https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p en-us 2016-09-18 19:52:05 UTC 2023-01-26 03:47:05 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Xmastree.png heather_proffitt140 https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p/wish/124585970 2016-09-18 19:56:59 UTC https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p/wish/124585970 heather_proffitt140 https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p/wish/124586138
There are more than 60 different species of opossum (National Geographic, 2016).  The marsupial is the most common opossum and it is the only opossum found in the United States and Canada (National Geographic, 2016).  Opossums are scavengers and like to raid garbage cans and dumpsters (National Geographic, 2016).  Opossums eat grass, nuts, and fruit (National Geographic, 2016).  Opossums will hunt mice, birds, insects, worms, snakes, and chickens (National Geographic, 2016).  Opossums are most often associated with the phrase "playing possum".  When the opossum feels threatened, it will flop onto its side and lie on the ground with its eyes closed or staring fixedly into space (National Geographic, 2016).  This stance will make the opossum appear dead and ploy off any predators, therefore allowing the opossum to make its escape (National Geographic, 2016).  Opossums have sharp claws and a long, strong tail.  These features allow the opossum to navigate through trees exceedingly well (National Geographic, 2016).  The opossum has a natural immunity to rabies and is eight times less likely to carry rabies than a wild dog (Mother Nature Network, 2012).  Opossums are also immune to the venom that is produced by rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, bees, and scorpions (Mother Nature Network, 2012).  The opossum was created with a protein called LTNF (Lethal Toxin-Neutralizing Factor) (List Verse, 2010).       ]]> 2016-09-18 20:00:09 UTC https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p/wish/124586138 heather_proffitt140 https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p/wish/124587162 For this project, I will be focusing on the LTNF protein.  The idea for this project is to create an anti-venom that would be available in a spray.  This spray would most likely be purchased by consumers who were avid outdoorsmen.  This spray would be designed for consumer use when they were outdoors in areas that are subject to snakes and bees.  ]]> 2016-09-18 20:18:28 UTC https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p/wish/124587162 heather_proffitt140 https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p/wish/124588289 According to a variety of statistics gathered over the last several years, there is a need for this anti-venom around the world.  

Bee Stings:
The World Health Organization Reports an average of 54 deaths per year as a result of bee stings.  This number is expected to increase as a result of the increase of the African Honey Bee in Texas.  

Scorpion Stings: 
There are around 3,250 yearly deaths worldwide that are a result of scorpion stings.

Snake Bites: 
I have broken these statistics down by location.  

South America/Mexico-approximately 440 yearly deaths.

Asia- 19,000 yearly deaths.

Africa- 33,000 yearly deaths.

North America/Australia/Europe- approximately 8,050 deaths.

(World Health Organization, 2015)]]> 2016-09-18 20:36:10 UTC https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p/wish/124588289 heather_proffitt140 https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p/wish/124588901 2016-09-18 20:46:19 UTC https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p/wish/124588901 heather_proffitt140 https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p/wish/124590264 This particular product is very sustainable.  Scientist will need to mimic the LTNF protein that is found in opossums.  Once the protein has been duplicated, it can be used in the anti-venom spray.  ]]> 2016-09-18 21:09:47 UTC https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p/wish/124590264 heather_proffitt140 https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p/wish/124590420 2016-09-18 21:12:26 UTC https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p/wish/124590420 heather_proffitt140 https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p/wish/124591605 2016-09-18 21:30:21 UTC https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p/wish/124591605 heather_proffitt140 https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p/wish/124591684 For the first change to the design, I decided that the spray should be offered as an injection.  The consumer could choose to carry the injection with them in case they are bitten instead of spraying themselves prior to going out.  The injection will offer fastest results, however, it is used as a treatment and not as a preventive measure.   ]]> 2016-09-18 21:31:23 UTC https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p/wish/124591684 heather_proffitt140 https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p/wish/124591885 For the second design change, I decided to offer the LTN Spray as an ointment.  The ointment is much more convenient and is much easier to carry.  The ointment would be applied to the area that was bitten.  Again, the ointment is used as a treatment and is not a preventive measure. ]]> 2016-09-18 21:33:27 UTC https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p/wish/124591885 heather_proffitt140 https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p/wish/124592070 Personally, I believe that the injection would be the best prototype available.  However, it would also be the most expensive most likely.  I believe the injection would be the best simply because it would work faster than the other two prototypes.  The need for the LTNF protein anti-venom is in place because of the death rate from the bites and stings of deadly animals.  I believe that in order to prevent these deaths you would need a fast treatment method.  I believe that treatment would come from the LTN Injection. ]]> 2016-09-18 21:35:36 UTC https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p/wish/124592070 heather_proffitt140 https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p/wish/124592316 2016-09-18 21:39:12 UTC https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p/wish/124592316 heather_proffitt140 https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p/wish/124592476 2016-09-18 21:42:10 UTC https://padlet.com/heather_proffitt140/r4omt7a79v1p/wish/124592476