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HOW SCIENCE SOLVED THE MYSTERY OF THE FLOATING, SEVERED FEET

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

In today’s newsletter, we revisit the mystery of severed feet on the shores of the Pacific Northwest, question the myth of a ‘cursed’ gem ... and learn about dolphin conservation in the Amazon.

An illustrative image depicting a floating sneaker in murky water with sun beams filtering beneath the water line.

PHOTOGRAPH BY REBECCA HALE AND MARK THIESSEN/NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC IMAGE COLLECTION

In 2007, a 12-year-old girl spotted a lone blue-and-white running shoe—a men’s size 12—on a beach of British Columbia’s Jedediah Island. She looked inside, and found a sock. She looked inside the sock, and found a foot.

Fourteen more feet washed up on shore over the next 12 years (illustrated above). It took science to figure out. What the heck was happening?

THE MISSING FEET

Other mysteries:
—What happened to the hikers at the Dyatlov Pass?
—Who ate mushrooms 3,000 years ago?
—We know this ancient Alpine man's last supper, but not who killed him

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

A mother lays down with her infant twins for a nap next to a lamp.

PHOTOGRAPH BY NORA LOREK

What are simple things you can do to boost your mental health? Well, start with a few of these science-based tips. You know all about getting sleep and exercise, but what about bananas and dark chocolate? Catch nine tips here. (Above, a mother naps with her twins. Experts tout physical touch and affection as positive stimulants.)

BOOSTING MENTAL HEALTH

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

A purple amethyst jewel on a white background

PHOTOGRAPH BY THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

Is this amethyst (pictured above) actually cursed?

Women who reach their 50s inevitably pass through menopause. Experts share the best ways to cope.

Can waking up the right way make you happier?

Can colossal crabs be the key to finding Amelia Earhart? Related: Is this actually her plane?

Is a rare disease really so rare—or just misdiagnosed?

The science behind California's ‘thousand year storm’

Alexander the Great had big problems near the end

The remarkably accurate details in ‘Masters of the Air’

He’s the most famous of Europe’s bog bodies. But who was Tollund Man?

Women are being diagnosed with ADHD at unprecedented rates. Here’s why.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Fernando Trujillo holds the snout of an Amazon river dolphin while his team measures and examines the animal before returning it to the water.

PHOTOGRAPH BY THOMAS PESCHAK

Saving the Amazon's ‘pink ambassadors’: For more than 30 years, marine biologist and National Geographic Explorer Fernando Trujillo has dedicated his life to the conservation of the Amazon's pink dolphins (pictured above, holding the snout of the mammal). After the heat of summer 2023 made the river basin unlivable for the creatures, Trujillo is bringing the environmental threats they face to mass attention.

THE TEFÉ DISASTER

Today’s soundtrack: Tippi-Toes, The Meters

Today’s newsletter was curated and edited by David Beard, Nancy San Martín, Jen Tse, and Nishita Naga. Were you forwarded this email or know someone who might want our newsletter? Here’s the signup. See you tomorrow!

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