Category: General Interest

Europe is experiencing significantly more desert dust blowing in from North Africa — a trend scientists say is accelerating and already reshaping both public health risks and the continent’s clean‑energy output. Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland report in Nature that desert dust levels have risen by 10 to 25 percent over the past decade, with long‑term evidence from Alpine ice cores showing that concentrations have more than doubled over the last 150 years. Intensifying Storms, Expanding Deserts The increase is not due to more storms, the…

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Many households routinely switch off electronic devices at night to save energy. In most cases, that’s harmless — but not always. Some devices rely on a continuous power supply to function properly, and unplugging them can lead to malfunctions, higher costs, or even long‑term damage. Router: The Silent Backbone of Your Digital Life Takeaway: A router’s low energy use is rarely worth the connectivity problems caused by frequent unplugging. Routers manage internet access, streaming, smart home systems, and countless background processes. While it may seem sensible to disconnect them overnight,…

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Warm summer nights often make falling asleep a challenge. When indoor temperatures rise, many people try different tricks to cool down — and one of the most common is leaving the bedroom window wide open overnight. But according to the newspaper Bien, this seemingly smart solution comes with hidden downsides that can affect both your home and your health. A Cool Breeze — With Consequences An open window may help lower the temperature, but it also allows large amounts of moisture to enter your home. Elevated humidity over several hours…

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Urlaub in diesem Sommer wird spürbar teurer: New data from Germany’s Federal Statistical Office shows a sharp rise in both flight prices and package holiday costs, driven largely by turbulence on the global kerosene market following the Iran war. Flight Prices Jump Across Nearly All Regions International airfares rose by an average of 8.5% in the first six months of the year compared with the same period in 2025. Domestic flights saw an even steeper increase, climbing 9.5%. The strongest price hikes hit routes to Central America, where Economy‑Class tickets…

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A smile looks effortless, but its impact is anything but small. We instinctively enjoy being greeted with warmth, and we often try to offer the same comfort to others. Yet beyond these social niceties, research increasingly shows that smiling delivers a surprising range of real, measurable health benefits — from stress reduction to stronger immunity. The Body’s Built‑In Mood Booster The core takeaway: a smile triggers biochemical changes that improve your well‑being, even when the smile is intentional rather than spontaneous. When you smile, your brain releases dopamine, serotonin, and…

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Copenhagen has retained its title as the most liveable city in the world, according to the 2026 edition of the Global Liveability Index published by the British Economist Group. The Danish capital, already last year’s winner, continues to set the benchmark for urban quality of life in Europe and beyond. A European city leads the world The annual index evaluates 173 cities across 30 indicators, including political stability, healthcare, social security, education, culture, environment and infrastructure. Each city receives a score out of 100 points. Copenhagen defends its crown Copenhagen…

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Vienna — As temperatures climb across Europe, many athletes refuse to give up their daily training routines. Yet sports physicians are sounding the alarm: exercising in extreme heat can push the human body to its limits far faster than most people realize. Prof. Johannes Scherr, a leading sports medicine specialist, explains that heat places a double burden on the body. “The body must not only supply the muscles but also cool itself through sweating and increased skin blood flow,” he says. That dual demand strains the heart and circulatory system.…

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When temperatures soar and the air feels heavy, reaching for a drink becomes almost instinctive. But the debate resurfaces every summer: are cold drinks or warm drinks actually better for the body in extreme heat? Rising Temperatures, Rising Fluid Loss As the body heats up, it sweats more to regulate its internal temperature. That means fluid loss increases significantly. Health experts recommend drinking at least 1.5 to 2 liters a day during hot weather — ideally spread throughout the day rather than waiting until thirst kicks in. Too little fluid…

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Europe is experiencing an unprecedented heatwave, with new national and regional temperature records set across multiple countries. From Czechia to Denmark, Switzerland, Spain and Germany, meteorological agencies are reporting extreme values that surpass anything measured since the beginning of modern weather observations. Record-Breaking Heat Across Central and Northern Europe Czechia: 40.8°C in Doksany Czechia has already reached a new all-time national temperature record even before the peak of the heatwave. The national weather service CHMU reported 40.8°C in Doksany, north of Prague—exceeding the previous record of 40.4°C set in 2012.…

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