Page 26 - 2002 DT 12 issues

Artificial Spider-silk ○ typically used in producing man-made ○ ◆ proposals for a Scenic Drive shuttle
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fibers, and the fiber is expected to be ○ will be studied along with less costly and
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team of scientists at Nexia ○ biodegradable over time. ○ more flexible options, a process expected
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Biotechnologies in Quebec and ○ In 1977, silk-protein genes were ○ to take at least five years.
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Aat the U.S. Army Soldier ○ cloned by inserting them into bacteria and ○ ○ ◆ a new Visitor Center complex will:
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Biological Chemical Command in ○ yeast cells, but the product wasn’t like ○ provide office space for Red Rock
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Natick, Mass., announced in the January ○ ○ the real thing. In January, 2000, Nexia ○ personnel now located off-premises,
issue of the journal Science, that they ○ announced the birth of two goats that ○ including law enforcement personnel;
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have produced artificial dragline spider- ○ ○ were bioengineered to produce silk- ○ ○ allow separate storage for changing
silk from mammal cells. Silk-protein ○ proteins. An expanded herd is expected ○ exhibit elements; separate staff offices
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genes from two different species of spider ○ to begin producing milk in the second ○ from visitor facilities; facilitate more area
were inserted into hamster cells which ○ ○ quarter of this year. ○ for environmental education activities
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secreted large amounts of a protein called ○ ○ and Visitor Center programs. No time
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ADF-3. A purified and concentrated ○ ○ frame has been announced.
solution was then spun into “the world’s ○ ○ ◆ volunteer help is needed for graffiti
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first spider-silk fibers from man-made ○ ○ ○ removal using new portable sandblasters.
materials with properties similar in ○ ○ ○ Call Jim Cribbs.
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natural spider-silk,” according to the ○ ○ ○
company’s press release. While the fiber ○ ○ ○ ○
is similar to dragline silk in toughness ○ ○ Letter to Governor Guinn
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(tensile strength), it has lower strength ○ ○ ○
(tenacity). Under the trademark ○ ○ ○ he following letter was sent to
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BioSteel®, the company will market it ○ ○ ○ Governor Kenny Guinn on
for applications in the medical, military, ○ ○ ○TFebruary 22, 2002 regarding the
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and industrial performance fiber markets. ○ ○ current 60 mph speed limit on SR 159
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○ General Meeting Notes
Fascinated and frustrated by the ○ ○ ○ (Charleston Blvd.):
amazing qualities of spider-silk, scientists ○ ○
have been studying its properties for over he first General Membership ○ Dear Governor Guinn,
a hundred years. Recent genetic ○ ○ Meeting of the year was held at ○ ○
technologies have allowed scientists to ○T the Visitor Center on February 23. ○ I am asking for your assistance in our
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identify some of the silk-making genes ○ ○ efforts to lower the speed limit on State
of these tiny titans. Although research ○ ○ ◆ a motion was approved to appoint an ○ ○ Route 159, which transects Red Rock
has produced various “silk fibers,” ○ ○ Assistant Treasurer as a non-voting mem- ○ Canyon National Conservation Area. As
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replicating the amazing properties of ○ ber of the Board of Directors. Qualified ○ ○ President of Friends of Red Rock Can-
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dragline silk—the toughest kind of spider- ○ persons should contact Chuck Williams, ○ ○ yon, I represent our 330 members as well
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silk—has proved elusive. Even the latest ○ 395-7080. ○ as the Red Rock Canyon Users Associa-
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breakthrough by Nexia has failed to ○ ◆ copies of the Membership Survey ○ ○ tion. This group consists of representa-
produce silk fiber of the quality ○ and 2002 Planning Document were ○ tives from the following organizations:
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needed for applications the Army most ○ distributed and will be available at the ○
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desires—bulletproof vests stronger than ○ Visitor Center upon request. ○ Friends of Red Rock Canyon
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Kevlar®, p arachutes, industrial ○ ◆ Friends will sponsor a Red Rock ○ The Sierra Club
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strength lightweight combat gear and ○ Canyon Photo Contest in four categories: ○ ○ National Wild Horse Association
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durable clothing. ○ insects, mammals, Red Rock Canyon ○ Bureau of Land Management
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Nexia’s development is significant ○ ○ landscape, and Mojave Desert. Details ○ Trails Coalition
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though, because it uses an aqueous ○ will be announced. ○ Friends of Nevada Wilderness
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process, mimicking the spider’s way of ○ Acting National Conservation Area ○ Outside Las Vegas Foundation
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spinning silk. The company claims that ○ Manager, Mark Rekshynskyj, answered ○ ○ Master Gardeners
this process is environmentally friendly ○ questions and gave a general overview ○ Basin and Range Trail Advocates
because it does not require the solvents of plans and proposals for the Canyon: Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association
Page 2 FORRC/April, 2002