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 ...
This pile of wet clothing - it wouldn’t be related to Dark’s grumbling rug thing would it?
That would explain why I’m always hungry. ;)
That sounds like a very interesting direction.
Would you like to write the next chunk of the story?
Origin story of Zagrath the grumbling rug? Fiber is fiber, after all.
As I was reaching for the broom, I heard a woman’s voice behind me. “Are you OK?” she asked.
I got up, rubbing my left shoulder, and said, “My ego may never recover.”
“What happened?” She was about 5 foot 8, straight brown hair, and a no-nonsense look to her. Of course, she was in no-nonsense clothes since she was down here to do her laundry, but she looked pretty good in them.
“I’m not really sure,” I said. “I’m the new janitor and I was going to pick up that pile of clothing.”
“Just stay away from that,” she interrupted.
“Why?” I asked her.
“Six months ago, there was just a rug there. We lost our first janitor when he was going to get rid of the rug. Over time the pile added a blouse from the ‘60s, two pairs of worn-out jeans, more socks than I can remember, and that towel. WE’ve been through 4 janitors, but that pile is just growing. In fact, I think that work shirt might have belonged to Mike.”
“Mike?” I asked again.
“That was two janitors ago. Jose was here for maybe a day, and now you’re here. If you want to stay here, stay away from that pile.”
“That’s easy for you to say,” I told her. “The Super asked me to get rid of it. Besides, I don’t usually walk away from trouble.”
“Whatever is going on with that pile, I think the Super is a part of it,” she said. “But, suit yourself. Don’t mind me. I just need to get my stuff out of the dryer.”
I did leave the origin of Xagthrath the Grumbling Rug and blgthrths in general rather vague.
Though I do have in the mind’s eye an image of an angry blgthrth sitting in a corner “agrily screeching and buzzing its towel like corners in a menacing fashion and the eyes, oh God why does this towel have slit like black as pitch eyes just above a similarly slit like mouth?!”
It blinks rapidly as it does a threat wobble accompanied by the buzzing, eyes sit in an angled “V” like angry eyebrows, and the mouth just opens and closes with the outraged screeches and squeaks.
That fits right in with the present narrative ...
That’s an exceptionally mix-n-match feline.
How are things in England these days?
Is this feline the result of unchecked immigration?
SO far you seem to have the story line..
However should something materialize on the event horizon I’ll see if I can capture the thought(s). ;-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6H01cUSpfQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A76g-tHt4A0
Blgthrth motion.
Imagine it slightly less severe, but wriggling through the air.
While screeching angrily.
*tagline*
*tagline corrected*
Da Morning Floof is looking very floofable.
Good morning.
I’m done with the shower, now I’ll go make the bed and have the steroid, and then I’m off to Wally’s and to back to gas (with cash) before I head for St George. I hope my phone is up to the task of multiple stops and doesn’t get me lost in the middle of the high, snowy desert!
I hope, by the time I get to the utilities office that I still have a modicum of wit and sanity, because if I don’t, it could be ugly.
He might allow you to pet him, if you are sufficiently cowed.
Good luck on all your efforts!
Well, now that I have that information, it certainly will.
C’est Moi-nday III.
Huppy Damp Hay to all.
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