The hushed-up attacks on America; where 900-pound pumpkins are grown; radioactive animals

Plus, do generic drugs work as well as brand name?  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌    ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  

 

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DID YOU KNOW OF THESE WWII STRIKES? FEW DID. Thursday, September 21, 2023

In today’s newsletter, we learn about little-known WWII attacks on U.S. soil, discover freakishly large fruits and veggies grown in Alaska, question why this proven cold medicine isn’t on store shelves ... and try to figure out how quickly the universe is expanding.

PHOTOGRAPH BY NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE US NAVY Did you know about the balloon bomb attacks on America? The lurking U-boats off the coast? The mysterious object flying in Los Angeles’ night sky? After the nation’s panic following Japan’s surprise Pearl Harbor attack, World War II America often quashed news of these feints toward U.S. shores (pictured above, a disabled balloon bomb in San Francisco). Only now are we getting a fuller picture. 9,000 BALLOON BOMBS

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STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

PHOTOGRAPH BY CLARK JAMES MISHLER

Why freakishly large fruits and vegetables thrive in Alaska (Above, the world record 137.8-pound cabbage, at the state fair.) ‘Nature does not forget’: These 4 animals are radioactive Free COVID tests to be available in U.S. by mail; other things to know about the resurgance This video game might actually be good for your mental health Do generic drugs work as well as brand name? Here’s what to know. Want to live longer? Influence your genes.

Do pets really make people happier and healthier? The Freemasons have inspired centuries of conspiracy—this is their real history Do earthquake warning apps really work? ‘They emanate light’: Illuminating the lives of Mexico’s Indigenous people Which cities will still be livable in a world altered by climate change?

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

PHOTOGRAPH BY GIPHOTOSTOCK, CULTURA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY Feeling congested? Cold and and flu season is upon us, which has us questioning: Why isn’t this proven cold medicine on store shelves? After the FDA ruled that a key ingredient in popular meds like Dayquil and Sudafed PE doesn’t work, we’re turning back toward pseudoephedrine (shown above). HOW DO YOU GET IT?

PHOTO OF THE DAY

PHOTOGRAPH BY AMI VITALE Holding on: In 2018, Joseph Wachira, a keeper at a conservancy in Kenya, said goodbye to the last male northern white rhino in the world (shown above). Only two females of the subspecies remain. In preparation for World Rhino Day tomorrow, we reflect on the lessons learned while documenting the rhino’s death. Related: There are two northern white rhinos left on Earth. Can a controversial approach save them? SAYING GOODBYE

LAST GLIMPSE

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBERT GENDLER, SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY The mystery deepens: The universe was born about 13.8 billion years ago, and it has continued to expand in every direction ever since. But how fast is it expanding? And what does that mean for us? (Pictured above, the spiral galaxy NGC 4258.) HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW

Correction: Thanks to alert readers Karen Curren and Ann Maggs, who noted an errant letter in our intro in yesterday’s newsletter about genes, lifestyle, and prostate cancer. Your take: Our story on the decline of cursive writing has struck a chord with readers. Do you think teachers should redouble efforts at cursive handwriting? Let us know! Today’s soundtrack: I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter, Fats Waller We hope this newsletter brightened your Thursday! It was curated and edited by David Beard, Hannah Farrow, Nancy San Martín, and Jen Tse. Know someone who might want our newsletter in their inbox? Here’s the signup.

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