavior: They can persuade people to buy fewer sugary products or even avoid them altogether. According to the study published in the specialist journal “BMC Public Health,” shocking images, similar to those on cigarette packs, are the most effective. Study participants confronted with this were less willing to buy sweets. Short-term health problemsAccording to the University of Göttingen, in an online survey, 1,040 people provided information on how they perceive different types of warnings…

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On January 6, every year, the Epiphany is celebrated.It is the visible appearance of the saint. Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar represent the three continents known then. In art, the magi are often depicted as young adults and old men. For example, Beda Venerabilis wrote around 730 based on an older Greek model: the first is said to have been Melchior, an old man with a white beard; the second was Caspar, a beardless youth; the third was Baltasar, with a dark full beard.The wise men from the East are the…

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You should avoid eating extremely spicy foods if you have a sensitive stomach.Chili, pepper, ginger, & co. Many people like spicy food and season their meals with fiery spices. Are they doing their health a favor?Spiciness is not only supposed to give food that certain something but also to improve health. But not everyone benefits from spiciness. The health benefits of spicy food, when it’s too spicy, and who should avoid it.What makes our food spicy?The spiciness comes from various spices and their ingredients. Capsaicin in chili, for example, provides…

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Consumers who use Paypal or Klarna installment financing for online purchases could face unexpectedly high costs. Sample analysis by the comparison portal Verivox has shown that the interest rates for such financing are significantly higher than for conventional installment loans. During a test purchase, Klarna charged 13.6 percent interest for installment financing with a two-year term. This led to total interest costs of 309 euros for a notebook worth 2,236 euros. With Paypal, the interest rate was 10.99 percent, which led to additional costs of 251 euros for the same…

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On March 10, 1876, British inventor Alexander Bell invented the telephone, designed by his assistant Thomas Watson. 148 years later, it seems as if one of the most important cultural techniques of the past centuries – the telephone call – is slowly dying out. Although there are more phones than ever before, 89 percent of Austrians own a smartphone. They are making fewer and fewer calls. According to data from mobile phone providers, call minutes are continuously decreasing while data usage continues to rise. According to Rundfunk und Telekom Regulierungs-GmbH,…

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