How many species of giraffe are there?

In a recent paper in Current Biology, Fennessy and colleagues [1] conclude that there are four species of giraffe and that their numbers are declining in Africa. Giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) are presently classified as one species, with nine subspecies, which are considered 'Vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List [2]. The present consensus of one species divided into nine subspecies has previously been questioned (Supplemental information), and Fennessy and colleagues [1] provide another viewpoint on giraffe taxonomy. The fundamental reason for different taxonomic interpretations is that they are based upon different datasets that adopt different statistical techniques and follow different criteria for nomenclature.

Arthritis pain.

Arthritic pain is a common and disabling problem for many older adults. There is widespread evidence that despite its prevalance and debilitating effects on the physical, emotional and cognitive status of older adults, arthritic pain remains under-treated in those age 65 and older. This condition significantly and negatively impacts older adults' quality of life and is a critical problem that requires the attention of gerontological social work. This chapter provides a brief summary of arthritic pain in older adults. It also discusses the treatment efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy and psycho-educational programs for older adults with this type of pain.

A survey of evaluation practices for hospice social workers.

Hospice social workers make distinct contributions to the care of terminally ill persons and their loved ones. This study contributes to social work's professional knowledge base by examining methods by which hospice social workers are evaluated by their supervisors as well as their clients. This article reports on a survey of 109 hospices' evaluative methods for social workers. Implications for patient care and hospice operations are discussed.