National Geographic Top 10

OUR TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

Friday, September 27, 2024

In this week’s Top 10, we explore riddles from the dwindling Mississippi to curing menopause; and investigate the upside of a late marriage and ’witch bottles’ against evil spirits. While we’re at it, here’s how ‘Abracadabra’ began.

Recent research suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy may be the safest and more effective treatment for mitigating one of the major symptoms of menopause: a decline in sexual function and desire

PHOTOGRAPH BY FIZKES, GETTY IMAGES

#10

The secret weapon for dealing with menopause

Millions of people depend on the Mississippi, but the once-mighty river is drying up

What’s in the world’s oldest cheese? These mummies are giving up their secrets.

How Catherine really became ‘The Great’

Fighting evil? ‘Witches bottles’ sought to do the trick.

Mount St. Helens isn’t where it is supposed to be. Scientists may finally know why.

Yes, marriage has health benefits, even if you wed late in life

UPDATE: New analysis shows how genes can identify risks of breast cancer

What terrors lurk inside the Tower of London?

... AND OUR NO. 1 STORY

At the University of Florida, Parkinson’s disease patient Russell Price undergoes surgery to implant a deep brain stimulation (DBS) lead that will deliver electrical impulses to motion-controlling parts of his brain.

PHOTOGRAPH BY ERIKA LARSEN, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

Brett Favre has it. The legendary quarterback is the latest celebrity to announce he has Parkinson’s disease. Why is it so hard to diagnose?

WHAT WE KNOW

watch trailer

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

A 13th-century manuscript preserves Quintus Serenus Sammonicus’ ancient Roman “cure” with the word ABRACADABRA written in decreasing letters within an inverted triangle.

PHOTOGRAPH BY BRITISH LIBRARY ARCHIVE, BRIDGEMAN IMAGES

The magic word: The supposed cures and origins of “abracadabra” are as mysterious as the word itself. The earliest Roman written citation had a specific use case. What was it?

A. It cured fever
B. It could thwart evil spirits
C. It stopped the plague
D. It was the title of a popular song

CLICK FOR THE ANSWER

Today’s Soundtrack: Abracadabra, Steve Miller Band

Thanks for reading today’s newsletter, edited and curated by David Beard and produced by Alec Egamov. Sign up here to catch our upcoming Photo of the Week!

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HOW CATHERINE BECAME ‘GREAT’

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OUR TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

... AND OUR NO. 1 STORY

WHAT IN THE WORLD?