Less Pesky Pests Possible
Through Genetic Engineering
WASHINGTON — Tiny
needles swirling in salt water pierce
holes into cells, and foreign genes
rush in. This new process may one
day mean house flies that produce
fewer eggs or mosquitoes that don’t
bite.
The genetic engineering
technique, which is at least a
thousand times faster than the
method currently used to alter fly
eggs, was developed for house flies
by U.S. Department of Agriculture
gc ncticist Andrew F. Cockbum. He
shared it with University of Florida
scientists who have successfully
transferred DNA into citrus tissue.
"Genetic engineering of insect
pests and possibly crops could now
be feasible and practical where it
never has been before," said
Cockbum of USDA’s Agricultural
Research Service.
He stressed that genes to cause
beneficial changes still need to be
found.
Working at the Insects Affecting
Man and Animals Research
Laboratory in Gainesville, Fla.,
Cockbum transferred material —
either a test gene or dye — into
eggs of the house fly, stable fly,
Caribbean fruit fly and the non-pcst
drosophila lly. Mosquito eggs have
harder shells, btit Cockbum is
confident that he can penetrate
those with new genes.
Scientists have been trying for
years to genetically engineer these
insects. "Insect eggs and plant cells
are designed to keep things out--
things like viruses, bacteria and any
DNA we might try to insert,"
Cockbum said.
Another technique tested for fly
eggs — microinjection — could
only alter one egg per year. In the
latest issue of Agricultural
Research magazine, Cockbum
reported that his new technique can
alter eggs at the rate of one per
hour.
That’s because this quick
method transfers genes into
thousands of fly eggs in a few
minutes, he said. With
microinjection, scientists can only
inject two or three eggs in the same
time period.
With either technique, tens of
thousands of eggs must be
successfully engineered in order for
just one fly to show the new
characteristics.
ARS has applied for a patent on
Cockbum’s new technique. To use
it, a scientist concocts a mix of
cells, genes, and microscopically
thin whiskers into a saline solution
and spins it on a laboratory blender
called a vortex mixer. Made of
silicon carbide, the whiskers’ usual
job is to give ceramic the strength
to hold together in such stress-
bearing products as car engines.
"It’s kind of like being in a
jacuzzi with a porcupine,"
Cockbum said. "Each time a
whisker hits an egg, a tiny hole
results. That hole allows some of
the genetic material to enter the
egg-"
With microinjection, scientists
painstakingly insert a miniature
hypodermic needle into an egg
while watching it under a
microscope. Microinjection
equipment costs a lab about
$15,000, compared to the $180
price tag on the vortex used in the
new method. "Almost every lab has
one," Cockbum said.
He originally began frying to
genetically engineer pest flies two
years ago. He and chemist David
Carlson tested a gene gun that
propels gene-coated pellets into
cells. Carlson made the gun in his
garage from his grandfather’s 22-
calibcr pistol. In most cases, the
pellets either didn’t penetrate insect
cells or "squashed them
completely," he said. Pellets did
penetrate a few eggs, but not
enough to be useful.
Cockbum began work on the
"jacuzzi" method, which he also
calls the "silicon carbide whiskers"
technique.
He had planned on using a
sonicator, in which sound waves
shake a mixture rapidly. But that
afternoon in Gainesville, torrential
rainfall discouraged technician
Henry Meier from walking across
the parking lot to the lab next
door-where the sonicator was
housed. He suggested they try the
vortex, Irxtated right in their own
lab. Cockbum said, "I laughed and
said, ‘That’s silly, but go ahead.’
He did, and he got such incredible
results we didn’t bother trying the
sonicator."
The two will continue their
research to get even faster results
than the ones they already have.
N.C. A&T Athletes Scores
Big At Penn Relays
GREENSBORO — Two North
Carolina A&T State University
athletes were among the top
performers at the Penn relays held
in Philadelphia. Long jumper.
Derrick Homeslcy and Joan
Kcllman had good performances as
they finished first and second
respectively in their event.
Homeslcy etched his name in the
record books, and at the same time,
won the College Division of the
Relays with a leap of 7.86 meters.
Translated into feet and inches,
Homeslcy’s jump of 25’9 1/2" beat
his nearest competitor by one foot
and four inches. It was also good
enough to earn Homeslcy the sixth
best jump in the history of the Penn
Relays, which dates back to 1899.
The jump also qualified for the
NCAA national championship,
scheduled for May 30 -June 3, at
Duke University. Homesley’s jump
was beyond the NCAA qualifying
standard.
Homeslcy finds himself in the
"world class" company of Eric
Metcalf. Carl Lewis, Mike Conley,
Ralph Spry and Evan Toffer. "If
Derrick can find a sponsor and
continues to train, he will be a
serious contender for the ’92
Olympic games," said track coach
Roy Thompson.
"His jumps are comparable to
Mike Conley and Carl Lewis when
they were his age," Thompson
continued.
The Clinton, Maryland native
graduated at A&T’s 99th
Commencement with a uegree in
transportation economics. Although
he was recruited by major schools
as a high school senior, Homesley
followed a family tradition by
attending NC A&T, where his
mother and father both attended.
