It is a lunar eclipse night; no, it is not a vengeful monster eating the Moon
ZAP Notícias27 August 2026 at 18:30
This week there is a lunar eclipse in Portugal, not total but reaching up to 83%, visible between 2:30 AM and 7:10 AM, with the peak expected at 5:10 AM. The article covers seven myths surrounding this astronomical phenomenon, including the belief that it is a sign of bad omen, theories about effects on pregnancy and babies, and the story of a jaguar. It also explains the difference between solar and lunar eclipses, highlighting that, unlike the recent solar eclipse, special glasses are not needed to observe this phenomenon.
The family of Lito Sousa, a 59-year-old influencer hospitalized at Hospital Albert Einstein with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare and degenerative neurological condition with no known cure, has asked that visits be restricted to relatives and close friends. According to a statement on social media, the flow of visitors has been hindering the patient's rest and treatment. Visits must be scheduled directly with his wife, Mila Seidl, and should be brief. The family continues to try to obtain compassionate use of experimental medications that are under study.
A free thyroid screening initiative is being carried out before an International Congress, with the aim of bringing information and health professionals closer to the general population, raising awareness about the importance of recognizing persistent symptoms that may be related to thyroid problems.
Persistent shoulder pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints in orthopedic practice, and may be associated with rotator cuff injuries, joint instability, recurrent dislocations, and sports-related overuse. According to an international systematic review, prevalence increases with age, highlighting the importance of specialized evaluation. Orthopedic surgeon Rodrigo Queiroz emphasizes that correct diagnosis is essential to define appropriate treatment, considering the compromised tissue, type of injury, extent, location, and stage of progression.
The Oleander Hawk-moth (Daphnis nerii), one of the largest nocturnal butterflies in Europe, was confirmed for the first time in Portugal in a scientific article published in the journal Zoodiversity by entomologists Eduardo Marabuto and Albano Soares. Five records of the species were documented between 2014 and 2024, including the first evidence of reproduction in the country, discovered in Montijo in 2018, when eight pupae were found under an oleander plant. The species, which feeds exclusively on oleander, is expanding its territory westward, probably driven by climate change, having recently arrived in several European countries. The researchers believe that the specimens arrive in Portugal from Mediterranean Europe and not from North Africa, and that the species may become established in the country with the advancement of global warming.
