Blue jellyfish Filling Up Maltese Beaches

Apr 12 2023

Marine biologist Alan Deidun took to social media to share more images of the Velella velella jellyfish, known in common parlance as ‘mini sailing boats’, which is currently taking over multiple beaches around Malta and Gozo.

The jellyfish, known as ‘qlugħ’ in Maltese for it’s sail-like top, can be seen in a massive ‘innocuous colony of polyps attached to the same raft.’

Deidun has previously shared images of the same species taking over the Gozitan Xatt l-Aħmar and the southern coast of Malta.

Information about this jellyfish can be found on the Spot the Jellyfish Campaign identification manual, which reveals that it has a low irritation sting.

‘It is frequently found in the Mediterranean, especially during spring. It can form dense aggregations extending for kilometres on the sea surface. Specialised floating sea slugs and sea snails find it to be a delicious snack!’

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Some interesting facts about two of the most popular pets in Malta on World Pet Day

Apr 11 2023

Today, April 11th, is World Pet Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the joy and companionship that pets bring to our lives.

Here are some interesting facts about two of the most popular pets in Malta:

Dogs.

Dogs can smell fear – Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, and they are able to detect fear in humans. When we are afraid, we release chemicals that dogs can pick up on, and they may respond by becoming more protective or anxious.
Dogs dream – Dogs have REM (rapid eye movement) sleep just like humans, which means that they dream. If you see your dog twitching or moving their paws in their sleep, they are likely dreaming about something.
Dogs can be trained to detect diseases – Dogs have been trained to detect a variety of diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and even malaria. They can smell the unique chemicals that these diseases produce and alert their owners to seek medical attention.
Dogs have a sense of time – Dogs are able to sense the passage of time and have an internal clock that tells them when it’s time for things like meals or walks. They may also become anxious or excited if their routine is disrupted.
Dogs can understand up to 250 words and gestures – Dogs are incredibly intelligent and can learn a wide range of words and gestures. Some breeds, like Border Collies and Poodles, are particularly good at understanding complex commands.
Dogs can get jealous – Dogs are capable of experiencing jealousy, just like humans. If a dog perceives that their owner is giving attention to another dog or person, they may become upset and try to intervene.
Dogs can get sunburned – Dogs with light-coloured fur are particularly susceptible to sunburn, especially on their noses and ears. It’s important to apply sunscreen specifically designed for dogs if they will be spending time in the sun.
Dogs have unique nose prints – Just like humans have unique fingerprints, dogs have unique nose prints that can be used for identification purposes.

Cats.

Cats can’t taste sweet things – Unlike humans, cats can’t taste sweet flavours. This is because they lack the necessary taste receptors to detect sweetness.
Cats have a unique collar bone – Cats are able to rotate their ears 180 degrees due to their unique collar bone structure. This allows them to better hear sounds from all directions.
Cats have a powerful sense of smell – Cats have an incredibly powerful sense of smell that is around 14 times stronger than that of humans. This allows them to detect prey or danger from far away.
Cats can drink saltwater – Cats have kidneys that are very efficient at filtering out salt, which allows them to drink saltwater if necessary.
Cats have a specialized hunting technique – Cats use their tails to help them balance while hunting. They also have a specialised hunting technique where they stalk their prey and then pounce, using their powerful legs and sharp claws to capture it.
Cats have a unique purr – Cats purr not only when they are happy, but also when they are in pain or stressed. This is because the vibration of their purr can help to soothe and heal their bodies.
Cats have a “third eyelid” – Cats have a specialized eyelid called the nictitating membrane, which helps to protect their eyes while hunting or fighting.
Cats are crepuscular – Cats are most active during dawn and dusk, which is known as being crepuscular. This is because their prey is also most active during these times.

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The average person waits spends six months of lifetime waiting for traffic signals to change

Apr 11 2023

Did you know that the average person spends six months of their life waiting for red lights to turn green?

According to a study conducted by the European satellite navigation company TomTom, the average person spends 20 minutes each day waiting at red lights.

Over the course of a lifetime, this adds up to a total of 180 days or six months spent waiting for traffic signals to change.

The same study found that drivers in Mexico City spend the most time waiting at red lights, with an average of 45 minutes per day. Other cities with high wait times include Istanbul, Rio de Janeiro, and Moscow.

But it’s not just drivers who are affected by traffic signals. Pedestrians also spend a significant amount of time waiting at crosswalks for the “walk” signal to appear.

In response, some cities have implemented new technologies such as adaptive traffic signals that use real-time data to adjust signal timing based on traffic volume.

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Health Ministry calls for conciliation meeting over new sectoral agreement for nurses

Apr 11 2023

The Health Ministry has made an announcement that negotiations for a new sectoral agreement for nurses will be discussed before a three-person panel as part of a conciliation meeting. This decision is intended to ensure normal service resumes at Mater Dei Hospital and other state-run medical facilities while negotiations with the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN) continue. Conciliation meetings are a means of resolving industrial disputes with the help of mutually agreed upon mediators, and are provided for in the public sector collective agreement that also applies to nurses.

The MUMN had issued directives in March, and intensified them in April, which forced several hospital services to come to a halt, upsetting patients and in some cases prompting doctors to warn that potentially life-impacting procedures were being postponed. While the union is not required to suspend its directives during conciliation meetings, the ministry hopes it will do so “in the spirit of good faith” and to safeguard patients’ health.

Negotiations for a new sectoral agreement between the nursing union and government started last summer, and they have since met 13 times. The main bone of contention is understood to revolve around nurses’ salaries, with the government’s current offer being more than double the salary increases agreed upon in 2018. The conciliation meeting, chaired by lawyer John Bonello, is among the dispute mechanisms provided for by the public sector’s collective agreement and must be held within eight days of being called, with both parties obliged to attend. If the mediation fails or if the MUMN refuses to suspend hospital directives while negotiations proceed, the government could choose to head to court and request an injunction.

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