Category: General Interest

For some, a morning shower is an indispensable ritual that gets the body and mind going. For others, warm water in the evening is the perfect end to a long day—relaxing, cleansing, and promoting sleep. But who is right? Microbiologist Primrose Freestone from the University of Leicester has addressed this everyday question, and her findings finally provide answers. Pros of an evening shower During the day, a lot of stuff accumulates on our skin and hair: sweat, sebum, dust, pollen, and much of it goes unnoticed when we go to…

Read More

The Slovakian security software company ESET has uncovered a campaign in which criminals use a new type of Android malware to steal data from bank cards—including PINs—and forward it to a second, pre-programmed cell phone. The aim is to make cash withdrawals directly from ATMs. Money gone because of Android malware: How the scam works For potential victims of Android malware, it all starts with a text message in the name of the bank, as ESET explained in a press release. The hook often involves a tax refund. If recipients…

Read More

All Souls’ Day, celebrated on November 2, is a solemn reminder that love and prayer reach beyond the grave. In the Catholic faith, it’s the day we remember and pray for all the faithful departed—those who have died and are being purified in purgatory before entering the fullness of heaven. It’s not a day of fear or sadness but of hope, mercy, and deep connection. The Church teaches that death does not end our relationships; it changes them. Our loved ones who have died are still part of the communion…

Read More

As every year, new variants of SARS-CoV-2 are circulating, causing respiratory infections in people in Europe. The currently dominant Covid variant XFG is often referred to in the media as the “Frankenstein variant”. It is reported to cause the so-called “razor blade throat” as a typical symptom. Doctors report patients complaining of extremely severe sore throats—so severe that they feel like they are swallowing razor blades. Several media outlets have reported on this in recent days. On May 23, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially classified the variant as…

Read More

Comet Lemmon is currently offering a rare celestial spectacle: Lemmon and Swan will be visible to the naked eye in Austria until November 12. Two comets are providing a rare celestial spectacle: the celestial bodies named Lemmon and Swan are easy to spot in the night sky these days. Under good conditions, you don’t even need a telescope to see it: “Because it is close to both Earth and the sun, it is a striking comet and will be visible to the naked eye from a dark location,” Uwe Pilz,…

Read More

This coming Sunday, October 26, 2025, it will be that time again: in large parts of Europe, the clocks will be set back one hour—from daylight saving time to winter or standard time. For Austria, this means that on the night from Saturday to Sunday, the clocks will change from Central European Summer Time (CEST) to Central European Time (CET) — i.e., from UTC+2 to UTC+1.  This means that we have – at least mathematically – one more hour of sleep that night. At the same time, it means that…

Read More

Wintertime: The time change in Austria will take place on the night of October 26, 2024—all information about the time, direction, and background. Since 1980, clocks have been changed twice a year throughout Austria. Originally introduced to save energy by making use of longer daylight hours, the time change continues to confuse to this day. When exactly does the change from daylight saving time to standard time (colloquially known as “winter time”) take place in the fall—and in which direction must the clock be turned? The change always takes place…

Read More

Ice buildup in the freezer is not only annoying, it also wastes energy. The thicker the layer of ice, the less efficiently the appliance works—and defrosting takes time and effort. There’s a surprisingly simple trick circulating online. Why ice forms in the first place Every time the freezer compartment is opened, warm, moist air enters. When this air comes into contact with the cold interior surfaces, the moisture condenses and freezes. Moist foods also contribute to this. How the aluminum foil trick works The method is simple: aluminum foil is…

Read More

Our “hinge” between the head and body is exposed to massive strain when we use our cell phones frequently. This puts pressure on the so-called “atlas vertebra.” People stare at their smartphones for hours on end. Whether on the subway, in a café, or at home on the couch—their gaze is directed downward, their head tilts forward, and their posture becomes tense. Doctors are sounding the alarm because this habit can have serious consequences. The atlas vertebra, known as C1 in technical terminology, is the topmost vertebra in the cervical…

Read More