Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/573382
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 2015 40 This Week For many Maltese birdwatchers September brings images of long balmy afternoons on the plateau overlooking Buskett, scanning the clouds for dark specks. Those specks generally mean one thing: birds of prey. Most European raptors migrate southwards in autumn to winter in Africa, and since Malta sits along one of their main flyways we get to see a few thousand. The fun is to identify the species from that height: some are hard, some are easy. Thanks to its large size and unique flight silhouette the Osprey is one of the easier ones. Ospreys (M: Arpa) feed exclusively on fish they catch from lakes, rivers and sea, for which slippery job they have evolved special anatomical features. The third week of September is usually the peak raptor migration period in Malta, so if you feel like getting to know a few birds of prey (maybe an osprey or two) as they sail over, all slow and regal, do get in touch with BirdLife (office@ birdlifemalta.org). 472. OSPREY GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 375: SIGN THE PETITION HTTPS://STOP-TTIP.ORG/ Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation - www.foemalta.org/donate Text Victor Falzon Photo Aron Tanti Science in the City brings useful information on health and genetics WOULD you like to know how to prevent a kidney failure? How genetics is being used to battle a host of uncommon diseases? About breast cancer research pro- grammes at the University of Mal- ta? Or have a dental check up and take part in research? A dedicated area on health, ge- netics and rare diseases will be set up in Ordinance Street, between the new Parliament building and Teatru Rjal in Valletta, as part of Science in the City on Friday 25th September from 6pm onwards. A collaboration between the Univer- sity of Malta, Mater Dei Hospi- tal and the University's Research Trust (RIDT), this area is all about health and the researchers pushing the boundaries of new knowledge and treatment. Researchers and science students will show how a kidney works through a functioning kidney model. There will also be a dialy- sis machine, and live dissections to raise health awareness while celebrating the launch of the new Kidney Research Programme be- ing funded by the LifeCycle Malta Foundation. Thalassemia and blood disease researchers will have microscopes with slides showing a number of conditions and talking about the importance of blood transfusion. At the DNA for life stand, indi- viduals will be able to extract DNA and see how it is separated and studied. Researchers and students will be in the area for a chat in the hands-on station and for career advice. Visitors shall be introduced to the Malta BioBank. It forms part of the Research Infrastructure of BioBanks from across the EU. It makes possible important research on rare disease and population ge- netics studies. Shortly it shall be possible to participate in this vital health research by donating sam- ples and health data. Nearby, there will be a spot where one can play with 3D print- ed molecules. One can even build their own DNA strand—the fun- damental building block of life. A 3D printer and molecular models will be at the stand. A research programme in breast cancer has been running at the University of Malta, generously supported by EU funding and lo- cal NGOs, namely: ALIVE Char- ity Foundation, Action for Breast Cancer Foundation and Europa Donna. The cyclists who raised these funds will be at the festival. The recently launched new mo- bile dental clinic will be on site as part of its national survey on oral health while providing advice and free dental check ups. Alongside the clinic, MADS (Malta Asso- ciation of Dental Students) will be bringing activities, experiments, games and advice on oral health- care. There will also be a kids' sec- tion with tooth fairies handing out balloons, playing various games, colouring pictures and so on. Science in the City – European Researchers Night is funded by the EU's Marie Skłodowska-Curie Ac- tion of the Horizon 2020 (H2020) Programme, and organised by the University of Malta, the Univer- sity's Research Trust (RIDT), and the Malta Chamber of Scientists. It is recognised as a Festival by Eu- rope for Festivals and Festivals for Europe (EFFE). The festival is also supported by the European Commission Rep- resentation in Malta, the Parlia- mentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth and Sports, Karl Borg Events, Central Bank of Malta, MCAST, MCST, Studio 7, Spazju Kreattiv, MEUSAC, PBS, Levo Laboratories, Valletta Local Council, Notte Bianca, Arts Coun- cil Malta, Thought 3D, and Gen- eral Soft drinks with Coca Cola. Full programme can be viewed on www.scienceinthecity.org.mt or follow the festival on Facebook for regular updates: www.facebook. com/ScienceInTheCityMalta Young children enjoy themselves at a previous edition of Science in the City