woolly mammoth
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'Resurrected' mammoth DNA helps explain why the species went extinct
Reviving the woolly mammoth is still a tall order. However, technology might be far enough along to help explain why the elephant precursor went extinct in the first place. Scientists have 'resurrected' genes from a population of mammoths that survived on a Siberian island until around 4,000 years ago to see what might have contributed to this relic herd dying out. After resurrecting a mammoth's genes through cells in culture, they compared it against both other mammoths and Asian elephants to look for problematic mutations based on known genetic behavior.
The Daily Grind: What's the coolest mount you've ever owned?
It's a special day when a boy or girl dings 16 and the trainers take him or her out for ice cream and a beginner mount. With a license to ride tucked inside a cloak pocket, the rider hesitantly takes the reins, yells "GIDDYUP!" and proceeds to fly across the landscape faster than a really lazy eye can follow. However, the novelty of merely owning a mount isn't enough after a while. Instead, envious eyes glance at the latest showroom models, admiring the sleek curves and fancy new features (like front and side saddle airbags). Some of these higher-end units may be faster, while others sport a rare coat of fur. Envy morphs into slavering lust and unquenchable need for the best mount on the block, and before you know it, everyone's caught the fever. So what's the coolest mount you've ever owned? What horse or tiger or woolly mammoth made you drool in anticipation for the next time you'd need to whip it out of your backpack for a jaunt across a zone? What made it so special: the features, the speed, the look or the rarity? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
