Shark meat sold in the U.S. may come from endangered species without consumers realizing it, a new study warns. Researchers tested 29 shark products, including 19 fillets bought in grocery stores and seafood markets across North Carolina, Florida, Georgia and Washington, D.C., plus 10 jerky products purchased online.  Using DNA barcoding, they identified the species…  read on >  read on >

When people hear about anaphylaxis, they often associate the severe allergic reaction with food allergies. And while food allergies can cause anaphylaxis, allergies to insect stings, medications and latex can also trigger the response. Anaphylaxis is rare. In most cases, people with allergies develop mild to moderate symptoms, such as watery eyes, a runny nose…  read on >  read on >

Air pollution might speed up the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s disease on the brain, a new study says. Alzheimer’s patients exposed to higher levels of particle pollution appeared to suffer an increased buildup of toxic amyloid and tau proteins in their brains, researchers reported Sept. 8 in JAMA Neurology. The more air pollution a person…  read on >  read on >

Back-to-school is an exciting time for kids and parents, but it also marks the beginning of fall allergies as well as the cold and flu season. So on top of gathering clothes and books and school supplies, parents also might have to figure out why their child has a runny nose. “It is very confusing…  read on >  read on >

Your beauty rest might be protecting your brain health as well, a new study says. Seniors with chronic insomnia might experience a faster decline in their memory and thinking skills as they age, researchers reported today in the journal Neurology. Chronic insomniacs had a 40% higher risk of developing dementia or suffering a decline in…  read on >  read on >

New guidance aims to increase nonopioid choices for chronic pain while combating misuse  read on >

Cases of self-harm involving 6- to 12-year-olds have risen sharply, and researchers warn that common household products are often involved. Their findings appear in the Sept. 8 issue of Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Researchers analyzed more than 1.5 million reports made to U.S. poison control centers from 2000 to 2023. …  read on >  read on >

Even as the U.S. heads into cooler months, climate change is driving hotter overall temperatures, and new research suggests that rising heat is pushing Americans to consume more sugary drinks and frozen treats — with some potential health risks. Researchers analyzed food purchases from U.S. households between 2004 and 2019 and compared them with local…  read on >  read on >

An invasive species of tick has been confirmed in Maine for the first time, marking the farthest northeast detection of the pest in the United States. The tick was collected in southern Maine in July and identified by the University of Maine Extension Tick Lab, officials announced Monday. While this is the state’s first confirmed…  read on >  read on >

Nearly half of people with diabetes around the world are unaware of their condition, according to a new study. Globally, an estimated 44% of people 15 and older with diabetes didn’t know they had the life-threatening disease, researchers reported Sept. 8 in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. “By 2050, 1.3 billion people are expected to…  read on >  read on >

The collegiate sports season is upon us, and with it the inevitable bruises, sprains and strains that come from tough competition. Portable wireless ultrasound devices could be key to getting fast, reliable assessment of on-the-field sports injuries, researchers say. These wireless devices deliver results faster and at lower cost, while making it easier to examine…  read on >  read on >

Your morning cup of coffee might harm the quality of a blood donation provided later in the day, a new study says. Caffeine appears to impair donated blood in ways that reduce the effectiveness of future transfusions, researchers report in the journal Haemotologica. Specifically, they found that red blood cells are more prone to damage…  read on >  read on >