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Scientists Crack Silk's Secret

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the screw-cotton dept.

AEton writes "Researchers at Tufts University have reportedly discovered the mechanism by which spidersilk is produced. Besides the obvious use as a Kevlar substitute in bulletproof vests, silk has applications in microprocessor production, nanoscale optical fiber, a and any other application requiring strength and flexbility. Scientists have long grappled with the issue of creating silk; artificial silk is inferior to the real stuff, and the spiders can't be farmed (when you put them too close together, they eat each other). The method these Tufts researchers have found makes "strong silk" production feasible; if they can make it economical, the impact on safety equipment alone makes this material a worthwhile investment."

8 of 408 comments (clear)

  1. It's already been done by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    We call this religion 'Islam.'

    1. Re:It's already been done by Choobius+Gothicus · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      The mere fact that you point this out does not exempt you from being a bigot or a fanatic. Objectivity is the antithesis of bigotry, and you my friend are certainly not objective in your opinion of Islam. Your outcome is possibly a feel-good success story for media conglomerates around the world by making this inference as well. How does it feel to have your mind molded into Fox's "fair and balanced" status quo, instead of being able to think for yourself? Bye.

    2. Re:It's already been done by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait
      Take a look at the history of the Moslem peoples.

      Up until about 4-500 years ago, they were at the forefront of technological development, outpacing any other existing group.

      Then they decided technology was bad and Allah good and anything not done in Allah's name (i.e. science) bad.

      Then a few hundred years later Islam's jingos decided that while technology was bad, acquiring others' in the name of waging coward war was decidedly good, and bring on the virgins!

    3. Re:It's already been done by dfenstrate · · Score: -1, Flamebait

      More euro-troll GWB bashing. Rather old by now, don't you think? You folks better get used to the US kicking ass until at least 2008, because the democratic field for the 2004 election is nothing but a socialist, impotent circle-jerk, a gang that's not fooling nearly enough of the US to land the office.

      Look, maybe no one pointed this out to you, but America has been pulling off a strange mix of science and faith for the past 250 years, and we're the most successful nation on the face of the earth because of it.

      America's strength is based partly on our judeo-christian heritage, and largely on our constant self-criticism. Whatever the CNN polls say, it's not news, and it's not a problem.

      The constant self-criticism more than compensates for fundamentalism, keeping the US the most competitive country on the face of the earth. ANd if you don't believe me, how come so many people are dying (sometimes literally) to become US citizens, and so very few are leaving?

      It's funny how many of the euro trolls around here think that the world crying out we're wrong and 'look how stupid america is' will have any effect on our national determination. We've always been our own worst critics, so what a few feckless voices say overseas is irrelevant.

      I wouldn't worry about were america is headed right now. We've been kicking ass and taking names for quite some time now, and continue to do the same in Iraq.
      I would, however, worry about what nihilism, blind anti-americanism, and socialism is doing to europe, though. It's kind of sad watching them swirl around the drain, as they write even more laws to fix their problems, tax wealth creating businesses into oblivion, have diplomats that know nothing of action, and think talk will eventually solve all ills.

      --
      Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be the name of a store, not a government agency.
  2. Re:A changing world... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait
    Perhaps the part about changing materials that are next to worthless into something valuable is what you mean by alchemy, but none of this is anything like alchemy.
    Really? As much as I'd like to take "NotAnotherReboot" as an ultimate authority, let's just consult the dictionary for confirmation, shall we?:
    2 : a power or process of transforming something common into something special

    Hmm, that's interesting. It seems to suggest that you're a fucking moron. Who'd have guessed?

  3. Re:A changing world... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    "...cult-like anti-scientific religion"

    That describes Christianity perfectly.

  4. Re:A changing world... by wrf3 · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    If you review your history, science first started to flourish in Christian regions. The reason for this is that Christianity provided an ordered worldview -- nature is not capricious since nature's God is not capricious. Therefore, it can be studied. Since God is the source of reason and intelligence, these traits can be applied to creation in order to "think His thoughts after Him."

    The scientific method works regardless of worldview. When atheists try to use the method of science to prove a naturalistic philosophy, then Christianity will object.

    After all, Christianity is anti-naturalism. And rightly so, since the evidence of history is that Jesus rose from the dead.

  5. Re:A changing world... by fuckface · · Score: 0, Flamebait
    'Non-denominational protestantism?' Is that like transnational Americanism?

    No, you shit-for-brains. It means not Catholic. And also not specifically Episcopalian or Congregationalist or Lutheran or Baptist or any of the other various Christian religions that are collectively known as "Protestant".