Senior, Joanel Kellman led the
field throughout the first five
jumps, while suffering a nagging
knee injury, before losing the lead
to Lataya Archie of the University
of Houston, who beat Keliman by
one and one-fourth inch to win the
women’s long jump.
Kellman went into her event as
the defending champion, winning
last year’s event with a jump of
20’9". Kellman came in second this
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LITTLE ROCK, ARK — Little Rock residents float down what
used to be a park on the shores of the Arkansas River. Many homes
are flooded, causing million dollars of damage. The river was
Expected to crest May 9. (UPI Photo)
year with a jump of 19’11 3/4".
Although she came up short this
year, Kellman still can boast of
having the third best jump in the
history of the Penn.
A native of the Island of
Barbados, Kcllman will graduate
this year with a degree in
accounting. Her immediate plans
are to go to graduate school and
prepare to become a certified
public accountant (CPA).
"Joanel will probably be one of
the first women inducted into
A&T’s Hall of Fame," said coach
Thompson. "She was the MEAC
outdoor champion for three years.
She is the first woman in the
school’s history to win individual
honors in the Penn Relay, and she
is the first woman from A&T to
participate in the NCAA nationals,
where she placed 15th last year,"
Thompson added.
Kellman was also the first leg of
A&T’s 4x100, 4x200 and the 1600
meter relay team that is rated
among the top ten in the nation.
SPORTS FROM
THE PRESSBOX
By Lee Lerner
By Dale: Dunlap
Can there possibly be any doubt
Ryne Sandberg is the best second
baseman in baseball? The 30-
year-old Cubs star has been very
quietly compiling Hall of Fame
numbers entering his ninth full
major-league season.
Last season, he led the Chicago
Cubs to the National League East
crown by hitting .290 with 30
home runs and 76 runs batted in.
In doing so, he became the first
Cubs second baseman since Rog
ers Hornsby to hit 30 or more
homers in a season. The last sec
ond baseman to hit as many was
Davey Johnson with the Atlanta
Braves in 1973.
He also led the league in runs
scored "nd threw in 15 stolen
bases. OK, you say, Ryno can hit.
Can he field? Well, he went more
than three months without making
an error last season. He entered
this season with 90 consecutive er
rorless games and quickly broke
Joe Morgan’s record of 91 error
less games early this season.
He also won a Gold Glove last
year. But that’s nothing for Sand
berg. He has won seven consecu
tive Gold Gloves.
So he can hit and field. What
can’t he do? Well, scouts only can
point to the fact Sandberg is not
very good on catching pop-ups.
(Strange for a Gold Glover, but
understandable considering Chi
cago’s notorious winds.)
The man Vin Scully once de
scribed as the “Prince Valiant of
the Cubs” has had some trouble
living up to his superstar billing
since his magical 1984 season.
That year Sandberg hit .314
with 19 home runs and 84 runs
batted in. He also walked away
with the Most Valuable Player
award in leading the Cubs to the
division title. But day in and day
out Sandberg has been the heart of
the Cubs, ever since he was ac
quired as third baseman from the
Philadelphia Phillies in 1982 in re
turn for Ivan Dejesus,
Judging by Sandberg’s growth
since that deal, I think it’s safe to
say the Phillies would like to have
that trade back. But the Cubs are
not going to part with their heart
and soul — ever.
© 1990, Tribune Media Services
Wade Boggs, Boston’s hitman
extraordinaire, had dug himself
into the batters’ box and was
sporting a mask of concentration.
He was set, but just before the
pitcher went into motion a fan
disrupted the scene.
“Hey, Boggs. Hit one for
Margo!”
The moment shattered, Boggs
stepped out and glared into the
seats. It was only spring training,
but Boggs is all business when il
comes to hitting a baseball.
He stepped back in, but
promptly fouled out in back of
, third.
Help for Home Sellers
In many of the nation’s cities
and residential areas the housing
market has changed dramatically
over the past few years. According
to a special spring, single-topic is
sue published by Money Maga
zine, and called “Money Guide:
Your Home,” the median home
price this year is expected to rise
only about 4.5 percent after infla
tion. Using data from economic
forecasters, the WEFA Group,
and adjusting for inflation, they
predict that average U.S. house
prices will appreciate just 5.2 per
cent over the next six years. In six-
year projections for our 50 largest
urban areas, Sacramento is
dubbed the hottest housing market
with a gain of 60.1 percent for
1990-95. Runners-up are Pitts
burgh, Portland, Ore., Boston
and Memphis, in that order.
If the house you want to seH i.
located in an area where price -.re
falling, some experts recon tuieiid
re-evaluating your plans. You
might explore the possibility of
srenting your home instead of sell
ing, for example. If you are deter
mined to sell soon, despite the
changing market, the “Money
Guide: Your Home,” offers lots
of helpful advice on Ting so. The
Guide is avail.k on newsstands
until mid-May or $3.95, or by
mail from PO Box 30626, Tampa,
Fla. 33630.
