Janet Richard Breaks National Record In 400 Metres

Jun 22 2023

Competing at the European Team Championships in Silesia, Poland, Janet Richards broke her own record in the 400 metres.

Richards, who is also a Games of the Small States of Europe gold medalist, lowered her one lap race time of 53.49 seconds to 52.37 seconds.

This was a national record she herself set in last year’s Euro Championships back in Munich. Despite finishing second to Irish athlete Sharlene Mawdsley’s 51.55 seconds, Richards understandably collapsed crying with joy at her achievement.

Well done Janet!

#MaltaDaily

Napping During The Day Slows Ageing, Helps Brain Health

Jun 22 2023

If you’re one to doze off in the afternoon for a good nap, then we have good news for you!

This week saw the publication of a study in the journal Sleep Health, which found a ‘modest causal association between habitual daytime napping and larger total brain volumes.’

Researchers say they have found evidence to suggest napping may help to protect against shrinkage.

This is a process that happens with age and is accelerated in people with cognitive problems and neurodegenerative diseases.

Napping has been found to regularly provide some protection against neuro-degeneration as it compensates for poor sleep.

The data was drawn from the UK Biobank study and collected genetic, lifestyle and health information from 500,000 people aged 40 to 69 at recruitment.

Although it initially seemed that individuals who claimed to never or rarely take daytime naps had a greater overall brain volume, the research team discovered a contrasting connection when taking into account genetic inclination for napping.

This indicates that the initial finding may have been influenced by other factors that complicate the relationship between daytime napping and brain size.

In general, the team observed a link between genetic predisposition for regular daytime napping and a larger brain volume, which equates to a reduction in brain ageing equivalent to 2.6 to 6.5 years. However, there was no correlation found with cognitive performance, such as reaction times.

#MaltaDaily

Village Feast Emblems Become Nail Designs

Jun 22 2023

We can’t have enough of malta.ai!

Their latest creation turned village feast emblems into unique nail designs all through artificial intelligence.

The nail designs incorporate religious iconography that most Maltese are accustomed to seeing when attending a local festa.

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This is not the first time @malta.ai turned local feast related themes into sick designs – whether they’re sneakers or a new fashion line.

This latest creation continues to complete the full image of feast fashion.

What do you make of this?

#MaltaDaily

Gozo Channel Delays Expected As UHM Initiate Industrial Action

Jun 22 2023

Gozo Channel, is facing a labor dispute as its employees began an industrial action on Wednesday. The UĦM Voice of the Workers, the union representing the employees, claims that the company has been unresponsive in negotiating a new collective agreement for over two years, despite the previous agreement expiring two-and-a-half years ago. As a means of pushing the company to address their concerns, the union has ordered various actions that are likely to impact the daily operations of Gozo Channel.

Employees have been instructed not to answer radio, VHF, and telephone calls. This deliberate lack of response is likely to cause disruptions in communication between the ferry staff and other relevant parties, such as port authorities, emergency services, and customers seeking information or assistance.

Terminal officers and coordinators have been directed to scan tickets near the ship ramp rather than when vehicles enter the marshalling area. This change in ticket scanning protocols could lead to delays in the boarding process and potential congestion near the ship ramp area. Passengers should prepare for longer waiting times and possible confusion during the embarkation process.

Sailors involved in the industrial action have been instructed not to operate the side ramp, which is commonly used by passengers to board the ferry from the main deck. As a result, passengers will be required to enter the ship from the garage area. This modification in boarding procedures may inconvenience passengers, particularly those with mobility challenges or heavy luggage, as they navigate through the lower decks instead of using the more accessible side ramp.

In an additional measure, embarkation will commence seven minutes after the last vehicle from the previous trip has disembarked. This change may cause delays in the overall departure schedule, resulting in passengers experiencing longer waiting periods before boarding the ferry.

The UĦM Voice of the Workers has explicitly stated that it reserves the right to escalate the industrial action if the company does not address their concerns promptly. While the current actions have already caused inconvenience to passengers, there remains a possibility of further disruptions if negotiations between the union and Gozo Channel do not progress satisfactorily.

#MaltaDaily