Wednesday's health and safety news from around sports:
*The New York Times reported on a simple device, made up of a hockey puck and a dowel, to diagnose a concussion.
- The Cleveland Clinic is expanding its iPad sideline app for diagnosing concussions to use by Rock Valley High School in Rock City, Iowa -- the home school district of clinic biomechanical engineer Jay Alberts, The Plain Dealer reported.
- Meanwhile, the Cleveland Clinic says a new blood test might be the best way to diagnose concussive hits, WWSB-TV reported.
*The Baltimore Sun reported that Maryland's department of education has recommended limiting full-contact football practices to two per week.
- The Winston Salem Journal interviewed Buddy Curry, who has been working as a USA Football Master Trainer in teaching the Heads Up Football program.
- InventHelp announced the patent of a new strap for hockey helmets that is intended to better stabilize the headgear.
*The Norman Transcript wrote about the Newcastle High School football team, which is the subject of Brooke de Lench's documentary, "Home Team Advantage."
- Statewide testing of athletes for drugs is not on the way in Colorado, The Coloradoan reported.
- Parents of high school athletes in Montana will be required to sign a waiver attesting that they know the risks of concussions, according to the Billings Gazette.
- KSHB-TV in Kansas City profiled the Heads Up Football training in the area.
- Oakland A's catcher John Jaso has visited a specialist because of his concussion issues, MLB.com reported.
-- Bill Bradley, contributing editor
