Pour myself a cup of ambition

Skimm’d with the “it” card of 2024 — Check out what we Skimm’d for you today January 17, 2024 [Subscribe]( [Read in browser]( [theSkimm Logo] Daily Skimm [Together with]( [Ascent Logo]( Skimm’d with [the “it” card of 2024]( [Update location]( or [View forecast]( [Teal Quotes] “I'm good like that” — [Whoopi Goldberg]( on possibly having experience in a polyamorous relationship. Whoop, whoop. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=Whoopi Goldberg has some experience #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) Top Story [Somatic cell nuclear transfer] Monkey Dupe The Story For the first time ever, a [cloned rhesus monkey]( reached adulthood. And clones usually live how long…? Another rhesus monkey cloned in 2022 reportedly lived [less than 12 hours](. Here's how the animal cloning process typically works: Scientists take a nucleus from a cell of the original animal’s body, stick it into an egg cell, grow it et voilà : animal dupe. But the vast majority of cloning efforts fail, with many embryos developing birth defects or not making it. This time, Shanghai-based researchers [switched up the process]( so the clone could develop a healthier placenta. Researchers think this could have helped reduce birth defects. And that helped this rhesus monkey? It may have. ReTro, short for "trophoblast replacement," surpassed the age of 2 (adulthood for rhesus monkeys, apparently) and is still going strong, according to the study. In case you need a reminder, here’s a walk down memory lane or ‘Where Are They Now: Clones Edition’: - [Dolly the Sheep](: In 1996, Dolly became the first successfully cloned mammal. She even went on to become a [mother herself]( (a big deal since many didn’t know if cloned animals could reproduce). In 2003, she was euthanized after developing a lung condition. - [Millie, Christa, Carrel, Dotcom, and Alexis](: Five piglets cloned in 2000 (special shoutout to whoever named Dotcom). Four of the piglets survived past six months, with three dying of heart failure. Still, many saw this as a step toward getting organs to humans in need of things like heart transplants (which researchers are [still working on](). - [Copy Cat](: In 2001, scientists at Texas A&M University cloned the first cat, naming her CC for Copy Cat. She lived to the age of 18 and died after being diagnosed with kidney failure. Still, she lived a relatively normal cat life and had three kittens of her own. - [Snuppy](: The first doggo to be cloned, in 2005. Since then, the market for cloned dogs has [grown](, with hundreds of cloned dogs now walking amongst us (if you walk amongst the [wealthy](). Some apparently have different personalities than the OG pooch. Why are people cloning rhesus monkeys again? [Medical research](. Monkeys are biologically similar to humans, which is why ReTro doing well is a big deal. Researchers in China reportedly say that it could help with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s research down the road. Still, one critic reportedly said cloning animals drains resources, with ReTro being the one successful clone out of 484 attempts involving seven surrogate monkeys. Some have also raised concerns about animal welfare and whether this could pave a path toward [human cloning](. This is in addition to all the [regular ethical concerns]( over animal testing. theSkimm The rhesus monkey may not be the flashiest of animals to have been cloned — but primates are the closest relative to humans. Now the question is: how close to humans is too close for comfort? Related Stories: - [Puppers Can You Hear Me?: Barbara Streisand on Why She Cloned Her Dogs]( - [If You’re Getting Ideas: Here’s the Argument against Cloning Your Doggo]( - [One Company Wants to Use Cloning to Bring Back the Dodo]( [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=Scientists cloned a rhesus monkey and he’s alive and well #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) And Also...This What people are paying attention to… [Iran](. Yesterday, Pakistan said Iran carried out an “unprovoked violation” of its airspace when it targeted a militant group with missiles and drones. Pakistan said the strikes killed two children. Earlier this week, Iran also launched attacks in [Iraq and Syria]( — raising concerns of a wider conflict in the Middle East. Iran [fired missiles]( at Iraq’s Kurdistan region, saying it was targeting Israeli “espionage headquarters” near a US Consulate. The Kurdish government said at least four people died. All of this comes amid the [Israel-Hamas war]( and as the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen [target commercial ships]( in the Red Sea. ...Oh and Qatar and France [worked out a deal]( to bring medicine to Israeli hostages and civilians in Gaza. --------------------------------------------------------------- Who people are talking about... [The suspect in the Gilgo Beach murders](. Yesterday, authorities charged Rex Heuermann with a fourth murder as he awaits trial. In 2010, authorities discovered the bodies of four women not far from Gilgo Beach, New York. The women, dubbed the “[Gilgo Four](,” were known sex workers. Their cases went unsolved for more than a decade, inspiring a film and [Netflix documentary](. In July, authorities had a [break in the case](, arresting and charging Heuermann with three counts of murder. Now, after