Category: Feature Stories

The rule of thumb of drinking two liters daily is getting shaken up by a new study. This is because the amount of water needed depends on various factors. Drinking two liters a day – that used to be a rule of thumb. A new study puts an end to this. It was recently published in the journal Science. Since about half of our daily water intake comes from food, researchers estimate that we only need about 1.3 to 1.8 liters per day. Previous studies in this area were based…

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Infants initially feed exclusively on their mother’s nutritious milk. Thanks to the enzyme lactase, they can digest milk without any problems. As the child grows up, the lactase activity decreases, resulting in lactose intolerance and milk intolerance. This mainly affects the population in Africa and Asia. For example, people in Europe, North America, and Australia are an exception. For almost 7,500 years, milk and milk products have been an integral part of the diet here – even in adulthood. Over time, a genetic adaptation has taken place. It is, therefore,…

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Blue whales, the largest animals on earth, ingest around ten million microplastics daily with their food. According to a study published on Tuesday, marine mammals thus “eat” up to 43.6 kilograms of microplastics per day. This estimate was arrived at by U.S. experts who studied microplastic data and the feeding behavior of blue, humpback, and other baleen whales off the coast of California. These whales filter feed from the water. The study appeared in the journal Nature Communications. In the preyMicroplastics are plastic particles smaller than five millimeters. The concentration…

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By 2030, the United Nations wanted to eliminate AIDS. But the number of new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths is rising in some parts of the world. Inequalities are the main reason for the lack of progress, the U.N. Program to Fight AIDS (UNAIDS) said in an analysis for today’s World AIDS Day. Around 9,000 were infected in AustriaWorldwide, 38.4 million people are living with HIV infection, and there are about 9,000 infected people in Austria. Three hundred seventy-six more people in Austria were infected with the virus last year.…

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In recent years, smartphones and apps have become a part of everyday life, according to a survey. The Corona pandemic has reinforced this trend. “Digital has become the new normal,” says Xaver Wölfl, manager of Allianz Austria. The Corona pandemic has driven this development, he said. He said that fear of data misuse, surveillance, cybercrime, or digital dependencies has declined, as he worries about jobs because of digitalization. The importance of smartphones and apps in everyday life has increasedAt the same time, digital tools such as smartphones and apps have…

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If you don’t drink enough, your blood sodium levels will be too high – causing long-term damage to your heart. What and how much should you drink? Water, unsweetened tea, or spiked fruit juices without sugar are the best and healthiest thirst quenchers. Ideally, you provide your body with two liters of fluid per day. You can drink more in summer or during strenuous activities that make you sweat. Drinking enough helps to remove harmful substances from the body more quickly and keeps the circulation upright and the skin plump.…

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The trace element zinc has been used for decades to treat colds, and clinical studies have proved its effectiveness. It also helps heal wounds, produces hormones or sperm, and is suitable for skin, hair, and nails. Several studies have shown that zinc can be used very successfully in preventing and treating colds when administered within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms. However, there is very little information on the role and effect of zinc in coronavirus disease. A new study has now linked orally administered zinc to reduced severity…

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Domestic food retailers have agreed on a unified approach in the event of a blackout. While energy and food supplies are currently secure, it is necessary to be prepared in the event of a crisis, the ministries of energy and agriculture said in a statement. Austrian newspaper “der Standard” published a round table interview with Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler and Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig. At the meeting, measures to prevent blackouts, maintain food supplies in the event of an emergency, and increase energy efficiency were discussed. In addition to Gewessler…

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Once again, the National Immunization Panel (NIG) has updated its recommendation for the Corona vaccine. Sanofi’s protein vaccine and BioNTech/Pfizer’s variant vaccine for children five years and older have been added to the recommendation. The health ministry informed that a fifth vaccination is not recommended in general but only for high-risk groups and people aged 60 and older. To ensure the best possible protection during the cold season, the experts strongly recommend completing the primary immunization (three doses) and the booster vaccination. In principle, it is possible for all persons…

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