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 ...
It is but fleeting on the tongue no matter where you are.
Yes, I could have eaten the snow, Bob, but I was more concerned with getting all of it off my truck so I could drive. I know it doesn’t sound like much but it was over 4” thick and I got a lot of it between my gloves and my sleeve. It’s not only cold and wet but it was also heavy, and made for a lot of crunching when I walked on it!
Tiny little Morning Floof!
Good morning, sleepy head. I hope your sleep was good and sound.
Between Friday and yesterday, I got three letters written with one to go, but yesterday’s was difficult because my brain seemed to quit right after the salutation.
I have one left, and that’s the one to Charlie. He called last week and we talked for an hour, which is about the amount of time we spent at the ramada every morning. He doesn’t sound well, but if I can convince him to call me at least once a week, he will feel better, I think.
My son called the other day, and we reached a point where we were both quiet. I said, “Back in the day, we’d talk for about an hour and then we were good ‘til the next week.” He kinda laughed, then we both decided to end it. We hung up, and I looked at the phone and laughed. I sent him a text: “59 minutes, 53 seconds!”
That’s about all I’m good for, no matter what I do! :o])
Jake wanted me to get up at 5:15 and at 6:15. Then he gave up and burrowed under the covers and is still there. It's presently not raining.
We went to the Home and Garden Show yesterday afternoon, DP and me, Frank and Kathleen. I bought a plant. Maybe tomorrow I'll go to Lowe's and get a pot for it. They had pots at the show, but they were handmade and expensive. I can get one that's mass-produced and pretty for $4 at Lowe's.
Tom's night-shift friend was over yesterday evening. He's a polite and interesting young man, as Tom's friends usually are (at least around me). They were headed out to the movies when we went to bed at 9:00.
Thanks, but it’s my CSR ‘Face.
I’m looking forward to getting the Priority Mail envelope! The mailman is now slowing down enough to receive my “THANK YOU!” as he gets into his vehicle and looks back, so I guess I’m the only person in here that actually thanks him. UPS? Well, he comes so late (1900+) that by the time I get to the door, he’s back in the truck and shifting into gear.
I would like a housewarming plant, but I’m a serial plant killer.
I’ll be off to church in a bit. It seems these days, my feet swell before its over, and we’re talking two hours. I feel like I have clown feet.
I’m not the best plant caretaker, but I chose this one for myself and will nurture it. It has broad leaves that are light and dark green on top and dark purple on the bottom. I’ll send you a photo once it’s potted.
Yep. Definitely magical! Thank you.
I’d rather build that terrarium. I still have the glass ginger jar I was going to put it in, and I have my old book on houseplants (unpacked!), so all I have to do is earmark some money for potting soil, gravel, and plants. Since they basically take care of themselves in that environment, the chances are good that I won’t kill them. I have the perfect place for it, too!
I don’t think I can do it this payday, though. It’s probably only about $20 or so, but there are other things that need to be gotten. I’ll just keep it on the list and move it up after the ones at the top are taken care of.
There should be planting-season specials in a month or six weeks.
I’ll find the book on plants and read up on what I think I want. It only has a page devoted to terrariums, but I think I can remember enough about plants to make it work!
It’s something to look forward to.
And now I’m off to bed. See you tomorrow!
Skinny Jeans ;-)
What a sweet little Morning Floof!
The laundry is done (as in washed) but now I have to hang the clothes. I always have to sit a bit before I do that. It would be nice if I could get the nerves in my lower back to calm down enough for a “normal” life.
I have no idea what’s on the docket for today, but something will be done and that’s for sure. ;o]
Good morning. I’ve done some laundry, too. Also dishes. And fed the cats.
I stopped. The Thing got me. Now I have to force myself to get up because I just want to sit here. But the wet clothes are calling to me.
Clothes will get icky if they sit around wet.
Yes, and nothing stinks worse than soured clothes because they seem to never lose that smell. So I got up and hung them even though it was painful. It’s still too early to take another morphine.
Kitteh says what I’m thinking.
Monday!!!! Ugh!
Good morning, all.
One of my recent cow-orkers who had constant lower back pain had been approved for a procedure that put some sort of thingie in his spine that would block the pain signals to his brain. I guess he and the doctor decided the signals aren't important in his case. The very idea gives me the willies.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.