Category: Feature Stories

German molecular psychologist Christian Montag has been studying the side effects of digitalization for years. His latest book, “You belong to us! The psychological strategies of Facebook, Tiktok, Snapchat & Co.” (Blessing Verlag), explains the methods of the tech giants to keep users online as long as possible. “An alcoholic is not addicted to the bottle, but to the content. It’s the same with the smartphone. It’s about the apps that cause problematic consumption. This can be Instagram, but also the e-mail account. Here, a differentiated view should help to…

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Change your whole life to marry the great love? Sounds like a pretty daring move. But a nun and a monk from the UK add to it: they saw each other only once before they decided to leave the Order. There are enough unusual love stories. Sometimes you fall in love with your former nemesis; sometimes, you look for great love with a Lego reconstruction of getting to know each other; and other times, you give up everything to be with your great love. Mary Elizabeth and Robert also took…

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A Harvard University study looked into the question of what makes people happy. What makes a person truly happy? Is it money, power, material possessions or something else entirely? A Harvard University study has devoted more than 85 years to this question and has published its findings. Robert Waldinger, now the fourth leader of the study, summarized this to the “Harvard Healt Blog” in one sentence: “Good relationships make us happier and healthier. Period.” According to the study, the participating men who lived in good relationships lived happier, healthier and…

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Whether in the home office or in the office: Those who work at the PC often sit for hours. Researchers at Columbia University in New York have now found that regular short exercise breaks during the workday can be enough to offset the effects of sitting for long periods. The study showed that a five-minute walk every 30 minutes was enough to do this. Researchers say these short walking breaks can improve mood, reduce fatigue, and increase overall well-being. This is accomplished because the body is re-energized by the brief…

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The number of massive eruptions of the sun is increasing. If such a solar storm hits Earth, we will be catapulted “back to the Stone Age.” “It’s possible at any time that a very extreme solar storm could occur, and it could have far-reaching consequences,” warns Melanie Heil of ESA’s Space Weather Mission in Darmstadt, Germany. But how bad could it get if the distant sun is hissing in our direction? Very bad! “If such a solar storm reaches Earth, it can temporarily throw us back to the technological Stone…

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Rice is considered a popular side dish. But when it comes to preparation, opinions are divided: Rice is on the menu almost daily, along with potatoes and pasta. As a carb-rich side dish, it works perfectly with meat, fish, vegetables or tofu. But is it as healthy as people think, and do you need to wash it before cooking? Rice contaminated with arsenic.As the German “Ökotest” found out, some rice products from German retailers were contaminated with the heavy metal arsenic. This was found mainly in basmati rice, parboiled long-grain…

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In times of energy crisis, it makes sense to look for power guzzlers, switches them off or replace them with more economical appliances. Even standby mode does not guarantee that electrical appliances do not consume electricity – on the contrary. Many electronic everyday helpers can also be disconnected from the power supply at night and thus save money. You can learn more about which devices to use and other electricity-saving tips here. Vent heaters: a unique key can be used to let excess air out of the radiator, leaving more…

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Whether as baked potatoes, mash, gratin, or French fries…the potato offers a variety of preparation options. However, many people avoid eating potatoes because they think it makes them fat. However, this has been debunked as a potato myth. It has just 70 calories per 100 grams. For comparison: Spaghetti has 160 calories in the same gram number. According to InFranken.de, the potato has, in addition, many vitamins, minerals and ballast materials as well as anti-oxidants, as EatSmarter writes – but almost no fat. That comes only if one processes it…

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The common papaya is a thermophilic plant of the papaya family, characterized by large edible fruits. Papaya is the fruit of Carica papaya, a species belonging to the Caricaceae family, native to Central America and now widespread in many areas of the subtropical world. Why should we eat papaya occasionally? First of all, it is an excellent source of antioxidants. These, along with the other nutrients packed into the fruit, can help protect cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of developing colon cancer. But that is not all. Papaya consumption…

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