An unusual crisis in Portugal. Dead bodies stop decomposing ● Switching to LPG is not the happiest idea ● Can coffee protect against the Covid virus? ● Scientific research tells us that men are more attractive when they wear makeup

An unusual crisis in Portugal. Corpses no longer decompose

Portugal has faced a completely unusual crisis, reports Business Insider. More precisely, in Porto alone, between 55 and 64% of people who died between 2006 and 2015 did not decompose, but were completely or partially mummified, and what is even more surprising, so far no one knows that this is happening. Portuguese researchers have already analyzed several of soil samples to identify potential factors that can stop the decomposition process: heavy metal contamination, acidity, temperature, humidity, etc. So far, they have found nothing to indicate a change in normal values.

Usually, the same researchers claim, natural mummification occurs spontaneously when the organism is exposed to special conditions, for example, in desert areas or in the area of ​​glaciers, when the decomposition process is simply blocked. But there are no such conditions in Portugal.

A possible explanation, which is currently being tested, is related to diet, as well as alcohol, drug and tobacco abuse. Until an answer is found, Portuguese authorities have asked people to choose to cremate their dead relatives rather than bury them.

Switching to LPG is not the happiest idea

Growing consumption of liquefied gas in Europe comes at a huge cost, and no, it’s not about finances, the BBC reports. Official figures show that imports of liquefied gas have increased by 65% ​​compared to the same period last year, representing a tenfold increase in carbon emissions.

To liquefy the gas, it must be cooled to -160 degrees Celsius. After liquefaction, it reduces its volume by 600 times, which greatly facilitates transportation. And even though the carbon emissions into the atmosphere are the same for liquefied gases and those transported by pipelines, the amount of energy used to create them is significant.

About 70 kilograms of CO2 is released into the atmosphere from almost any container with liquefied gas, which is ten times more than in the case of gas transported through pipelines. And this means that in 2022 alone, more than 35 million tons of CO2 were released into the atmosphere compared to 2021. The irony is that 16% of liquefied natural gas also comes from Russia. And this means not only the funds for the war, but also the loss of at least an equally serious war, the climate war.

Can coffee protect against the Covid virus?

Although it has not yet been scientifically proven, a simple cup of coffee can protect you from contracting the coronavirus. At least this is what a group of chemists from the Jacobs University of Bremen claims in a statement published in the journal Food & Function.

The aforementioned researchers analyzed a chemical compound in coffee, caffeoquinic acid, and its role in inhibiting the interaction between SARS CoV-2 and receptors in the human body. Thus, they found that a cup of coffee with a volume of only 200 milliliters contains about 100 milligrams of caffeoquinic acid, and this amount is enough to prevent the infectious process. Obviously, these data should be confirmed by additional laboratory studies.

After receiving the results, they will be brought to the attention of the entire scientific community. Now, given that nothing is certain, you also use traditional methods of prevention, don’t start drinking industrial quantities of coffee just yet!

Scientific research tells us that men are more attractive when they wear makeup

Just when you think some specialty journals are serious, one like Plos ONE comes along and dispels the myth. This also applies to a recent study, according to which some experts in Pennsylvania tell us that men’s makeup will be the fashion of the near future.

In order to reach such a lofty conclusion, experts chose 20 men, photographed them first without makeup, and then with barely noticeable makeup. Then they left with the photos and asked a few people at random what they thought. It turned out that men with makeup were valued more than men without makeup.

To support their point, the respective Americans also cited examples of male celebrities who use makeup. And, they say, Justin Bieber, Zac Efron and others use it successfully. I don’t know about you, but Justin Bieber isn’t exactly the manliest character in the world. When it comes to makeup on men, no matter what these people say, you still can’t believe that mascara or powder on your nose will make you look like a fountain of testosterone and pheromones.

Photo source: Dreamstime.com