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 ...
Good morning. Moving is often a challenge, but you’ll be all arranged before you know it. It hasn’t even been two weeks!
We were surprised this morning by the arrival of Tom the Son. He left about 8:30 last night to go to a movie, “and then hung out with my friend who works the night shift at a hotel.” I suppose night-desk duty was more amusing with Tom.
Now he’ll sleep most of the day, but there’s nothing new about that.
I'm basing this experience on all my past moves, save one -- from one apartment in Espinoza to another.
Even with two kids in tow, I was able to unpack a three-bedroom home in two days and have it look as if we had been there for at least a year.
I realized this morning that one of the triggers for this "lethargy" is the dark flooring. It looks like wood, but a dark walnut, and I'm sure there was purpose to the color. However, its depressing and I need to clear the living room of containers and put the rug down, asap. But that means getting a rug protector for under the chair at the desk.
The light color will work wonders on my psyche. :o]
It’s probably not supposed to show dirt.
Probably another reason you feel droopy is that it’s about to be the shortest day of the year! I feel like going to bed as soon as it gets dark, myself.
Good morning.
That kitteh is undertaking very, very serious business. Do not interrupt!
You Tube has been suggesting the full premiere episode of Space 1999 to me. I haven’t taken the bait, yet.
I like to stay at a safe distance when small pets are doing things with sharp implements.
w00t!
RE: Tagline, how’s tricks with your Marine?
Not a word for several weeks, so we assume everything is fine. DP and I will attend her graduation from Marine Combat Training on Friday morning, and then we will bring her home.
Yes, I suffer from SAD among other things, but dark décor depresses me. When we lived in Gt Lakes NTC, my living room had a "Capri blue" rug, and "flame orange" furniture. One day, I stepped across the way with my new baby and visited with another Navy Wife. Her apartment was nothing but brown. Brown rug, furniture and drapes. Even the kitchen set was brown and chrome while mine was white and yellow. Needless to say, I never went to her apartment again.
Thanks!
Good morning. It’s cold here.
I just spent the last hour solving a problem that has been bothering me for almost the last week. I need to replace my healthcare coverage and though I surfed and geeked I was no closer to finding an answer.
This morning, almost by accident, I came across a reference to MyMedicare.gov. Bingo. I found the health plan that was evidently the parent company of the one I had in Nevada. So I filled out the forms and should be hearing from them next week. I hope they don’t call... I hate when I get calls from people I don’t know.
I sat here so long doing nothing that I got cold. I’m trying hard not to crank up the heaters because I don’t know how much the electric bill will be.
One day soon, I’ll need to hang up the paintings, photos and other things I have taking up space in boxes I want to get rid of. So I guess I need to get busy with the job at hand. Getting settled.
Hopefully she will recognize you as her CO or XO when at home.
Here, too. It was 28 Fs when I left this morning.
I’m not sure what an F is (except for the New Yawk version, which isn’t what I’m talking about) but 28 of them means it’s cold.
That's why forty below is such a convenient temperature; it's the same in both Fahrenheit and Celcius.
Reference my misspelled word:
Celsius (from Wikipedia)
The Celsius scale, also known as the centigrade scale, is a temperature scale used by the International System of Units (SI). As an SI derived unit, it is used by all countries except the United States, the Bahamas, Belize, the Cayman Islands and Liberia. It is named after the Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius (1701–1744), who developed a similar temperature scale.
She can be an Honored Adult Houseguest if she will just mind her manners.
That reminds me, Tom hasn’t moved the spare bed from his room to the girls’ room. I’ll have to nag him (again) to do it before he goes to work.
It’s supposed to be 56Fs here, later. I have to go to Walmart.
And here I was, trying to be polite and not mention how hard it was for me (even mentally) to pronounce Celcius. I’m sure glad you cleared things up for me!
Somehow, I managed to unpack three tubs and two boxes since my last post to all y’all. Two tubs were full of Christmas decorations and all I kept were the Nativities, and the things to set a table with. Dishes, flatware and some table decorations. Oh. And the Christmas Muppet Babies!
I found something that will find its way to you, eventually, T-c. Its the least I can do to thank you for all your helpful encouragement. Or encouraging help.
So now, I have to find the Catholic thrift store and see if they pick up donations because there is no way I can take them to the thrift store in my truck in one trip. It will make a big difference in how this place looks and will give me a little boost in the well-being department.
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