Crab Mentality: When People Pull Down Those Who Get Ahead

Crab mentality is a phenomenon that is prevalent among Filipinos, although it is not unique to them. It refers to pulling down or undermining successful or talented others out of envy or insecurity. This destructive behaviour is akin to crabs in a bucket, where one crab tries to escape only to be dragged back down by the others. The roots of crab mentality can be traced back to colonial history, where Filipinos were pitted against each other by their colonizers to maintain control. Over the years, this mentality has been…

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Misinformation reflects cultural differences

The spread of misinformation online and via social media has great potential for social upheaval. Which ‘fake news’ is preferred differs from country to country. A study from Italy shows that small cultural differences have a major influence on the dissemination of false information on certain topics. Researchers are now well aware of how misinformation spreads on the internet and the role played by factors such as echo chambers, in which like-minded people reinforce each other’s beliefs. Recommendation algorithms in social media are also suspected of fueling the spread of…

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Do you drink too much sparkling water? These are the risks

Carbonated water is a popular thirst quencher, but we often hear it could be unhealthy. But what is the real truth behind this assumption? Carbonated water does contain carbon dioxide, but only a small amount. Most of the CO2 is present as a dissolved gas.Nevertheless, there are concerns about the effects on the body’s acid-base balance, tooth enamel, and even weight. Severe acidosis in the body can lead to hair loss, brittle nails, and aching joints. Dentists warn that carbonated drinks can lead to erosion in children and teenagers. Scientists…

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Summer 2023 was the warmest in the north for 2,000 years

According to a study, last year’s summer was the warmest in northern countries for more than 2,000 years. This is shown by a combination of observational data and reconstructions, according to a report by researchers led by Jan Esper from the University of Mainz in Nature. They analyzed the surface temperatures in June, July, and August in the extratropical regions of the northern hemisphere (30 to 90 degrees north latitude). The temperature in this part of the northern hemisphere, which includes Europe – was, therefore, 2.07 degrees higher in the…

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How unhealthy is coffee? This is how you should drink it, according to research

The doctor says: don’t drink too much coffee; otherwise, it’s not good for your health! That’s easier said than done: After all, 86.4 per cent of adults in Austria drink coffee. And that’s an average of three cups a day. For many, the drink is considered a stimulant and a stimulant that should only be drunk in moderation. Its supposedly bad, long-term consequences are too disreputable. But what exactly is the truth? And how should you drink coffee so that it has a positive effect on the body? Coffee can…

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Austria: Stricter rules on family reunification will come into force this week

The stricter rules on family reunification announced by the Austrian government will come into force this week. The number of DNA tests will then be ‘massively increased’ by decree, announced Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) at a press conference on Friday, from the current one per cent to around 50 per cent. The tests will also have to be conducted locally in the relevant embassies, and applicants will initially have to pay for them themselves. ‘We’re doing a planned square,’ Karner used traffic police jargon when promoting the measures. With…

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Rain showers and thunderstorms are on the way

Packaging an umbrella in the west of the country this week is better. Changeable and moderately warm weather is coming to Austria, according to the forecast from Geosphere Austria. On Monday, showers will increase from the west, accompanied by brief thunderstorms, while it will remain mainly dry in the east. On Tuesday, the day will start with showers south of the Alps and later develop into a rainy afternoon in the west. On the other hand, the north and east will remain sunny, accompanied by lively to strong winds. Temperatures…

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Corona has reinvented itself; variants are also with us

The coronavirus has spawned a new strain: KP.2 may not necessarily be more contagious than its predecessors, but it spreads faster and can better circumvent the current vaccination’s immune protection.Sars-Cov-2 does not take a summer break, as we have known at least since the Omicron variant BA.5. Now the virus has evolved again. Things have been quiet around the coronavirus recently. No wonder the winter is over, and JN.1 is probably the highest coronavirus wave ever. The successor to the long-dominant ‘Pirola’ line evaded the frontline defences of immunised people…

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This week’s weather: Changeable and moderately warm

The weather over Austria will be increasingly changeable and moderately warm in the coming week. While it will increasingly rain in the country’s west, it will initially remain mainly dry in the east. It will be five to 13 degrees in the morning, rising to 23 degrees during the day. Tuesday will start cloudy, with rain showers south of the main Alpine ridge. After a precipitation-free start to the day, spring clouds with showers will also develop in the west in the afternoon. In the north and east, it will…

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