Recent Articles
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Ethology and veterinary practice: Ethology of canine play
Dr. Myrna Milani Pet CareUnless they think about it, most people feel convinced that they recognize animal play when they see it. But when they think about it, some also will recall at least one occasion when something about the play struck them as off for some reason. Whether this is true depends on the kind of play and the context in which it’s displayed. My first inkling of this occurred when I serendipitously included the question, "How does your dog/cat play?" on my pre-consultation canine and feline questionnaires. I quickly discovered that this simple, open-ended question revealed a great deal about how those animals with behavioral problems play — or don't.
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Are cannabinoid products causing preventable blindness?
Dr. Denise A. Valenti PharmaceuticalAre users of cannabinoids slowly going blind and not knowing it? Cannabidiol has been shown to cause the transient glaucoma symptom of high eye pressure. Cannabidiol-CBD is the nonpsychoactive ingredient found in marijuana and hemp. There needs to be more research related to cannabinoids, including CBD. Not once, but twice, the media and the public have failed to notice research findings that CBD spikes the pressure of eyes in animals.
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Nanoplastics consumed by marine life may be harmful to aquatic food chain
Scott E. Rupp Waste Management & EnvironmentalAccording to a new study by researchers from the National University of Singapore, plastic nanoparticles — extremely small plastic particles measuring less than 1 micrometer in size, the length of a typical bacterium — could pollute food chains and eventually affect human health. The research found that these particles are easily ingested by marine organisms, with a risk of being transferred up the food chain, threatening food safety and posing health risks. This news adds to the ever-growing problem of plastic pollution in the oceans.
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Can creativity be taught — and untaught?
Sheilamary Koch EducationRecently, my husband and I held a toy-making workshop with recycled materials in a primary school. While everything the kids made was brilliant, we both couldn’t help but notice that the lower primary students attempted wilder and more imaginative creations than the upper primary group. The younger students were also more persistent in making seemingly impossible toys hold together—whatever it took. Interestingly, our casual observations align with research conducted 50 years ago by George Land.
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Dilemmas of an executive director
Bob Harris and Ben Graybar Association ManagementI was privileged to co-author an article titled, "Disappointing the executive director," with Maile Ilac Boeder in March. The article addressed the issue of board overreach and micromanagement. In response, my colleague Ben Graybar, a commercial banker and board member, offers his insights regarding dilemmas sometimes facing executive directors (ED). From the board wanting to fire the executive to staff attending meetings, he shares his experiences on nonprofit boards.
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Nursing faces a huge expertise gap in coming years
Joan Spitrey Healthcare AdministrationThere is little debate that healthcare is facing a potentially unprecedented nursing shortage. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Employment Projections 2014-2024, the total number of job openings for nurses due to growth and replacements will be 1.09 million by 2024. One of the significant contributing factors to the future need for nurses is the impending retirement of baby boomers, who currently make up 40 percent of registered nurses in the United States. The loss of these nurses caring for patients will also see years of experience and expertise go by the wayside, leaving nursing with a significant knowledge gap.
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The future of Denver International Airport takes shape
Matt Falcus Transportation Technology & AutomotiveGroundbreaking has begun on a new project to ease congestion and increase the gate capacity at Denver International by 30 percent. It comes at a time when the airport is handling record numbers of passengers, destinations and achieving awards for its efforts. The project will see an extra 39 gates added to the terminal. These will be split over the three concourses, with 12 added to concourse A — including international arrival gates; 11 to be added to concourse B and 16 to concourse C.
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How to keep departmental silos from ruining your next church event
Deborah Ike Religious CommunityPlanning a church event, even if it’s focused on a single ministry area, requires involvement from multiple departments. For example: Running a week of Vacation Bible School involves more than the children’s ministry leader and his/her team. That department will take the lead role, but they’ll need support from those in facilities, finance, marketing/communications, and more. Unfortunately, it’s easy for the department in charge of an event to forget that the other groups work on more than one event at a time.
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5 simple steps to stay connected and still relax on vacation
Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementTropical islands, mountain getaways and remote locations may force us to limit our cellphone use while we are on vacation this summer. And while some of us love the idea of disconnecting for a little digital detox while we are away, for others the thought of abandoning email, voicemail or other office lifelines may inspire more dread than relaxation. Instead of hiding in the bathroom sending emails, take these five simple steps to stay connected and still relax on vacation.
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Ways to calm an anxious dental patient
Lisa Mulcahy Oral & Dental HealthcareSure, you can break out the gas or needle to sedate a nervous patient in your chair — but setting a accepting, relaxing and communicative atmosphere in your practice can actually be a better way to calm things down. These simple and research-proven tips can help your patients relax, and see you as an empathetic professional who has their emotional comfort, as well as their physical comfort, as a priority.