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A STRENGTHENING ENEMY

Monday, April 22, 2024

In today’s newsletter, we look at why your allergies may be getting worse, ask if aspirin can help protect against colorectal cancers, review Earth Day progress over the years ... and revisit the prison origins of this popular exercise regimen.

Italian Alder introduced naturalized species close-up of catkins shedding pollen

PHOTOGRAPH BY FLPA, ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

The patients come in earlier and earlier. Allergy season is starting sooner. Getting worse. Lasting longer. (Pictured above, an Italian alder tree shedding pollen.)

Why? Can it be eased? Here’s what’s behind the surfeit of sniffles and sneezes.

DAMN YOU, POLLEN!

Related: This miracle plant was eaten into extinction 2,000 years ago—or was it?
Also: Why do we get allergies?
Also: Ground-level ozone is getting worse. Here's what it means for your health.

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

Four white aspirin tablets on a white background.

PHOTOGRAPH BY MARK THIESSEN

Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?

Happy Earth Day! After 52 years of Earth Days, here is some progress—and some setbacks—since the first one. Related: The story of the first Earth Day—and why it mattered

Kidney, heart, addiction problems? Ozempic and other weight-loss drugs may have more benefits than you think.

The best exercise? Here’s what swimming can do for you.

Live longer: How you can create your own ‘Blue Zone’

Why Passover is one of Judaism’s most important holidays

Cannabis: Smoking recreationally? Here’s what experts want you to know.

Meet the mom who took on toxic waste—and won

How these remains change our understanding of the Maya

‘Forgotten’ Nazi camp on British soil revealed by archaeologists

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

Pilates' observation of feral cats moving around the camp—and how they stayed in condition on meagre rations—was said to be the fundamental in the development of his technique, which he called contrology. with resistance, balance and poise critical to the discipline, it shared many qualities with gymnastics, of which there was an eager following at Knockaloe.

KNOCKALOE CHARITABLE TRUST, WWW.KNOCKALOE.IM

The Reformer. Really? The strenuous exercise regimen sharing a name with its founder, Joseph Pilates, has more surprising origins than you may think. Knockaloe (pictured above), an internment camp on the Isle of Man, served as the unlikely setting for the development of Pilates. What’s even more strange? The inspiration.

PRACTICING PILATES

Today’s soundtrack: Allergies, Paul Simon (feat. Al Di Meola)

Today’s newsletter was curated and edited by Nishita Naga, Nancy San Martín, and David Beard. Let us know if your allergies are getting worse—or if you have any suggestions for us.

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