National Geographic | National Geographic

National Geographic

SHOULD YOU GET YOUR DOG’S DNA?

Thursday, April 4, 2024

In today’s newsletter, we ask whether dog DNA tests are worth it, discover magnificent Roman mosaics … and explore efforts to rescue smalltooth sawfish from a mysterious spinning event that ends in death.

A dog with white fur in the foreground and a dog with auburn fur strand a hilly grounds with goats.

PHOTOGRAPH BY GIUSEPPE NUCCI, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

We’re all curious. Many of us get DNA tests for clues to our family trees, or perhaps a history of disease. Does a dog’s DNA yield the same secrets? (Pictured above, a white Maremmano-Abruzzese sheepdog guarding a herd of goats.)

As more and more people swab their pet’s slobber, we ask: Do dog DNA tests give you reliable answers? Here’s what we found.

FIDO’S SECRETS

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

A mosaic on the wall shows a man with a long flowing white beard and horns

PHOTOGRAPH BY DAVID BLÁZQUE/ AGE FOTOSTOCK

These mosaics (pictured above) survived a millennia. Here’s what they revealed about ancient Rome.

The truth about Caligula

How archaeology and science are restoring an ancient face

Who was one of the Bible’s most vengeful villains? (Free article)

The thousands of temples that once graced Myanmar’s skyline

Can you really boost your serotonin? What does that mean? (Free article)

How exercise can help—or hurt—your digestion
Related: Why do some people love to exercise? (Free article)

Do you smoke weed recreationally? Here’s what experts want you to know.

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

A sawfish in clear water

PHOTOGRAPH BY SARAH RUTH

For the first time in U.S. history, scientists have launched an emergency effort to rescue critically endangered smalltooth sawfish (pictured above) from a mysterious event that is causing fish to spin and die off the coast of Florida. Scientists hope to either tag or capture a number of the animals for monitoring or rehabilitation at designated facilities until the threat subsides. Will it work?

SAVING AN ENDANGERED SPECIES

Today’s soundtrack: Endangered Species, Dianne Reeves

We hope this newsletter brightened your Thursday! It was curated and edited by David Beard, Nancy San Martín, and Nishita Naga. Know someone who might want our newsletter in their inbox? Here’s the signup. See you tomorrow!

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.

© 2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC, All rights reserved.