A Step Closer To Preventing Severe Pregnancy Sickness

Dec 15 2023

Researchers have made a significant stride toward understanding and potentially treating severe pregnancy sickness, known as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).

A study reveals that babies produce a hormone, GDF15, which can trigger HG, affecting between one and three in 100 pregnancies.

Professor Sir Stephen O’Rahilly from the University of Cambridge indicates that the more sensitive a mother is to this hormone, the more severe the sickness.

This insight provides a clue on preventive measures. Pregnant women with HG often require hospitalization due to dehydration, and some report vomiting up to 50 times a day.

The research, published in Nature and conducted by scientists from the University of Cambridge, Scotland, the USA, and Sri Lanka, found a correlation between the degree of sickness and the amount of GDF15 produced in the womb.

Women with a genetic variant putting them at higher HG risk had lower hormone levels, while those with beta thalassemia, a blood disorder causing elevated GDF15 levels before pregnancy, experienced less nausea or vomiting.

Blocking the hormone’s access to the mother’s brain receptor could be a potential treatment strategy, says Professor Sir Stephen, offering hope for improved care for affected pregnant women.

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3 Protected Birds Shot Illegally Get Second Chance In Sicily

Dec 15 2023

On December 5, 2023, BirdLife Malta successfully released three protected birds— a European Honey-buzzard, a Greater Flamingo, and a Western Marsh-harrier— at LIPU’s Saline Di Priolo Nature Reserve in Sicily.

These birds, victims of illegal shooting during Malta’s ongoing autumn hunting season, were rehabilitated after concerned members of the public reported and assisted in their rescue.

The release is part of BirdLife Malta’s broader effort to protect and rehabilitate shot birds, with up to 53 birds recovered since the season commenced in September, including those ringed or tracked from countries like Finland, Czechia, and Latvia, targeted illegally.

The release marked the second attempt in recent years by BirdLife Malta, featuring, for the first time, a flamingo and a Honey-buzzard. The decision to release these rehabilitated birds in Sicily followed the October incident where a GPS-tracked Honey-buzzard, released on Comino, lost transmission while attempting to migrate south over Birżebbuġa.

Nicholas Barbara, BirdLife Malta’s Head of Conservation, emphasized the risks of Malta’s illegal hunting season, prompting the decision to release the birds in Sicily for a higher chance of survival.

The initiative involved two and a half months of rehabilitation, veterinary assistance, and collaboration with Virtu Ferries Ltd. and LIPU’s Saline Di Priolo.

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Car Catches Fire In Road Up To Kordin Prison

Dec 15 2023

The road up to Kordin Prison in Paola has been temporarily shut down to traffic following an incident this morning where a small car caught fire.

The incident, which occurred at approximately 10:30 am, prompted a rapid response from officers and CPD officials dispatched to the location to combat the blaze.

As of now, there is no confirmation regarding the presence of individuals in the vehicle at the time or if there are any reported injuries arising from the incident.

Maltese Road Traffic Updates indicate that, despite rapid reaction by officials, the road leading to Kordin Prison was closed at 11 am.

More details to emerge as story develops.

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55.6% Of Tertiary Graduates In 2022 Were Women

Dec 15 2023

In 2022, the total number of tertiary-level graduates decreased by 2.2%, amounting to 5,472 individuals. The majority, 58.5%, achieved qualifications at ISCED Level 6 (Bachelor’s or equivalent), followed by 33.1% at ISCED Level 7 (Master’s or equivalent).

Females comprised 55.6% of tertiary graduates, outnumbering males across all levels except for ISCED 8 (PhD equivalent).

Most tertiary-level graduates fell within the 20 to 29 age group, constituting 72.0% of the total. Among the graduates, 74.4% completed full-time programs.

The number of foreign graduates increased by 10.6 percentage points, totaling 24.8% of all tertiary graduates in 2022. EU citizens (excluding Maltese) represented the majority of foreign graduates, accounting for 57.8%.

The most popular field of study among tertiary graduates was ‘Business, administration, and law,’ making up 34.6%, followed by ‘Health and welfare’ at 19.6%. In contrast, ‘Agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and veterinary’ constituted the least popular field at 0.3%.

In terms of STEM qualifications, 15.4% of graduates attained degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, with a slight increase in female STEM graduates and a decrease in male STEM graduates compared to the previous year. Full NSO report here.

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