The underwater people

These individuals can spend over 5 hours a day underwater, making them the closest thing we have to real-life mermaids. Meet the Bajau tribe from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. This tribe has developed a unique mutation that allows them to practically live in the sea. Known as the "nomads of the sea," they have resided near the waters of the Sulu Sea by the Philippines for nearly a thousand years. Their homes, built on stilts, are traditional "lepa" houseboats, which facilitate easy access to the water. These small huts can accommodate a family of five, or sometimes even a community of up to 30 people. They are simple to construct, with one hut taking just three weeks to complete, allowing the Bajau to move freely across the seas.

Living in such a watery environment for generations, thriving on spear fishing and shellfish gathering, the Bajau developed unusual adaptations. Rather than superpowered lungs, they have evolved larger spleens, which are 1.5 times the size of a typical human's. The spleen stores oxygenated red blood cells, so having a larger one acts like a natural scuba tank. This adaptation is similar to what occurs in deep-diving seals, which also have enlarged spleens. Scientists discovered that the Bajau possess a special gene, PDE10A, responsible for this trait. As a result, the Bajau can hold their breath for about 10 minutes, compared to an average human’s 30 to 90 seconds, and even the world record of 24 minutes and 37 seconds. The Bajau spend up to 60% of their day underwater, sustaining themselves on a diet rich in sea creatures like lobsters, snails, and sea cucumbers, known for their nutritional and medicinal properties.

The Bajau build their boats by hand, fish using traditional methods, and trade their surplus catch with mainlanders for essential supplies. They also use this money to purchase cassava, which they prepare into their cultural dish called cassava pongi cau. Without refrigerators, they sun-dry their fish, a technique that allows the fish to last for weeks.

Although the Bajau people haven't developed gills or scales, they possess unique underwater abilities. When they dive and hold their breath, their bodies enter a special mode where their heart rate slows down, and their spleen releases extra oxygen into their bloodstream. Typically, the Bajau use traditional wooden goggles and weighted belts, showcasing incredible free-diving skills by conquering depths of over 230 feet. They start learning to swim as early as age 8, if not younger, and simultaneously learn to hunt and survive.

The Bajau also create their own sunscreen, called "bajabuas," primarily made from turmeric and rice powder. Women use it to protect their skin from the harsh sun, and it is particularly popular among unmarried women looking to attract potential spouses.

However, the Bajau's lifestyle hasn’t been without challenges. In the 1950s, the Malaysian government placed the Bajau in a difficult legal situation. After centuries of living as unrestricted nomads, they now have to navigate national borders and bureaucratic hurdles. This means they are neither fully stateless nor officially recognized as citizens of any country. Today, only a few hundred Bajau families live near Semporna, Malaysia, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult to maintain their way of life. Resources are scarce, and new restrictions have emerged, such as limitations on cutting trees for boat repairs. These challenges are slowly pushing the Bajau toward a more settled, yet uncertain, life on land, often in places like the Bangu Bangu settlement. Without citizenship, they have no formal rights to jobs or education, making modern life especially challenging.

Imagine being able to see millions more colors than everyone else. That’s what tetrachromats can do. Tetrachromacy is a condition where an individual has an extra type of cone cell in their eyes, allowing them to perceive a wider range of colors. While a typical person sees about 10 million colors, tetrachromats might see up to 100 million. This mutation requires two X chromosomes, so it primarily occurs in women. Surprisingly, about 12% of women may possess this unique condition, although many don’t even realize they have it. Spotting and studying tetrachromats can be challenging, especially since most scientists can only see around 10 million colors themselves. However, with special training, tetrachromats might unlock the full potential of their extraordinary vision.

Marfan syndrome is another genetic condition, affecting the body's connective tissues and making them more elastic. This can result in unusual height, elongated limbs, and extreme flexibility, which some people have used to their advantage. Javier Botet, for example, was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome at a young age but has built a career in the horror film industry. His ability to contort his body in eerie ways has landed him roles in numerous films such as *Mama*, *The Conjuring 2*, *It*, and *Slender Man*. However, Marfan syndrome is a spectrum disorder, and while some people live relatively normal lives, others may face serious health issues.

Some people may wish they needed less sleep to have more time. For a select few, that wish has come true. While most adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night, some can function well on just 4 to 6 hours, thanks to a genetic mutation in the DEC2 gene. This mutation affects the production of orexin, a hormone involved in wakefulness, causing morning hormones to be released earlier and fading away before dawn. Discovered in a family of natural short sleepers, this rare mutation allows them to go to bed at a normal time (11 p.m. to midnight) and wake up at 5 a.m. without any issues.

It might sound like something out of a comic book, but some humans have super strength. Accidental mutations can result in titanic strength without the need for intense workout routines. Two proteins, myostatin and activin A, are normally secreted by muscle cells to suppress excessive growth, regulating muscle size and preventing us from looking like bodybuilders without trying. However, in rare cases, people with a condition known as myostatin-related muscle hypertrophy don’t produce these proteins, allowing their muscles to grow extraordinarily large, resulting in super strength. While it may seem like a blessing, this condition comes with risks, including muscle imbalance, heart issues, and joint problems.

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