Life on the plastic waste

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According to a new study, the huge plastic waste vortex in the Pacific Ocean is populated by living creatures: Numerous species have “discovered” the floating plastic pieces as a new, permanent habitat for themselves. Old fishing nets, beverage bottles, garbage bags – plastic as far as the eye can see: this is the great plastic garbage vortex in the Pacific Ocean (“The Great Pacific Garbage Patch”). It is estimated to cover 1.6 million square kilometres, 19 times the area of Austria. Invertebrate organisms have settled on 98 percent of the…

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Corona variant XBB.1.16 on WHO watch list

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WHO has placed coronavirus variant XBB.1.16 on the watch list. Seven virus variants are on the World Health Organization’s list. “We are seeing characteristics that point to an increased capacity for infection,” World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Director Mike Ryan said Tuesday in Geneva. The sharp increase in infections with Corona variant XBB.1.16The symptoms are the same as with other variants, according to previous findings, he said. XBB.1.16 was first reported in January. The variant now accounts for 4.2 percent of the 3,000 virus sequences submitted. Just a month ago,…

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An asteroid was discovered shortly before impact, fireball visible over Europe

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An asteroid hit Earth a few weeks ago, just hours after its discovery. According to the European Space Agency (ESA), the celestial body named 2023 CX1 was discovered by astronomer Krisztiàn Sárneczky at the Piszkéstető Observatory in Hungary. A glowing fireball could be seen over much of Europe. Minutes later, a second observation was made and reported to the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Center, Phys.org says. Forty minutes later, the Višnjan Observatory in Croatia confirmed the object. Impact over the English ChannelBased on its trajectory, it could be predicted…

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Apple could give iPhone 15 Pro Max a true zoom lens

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Ever since the Pro model of the iPhone has had three camera modules, the focal lengths have been clear: on the back of Apple’s smartphones, there is an ultra-wide angle lens, a normal focal length and a telephoto lens. If the leaker Revegnus has his way, that could change, at least partially. According to him, the telephoto lens will be renewed, using the same sensor as the iPhone 14 but offering a variable zoom. It remains unclear what range the optics could cover. However, the optical zoom should be significantly…

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Cold or allergy? These symptoms will help you tell the difference

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It’s difficult to tell the difference between an allergy, a seasonal virus or a simple cold when your nose runs. Fortunately, there are some clues to help you not get it all mixed up. Pay attention to the symptoms and remember what you did during the week; that’s a good start. The buds are blooming, the sun is taking off its gray winter coat, everything is coming back to life, and pollen is flying everywhere to delight us with seasonal allergies. A real joy for our moods, but less so…

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This is where the water on Earth comes from: Researchers think they’ve solved the mystery

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Where does the water on Earth, one of the few planets in the solar system where water can be found, come from? For years, two scientific theories have confronted each other on this question. Was there water on Earth from the beginning, even when it was formed, or did it only come to Earth later due to external influences such as meteorites? A new study could finally end this eternal debate. The origin of water on EarthAlthough all scientists agree that water is the most important element in the origin…

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This popular smell could cause cancer, according to a new study

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A popular smell is said to be carcinogenic if the results of a new study are to be believed. Something is depressing about reading all the latest cancer-related studies: All materials, foods, and habits seem to impact our health negatively. The most recent example? A universally loved smell that shouldn’t be inhaled for too long. Loaded with dangerous substancesWhich smell whether you like best? Each has their answer: some like the smell of roast chicken on Sunday, others like the smell of fresh bread (which also freezes well) or of…

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Sustainable shopping and avoiding packaging waste

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A look in the shopping carts shows us the dilemma: Many foodstuffs are packed in plastic & Co. We consume vast amounts of packaging waste, even though there are many ways to choose alternative packaging and avoid waste. Meanwhile, it is already trendy again, and years ago, it was a welcome companion for shopping as a jute bag or canvas bag. However, the cloth bag should be washed regularly. Alternatively, there are paper bags, whose production and disposal are more environmentally friendly than plastic bags. Already at the first stop…

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Vienna grows: 2-million mark could be cracked this year

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Vienna is slowly but surely heading towards two million inhabitants. According to the latest figures, Austria’s federal capital currently has 1,982,442 inhabitants. Due to the war in Ukraine, Vienna could break the two million inhabitant mark this year. In 2024, the new urban development plan will be presented to the city council for a decision. “In the new concept, we will focus even more than before on inner-city measures to make public space more attractive in response to the climate crisis,” the city of Vienna’s planning director, Thomas Madreiter, told…

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