Are clocks going back or forward bad for you or not?

Oct 30 2022

We might want to start here – clocks going back or forward will always mess with our heads. Just as it seeps into the unconscious, the reminder that we have to adjust our clocks always seems to make a comeback.

The research surrounding this phenomenon varies quite a bit, with many studies taking an issue with ‘Daylight Savings Time’.

One 2016 study has highlighted how the act of winding clocks back and forth coincides with higher than usual stroke rates. The study found that stroke rates were 8% higher than usual in the two days following clock changes.

This is due to DST transitions reportedly disrupting out circadian rhythms. Another 2021 article also points to negative impacts of sleep patterns of various test subjects (duh!).

Another 2001 study pinpointed an increase in traffic accidents and overall incidents in the US following the change in clocks. The increase was not noted in the days following the immediate change.

Meanwhile, a neurologist revealed in a 2022 ‘The Conversation’ editorial that even having exposure to light later into the evening delays the brain’s release of melatonin, the hormone promoting drowsiness.

Daylight Savings Time has a history dating back to the two world wars, making a massive comeback into Europe after WWII. However, even ancient civilisations like the Romans adjusted water clocks to adjust schedules according to solar time.

#MaltaDaily

Asteroid the size of Burj Khalifa to zoom past Earth next week

Oct 29 2022

A massive asteroid the size of the largest building on Earth is set to zoom too close to comfort just by our planet just in time for Halloween.

As if the universe is giving us a bit of a jump scare, the Halloween asteroid, as some nicknamed it, won’t be bothering our planet at all.

And if it happened to do so, NASA’s latest Dart achievement proves that we’d be able to divert its trajectory with our 21st century technology. And a comet like this would have had the attention of scientists for a while now.

And to calm you down even more, a ‘close pass’ in space terms means that it’s not that extremely close to us at all. The comet will be zooming more than two million kilometres away.

That’s around six times the distance between the Earth and the moon. It is close enough to call it ‘potentially hazardous’, but still decently safe.

The asteroid itself is about the size of the Burj Khalifa, the biggest building in the world, and nearly twice the size of the Empire State Building. The asteroid is possibly as wide as 740 metres and it will brighten to mag 14.3, meaning telescope enthusiasts can get a peek at it.

#MaltaDaily

President’s Solidarity Fun Run returns after COVID setbacks

President’s Solidarity Fun Run makes official comeback after COVID hiatus

Oct 29 2022

The President’s Solidarity Fun Run has made its official return following a COVID-19 hiatus due to COVID-19 in 2020 and after having been replaced by smaller walks last year.

The Fun Run will be held on November 20th and was announced by President George Vella on Friday. Last year, the run was replaced by smaller walks across 58 different localities to avoid large gatherings.

The run will take its original format this year, meaning that participants will walk or run from four localities to St George’s Square.

The walk will start in Paola, Tal-Qroqq and Santa Venera, whereas the run will kick off from Saqqajja in Rabat. The President described the event as an opportunity to unite different people for a charitable cause.

The announcement was also backed by Sports and Education Minister Clifton Grima, as well as Chief Executive for Sport Malta and Chairperson for the Fun Run Organisation Committee Mark Cutajar.

The €10 registrations can be submitted at San Anton’s Kitchen Garden, the Malta Community Chest Fund office in Valletta. SportMalta complexes in Kirkop and Cottonera, Tal-Qroqq national pool complex, and Ta’ Kandja shooting range. They can also take place at local councils from Saturday or during the Festa Palazz which takes place at Verdala Palace on Saturday and Sunday.

#MaltaDaily

15% increase in bus passengers since free public transport was introduced

Oct 29 2022

Transport Minister Aaron Farrugia reported that bus passengers have increased by 15% ever since public transport was made free this October 2022.

The Minister was comparing the differences between September and October of this year to see whether the introduction of free Tallinja would create an impact.

Despite already seeing a slight increase, Farrugia acknowledged that public transport is still carrying fewer people than it did before the COVID-19 pandemic. The arrival of the virus saw historic lows for number of bus commuters.

According to statistics provided by Farrugia himself on Friday, there were 24% fewer people using public transport in September 2022 when compared to the same month of last year.

Farrugia said that the 9% fewer passengers during October of this year is already a positive step. Passengers must have a valid Tallinja bus card to travel for free, otherwise they would need to purchase a valid ticket.

This comes as Farrugia announces that 25 new electric buses would be added to the current fleet to increase routes and make public transport environmentally friendlier and reduce carbon footprint.

#MaltaDaily