Posted on 10/06/2018 2:02:35 PM PDT by BenLurkin
Pentagon research project called "Insect Allies." Funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the project involves using gene-editing techniques like CRISPR to infect insects with modified viruses that could help make America's crops more resilient. If a cornfield were hit by an unexpected drought or suddenly exposed to a pathogen, for example, Insect Allies might deploy an army of aphids carrying a genetically modified virus to slow the corn plant's growth rate.
According to the DARPA website, these "targeted therapies" could take effect in a single growing season, potentially protecting the American crop system from food security threats like disease, flooding, frost and even "threats introduced by state or non-state actors.
… Insect Allies, is less concerned. "Anytime you're developing a new and revolutionary technology, there is that potential for [both offensive and defensive] capability," Bextine told The Washington Post. "But that is not what we are doing. We are delivering positive traits to plants… We want to make sure we ensure food security, because food security is national security in our eyes."
Insect Allies is still in the early stages of development, and at least four U.S. colleges (Boyce Thompson Institute, Penn State University, The Ohio State University and the University of Texas at Austin)have received funding to carry out research. Bextine told The Washington Post that the project recently achieved its first milestone — testing whether an aphid could infect a stalk of corn with a designer virus that caused fluorescence. According to the Washington Post, "the corn glowed."
(Excerpt) Read more at livescience.com ...
I caught it just in time, so I’m good. Only a couple more calls to make, and I’m done. If it isn’t done by tomorrow, a weekend won’t matter.
Cox wants their mini-boxes back and they are welcome to them! I’ve never liked them, and, in fact, when they were installed (extortion) I couldn’t watch movies on my DVD players. And THAT ticked me off! (Don’t MESS with my movie-watching!)
I’m sure it was a ploy to make you pay for the next tier so you’d have to have an actual cable box and they would get more money.
Anyway, the afternoon is wasted, so I’ll just head for bed in a bit and set my alarm early so I can shower before I get all sweaty by packing again.
How true that sounds, ArGee! But I’d just follow that trail of bread crumbs... (You can’t get rid of me that easily!)
I’ll send Fluffy the Undead Baby Penguin to find her, if necessary.
"On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone."
Thanks!
Good morning. I didn’t sleep all that well, but as soon as the pills go to work and the bathroom warms up a bit more, I’ll take my shower and then finish up in here.
It would appear as if I will have to call Hurricane and have them set up some guys to unload, this accordion to Hkmk. That’s fine. As long as it gets done. I’ll keep you posted.
Wow! Check out the curb feelers on that little guy! Floofy!
Kitten is not going to have any collisions.
Your unloading job will take no time at all. We once had movers show up, ready to pack. When they looked at our apartment, they said, “This will only take two hours. We can come pack tomorrow and have it packed and loaded by noon. Bye.”
The loaders won’t have any trouble at all, because everything will have been packed.
I just checked on FB and my granddaughter said she and James will be there to help offload, so I asked if she could bring one more person, thus eliminating the need for paid offloaders. So pizza and soft drinks will be their reward, I think! Somehow, I knew, if at all possible, my grandson would be there to help his favorite G-Ma!
So. Shower has been had, and next on the agenda will be the steroid. I thought I’d have to buy another tub this morning, but, then I remembered my suitcase will be empty and there are a couple of tubs that have enough room for “one more thing.”
I’ll get the printer and laptop out to the truck before I go to U-Haul, and then I’ll sort the stuff on the patio and empty the fridge, tape the freezer lid and call it done!
You can also put one-more-things in laundry baskets and grocery bags.
We did the grocery bag-thing yesterday, to keep drawer contents from being scattered over the containers. I actually have a collection of baskets (including a wicker laundry basket) that can hold a great number of one-more-things. One looks large enough to have been a kindling basket, and I got it from frecycle.org. It’s very handsome!
The bedroom is mostly disassembled. The kitchen needs my attention. After I sit for a few minutes and catch my breath.
I tried to find a vet in Hurricane because Beaker’s beak will need periodic trimming, and the first vet’s office I contacted (by email) said it would be $50 for each bird for an exam, $45 for the beak trim unless the bird had to be sedated and then it would be $25 more. WHAT?? I sent an email back and told them I didn’t rescue the birds because I was rich, I rescued them because they were abused. I’m on a fixed income and you’re trying to abuse me with extortion! But don’t get me started! LOL!
I need to find a vet that can do it for a reasonable amount of money.
Good morning. I survived the ‘holiday’ party although I’m a bit hoarse from talking over the music.
Dear D.J. There’s a difference between an office party and a rave.
But I’m sure I’ll muddle through. Happy Friday! Safe move, Face!
Yes, you do, but not today.
I don’t like loud music either.
Especially when I think the point is to talk.
Thanks! Happy Friday to you, as well, ArGee. And wouldn't you know? Its raining.
But its a good day to leave!
I’ve done just about all I can do for one day, and that’s the truth! I did pull the BB SUV up closer to the door, after the garbage truck came. I didn’t want to block his way. I then put the printer, the doormat Charlie made, and the Draft Dodging door snake (to keep leaves and debris from blowing under the security door) and the crate of files from the file sorter into the cargo hold. A couple more things need to go, but not yet.
I need to get another two drawer file cabinet to put the file sorter on and use the drawers for the files I can’t keep up with. Now, of course, I realize that I never did get around to shredding all the papers I so diligently weeded out, so I’m left with two choices: Take them with me to be shredded in the dull moments between unpacking or toss them in the garbage as is.
I’m going to take another walk-through and see what last minute things need to be finished up before I go get the truck and trailer.
I’m already tired. It’s the emotional release of finally being able to leave. I was thinking the day was never going to come.
Exactly. How can you socialize when you can’t hear one another?
I’m sure it seems like the day is creeping along, but soon time will fly as you waft your way to Hurricane.
Wend.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.