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 ...
Ah, chemistry!
“You will obey dis beeber fing! Feed me!”
Good morning.
I still haven’t figured out how to get the Beaker to the vet clinic without her freezing. It’s only going to be about 20° when its time to leave for her appointment at 0930. I have a carrier, but what do I wrap it with. Some days, my mind just draws a blank from the moment I wake up.
A blanket. Two blankets.
The travel cage is about the same size as a box purse. I will see what I can find in the linen closet that won’t make the thing too bulky to pack around. —
A beach towel!
Just the thing.
Bulky, but effective. When its folded there are plenty of insulating layers.
I’m glad you thought of it! Thanks!
“Honest, Mom, I was just rearranging them!”
Good morning. Cords just look so much like snakes ...
Come to think of it, so do garden hoses. A really cute little neighborhood kitteh used to attack mine as I watered my plants.
Happy Friday Eve, everyone!
And, don’t worry. Kitteh is most definitely NOT trying to turn off your lights so it can shred your curtains.
Not no way, not no how.
Thor be with you, Argee.
You’re daydreaming about Chris Hemsworth again, aren’t you?
Cute as a golden retriever puppy.
The same to you, ArGee!
I’ve spent more than a little time this morning trying to set up the Roku, and according to what I’ve read and done, it shouldn’t be as hard as it is. My thought is that somehow, the cable TV company that I’m getting ready to opt out of (it was “included” in the rent for a “small fee”) evidently has a firewall to prevent streaming any other programs.
So if that is the case, I need to cancel that one sooner rather than later, so I can get the Roku to respond. I’ve written a letter to Chuck telling him I’m opting out, but according to what he said yesterday, he’s waiting for me to make up my mind because they have changed their minds about the channels they were going to cancel and decided to keep them. What?
So I installed Sling on the laptop and will start watching a few things, since I have until March 23 to decide if I want to keep it or go with another company. As if I don’t have enough things to do to keep me out of bars and off the streets! :o])
I don’t go to bars much, either.
Single digits here.
It’s 24° here! How is your knee? I guess if you need to ice it, you can just step outside... ;o]
It was supposed to be 17° last night, and it sure feels like it could have been because it is cold in here!
Come to think of it, I don’t think there is a bar in this town! It would be too cold for me to go out at night, anyway!
!
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