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HOW CAN NORMAL HUMANS FLIP CARS, FIGHT OFF POLAR BEARS?

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

In today’s newsletter, we discover ‘superhuman’ strength inside all of us, learn about Earth's equinox ... and examine a problem with axolotls and capybaras. Plus, a look at how an eclipse affects us.

A USMC Corporal carries a fellow marine over her shoulders while training for deployment.

PHOTOGRAPH BY LYNSEY ADDARIO, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

In extraordinary circumstances, what gives ordinary humans the power to flip a VW to save a neighbor, fight a polar bear threatening kids, or heave an overturned tractor to free a trapped farmer? (Pictured above, a recruit carries a fellow U.S. Marine during a drill.)

What causes the cascade of hormones that gives you greater access to muscle capacity—and increases blood flow to the most needed parts of the body? What this story reveals is extraordinary too.

HYSTERICAL STRENGTH

Related:
—The underrated mental benefits of weightlifting
—Do you have chronic stress? Look for these signs.
—Are you a stress eater? Here’s how to retrain your brain.

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

Person on vertical wall high above ground.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JIMMY CHIN

How far—or high—did these Nat Geo photographers go for a story? (Pictured above, a climber navigates El Capitan at Yosemite.) WATCH: The Nat Geo documentary series Photographer on Disney+.

Your detox might do more harm than good to your body

New discovery shows biblical story of Jonah and the whale as never before (Free article)

Do ice facials work?

After France ditched its dictator, it made one massive measurable change

Billions of cicadas are about to emerge, creating a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle

An archaeologist suspected something special was buried here. She was right.

Researchers are finally beginning to focus on women’s health concerns—from menstruation to menopause

Axolotls and capybaras are TikTok famous—and that could be a problem (Free article)

Psychologists say witnessing an eclipse can change how you see the world. Here's how.

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

ADOC-PHOTOS/ALBUM

Only one woman knew: And she (shown in the above 1840 engraving) approved of the plot to assassinate Julius Caesar. She didn’t have bloodlust—but she had her reasons. Who was she?

A. Calpurnia
B. Cleopatra
C. Julia Antonia
D. Porcia

CLICK FOR THE ANSWER

Related: Will the real Julius Caesar please stand up?
Also: Do men think about Rome too much?

LAST GLIMPSE

A flock of swans fly in formation above a misty pond as the sun rises from the horizon.

PHOTOGRAPH BY PETER MACDIARMID, EYEVINE/REDUX

Every six months, once in March and again in September, an equinox splits Earth’s day almost in half, giving us about 12 hours of daylight and 12 of night. Here’s how it happens—and why people have celebrated it since ancient times.

Today’s soundtrack: Superwoman, Alicia Keyes

Today’s newsletter was curated and edited by David Beard, Nancy San Martín, 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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