Titanic discoverer suspects sub’s experimental hull behind implosion; Neanderthals are root of Viking’s Disease; did Indiana Jones hurt archaeology?

RJ Hamster

1 year ago

Friday, June 23, 2023

In today’s newsletter, we examine the causes of the Titanic “catastrophic implosion,’ see how an emperor hid his tumultuous side; discover the long roots of Viking’s Disease… and catch up with Harrison Ford and the mixed legacy of Indiana Jones and archaeology.

PHOTOGRAPH BY MARK THIESSEN, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

It’s a debilitating hand condition (represented above) often known as Viking’s Disease—and sufferers can blame it on our Neanderthal kin from tens of thousands of years ago.

A new study reveals that two genetic variants inherited from Neanderthals are among the most important risk factors. It’s not the first disease passed down by our extinct hominin cousins.

WHAT ELSE?

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STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

PHOTOGRAPH BY GABRIEL SCARLETT, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

Titanic’s Ballard: ‘Catastrophic implosion’ likely from experimental hull (Pictured above, Nat Geo Explorer at Large Bob Ballard in his research vessel)

Submersibles have been a part of America since 1776

Yes, astronauts get sick more often in space. Here’s why.

Hard work masked an emperor’s tumultuous private li fe

If you don’t have ADHD, Adderall and Ritalin won’t work for you

This may be the worst tick season ever: How can you protect yourself?

Lobsters likely feel pain. Should we get them high before eating them?

What really attracts mosquitoes—and how to repel them

It’s an invasion! Nevada is crawling with smelly Mormon crickets

The advantage of curly hair: bigger brains?

WHERE IN THE WORLD?

PHOTOGRAPH BY AMI VITALE

Land ho! Wednesday’s World Giraffe Day reminded us of this effort to move giraffes from their flooded island home to dry land. Where did this rescue happen?

A. Tanzania
B. Uganda
C. Kenya
D. Rwanda

CLICK HERE FOR THE ANSWER

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBERT CLARK, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

Did ’the Indiana Jones effect’ ruin archaeology? The field is in the spotlight again with next week’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, the end of a saga that began with 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark. “I guess we made archaeology look like fun,” Harrison Ford tells us. “But—and I mean this in the nicest possible way—I don’t take any personal [credit].” (Pictured above, an archaeologist in a familiar hat works on excavating the remains of a child at the Huanchaquito-Las Llamas site in Peru.)

LAST GLIMPSE

What is Ursula? At first glance, you may call The Little Mermaid villain an octopus. Some may call her a squid—but she’s much more than her limbs, and the tentacled character shares characteristics with multiple sea creatures. (Above left: Disney animators originally looked to a variety of sea creatures for inspiration, including lionfish. Right: Disney artwork shows an early rendition of Ursula with a lionfish-like appearance.)

LIFE INSPIRES ART

Today’s soundtrack: Rainbow, Kacey Musgraves
Happy Friday! This newsletter has been curated and edited by Jen Tse, Hannah Farrow, Nancy San Martín, and David Beard. Have an idea for us? Email
david.beard@natgeo.com to let us know. Thanks for reading!

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