0:00

Here's a cool fact. A crocodile

0:03

can't stick out its tongue. Another

0:05

cool fact, you can get short-term health insurance

0:07

for a month or just under a year

0:09

in some states. UnitedHealthcare short-term insurance

0:11

plans are designed for people who are between

0:14

jobs, coming off their parents plan or turning

0:16

a side hustle into a full-time gig. Underwritten

0:19

by Golden Rule Insurance Company, they

0:21

offer flexible budget- friendly coverage with

0:23

access to a nationwide network of

0:25

doctors and hospitals. Get more cool

0:27

facts about UnitedHealthcare short-term plans at

0:29

uh1.com. I.

0:37

You're about to get smarter and just a

0:39

few minutes with curiosity. Daily from discovery time

0:41

flies really learning super cool stuff on neat.

0:44

And I'm Kelly. If you're dropping into the

0:46

first time welcome to Curiosity where we him

0:48

to blow your mind for helping you to

0:50

go your mind If you're loyal listener welcome

0:52

back! And for those of us keeping track

0:55

happy three hundred episode of Curiosity Daily, we

0:57

couldn't do it without you the listener. So

0:59

thank you from everyone here Curiosity for tuning

1:01

in each week. Today you'll learn

1:04

about a massive database of human

1:06

genome that's uncovering major new genetic

1:08

discoveries, the scientists building stone age

1:10

tools from scratch and then putting

1:12

them to work, and a treasure

1:14

trove of deep sea discoveries in

1:16

an underwater mountain range. Without further

1:18

ado, let's satisfy some curiosity. And.

1:21

Endeavor initiated by the National Institutes of

1:23

Health called the All of Us Research

1:25

Program is aiming to gather the genomic

1:27

and health data from over a million

1:29

people when they're after good start. So

1:31

they've gathered almost a quarter of a

1:34

million genomes. Cheese. That as a

1:36

ton of data and it's almost like a

1:38

treasure trove. What are they planning to do

1:40

with all of it? That. Is actually where

1:42

the story is really interesting. So

1:44

they've just revealed that out of

1:46

those nearly two hundred fifty thousand

1:49

genomes, they have identified over two

1:51

hundred seventy five million new genetic

1:53

markers. And. Maybe that is such

1:55

a huge number that it seems kind of

1:57

meaningless, but it actually has some big implications.

2:00

Oh okay, yeah, that number is actually

2:02

really. Hard to wrap your. Head

2:04

around so these are a brand new

2:06

genetic markers and. Can you give

2:09

me an example Shirt Amuse. They

2:11

aren't actually new, they've just not

2:13

been discovered until. and they claim

2:15

of they were able to identify

2:17

over six hundred genetic markers associated

2:19

with type two diabetes. nearly a

2:21

hundred fifty of which were previously

2:23

unreported. So imagine that you're a

2:25

doctor or a geneticist trying to help someone

2:28

understand their risk for type two diabetes. You.

2:30

Suddenly have a whole bunch of

2:32

new tools in your toolbox and.

2:35

That means that your risk assessment to

2:37

be a lot more precise and accurate.

2:39

Exactly. Okay, so where did they get

2:41

all this data? Oh great. Question Because

2:44

there's another major breakthrough in the Story

2:46

of Be All Of Us program set

2:48

out to speed up health research and

2:50

medical breakthroughs by gathering truly enormous amounts

2:53

of data. People can opt in to

2:55

give their genomic data anonymised of course,

2:57

along with other optional data like fitbit

3:00

data, health surveys, nothing. But one

3:02

of the most striking things about this

3:04

is that they claim that about forty

3:06

six percent of participants belong to what

3:08

could be considered a minority, racial or

3:10

ethnic group. That's amazing. I know

3:12

minority groups have been pretty underrepresented

3:14

in health studies historically. Right? Or

3:17

that's an understatement. The world's largest

3:19

whole genome dataset is called the

3:21

Uk Biobank and consists of around

3:23

half a million genome. Budget.

3:25

This eighty eight percent of those the

3:27

gnomes are from white people. Wow.

3:29

So that must have an effect on genetic.

3:32

Tests right? Oh, it sure does.

3:34

Certain populations have higher or lower

3:36

risks for certain conditions. Take.

3:38

The example of Type Two diabetes. Without.

3:40

A full genetic picture of an entire racial

3:42

or ethnic group. College and At

3:44

Risk scores which than predicted individuals risk

3:46

of developing a disease based on their

3:48

genetics. Just. Aren't accurate?

3:51

In. Other words: Until now, genetic testing

3:53

is breeds. If you're of

3:55

European descent, otherwise it's just not as

3:58

accurate as could be. So is. The

4:00

already having an impact. Yes, using the

4:02

all of Us dataset, researchers were able

4:04

to improve the accuracy of those podium

4:07

at risk scores for around twenty three

4:09

different conditions, recommending that ten of them

4:11

get clinical priority. But. That's just

4:13

the beginning. They. Have a huge endowment, and

4:15

play on gathering a million genomes by the

4:17

end of Twenty Twenty Six. The. Impact

4:19

of that data will be felt for decades.

