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 ...
On my first foray into Lin’s market, I saw some herbal teas that might be good to have in my arsenal of teas...both of them are for colds, so I bought them. I’m steeping a cup now because my chest feels tight.
My vaporizer didn’t make it and I’m not so sure I’m going to miss it. I hate the extra moisture it puts in the air, and think there are better ways to loosen the congestion. At least as long as I have the nebulizer.
Unlike catses, I have to fill my own bowls.
Yesterday, I got a certified packet from SNRHA. I read it over and alarm bells began to ring. So I emailed Eddie the Attorney and asked him about it. He said the thing sounded like a form letter (of 16 legal-sized pages) in case I want to move back in because it is actually an application to be placed on the Wait List for public housing, specifically, if I want to move back to SNRHA.
He told me to just ignore it because it sounded like a formality, “just in case.” Nope. Not. Never moving back. I’m here and I’ll stay. No other way about it.
I never found vaporizers to be of any use. Maybe if you’re in a tiny, enclosed space ... but then, just run the hot shower. Also, Vick’s Vapo-Rub.
I’m going to load up some Youth in a few minutes, drop Elen at the Marines office, and go to the gym. Otherwise, would could all just sit around and bicker. Vlad is going to Boy Scout camp this weekend, starting this morning with a visit to a small airport. DP will drive him.
Anoreth’s hair appointment is later this morning. I’ll have to go over after noon and pay.
No, you should not go back there. Ever. Or let anyone know where you’ve gone. *ahem* Right?
Good morning, everyone.
It is the last Friday of 2018.
Happy Friday!
Let’s see...ironing board leg for a kick stand, motorbike tires and bicycle wheels, Cadillac driver’s and passenger sides, steering wheel and head and tail lights...
Cadiron pedal powered go-thing.
FUNNY! Thanks!
That kickstand design seems insufficient for anything but a showroom floor.
Is that supposed to be powered, or is it only human-powered?
No, I’ve decided vaporizers are not all that great. I discovered that when I had “the ‘monia” last year. It only worked if I kept the bedroom door closed, but then everything felt wet and that was unpleasant. So I won’t go to the expense of replacing it.
And no, the only person who knows where I am is Charlie, and there is no way he’s going to tell anyone. In fact, when one of the residents told him he should give her my address “because we are such good friends” he told her that if I had wanted her to have it, I would have given it to her before I left. Period.
So no one has it. I’m sure SNRHA has it now, but by law, they can’t tell anyone where I am.
Look closely and you can see the bicycle pedal...
Assuming it isn’t a moped.
Yes, mopeds were a thing. I actually owned a “purple Puch” at one point.
Morning, everyone. It’s Friday here, raining but not flooding. I’ve been to the gym.
We had rain today, too. I haven’t been to the gym.
I’m trying to hang things that belong on the walls, but there aren’t enough free walls. The one wall that would accommodate the three paintings I want prominently displayed is covered by three tall bookcases. *sigh*
I’ll have to re-think the groupings because I want as much on the walls as I can possibly get. That includes certificates, awards and a few irreplaceable photos. So its back to the think tank for me.
The kitchen won’t be easy, either, even though I plan to hang up some plates. Now I’m wishing for the curtain rod holders I left behind... At least with the sheers up, the place will still look homey, even without the stuff on the walls.
There's certainly no room for a motor anywhere in that vehicle. But I believe that particular Cadillac model was made of steel, so even with no motor, it would be very heavy and difficult to maneuver.
We have DP’s master’s degree certificate and a service award from our church on the wall in the dragon room. We used to have Bill’s Eagle Scout certificate and his portrait in the dining room, but then we got the new-to-us desk and shelves. I think Bill took his things to his apartment.
It was okay at the gym, not very crowded. I read while I’m on the treadmill.
They make these frames, now, that show rotating images. You can hang everything you own in one frame.
I know, it won’t feel quite as homey that way.
Nah. Ain’t gonna happen here. From the largest (45” across to the smallest (7”) and a total number of close to 30, I don’t think a rotating frame will handle what I have.
You can have a rotating display, like a museum. Put up your first choices now, and change them for others at Easter.
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