Breakthrough Therapy for Deafness and the Fascinating History of Dog Domestication

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A breakthrough therapy called DB OTO has revolutionized deafness treatment with a minimally invasive procedure, offering a one-time solution and marking a new era in deafness treatment. The success of the trial named Cord is expanding to recruit more children from the UK, Spain and the US, part of a global effort against genetic deafness. In parallel, the captivating history of dog domestication unveils the intricate evolution of dogs from wolves due to interactions involving ecology, genetics, and society. Theories of self-domestication and human influence in capturing and raising wolf pups leading to the modern dog breed are explored. Genetic studies indicate dog-wolf genetic divergence occurred 20,000 to 40,000 years ago, with evidence suggesting multiple domestication events in Europe and Asia. Despite ongoing research on timelines, locations, and influencing factors, the domestication of dogs remains an intriguing and complex topic.

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In this episode of Discover Daily, we explore a range of fascinating topics from around the world. We begin by discussing the recent G4 geomagnetic storm that impacted Earth, causing disturbances in the planet's magnetic field and potentially affecting power grids and communication systems. The episode then shifts focus to a protest at Tesla's Gigafactory in Germany, where activists clashed with police over concerns about the environmental impact of the company's expansion plans and the broader implications of lithium mining for electric vehicle batteries.

Next, we explore the world of online dating, examining Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd's vision for an AI-powered "dating concierge" that could handle initial interactions between potential partners. While this concept has generated interest, it has also raised questions about the role of AI in human relationships and the ethical considerations surrounding such technology. The episode then celebrates a groundbreaking gene therapy trial that successfully restored hearing to a young British girl, marking the first time this approach has been used to treat auditory neuropathy and offering hope for those with similar genetic hearing conditions.

Finally, we explore the complex history of dog domestication, discussing theories of self-domestication and directed domestication, as well as recent genetic evidence suggesting multiple domestication events in Europe and Asia. The episode highlights the interplay of ecological, genetic, and social factors that have shaped the evolution of dogs from their wolf ancestors and the ongoing debates in the scientific community about the exact timeline and processes involved in this remarkable journey.

From Perplexity's Discover feed:

Severe geomagnetic storm hits Earth
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/Severe-geomagnetic-storm-NcL7m.JiR7qWAsDtmcbDcg

Protestors storm Tesla Gigafactory
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/Protestors-storm-Tesla-sec7yAlFTlS0MFUsoADbTQ

Bumble's AI dating concierge
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/Bumbles-AI-dating-HpWEQH6uSG2ZYl8i.0hMGw

Gene therapy trial restores hearing
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/Gene-therapy-trial-aKuZbEGbQfurdauGCK5VZA

Rethinking dog evolution
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/Rethin

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