4:22

And once I know to think about all

4:24

that data would have been utterly useless in

4:26

the past. Rights Imagine putting each genome and

4:28

like a manila file folder and stashing them

4:30

all over him. A. Giant warehouse. Yeah,

4:33

we've made such huge leaps and data

4:35

analysis and algorithmic search. The researchers meaningfully

4:37

sift through as much data as you

4:39

throw at them, and that is where a

4:41

database like this will inevitably lead to

4:43

unheard of breakthroughs in years to come.

4:46

And without the kind of incredible diversity

4:48

of data they're gathering, it would only

4:50

be helpful to select feel. Let's see

4:52

London mysterious looking tool in the shed

4:54

and you. Weren't exactly sure what was used

4:56

for. What would you do To

4:58

first off, I just I reject the premise that

5:01

I find it too. I don't recognize the support

5:03

for the sake of the story. I

5:05

guess I would hold it, see how to

5:07

balance which is shape? Maybe try to use

5:09

it for different jobs. C O L words

5:11

for. That is exactly

5:13

what researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University

5:16

did except the tools they were

5:18

setting came from the stone. Okay,

5:22

wow. Imagine to the

5:24

he's so he's tools like that would

5:26

be super cool. But others and being

5:28

cool like what were they trying to

5:30

figure out? Exactly So much in fact,

5:32

That tools that people use tell us lot

5:34

about them. So let's talk about the study a

5:37

little bit and give you some examples as.

5:39

Usual, they were using the actual

5:41

tools because doing that would risk

5:43

ruining them obviously. Instead, They used

5:46

period accurate technique to craft a

5:48

replica stone tools mimicking those from

5:50

the early Upper Paleolithic age, which

5:52

was over thirty thousand. Years. Ago So

5:54

they made dupes. Copies

5:56

more like and then they use them.

5:58

They perform tasks, Three hoeing, hi

6:01

processing, and butchering and then they just

6:03

cannot carry them around like your average

6:05

stone age person might have. They. Even

6:08

tried something on them of scientific. Just

6:10

thinking in terms of science here. now

6:12

what kind of data where the gathering

6:14

I mean, the feeling of cutting down

6:16

a tree with one of these tools

6:19

is subjective. Just. Doing that to

6:21

be doesn't really tell us whether or not

6:23

the Saudis people did the same thing right?

6:25

That's a great point. I'm glad you brother,

6:27

That's because you're right. That's why they

6:29

were looking at macroscopic and microscopic traces

6:31

on the tools edges to make a

6:33

comprehensive data set of were patterns. Ah

6:36

were patterns now reagan Some works mean

6:38

if I use a circular saw for

6:40

example it's going to wear differently if

6:42

I cut through of fact is timber

6:44

then if I'm slice into a quarter

6:46

and sheet of plywood. Exactly the combination

6:48

of large visible fractures and tiny microscopic

6:50

were patterns. Given a more reliable way

6:53

to deduce whether or not at all

6:55

is used to sell would for example

6:57

and that is where the takes a

6:59

really surprising twist. It's always been thought

7:01

that the neolithic era, which is roughly

7:03

ten thousand years ago, marked the dawn

7:05

of advanced woodworking. But if these

7:07

tools that go back more than thirty

7:10

thousand years to be proven to have

7:12

been used for woodworking. Than

7:14

researchers might have to rethink their

7:16

history. You got it. So far,

7:18

they haven't fully completed the analysis of

7:20

they're probably still stuff the only things,

7:22

but it's the same kind of traces

7:25

from their new tools are identified and

7:27

real artifacts from this period. It could

7:29

drastically alter our understanding of early human

7:31

tech advancements and show that people in

7:33

the. Sunnis are just don't workers.

7:35

They were carpenters. Here's

7:41

a cool. facts. A crocodile

7:43

can't stick out. It's another.

7:45

Call fact, you can get short term health

7:47

insurance for a month or just under a

7:49

year, and some states United Healthcare short term

7:52

Insurance plans are designed for people who are

7:54

between jobs, coming off their parents plan, or

7:56

turning a side hustle into a full time

7:58

gig underwritten by Golden Rule. Underwritten by

8:00

Golden Rule Insurance Company, they offer

8:02

flexible, budget-friendly coverage with access to

8:05

a nationwide network of doctors and hospitals.

8:07

Get more cool facts about UnitedHealthcare's short-term

8:09

plans at uh1.org. Researchers.

8:14

And recently began exploring and eighteen hundred

8:16

mile long mountain seen that has likely

8:18

never been seen by humanize. Oh.

8:21

Hey, how could there be a mountain chain

8:23

that long that no one does? Seem that

8:25

image from it's underwater. He.