using [DNA from an energy drink]( his daughter threw out, police have accused Heuermann of killing 25-year-old Maureen Brainard-Barnes — the fourth woman in the Gilgo Four. Heuermann pleaded not guilty to all charges. --------------------------------------------------------------- What's on a roll... [Gene editing therapy](. Yesterday, the FDA cleared Casgevy, a CRISPR gene editing therapy, to treat beta thalassemia. The rare blood disorder affects the body’s production of hemoglobin, which is needed to carry oxygen. It’s typically treated with blood transfusions, which can be taxing on patients. Now, the FDA is giving people another alternative with Casgevy — which was [first approved]( last month for sickle cell disease. The gene therapy’s expected to be available for both blood disorders early this year. --------------------------------------------------------------- What could be feeling like its wings got clipped… [JetBlue](. Yesterday, a federal judge struck down the airline’s $3.8 billion acquisition of Spirit Airlines. The Justice Department argued the merger would throw travelers under the bus by removing the pressure on other airlines to keep their prices low and reduce competition. The ruling didn’t sit well with some investors. Spirit’s shares [dropped]( by about 47%, while JetBlue’s went up by 5%. --------------------------------------------------------------- Who could be ready to hang up his jersey… [Jason Kelce](. --------------------------------------------------------------- What’s not feeling so Uniq... [Uniqlo](. --------------------------------------------------------------- What dropped some big names… [Coachella](. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=Tensions are rising in the Middle East after Iran carried out strikes. JetBlue’s merger plans failed. And Uniqlo is telling Shein ‘back off’ #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) theskimm beta We’re building a tool to help you cross off the to-dos keeping you up at night. Meet [theSkimm Beta](, a space where you can learn how to [manage your debt]( and [get more pleasure](. Check it out. Skimm Picks Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life… 1. A science-backed wellness program that can help you stay motivated. No matter how busy things get. [This app]( uses psychology to help you build healthier habits, then actually stick to them. Plus, Skimm'rs can [try it free for 30 days](.* [Get started]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Sugar-free vitamins kids still love taking. This brand turns 15 essential vitamins and minerals and a blend of 12 fruits and veggies into [one daily multivitamin that helps fill common nutritional gaps](. One thing they leave out? Sugar. PS: Skimm’rs can [get 50% off](.* [Go for it]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Clever things that'll help you organize your closet. Finally, a place for all your hard-to-store [boots]( and neverending collection of [tote bags](. [Decluttered closet](, decluttered mind. [Tidy up]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Sex toys for every person and preference. Partnered or solo, [these toys and accessories]( can make your experience between the sheets (or wherever else you may be) that much more pleasurable. [Play on]( Psst…love our recs? Follow [@skimmshopping]( on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag). On Our Radar The [new Tropic Bowls]( from Tropical Smoothie Cafe. They’re perfect for breakfast, snack time…or whenever you need a mental vacation. With an acai, chia oatmeal pudding, or yogurt base and fruit, granola, and honey toppings, they’re basically spoonfuls of sunshine. [Yum](.* Skimm'rs We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community. Turning a new page…Anna Maria D (PA). She’s an adoptive mom who writes children’s books for blended families focusing on trauma, separation, and grief. Now, she’s leading a writing workshop for middle schoolers in Philadelphia. (Some) Birthdays…Sydney Eason (NY), Debbie Wagner (WI), Elaine Michaels (IL), Keisha Parker (DC), Meghan McCarthy (CT), Lissa George (IN), Lisa Fentress (CO), Claire Crawford (TX), Kennedy Stovall (TX), Tim Pagliaro (MA), Stephanie Schwendinger (NJ), Kathleen Marsh (CT), Joan Gilboy (IL), Tara Wilson (TN) PS: Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out [here]( for a chance to be featured. Skimm'd by: Rashaan Ayesh, Anacaona Rodriguez Martinez, Chantal Vaca, Maria del Carmen Corpus, and Julie Shain --------------------------------------------------------------- Photos by VCG via Getty Images, Brand Partners Design by theSkimm --------------------------------------------------------------- *PS: This is a sponsored post. Want to wake up with us every morning? [Subscribe to the Daily Skimm](. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Instagram Icon]( [Tik Tok Icon]( [Linkedin Logo]( [Twitter icon]( [Facebook icon]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [theSkimm']( Skimm'd something we missed? skimmthis@theSkimm.com Issues? [help@theSkimm.com](mailto:help@theskimm.com) [Advertise with us]( | [Careers]( [See our full sponsor agreement]( | [Update Your Preferences or Unsubscribe](esource=syl&date=20240117) --------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright (c) 2023 theSkimm, All rights reserved. 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