A sample strategy: Choose the
best real estate agent you can find,
a real pro who knows your area
and is with a highly reputable
firm. Offer the agent an “exclu
sive right to sell, ’ ’ so that he or she
is the only agent listing the proper
ty and will be guaranteed a com
mission during the agreed-upon
exclusivity period even if it is you
who finds the buyer. Add an addi
tional bonus to the plan, offering
. to give the agent more if your
home sells for 97 percent or more
of the asking price.
© 1990, Tribune Media Services
In that at-bat, the pitcher and
one of Boggs’ detractors won out.
Yet most know that Boggs isn’t
shown up often.
Boggs, of course, is not human.
How could he be? How could any
one of flesh and blood, not to
mention emotions, go through
what he has and still have a .3-z2
lifetime average?
“Margo” is Margo Adams,
Boggs’ well-publicized mistress of
seasons past. For those unaware,
Boggs’ affair with Adams culmi
nated last season with Boggs’ story
going nationwide in various maga
zines and on a Barbara Wallers
interview.
Obviously, the notoriety didn’t
affect him adversely. He hit .330
and missed the batting title by only
nine points.
“Wade is unbelievablc/I Reu
Sox teammate Rogei' Clemens
says. “Year after year, he’s a
machine.”
And the machine didn’t lake
long to warm up this year.
His 3-for-4 outing opening day
helped him reach the 1,600-hit
plateau faster than the top 10 play
ers on the all-time hit list.
Despite the numbers, some nev
er let Boggs forget his mistakes.
But it’s a given that Boggs will
cope with those types because the
hits just keep on coming.
© 1990, Tribune Media Services
STATE OF NORTH CAROLI
COUNTY OF DURHAM
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The undersigned, having,,
qualified as Executrix ol theEs
of Henry D. Hinson, deceased,
of Durham County, North Caica
does hereby notify all persons,!
or corporations having dj;
against said Estate to present
to the undersigned at the olfc
C. C. Malone, Jr., P.A., attomi]
the Estate at 705 Kent St
Durham, North Carolina, 27703
or before the 21st day ot Octi
1990, or this Notice will be pie
ii.'bar of their recovery.
All persons, firms
corporations indebted to saidEs
will please make immeii
payiment.
This the 11th day of April,!
Dale Bishop, Executrix of theE-
of Henry D. Hinson.
Dale Bishop
Executrix of the
Estate of Henry D. Hinson
C. C. Malone, Jr.
Attorney for Estate
705 Kent Street
P.O. Box 867
Durham, North Carolina 277llj
(919) 489-6583
STATE OF NORTH CAROLBc
COUNTY OF DURHAM
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
HAVING QUALIFIED asf
Administratrix ol the Estate ol®"
J. Roe, late of Durham Coi
North Carolina, the undersig
does hereby notify all persons,! j
and corporations having cl,
against said Estate to presenK
... . 1 —
SPORTS TRIVm
1. Who led the NBA in assists in
the ’88-’89 season?
2. Bo Schembechler has coached
teams in 16 bowl games. How
many has he won?
3. Where did the Detroit Tigers
nlay before moving lo Tiger Stadi
um in 1912?
4. After giving Sonny Liston a re
match in ’65, who did Muhammad
Ali fight in' his next heavyweight
title defense?
5. When QB Doug Flutie of Bos
ton College won the Heisman Tro
phy in ’84, who finished second in
the balloting?
6. Who beat the Chicago Bears to
deny them a perfect season in ’85?
7. Who was the winner of the inau
gural Boston Marathon?
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to’ the undersigned on or
October 26, 1990 or this notice
be pleaded in bar of their recovi
Ali persons indebted to
Estate will please make \mm
payment.
this 12th day of April, 1990.
Johnnie W. Brown
Administratrix Estate of
Willie J. Roe
1517 Rosewood Street
Durham, North Carolina 211i
C. C. Malone, Jr.
Attorney for Estate
705 Ken. Street
P.O. Box 867
Durham, North Carolina 2771
(919)489-6583
Publication Dates: April 21,
and May 5, 12,1990.
STATE OF NORTH CAROU
DURHAM COUNTY
ADMINISTRATRIX’S NOTlCi
The undersigned, Serrisa S'
Lyons, having been qualified
Administratrix of the estate ofS
Marie Lyons, deceased, lali
Durham County, North Cai(
notifies all persons, firms
coroorations having claims aj
the estate of said decease
present them to the undersign*
200 Seven Oaks, Apt. 2f
Durham, N.C. 27704, within
months of the first date of^
publication or this notice
pleaded in bar of their recove^
persons, firms and corpof=
owing to the estate will please:
immediate payment.
This 17th day of April, 1990.
SERRISA SMITH LYONS
ADMINISTRATRIX
OF THE ESTATE
OF SHERRI MARIE LYONS
200 Seven Oaks. Apt. 20 L
Durham, North Carolina 2m
Publication Dates:
April 21,28; May 5, 12.1990
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