Is a new drug to treat Alzheimer‘s safe?

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

In today’s newsletter, we examine the hopes and risks of a new Alzheimer’s drug, explore the real beginnings of Rome, question marijuana’s potency … and snuggle close to rebounding sea otters.

PHOTOGRAPH BY SIMON FRASER/MRC UNIT, NEWCASTLE GENERAL HOSPITAL/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

At first blush, the accelerated approval of a drug that promises to attack Alzheimer’s at its root offers great hope for millions of people suffering from the progressive mind-wasting disease.

But a number of scientists caution that benefits have not been overwhelmingly proven and that side effects are dangerous and not fully understood. Three patients who participated in the clinical trial have died.

Is the treatment, which will cost $26,500 a year, safe and effective? That’s what we’re exploring.

Read the full story here.

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In the top image, a segment of a brain affected by Alzheimer’s disease is at the left; an unaffected segment is on the right.

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

PHOTOGRAPH BY RALPH PACE

Sea otters (like the pup above) are rebounding from near-extinction. Not everyone is happy.

She fell in love with the majesty of volcanoes—and changed how science sees them

‘Zombie cells’ could hold the secret to Alzheimer’s cure

COVID-19 is more widespread in animals than we thought

Chris Hemsworth discovers high risk of Alzheimer’s when doing TV series

How to prepare for the most contagious COVID variant yet

Painkiller or placebo? Cannabis under the microscope.

The scandalous love affair of Cleopatra and Marc Antony

With shortages, here’s how to determine what meds you need this winter

PHOTO OF THE DAY

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOEL SARTORE, NAT GEO PHOTO ARK

Don’t be fooled: Sven, a sand cat recently featured on our Instagram, is a master hunter. With those big ears, sand cats listen for creatures burrowing underground and then dig to capture their prey. Since they live in desolate, arid environments, they’ll eat anything from small rodents and spiders to venomous vipers. Nat Geo Explorer Joel Sartore photographed this mighty killer for his Photo Ark, which now has more than 13,000 animals.

FEROCIOUS FELINES

WHERE IN THE WORLD?

PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDREA FRAZZETTA/NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

This place wasn’t built in a day: Nor was it built by the twins Romulus and Remus, as ancient historians would have you believe. Instead, Rome was founded by common farmers and shepherds—but their marshy city was soon controlled by kings with absolute power. Their rule set the stage for the creation of the Roman Republic—and later, another turn toward autocracy. (Tourists at the Roman Forum, above.)

FROM KINGS TO EMPERORS

PAID CONTENT FOR SEA DOO

Video still by National Geographic CreativeWorks

Diving for microbial time capsules of ancient Earth

Join National Geographic Explorer, Rosa Vásquez Espinoza, as she traverses the depths of Lake Huron to uncover how life on Earth evolved.

WATCH NOW

THE NIGHT SKIES

ILLUSTRATION BY ANDREW FAZEKAS

Hunting for the Hunter: This week, with the sky free of the moon’s brightness, catch Orion, the dominant constellation, with the brightest stars in one stellar pattern, particularly Betelgeuse marking his left shoulder and Rigel his right foot. Look for Orion rising in the southeast during the early evening, also recognizable by the hunter’s “belt”—Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka. The three stars also can help navigate to nearly bright stars like Sirius and Aldebaran (illustrated above)—and their constellations, Canis Major and Taurus. — Andrew Fazekas

WHAT’S UP, BETELGEUSE?

Today’s soundtrack: Nuestra canción, Monsieur Periné

This newsletter has been curated and edited by Jen Tse, Sydney Combs, and David Beard. Have an idea or a link? We’d love to hear from you at david.beard@natgeo.com. Thanks for reading.

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Is a new drug to treat Alzheimer‘s safe?

Is a new drug to treat Alzheimer‘s safe?

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