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 ...
Electric oven. I think even the water heater is electric, and the place has baseboard heaters.
If it were gas, it would have been a no-brainer.
I had a copy of that when Igor and I lived in the Bay Area! LOOOng time ago! LOL! It’s still funny. Thanks!
But then if you note the King Auto Sales sign in the background you will see that this is in the realm of Governor Moonbeam and you won’t be surprised..
(ZIP Code 90221, Compton CA)
Next time you get hungry try cooking the enchilada meal and not the pan. You did find the aluminum foil, didn't you?
Yah. I should have noticed, at least by the chain link fence. I’ve been in that area. In Long Beach as a new bride in the 60’s and then again as a dummy in the 90’s. The last time was just before and during the Rodney King Riots. *shudder*
That kitteh would be me.
Good morning. I felt like Calvin when the blankets wouldn’t let him and Hobbes out of bed to go to school. But I had a hard time sleeping last night. I ran out of melatonin for the first time three days ago and it won’t happen again.
This “something” that’s trying to catch me has seemed to have been mitigated somewhat by the teas I found at Lin’s Market. And I’m glad for that because my poor lungs can’t take another bout of abuse like The ‘Monia.
The DD came in overnight, so I’ll be heading to Walmart around 0600. I’m going to try to call AmEx again, though I don’t have much hope. I have to get the truck insured and registered and get my DL changed. Hopefully, next week for all of it as we have 60 days here, but who’s checking?
Anoreth still has New Jersey plates on her car. I think it’s been four years since she moved from New Jersey. I don’t know what Driver’s License she has.
There’s discussion of the girls’ (and Bill?) going to Asheville today. I don’t know if it will come to anything: there was flooding in those parts the last couple of days. I have choir this morning and then the care of my friends’ dog. They’ve gone to Baltimore for a few days, so I’ll be stopping by with various Youth several times a day. I told the boys I would share the fee based on their participation!
I’m worn out and I still need to go get a money order for the rent. *cusswords* To make it worse, I forgot to get the cash at Walmart and Lin’s doesn’t have an ATM.
The “granny cart” (as the unlamented Sylvia calls it) was a godsend. I had an old Lucky Market shopping cart in Hooterville and used it to make one trip from the truck to the apartment door. This is better because I can bring it in the house to unload it.
So, off I go. When I come back, I may watch movies as the TV programming leaves a lot to be desired.
So precious! Thank you.
*tagline*
And that, of course, is an instance in which the use of an apostrophe is appropriate.
It seems the Murphy's Law rule for apostrophes is that everybody uses them wrong. Everybody but me, of course.
If it's short for two words, you need an apostrophe. That little squiggle takes the place of a missing letter.
If you're dealing with a simple plural, or possessive, just add the letter "s".
This won't end well.
For pronouns of course; his, hers, theirs, its.
Proper noun possessives like Carol's, Michael's, Mr. Smith's, and so forth will require the extended construction of an apostrophe and an "s".
Just put honey on your toast and call the matter dealt with.
Thanks! Is that better?
Nothing less than perfect!
Good evening. I have to make another visit to my dog-care customer before I can be done for the night.
Been there, done that. It is a thankless task, but the dogs appreciate it.
Eddie will be very grateful. We took him outside for an hour at lunchtime, but not it’s dark. However, he’ll appreciate his food!
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