In today’s Discovery: This country’s famous lakes are drying up at an alarming rate, mysterious human ancestors are changing what we know about our own evolution, the first AI-assisted IVF babies, and volcanoes are being linked to the spread of the Black Death. 

But first: Scientists might have unearthed the oldest evidence of fire-making.

Figuring out when early humans and their relatives lit flames deliberately is hard because natural and manmade fires look similar in the archaeological record. But if recent findings hold up, it would push back the advent of fire-making by more than quarter of a million years.

PAID CONTENT FOR ELI LILLY

Caring for the caretaker with Alzheimer's

Margaret and her family are confronting the early stages of Alzheimer's as she shifts from being the "superhuman mom" to needing support. While managing appointments and confusion, they focus on strengthening their bond through gardening and planning a long-anticipated trip to Okinawa.

Today’s newsletter was edited and curated by Sidney Madden and produced by Alisher Egamov. Did someone forward this to you? Sign up for our other newsletters here.