Thursday, November 7, 2024

In this week’s Discovery newsletter, we examine why redheads are so rare, gird for a new fluoride battle, cower before an invasion of dog-sized lizards ... and test our knowledge of baby animals. Plus, the women-led Arctic research station: where is it?

PHPTOGRAPH BY KIKE CALVO, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION 

Call it ginger, auburn, or strawberry blond—only 1 or 2 people per 100 have red hair. How is this exotic trait, common in Neanderthal times, the product of recessive genes, still around? You don’t have to be Prince Harry, Rihanna or Reba McIntyre to want to know.

Related: Can ‘influencing your genes’ help you live longer?

Also: The world’s largest redhead festival was founded by a blonde 

PHOTOGRAPH BY SEA LIFE MELBOURNE AQUARIUM 

PHOTOGRAPH BY ESTHER HORVATH 

A small Arctic research station has emerged as a scientific hub, and it’s home to an increasingly female-led contingent of experts doing some of the planet’s most important studies. Where is it? 

A. Alaska
B. Greenland
C. Norway
D. Russia 

Today’s Soundtrack: Winter Is Much Too Long, Cloe Martin 

Today’s newsletter was edited and curated by David Beard and produced by Amanda Williams-Bryant. Sign up here to get tomorrow’s Top Ten stories of the week or catch Sunday’s Photo of The Week. Got a suggestion for upcoming newsletters? Let us know.