8:28

Forgot to mention that are well if you

8:30

are a fan of wild expeditions to uncharted

8:32

train, visit the story for you. And.

8:34

International team of scientists embarked on a

8:36

mission to explore seamounts along be solace

8:39

he Gomez Ridge which stretches from the

8:41

coast of Chile all the way to

8:43

Easter Island nearly two thousand miles see.

8:45

They. Mapped over twenty thousand square miles

8:47

of sea floor and explored at least

8:50

for new seamounts. Cool. Though gay, what

8:52

were they looking for? Well. To begin

8:54

to answer that, consider this: The surface

8:56

of the world's oceans make up about

8:58

a hundred thirty nine million square miles.

9:01

The average depth runs over twelve

9:03

thousand feet. And the ocean makes

9:05

up something like seventy. Percent of their

9:07

surface Or a yeah, exactly. And yet

9:10

less than a quarter of the sea

9:12

floor has been mapped. And with all

9:14

that unexplored area comes undiscovered habitats and

9:17

never before seen life forms. Biodiversity

9:19

Course these underwater mountains.

9:21

Just. Must be teeming with life will. They

9:23

thought they'd find a lot of biomass, but

9:25

they weren't prepared for just how rich and

9:28

flush with life these evidence work. But.

9:30

Before we get into that, let's talk text. right?

9:33

How on Earth did they scanned such

9:35

a massive area? They. Used Malt

9:37

I been Sown are dated creed detailed

9:39

maps that homed in on the topography

9:41

of the sea floor, which led them

9:43

to visualize the seamounts they wanted to

9:45

explore. And then they sent in the

9:47

robots a submersible call B R O

9:49

V. Sebastian. Could. Save with I've

9:51

more than fourteen thousand feet to collect

9:53

both data and samples from the seamounts.

9:56

So I would guess at different depths have

9:58

different ecosystems are a bad. What's amazing

10:00

about seamounts? Think about the high be

10:02

so the Rockies around fourteen thousand feet

10:04

high rate. And. That's how far

10:06

these seamounts rise from the sea

10:09

floor. So imagine all the different

10:11

creatures, habitats, and ecosystems you'd pass

10:13

on a site up a high

10:15

mountain. Swear, that's kind of an

10:17

amazingly to think about it, right?

10:19

But now imagine that many of

10:21

the creatures you past haven't been

10:23

seen by anyone. Ever. The.

10:26

Team said that they have potentially discovered

10:28

more than a hundred new species. They

10:30

say that the amount of new sponges

10:32

alone was mind blowing. But. They

10:34

also sport deep sea coral reefs,

10:37

squat lobsters, whiplash squid, and oblong

10:39

der mechanism urchins. Nearly seventeen hundred

10:41

feet below the waves Cool. So

10:44

what's next for these adventures? They're

10:46

already back out on a second

10:48

expedition and their blaze a livestream

10:51

some of the dives they note

10:53

that species identification candid years but

10:56

if their suspicions are correct, They.

10:58

Have likely uncovered and will uncover

11:01

potentially hundreds of new species. Let's

11:03

recap of Wheeler Today to wrap

11:05

up. The. All of Us

11:07

research program has unveiled groundbreaking findings

11:10

from an analysis of two hundred

11:12

forty five thousand genomes, identifying over

11:14

two hundred seventy five million new

11:17

genetic markers, and reviewing critical gaps

11:19

in genetic research for non white

11:21

populations. Researchers. Have used

11:23

replica stone age tools to reveal

11:25

that early humans may have developed

11:27

sophisticated woodworking. Techniques far earlier than

11:29

previously. Thought as evidenced by unique

11:31

where patterns on the tools. Scientists.

11:34

Exploring these solace, he gomez Ridges

11:36

seamounts off the coast of July

11:39

with advanced technology have discovered over

11:41

one hundred potential new species. Curiosity.

11:45

Daily is produced by Wheelhouse Dna for Discovery.

11:47

You can find her show where have you

11:49

get your podcasts and we love you can

11:51

leave us a five star view on Apple

11:54

podcasts or spot of us are. Discovery Executive

11:56

Producer Dominic. so are we allowed

11:58

the an executive producer. Lieberman

12:00

Fisher was hosted by Kelly Gave and

12:02

need bottom. Our producer is Chiara know

12:05

any and are associate producer is to my

12:07

of Floyd. Writing is done by Sam Osterhaus.

12:09

Sound Design, Audio Engineering and editing

12:11

by Nick. Curiously. I a barnum. And

12:14

I'm Kelly Gauge, what's the next week? Hey.

12:25

Have you plan to anything fun

12:27

lately? Well it's too late for

12:29

some sunshine. Just had to. Call

12:39

Centers Amazing sushi.

12:42

Coughing a lot. I mean

12:44

what is your. Plan

12:49

your local Leos argue that away travel

12:51

a lot of the day. Alone.