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 ...
Merry Christmas morning to you, too, Teddy!
I hope your day is filled will joy! <3
Do you see the kitteh now?
Kitteh sez he’s the BEST present under da tree and all da rustly, shiny fings are his!
Good Christmas morning to you! I stepped out to go to the clubhouse and get the mail, and there was the smell of rain in the air. And drops were falling on my head!
The Christmas Bunneh came yesterday, very unexpectedly, and brought me some inks. I wonder how Bunneh knew what I needed and better yet, where I had moved to? The Secrets of Christmas, no doubt.
Of course there are no plans for today, except to get the obligatory calls from the two Mini-’Faces.
I bought some frozen Rhodes Cinnamon Rolls for this morning, and when I turned the oven on, the light didn’t come on. I waited a few minutes and busied myself with cleaning the top of the stove *gack* and waited for the oven to show some signs of warmth. Nope. So I’ll have to call Chuck and he can come and check it out tomorrow. I could pull it out and check to see if it’s even plugged in, but no, I don’t want to see what’s under it.
Now I’ll check and see if I can make the rolls in the toaster oven.
Yes, I can, and a handsome kitteh he is, in all that shiny splendor!
Merry Christmas!
I too have noticed a change especially since Trump took office. Particularly, more people seem comfortable saying “Merry Christmas” again instead of that perfectly bland phrase “Happy Holidays”.
We still see many businesses saying that officially, but people on the street are more inclined to wish “Merry Christmas” instead. A refreshing change.
I feel bad for all those who have felt compelled over the years, for whatever reason, to say “Happy Holidays.” I’ve always responded with “Merry Christmas!”
Various gifts have been had by all, except Anoreth, who hasn’t come back from her apartment yet. We don’t have to leave for church until noon.
Bill is helping Kathleen build her Lego set. I think I’ll get some art supplies out and make thank-you cards for everyone to send to their grandmother.
Merry Christmas all
Merry Christmas, Chode!
I shifted some things around in the kitchen and realized once more that I can’t make a real difference in there without a pantry/cupboard.
So, in a little while, I’ll see if I can make a dent in here. A bigger desk is in order, because I don’t have room for everything. I’d settle for another two drawer wooden file cabinet, for now. It would at least provide a place for the file sorter and the two small file boxes I have.
This is a hard move for me. I’ve been at the point of tears more often this time, and for now, I’m chalking it up to old age. :o|
Hey, Chode!
Merry Christmas to you and yours! :o])
Imagine my surprise to find, instead of a morning kitty, that very nice picture of a snowman in that Martian crater.
Very original! And Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas. I still see a cat.
Merry Christmas!
This one looks somewhat affronted. Maybe he got a Christmas sweater?
Merry Christmas everyone
Merry Christmas!!
I was actually surprised to meet a Japanese person today (now would be yesterday) that was a Christian! I was so happy :D
Best for you and family for these holidays ;^)
Bikk
What a happy thing to have happen on such a blessed day!
May that meeting be a portent of the year to come for you and yours!
‘Face
:o]
LOOK!
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