©Emilio Mármol Sánchez
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- specimen /SPES-uh-muhn/
- relentless /ri-LENT-lis/
- hail /heyl/
- fragile /FRAJ-uhl/
- essence /ES-uhns/
[noun] – something shown or examined as an example; a typical example
He has a collection of rare insect specimens.
[adjective] – continuing in a severe or extreme way
His relentless pursuit of wealth and power led him to sacrifice his personal relationships and well-being.
[verb] – to publicly praise or acclaim
As the successful entrepreneur shared her innovative ideas at the conference, she was hailed by the audience for her groundbreaking contributions to the tech industry.
[adjective] – easily damaged or broken
Some of the more fragile items are kept in a locked case.
[noun] – the basic or most important idea or quality of something
The essence of his argument was that education should continue throughout life.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
In a groundbreaking achievement, geneticists have successfully extracted and decoded RNA molecules from an extinct species, shedding new light on the long-lost Tasmanian tiger. This remarkable feat was accomplished by researchers who took tissue samples from a 130-year-old preserved Tasmanian tiger specimen at the Swedish Museum of Natural History in Stockholm. The findings, detailed in a study published in the scientific journal Genome Research, provide valuable insights into the genetics and biology of this enigmatic marsupial predator.The Tasmanian tiger, which vanished from most of its habitats around 2,000 years ago due to relentless hunting by European settlers, left only a small population on the Australian island state of Tasmania. While the primary goal of this research was not to bring the species back to life, the newfound knowledge of the thylacine’s genetic makeup may contribute to ongoing efforts at de-extinction. Andrew Pask, leading a project aimed at resurrecting the Tasmanian tiger, hailed this discovery as “groundbreaking” and emphasized its potential to deepen our understanding of extinct creatures and enhance genome reconstruction.
Recent breakthroughs challenge the belief that only DNA could survive in ancient samples. This study successfully retrieved fragile RNA from the Tasmanian tiger, a genetic material known to degrade faster than DNA. This achievement opens doors to exploring RNA in extinct animals, including the woolly mammoth. By sequencing RNA from the specimen’s tissues and identifying thylacine-specific genes, the research team unveils new avenues for understanding the animal’s biology in unprecedented detail. In essence, RNA provides scientists with a closer look at an extinct species’ metabolism and biology, much like exploring various recipes in a vast cookbook, complementing traditional DNA-based knowledge.
Recent breakthroughs challenge the belief that only DNA could survive in ancient samples. This study successfully retrieved fragile RNA from the Tasmanian tiger, a genetic material known to degrade faster than DNA. This achievement opens doors to exploring RNA in extinct animals, including the woolly mammoth. By sequencing RNA from the specimen’s tissues and identifying thylacine-specific genes, the research team unveils new avenues for understanding the animal’s biology in unprecedented detail. In essence, RNA provides scientists with a closer look at an extinct species’ metabolism and biology, much like exploring various recipes in a vast cookbook, complementing traditional DNA-based knowledge.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you encountered a scientific breakthrough or discovery in your lifetime that significantly changed your perspective on a particular field of study or the world in general? If yes, how did it affect your understanding, and if not, can you imagine how such a discovery might impact your perspective on science or the world?
- Do you believe that scientific research, like the extraction of RNA from extinct species, has the potential to reshape our understanding of nature and the past? If yes, can you provide examples or insights into how such research has already done so? If not, what factors do you think might limit the transformative impact of scientific discoveries?
- Do you think the discovery of RNA extraction from an extinct Tasmanian tiger is a significant scientific achievement?
- How might the ability to extract RNA from extinct species change the way we approach conservation efforts for endangered species today? What ethical considerations should be taken into account when applying this knowledge?
- In what ways could the study of ancient RNA lead to breakthroughs in fields beyond biology, such as medicine or environmental science? How might this knowledge be harnessed for broader scientific advancements?
Summarization
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- retrieve
- belief
- avenue
- extinct
- habitat