98% of Malta Union of Midwives & Nurses reject government offer

Apr 19 2023

Almost 98% of Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses members rejected the government’s financial package in a Wednesday night vote.

The MUMN’s President Paul Pace said that this was the biggest turnout in MUMN history, with 804 nurses and midwives voting.

785 of those present voted against the government’s proposals, with 8 voting in favour and 11 votes being invalid.

Taking to social media, PN MP Ivan Castillo said that this is a clear message to the government. ‘You are failing and MUMN along with the backing of 97% of the nurses and midwives are giving you a wake up call!’

This vote will likely see industrial action commencing once again after having been suspended last Thursday in anticipation of the conference.

A press conference is set to be held this morning by the MUMN, wherein it will explain why the nurses and midwives rejected the package.

#MaltaDaily

Birkirkara Women’s Team have mathematically become 11th time champions

Apr 19 2023

Birkirkara Football Club revealed that their Women’s Football Team has mathematically become the champion title holder for the eleventh time in their history.

This follows the recent fixture results between Swieqi United FC and Hibernians FC, which allowed Birkirkara to assume their place at the top of the charts.

The women’s team currently lead the way with 44 points, ahead of Swieqi in second place with 38 points and Hibernians in third at 31 points.

The team still has to face Raiders Lija Women today at 20:00, who are currently in 5th place with 22 points, just below Mgarr U. Women with 26 points.

Well done to the team, coach and all involved!

#MaltaDaily

Dogs being friendly with humans may literally be written into their genes

Apr 19 2023

The domestication of dogs from wolves into man’s best friend has been theorised about for ages, with various studies confirming that our long-standing relationships with the canines are much more bizarre than you’d think.

But why are dogs so friendly to humans? Why don’t they dart away or attack on sight? Is it merely domestic conditioning? Or is there something else going on?

Well, according to various studies in evolutionary genetics from 2017 hint that hypersocial dogs may carry variants of two genes called GTF2I and GTFF2IRD1.

When these genes are not present in humans, it causes Williams-Beuren syndrome, which is characterised by elfin facial features, cognitive difficulties and a tendency to be loving with everyone.

The first hint of this came from 2010, when biologists examined DNA from 225 wolves and 912 dogs from 85 breeds.

In later studies, wolves were found, expectedly, to spend less time near humans and worked equally hard to solve puzzles presented to them. On the other hand, dogs tended to focus on the human instead of any other activity.

It was found that even mice, when missing the two genes, were more prone for social behaviour. Coupled with the history of domestication, which now sees dogs and humans coming together closer instead of just humans putting leashes on them, the hypothesis of ‘friendly genes’ worked significantly well.

The study into such genes still requires much more study, but it is very possible that dogs were literally ready to befriend us for hundreds of years.

#MaltaDaily

Over 1,500 patients awaiting operations at Mater Dei

Apr 18 2023

Responding to questions made by Nationalist Party MP Claudette Buttiġieġ, Health Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne revealed that 1,573 patients are still awaiting for their operations at Mater Dei.

The health minister said that 934 are waiting for knee replacement surgeries, 492 are awaiting a cataract operation and 147 are awaiting hip replacement.

1,573 patients have reportedly been waiting longer than the time stipulated by the Patient Charter. The charter states that in urgent cases where a patient’s health is imminent danger but with no diagnosis of urgent deterioration of health, intervention should start within 12 weeks.

In less urgent cases wherein the patient’s health is not endangered, the waiting period is 18 months.

#MaltaDaily