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 ...
I had “Sweet Home” as my ringtone for a little while. But I had this problem - whenever I heard it I started looking around for who was playing my song. By the time I remembered that was my ringtone I had missed the call.
I hear ya’ on trying to do good. We let a family of 8 share hour home when they were flooded out. I was the only one living in it - waiting to get a job near my family so I could sell it and move. They were pretty good, but their idea of how to care for things didn’t match ours and became a sticking point.
But if it’s just a structure we use as an investment, we should be able to not care what happens to it, right? That’s what I’m aiming for.
What became clear to me is that what is intended to be a kindness is interpreted as stupidity. The moment I sense that brand of abusiveness, that individual or group is removed from my consideration.
About not caring what happens to it: as long as you make a tidy profit and don’t have to take a loss on repairs, etc., you’re good. I trust that you’ll do cost-benefit analysis and prepare for all outcomes. (N.B. This applies especially to your property management firm.) Generosity bites sometimes.
Off to feed the cats!
Yep. I know the feeling! I was in the doctor’s office one morning and my phone began to ring. I couldn’t get to it instantly and when I did, I apologized. The receptionist said, “Oh no! I love that song!” Just then, it rang again, and she just smiled at me and mouthed the words!
The radar thing is indicating that something evil, er, I mean snowy this way comes. The weather foreguessers at NOAA have dropped a ‘winter storm warning’ on us from 6AM Tuesday to 6AM Wednesday. We are (according to their story) going to receive 5-7 inches of white stuff with a coating of ice on top.
Anyone taking bets on whether the Olde Deere will start?
Further side bets are accepted on whether or not the weather foreguessers have foreguessed correctly..
The national radar map I keep at the bottom of my about page shows a river of moisture crawling up the Ohio river valley.
So you'll either be dealing with snow or baking cookies. Choose wisely.
Been watching the radar display also. Right now it is indicating that my Sister out in Minnesota is getting solidified stuff, my Sister in NW Ohio is getting the frozenglop mix, and we’re getting nothing. Yet.
It is indicating however that the leading edge is just about to hover over our location here.
Darn right!
Nothing in this world looks so peaceful as a sleeping cat. (Unless its a sleeping baby!)
Good morning. I just finished the hem on the slip and now have to put the pocket on. I now recall why I never made my own slips or panties — acetate is slick and therefore hard to handle. (Especially with cold hands.) I would, however, consider using silk.
I don’t think my hands have been warm since I moved here, but I think that’s about to change. I’ve been approved for energy assistance so I can up the thermostats a degree or two. :o]
After Sharon comes for her slip, if I have been able to make the appropriate calls to the medicos, I will go down to Casey’s and get an estimate on the defroster.
And then that will take care of my “business” day.
Sounds like a plan! I have Weight Watchers this morning, and we’ll probably go to the library after lunch.
There. I’m done! I suspect this won’t be the last time she asks me to do a sewing job/alteration, but hopefully, it will be the last time I have to work on slick fabric!
I need to make some copies, but I want to sit here for a bit and warm up a little with the space heater. I’m so tired of being cold!
The TV company that I loathe sent us all notices that after March 1st, there would be no more TV service furnished by that company unless we opted to buy it from them directly. I’m not happy about the company, because I got two letters indicating that someone other than me attempted to log into my account. No, it was only me. But wait:
I have a phone with a Nevada area code, and if I should need to call 911, the call would go to NV first, before any help could be sent here, so don’t I think I should have a land line? A landline with the TV and interwebs would only cost me $109 a month. And I wouldn’t want to call 911 and wait an hour, would I?
I hung up from that phone encounter thinking what a nasty company that is to try and scare old women into buying something they don’t need and don’t want. Not to mention the block they put on the TV that prevents streaming from other sources. That cinched it. I will find another company for both the TV and the interwebs.
I think I need a diversion, like retail therapy. Only there is no medium to make that happen, so I’ll stay home.
:o|
The virus spreading insects are already here. They are clled muslims.
You could Google some cruises to exotic destinations where you don’t really want to go anyway.
Congrats on finishing the slip. I agree about trying to sew slick fabrics. I made First Communion veils for my girls, and sewing chiffon is the worst.
Speaking of shopping, Asuncion is working on your jewelry. She sent me some in-progress snaps yesterday. It’s going to be lovely.
Happy Monday Part Deux, y’all.
Another snowmageddon that didn’t geddon. Not a flake here in Gotham, but half my team is still working remotely.
Would you rather have the snow, or a false alarm?
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