Thursday, December 12, 2024

This week’s Discovery newsletter shows how a young woman got a second chance with an unprecedented face transplant, finds out where pirates found the biggest treasure, explores the year’s biggest scientific discoveries ... and asks what magic mushrooms have to do with Santa. 

PHOTOGRAPH BY LYNN JOHNSON 

At 18, Katie Stubblefield lost her face. At 21, she became the youngest person in the U.S. to undergo the still experimental face transplant surgery.

Our face conveys who we are, telegraphing a kaleidoscope of emotions. It’s our doorway to the sensory world, allowing us to see, smell, taste, hear, and feel the breeze.

Just before the surgery, the surgeon said a silent prayer and looked at the face, a donation from a woman who died. It’s an amazing thing, he thought, what some people will do for others—to give them a heart or a liver, even a face. 

Related: Why we spent years on this face transplant story

PHOTOGRAPH BY MARCO UGARTE, AP IMAGES 

Related: No one was prepared for the deadliest tsunami in history

PHOTOGRAPH BY OCEAN WISE, DFO MARINE MAMMAL LICENSE, MML18 

An orca’s hat? We don’t know why this orca has a dead fish on his head, but killer whales have done it before. A trophy? A toy? Look closely at the image: What type of fish is it? 

A. Mackerel
B. Salmon
C. Whale shark
D. Whitefish

Related: Scientists finally know the clever tricks orcas use to hunt the world’s biggest fish 
In other fish news: This Native coalition fought to save their river’s fish for 20 years—and won 
Also: In Australia, Aboriginal rangers race to save the last sawfish

Today’s Soundtrack: Evolve, Phish

Today’s newsletter was edited and curated by David Beard and produced by Alisher Egamov. Thanks to Crystal Henry for surfacing that image of an orca wearing a fish on its head. Sign up here to
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