Listening to Dr. Greg Skomal talk about sharks is not only entertaining, it’s informative, enlightening, a master class in shark research.

            A presentation sponsored in partnership with Sippican Lands Trust, Skomal’s July 11 presentation at the Marion Museum of Natural History headquarters was an opportunity for the public to hear firsthand from an expert, the real story versus the TV version. Of the documentary-style programming featured during “shark week,” the good doctor said, “I wish they would get it right.”

            For Skomal, getting it right means science over sensationalism, examining decades of data gathered in a variety of forms. In the early days of marine animal studies, he said, “We studied dead fish because that’s all we had.” Marine samples either came from specimens culled from the ocean or a kill that scientists were able to collect before Mother Nature’s children gobbled it up for lunch.

            Fast forward to the 21^st century, and what you’ll find are high-tech devices primarily developed by marine scientists searching for ways to capture data. Skomal spoke of Frank Carey’s work in the development of satellite transmitters that allow the scientists to track the movement of the Great White Shark.

            In 1979, Carey was the first to track a shark using these devices. It has made it possible to study, predict and even forecast shark behavior. The types of devices currently being deployed are acoustic telemetry (broad-scale arrays, live receivers and fine-scale arrays), satellite tags, behavior tags and drones.

            Looking back at where research has been conducted and where it is now was the major focus of Skomal’s talk. He said that marine research now is building the understanding of shark behavior, but also “… how much there is to still discover.” With the aid of modern technology and “predictable access” now available due to technological advances, more data is being gathered.

            For instance, despite knowing the migratory paths of the Great White Shark and its primary feeding area, shark-breeding habits remain largely unknown. They have tracked shark movement and identified a range from Florida to Canada, but they have not unlocked the attack triggers.

            What has been determined are the current hot spots for these apex predators. Cape Cod (Provincetown to Chatham) between August and October, and South Africa, southern Australia, New Zealand and Mexico, sharks are feeding on seals and dolphins.

            In our front yards lie Buzzards Bay and Nantucket Sound. Of these two, Skomal said that detection buoys have not found sharks in Buzzards Bay. Why? No seals. A random seal found in local waters simply isn’t interesting enough for the hunters to expend the energy. And putting a finer point on this thought, Skomal said, “…in a contest between who wins, the shark or the seal, the seal is more likely to win.” It escapes being eaten due to its ability to twist and get out of the way swiftly and its ability to see danger coming.

            What is known about the Great White Shark is in itself fascinating. Skomal pointed out that the sharks are very slow growing over a lifespan of 70-odd years. Vertebrae rings similar to those found in trees map the age of deceased animals. Another fact is that sharks can change their body temperatures, elevating it above water temperature.

            Since the 1800s, marine scientists have been studying these massive animals. Slowly over time building on data collected year upon year. So that today, as computer and satellite technology have proven invaluable to the data-collection effort, the wealth of information is huge. And yet more is needed primarily to protect both humans in the water and sharks hunting in the same places.

            As species protection has allowed seal populations to explode, the intersecting of human and animal is happening with greater frequency. Tracking devices placed along the shorelines of Buzzards and Cape Cod Bay are helping towns cope with patrolling sharks looking for their next meal.

            And continued research and public education remain critical elements for the protection of both animal and human life.

            To learn more about Skomal’s research program, visit atlanticwhiteshark.org/shark-center.

Studying the Great White Sharks of Cape Cod

By Marilou Newell

Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Michael S. Nelson is pleased to announce that Dr. Jaime Curley has been appointed as the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services for the Old Rochester Regional School District and Massachusetts Superintendency Union #55.

            Curley will begin in the position in August.

            “I am honored to be joining the Old Rochester Regional School District as the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services,” said Curley. “I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting some of the staff, parents, school committee members and community partners throughout the interview process. I am impressed with what I have learned so far about the schools. I am excited to meet the students and begin my new role next month. I look forward to immersing myself in the school districts and the communities of Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester over the next year.”

            Curley currently serves as the director of Special Education Services in the Mashpee Public Schools District, a role she has held since July 2017. Prior to this role, Curley worked in the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District for 11 years as a director of Pupil Services, school psychologist, lead mentor and co-coordinator of Extended School Year.

            During her time in Yarmouth, she also served as a school psychologist/Special Education Team chairperson at Station Avenue Elementary School and WAVE Program Special Education teacher at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School. Curley served as head teacher at the Therapeutic Learning Center at Barnstable High School and teacher’s assistant at Marstons Mills Middle School.

            “Getting to know Dr. Curley has given me further confidence that she is going to be a tremendous asset to our schools,” said Superintendent Nelson. “She has strong expertise in administrative roles, and her knowledge in education and psychology will make her a crucial member of our team. I am thrilled to welcome her to our school community.”

            Curley holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a post-baccalaureate degree with a certificate in Special Education from Bridgewater State University. She also obtained a master of education degree and a certificate of advanced graduate study in School Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a doctor of education degree from Nova Southeastern University.

A lot of us develop osteoarthritis (“wear and tear arthritis” – though the process is not that simple) as we age.

            If it is truly disabling, surgery may be the only way to reduce pain and increase mobility, but there are many less invasive options. Do any of them work?

            Let’s get one myth out of the way first. Many people see an orthopedic surgeon and are told “your knee(s) are bone-on-bone, and nothing will work but surgery.” This is very often an exaggeration. There may be complete loss of cartilage in a portion of the knee, but rarely does this involve the whole knee. If it is on one edge, a brace may give great relief. The decision to have surgery should almost never be based on an X-ray.

            The most time-tested, nonsurgical approach is an injection of a cortisone-type product into the knee, usually accompanied by a local anesthetic. This injection generally starts working in two days, and the effect may last three to four months. I had patients who got these shots three to four times a year for several years with good relief.

            Like any treatment, cortisone shots do not work for everyone, and there is a worry that the drug may hasten deterioration of cartilage. The treatment is universally covered by Medicare and commercial insurance plans.

            Hyaluronic acid is a lubricant that mimics the body’s natural joint fluid, and injecting it into the knee is another “standard” procedure that is covered by insurance. Since most of the product leaks out of the joint within a few days, it is unclear how it works, and recent studies have suggested that it has largely a placebo effect.

            Newer treatments are available that are considered experimental and typically not covered by insurance.

            One is injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), drawn from your own blood, centrifuged to separate the PRP from the rest of the blood and injected into the knee. These seem to work by reducing inflammation and may provide relief for as long as a year. Be prepared to pay several thousand dollars out of pocket if you go this route.

            Widely advertised is the use of stem-cell injections, which can theoretically grow new cartilage. The jury is still out on this, but most studies show benefit lasting only three to four months. The cost, in the thousands, will almost certainly not be covered by insurance.

            The newest kid on the block is radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the pain nerves in the knee. This treatment has been shown to give pain relief for up to six months. It is minimally invasive and has few side effects, but is often not covered by insurance, at least not without prior approval from your insurance company.

            Knee replacement surgery is generally, but far from always, successful. If you opt for this surgery, know that you must be committed to doing a lot of physical therapy for many months to get the best result.

            Do not forget weight loss! Whether through use of the newer drugs or old-fashioned diet, significant weight loss will usually help your knees.

            Edward Hoffer MD is Associate Professor of Medicine, part-time, at Harvard.

What Does The Doctor Say?

By Dr. Edward Hoffer