Category: Feature Stories

The Henley Passport Index provides an up-to-date insight into the state of freedom to travel worldwide. Based on data from the world’s largest database for travel information, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), among others, the ranking compiled by the consulting firm Henley & Partners lists all 199 passports in the world according to the number of destinations that passport holders can visit without first applying for a visa. Towards the end of 2023, Japan lost its place at the top of the pass rankings for the first time in…

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It’s pretty disgusting! You get up, get dressed, get ready for the day, and then make your bed so that it looks nice and tidy when you go back to sleep, don’t you? Making your bed one of the first things you do when you get up is not a good idea. No, it’s not about taking valuable time out of your morning routine but about your overall health. You’re about to read knowledge that’s been around for nearly 20 years, but it’s about time it became common knowledge. According…

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The global average temperature for 2023 has been officially confirmed as a record high by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). After evaluating six different measurement series, it announced the value on Friday as 1.45 degrees above the pre-industrial level (1850-1900). All six institutes had classified 2023 as the hottest year. The new head of the WMO, Celeste Saulo, warned that this year could set a new record. Data from six climate services shows 2023 was the warmest yearSo far, 2016 has been the hottest year since industrialization. The global average…

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The World Health Organization (WHO) is concerned about handling COVID-19 worldwide. “Although we are not in a crisis, COVID-19 remains a threat to global health,” said epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove in Geneva on Friday. Too few people are vaccinated, and too few protective measures are being taken. These include wearing masks when people gather, keeping people with symptoms at home, and keeping rooms well ventilated. More must be done to better investigate and treat the long-term consequences of a coronavirus infection. According to Van Kerkhove, it is estimated that six…

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Have you ever dreamed of a deceased person? We’ll tell you what’s behind these dreams, which are frightening for some but arouse curiosity in others. Dreaming about a deceased person is never harmless (nightmares are not always harmless, either). Our dreams tell us what feelings are hidden deep inside us. If you have just lost a loved one, dreaming this way is quite common in the grieving process and helps to reduce the feeling of missing. Dreaming about a deceased personBut how should it be interpreted? When we dream of…

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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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