'JAWS' Back at Cape Cod Beaches
As the unofficial start to the summer arrives, experts are warning of an increase in shark activity along the popular Memorial Day weekend spot in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Researchers with the New England Aquarium on Thursday issued an advisory for people returning to the pristine waters on Cape Cod.
John Chisholm, an adjunct scientist at the Aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, said that while researchers have not spotted a white shark this season, they are certain of their presence.
"Although we haven’t seen a white shark just yet this season, we know they’re here," Chisholm said. "With beach weather in the forecast and Memorial Day Weekend approaching, this is a good reminder for people to review shark safety guidelines and be shark smart." Read more at Sharks spotted off popular Memorial Day weekend getaway spot
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BRAIN WORMS From Bear Meat!
In the summer of 2022, a family gathered in South Dakota for a reunion that included a special meal—kabobs made with the meat of a black bear that one of the family members had "harvested" from northern Saskatchewan, Canada, that May. Lacking a meat thermometer, the family assessed the doneness of the dark-colored meat by eye. At first, they accidentally served it rare, which a few family members noticed before a decision was made to recook it. The rest of the reunion was unremarkable, and the family members departed to their homes in Arizona, Minnesota, and South Dakota.
But just days later, family members began falling ill. One, a 29-year-old male in Minnesota, sought care for a mysterious illness marked by fever, severe muscle pains, swelling around his eyes (periorbital edema), high levels of infection-fighting white blood cells (eosinophilia, a common response to parasites), and other laboratory anomalies. The man sought care four times and was hospitalized twice in 17 days in July. It wasn't until his second hospitalization that doctors learned about the bear meat—and then it all made sense. Read more at Family stricken with rare brain worms after eating undercooked bear
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'TROLL' Photo?
Steninge, just outside Märsta — a suburb of Sweden’s capital Stockholm — has been inhabited for thousands of years. Just behind Steninge Castle, you’ll find a magnificent runestone and if you venture further into the woods a huge grave field scattered around what’s left of a thousand-year-old fort. There’s more of course, this area of Sweden is packed with ancient structures, standing stones, grave mounts, and other remains of a distant civilization. Once upon a time the water was much higher and boats and ships could travel around the area, but all that’s left is hills with traces of bronze and iron age people.
The photo of me above is taken behind the castle, on the road leading up to the graves and fort, on what was maybe the first true spring day of 2021, one of those days where we leave the past behind and look forward. The sun truly brings out the joy in us Swedes after several months of darkness. But there’s something odd with the photo. Do you see it? Yeah, someone — or something — is standing there on the right, lurking in the shadows, merged with the trees and nature. Like a troll right out of a John Bauer painting, he looks at the photographer, my husband, capturing myself — and we’re both unaware of the mysterious visitor. Read more at Mysterious Troll Captured on Photo!
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