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THE STRANGE SCIENCE OF SUPPORT

Saturday, October 7, 2023

In today’s newsletter, we learn the surprising history of the bra, welcome the New Zealand kakapo’s homecoming, learn how this intense lightning occurs ... and question how belief has the power to heal.

Roman women in a 4th-century A.D. mosaic from Sicily exercise while wearing an amictorium, a ancient bikini-type linen garment that bound the breasts. Scholars are divided on whether Greek and Roman women wore bra-like garments for support, style, or both.

PHOTOGRAPH BY LUISA RICCIARINI, BRIDGEMAN IMAGES

An archaeological find delivered some uplifting news in the world of women’s lingerie—the bra has been around a lot longer than people thought.

Also, weirdly, aspects of the recently developed sports bra may have antecedents going back millennia.

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

Flames and smoke billow from the Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refining Complex in Philadelphia in 2019. Scientists are beginning to understand how breathing air filled with pollution impairs the immune system’s ability to regulate inflammation.

PHOTOGRAPH BY MATT ROURKE/AP

Breathing in bad air can cause inflammation (Above, smoke billows from a oil refinery in Philadelphia.)

Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day? How the holiday has been shaped by oppression Related: What exactly is colonialism?

What is POTS? This strange disorder has doubled since the pandemic

Does belief have the power to heal? Even science says it might.

Can this big cat be saved?

Superbolts are 1,000 times stronger and brighter than average lightning, How do they occur?

Jackie O's big secret: A pioneering designer who is finally being recognized

Why the new COVID shot is a game-changer (and why the term ‘booster’ is obsolete)

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

The speckles on this Capricorn night octopus, Callistoctopus alpheus, are cells full of pigment. If the animal were to open them all, it would appear red with white polka dots.

PHOTOGRAPH BY DAVID LIITSCHWAGER, QUEENSLAND SUSTAINABLE SEALIFE, AUSTRALIA

Honoring Ursula: In recognition of World Octopus Day tomorrow, we take a look at the anatomy of these diverse soft-bodied sea creatures. Which one of these special properties do octopuses (one pictured above) not have?

A. They change shape and color.
B. They return your scrutinizing stare.
C. They have red blood.
D. They reproduce only once in a lifetime.

CLICK FOR THE ANSWER

Related: Is Ursula from 'The Little Mermaid' an octopus? Sort of.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

a woman drinks water from a water fountain

PHOTOGRAPH BY WILLIAM DANIELS

Drink up: You need water to survive—but how much? Social media says a gallon a day, but is that accurate? And what about your water needing minerals, alkalinity, or salt—how much do they matter? We have your hydration questions, answered.

LAST GLIMPSE

A kākāpō named "Yasmine" is photographed on Anchor Island (Pukenui), one of the three sanctuaries that helped rebuild populations of the critically endangered species. One hundred kākāpō have been born since 2019, allowing a small population to return to New Zealand’s mainland.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JAKE OSBORNE

Coming home: The kākāpō—a New Zealand-native, flightless, and slow bird—was on the brink of extinction, so three sanctuaries took on the role of bringing the population back. One hundred kākāpō have been born since 2019—and the first kākāpō in half a century just returned home.

HOW THEY WERE SAVED

Today’s soundtrack: (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher, Rita Coolidge

This newsletter has been curated and edited by David Beard, Hannah Farrow, Nancy San Martín, Cameron Peters, and Jen Tse. Amanda Williams-Bryant, Alisher Egamov, Rita Spinks, and Jeremy Brandt-Vorel also contributed this week. Thanks for reading!

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