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 ...
The Interwebs hates us.
To that, I heartily agree!
Especially here!
I’m hungry. I got most of my letters written but still have two to go, and it would seems as if I’ve run out of steam.
The kids have stirred, but haven’t given a time of arrival, but I’m sure they’ll show up soon. It’s a very pretty day, even though the temperature is 29°. At least the breeze is almost not.
I’m thinking of trying to find a way to cook the enchiladas, but it might be easier to just go to a Mexican food place. There are a couple of them a few blocks from here.
Two of our furry little guys loved to jump into the dryer and nap on the clean, fluffy clothes.
Every time I think they can’t get more precious, you post an even more precious one!
We’ve had a successful church service, and now I’m taking whoever gets in the van to walk the dog. Eddie - that’s the dog - will be so thrilled!
What a beautifully marked kitteh! Such a squeeful face!
Good morning. I didn’t sleep all that well, seeming to have had disturbing dreams, though thankfully, I can’t recall them. I just know how hard it was to feel at ease each time I woke up.
Yesterday, after the kids left, I thought of everything else I could have given them. (Those boys are HUGH!!!) But all I can do is wait for them to come back.
They made my living room look like a closet!
Is that a tiny stove or a super-big cat?
And good morning, everyone. The cats went out, and then it started raining.
Yes!
Mmmm...bacon!
Off to do laundry things. At least its warm this morning — 36°. Waiting for summer.
Oh. I don’t recall if I said anything, but Zeke passed away about two weeks ago. I need to send his family condolences, as will Eddie the Attorney.
I’m so sorry to hear about Zeke. And best wishes with the laundry! I’ll be off to dog-walk in a few minutes.
Done with laundry. The last person to do laundry forgot to shut the lights out and lock the door. No telling who it was, but the laundry was clothing only so I didn’t have to wait for the linens to dry.
Now I’m going to go see what I can do in the kitchen to make it more livable. I really need to get rid of those storage tubs, so today I’ll see how many Chuck wants. The rest are going on one or both of the local FB yard sales.
Because of the way the kitchen chairs were loaded, one of the chairs has two spots on the back where the paint was rubbed off in transit. I don’t know how I’m ever going to match that pretty red paint. So much damage and loss this move. :o[
Both...and closer scrutiny reveals the resting place is not a skillet, but appears to be the bottom half of a Dutch oven...kitty casserole on the way?
It also looks as if there are a couple of bottles of “tenderizer” to the left of the kitteh!
TCM is playing “Thin Man” movies today, so I think, when I get back from the post orifice, I’ll sit and crochet and watch some good ol’ B&W!
(Oh no! Someone stole my tagline! Lock the doors!)
I have accomplished two dog visits and a Weight Watchers meeting. Later I’ll go to Walmart and get laundry detergent.
I went to the post orifice and mailed the package to my daughter, then headed for Walmart to find a cheaper dust mop than what could be found in town. not so sure I accomplished what I was trying for, but still.
Now I have to decide what to eat, since the salad I bought seems to be lacking in — salad ingredients. A little disappointing.
I got laundry detergent on payday, because I had given the last of mine to Charlie. It’s hard to believe that I kept my move quiet until almost the day before! Of course, now Charlie is telling people that he can’t let anyone know where I am because I’m in the witness protection program!
Yesterday, I emailed DMV because I felt if I didn’t do it when I thought of it, I’d probably not get it done because that’s the way my life is going these days.
No smog check, but I need my title, proof of insurance and my DL and of course, the vehicle so they can check the VIN. So maybe Thursday, I can be Utah legal! YAY!!!
After trying to chase down my iherb.com order, I see that its to be delivered today. They sure don’t make it easy to find the tracking information!
Nothing from Chuck about the oven, so I’ll wait a day or two and then jog his memory again. About that and the tubs, as well. I need to get them out of my kitchen!
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