National Geographic | National Geographic

National Geographic

GOOD NEWS AT LAST

Friday, July 14, 2023

In today’s newsletter, we learn about a test that could save pregnant mothers’ lives, visit foregone natural wonders, think twice about stepping on bugs ... and figure out ways to laugh more. Oh, and happy Bastille Day!

PHOTOGRAPH BY LYNSEY ADDARIO

There’s no reason so many mothers should die giving birth. A new FDA-approved test should make a difference.

The test identifies patients early in a pregnancy who are at risk for pre-eclampsia, a dangerous blood pressure disorder that affects about 1 in 25 pregnancies. Notoriously hard to diagnose, it is one of the biggest causes of maternal mortality, making the headlines with the death of Olympic athlete Tori Bowie at age 32.

Will this make a significant dent in a stubbornly high death rate for new mothers? (Above, a midwife team checks on a pregnant mom and her family.)

READ THE FULL STORY

Unlock this article with Nat Geo Premium! Get access now to exclusive stories, plus a century of archives, photos, and videos. See subscription options starting at just $19/yr.

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

PHOTOGRAPH BY DAVID LIITTSCHWAGER, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION, ROMIP SPECIMEN 62543A. PHOTOGRAPHED AT THE ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM

They were the world’s first super predators. They were shrimps. Two-foot-long shrimps (pictured above).

3,600-year-old tsunami ‘time capsule’ sheds light on one of humanity’s greatest disasters

This toad can get you high—really, really high

These three kings ruled Rome. Their bloody reigns sparked a revolution.

Is malaria making a comeback in the U.S.?

What exactly is lab-grown meat? Here’s what you need to know.

How Oppenheimer guarded WWII’s biggest secret

Mistaken bug identities: Is that really a black widow?

Are your hormones unbalanced—and what does that even mean?

Science says aspartame may cause cancer—here’s why low-calorie sweeteners might not be as good for us as we thought

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

children staring in awe at a lizard

PHOTOGRAPH BY STACY GOLD, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

Laughter is key: Research of our emotions shows that laughter can play a key beneficial effect. It is, however, not the first emotion a baby expresses. What is it? (Pictured above, children staring in awe at a lizard.)

A. Shock
B. Awe
C. Wonder
D. Interest

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT

PHOTO OF THE DAY

jewel beetle (Anthaxia croesus)

PHOTOGRAPH BY NIKOLA RAHMÉ

Think before you squash: It is, after all, National Be Nice To Bugs Day. Above, the dazzling colors of the jewel beetle under a microscope, likely formed by proteins bonding with chitin. See more beautiful bugs.

LAST GLIMPSE

This dead and wind-battered Jeffery pine atop Yosemite’s Sentinel Dome, made famous by Ansel Adams, finally toppled in 2003

PHOTOGRAPH BY HARALD SUND, GETTY IMAGES

Just like that: The above Jeffery pine was one of the world’s most photographed trees, appearing in glass plate images as early as the 1860s. Like many other breathtaking natural wonders, the picturesque California tree no longer exists.

SEE MORE LOST WONDERS

Today’s soundtrack: Fast Car, Tracy Chapman

Happy Friday! This newsletter has been curated and edited by Jen Tse, Hannah Farrow, and David Beard. What's on your travel bucket list? Email [email protected] to let us know. Thanks for reading!

Clicking on the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and National Geographic Channel links will take you away from our National Geographic Partners site where different terms of use and privacy policy apply.

This email was sent to: [email protected]. Please do not reply to this email as this address is not monitored.

This email contains an advertisement from:
National Geographic | 1145 17th Street, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036

Stop all types of future commercial email from National Geographic regarding its products, services, or experiences.

Manage all email preferences with the Walt Disney Family of Companies.

© 2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC, All rights reserved.