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 ...
W00t!
Back to my old habits and now I need to get up and try to make an organized mess out of the total chaos. The kitchen dismays me.
The living room will take shape quickly as it will be mostly books that need to be put away. But the kitchen...
And the bathroom. I have to build a cabinet and an over-the-sink shelf unit before I can make that place look any better! But I need floor space to build them. Confusion — living room first or kitchen first? Unnghhh.
Oops! My manners!
Good morning!
Awwww...Squeeful floofs!
Slowly but surely. For the first time in ever moves, I realized that trying to maintain the “old” routine is the best way to adjust. It’s true: Old dogs can learn new tricks!!
Yesterday, almost by accident, I found my teas, so now, I’m a happy person! All I have to do is find a place for them. :o|
I would put them in a ziplock bag! And it seems to me that you’re doing amazingly well.
Even in a bag, there is no place to put them. So I really do need to get a pantry. While I was at Walmart yesterday, I saw some “storage” shelves with doors that would be perfect for a pantry for $40, so it will go on my list for things to get on payday. If I can last that long in the clutter.
I just did the vinegar and baking soda drain cleaner in the bathtub, because I can’t wait for Chuck and his plumbing snake, but after two applications, its better but not great. I’ll go back in a few minutes and try again.
I use Crystal Drano.
I don’t know what the pipes are in this place, and it seems vinegar and baking soda is the best to use for now. Once I find out from Chuck, I’ll know what to get. For now, this is “safe.”
“Aw, Ma, the other kids can see....”
Super superior!
Stunning photo!
Beautiful!
Good morning. What beautiful markings on the breakfast kitteh!
Speaking of breakfast, I left the milk out last night when I had a snack, and it was still sitting on the counter this morning. I have no idea why the shop elves didn’t put it away for me.
I’m a late bird this morning. Now I need to go shower.
Good morning. I was up early. I’ve already been to church to pick up PatJamesVlad from an overnight with the Boy Scouts, and I’ll be going back for Mass with SallyFrankKathleen in a little while.
It looks like Jake will get a sunbeam this morning.
Did She get the job she applied for at Starbuck’s? I was thinking about that last night but it wasn’t important enough for me to get up and turn the computer back on to ask.
The bed has been made and the steroid has been had. I transferred my Walgreen’s account yesterday, so I’m expecting to get a text about the steroid and the rescue inhaler.
Golly. Its hard to believe December is half over and I’m in a whole new place. (That includes emotionally!) So a brand new year is ahead with lots of surprises in store!
I had that last year.
She says she has not heard from Starbucks. This may be true.
Got any 19s?
I’m done for the day, except for sorting the laundry. I found the remnants of the monstrous frog collection I had in Tucson, and have whittled it down to several frog Beanie Babies and some really unusual frog things (no larger than 3” and I think one of them went out with the newspapers. :o[ That makes me sad.)
The cannisters have been found, along with a few lead crystal party serving pieces that I just didn’t want to toss. For the most part, I’m “moved in” but I need to hang things on the walls and put up some curtains before it really feels like “home.” I have some curtains for the bedroom and the kitchen, but the living room window is much larger than any window I’ve had for a long time. So I need to find a rod (71+”) and a couple of panels to at least bring some warmth into the room.
The books, DVDs, CDs and VHS tapes are put where they belong. Now I just need to find someone to hook up the VHS-to-DVD recorder, and when I’ve recorded the movies I want, I will sell them on eBay and make a little bit of grocery money. But I need to finish unpacking, first!
The stack of tubs has dwindled, and I can’t even tell you how relieved I am that I bought them for various moves. I will sell them and maybe have enough to buy a pantry.
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