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 ...
G’orning, y’all!
We had a Sunbean yesterday, but today is going to be wet and gray. I hope my daughter really did look for the light box, because if she didn’t, I’ll have to see what I can find on eBay on my next payday.
I usually take a Benadryl three times a day or more, because if I don’t my sinuses drain continuously. CFIDS. Allergies are made worse.
When I walked over to get the mail, I decided to get the case of water out of the Tracker, and the end of the case split, and a couple of bottles decided to go walkabout. I didn’t sign up for this.
Ah. But “whites” tried socialism in Russia. It didn’t work there, either, and to my eye, its still going on. The government gives a little capitalism to entice other countries into their web, but they’re basically still communist. So is China. But you’re right...this is America, so...
I suspect when Jesus comes again, there will be a lot of people who won’t live to tell about it, what with killing all the babies. Number one cause of death. :o[
Good morning. It’s Monday II. I’m still looking for Friday eve...
I always look out windows, and have come to accept the proven capabilities of weather forecasters.
Which is why I look out windows.
Jake liked the sunbeam. He made some happy sounds and showed me his claws. I have to go to Walmart after lunch, but first, I’ll wake Tom the Son up because he wants to go.
If you are waking Tom the Son at 11:30 then he is a man after my own heart and predilections.
I used to really like when the cats would make those happy noises and show their claws. “See how happy you’ve made me?”
I just got off the phone with Century Link, and the guy was determined he was going to sell me a visit by a tech to install a phone jack in here for half-price, and that he could waive my first month’s bill thereby. I told him I had sent the equipment back the day after I got it and I should not have been charged. He then said he would waive my next month’s bill and I told him there won’t be a next month’s bill because I never used the equipment because there was no phone jack! Again. His next tactic was to warn me that if anyone was relying on my not-phone number to contact me, it was a bad idea to discontinue service. GAH! I told him no one even knew I was contemplating a landline. Round and round we went.
By the time I got off the phone with him my BP was through the ceiling and my voice was almost non existent. I have yet to call TDS, but I think I’ll save that for tomorrow.
And the Not-So-Epic Failure Lawn Guys are here. Two riding mowers. There are 24 apartments and one clubhouse, but so much more lawn than Espinoza had. I’m not happy with the trees, but at least they vacuum up the leaves once a week.
What a strange life this is in Hurricane Utah...
You do realize that you are perfectly within your rights to say, "We're done here, goodbye!" and then hangup before he can squawk. If he tries to call you back you just start with, "May I please speak to your supervisor before I have to contact the FCC?"
Yes, I realize that, but I also realize that my brain is not really working properly, but had it been, I probably would have asked for a supervisor before the conversation got more than three minutes old. And I would have done so in a very calm voice because that’s who I am...not the sicko weenie that I was today!
Anyway, its been rendered moot because if I get another bill, I will go straight for the juggler. Today’s telephone CSRs are really rabid. We were taught to be polite and diplomatic, and I don’t understand this new breed.
And now that I’ve finished my teas, I’m going to take the last dose of supplements for the day and head for the boudoir to try and make up for lost time. I was so exhausted yesterday, I fell asleep in the middle of the latest chapter of Scriptures. I don’t like that.
So have a good evening and be safe going home.
Thanks for the words of support and encouragement. They mean a lot! :o]
Jake was super extra happy after I let him get under the covers with me. Now I need to start supper.
I can remember when much of my prayer time didn't end with "Amen" but with "I wasn't asleep."
I’m still hung up on the word “scripture”.
To me, the most interesting writings can be seen in ravines and cliff faces where sedimentary rock is stacked up layer upon layer.
It’s hard to reconcile that we’re only looking at the edges of the pages. We can barely make out what some of the page numbers might be. Most of the really interesting stuff hasn’t seen the light of day for a long, l o n g time.
Honey, it’s all the Creator. Just go with the flow and don’t worry. You will be cared for. (Sorry about the prepositions)
Growing up in the west, farther north but with similar geography, I’ve never NOT seen “scripture” around me. I grew up being amazed by the beauty around me, of the mountain peaks and the red bluffs that held fossil shells. In farm country, in mountain valleys, one can’t help but read the edges of the pages and realize it was by “Intelligent Design.”
I love this state because there is always something different to see no matter where you drive. A few miles south is the Mojave Desert. To the east is Zion National Park. To the north is Bryce Canyon and Brian Head Ski resort. Duck Creek Reservoir to the south.
This state is “home” to me because of the beauty that Man had absolutely nothing to do with! “Scripture,” indeed! <3
:o])
Awww... Look at that sweet Morning Floof!
Good morning. I’m going to take a shower in a minute, but I had to have a cup of the teas before I go into the warm bathroom.
I don’t know what I had that so unceremoniously caught me in the middle of a relapse, but I blame both of them on my failure to make myself heard yesterday with Century Link. TDS used the “if you dial 911 on your cell phone, the call will have to go all the way to Vegas before its rerouted here,” and Century Link used, “If you discontinue the phone service your family won’t know how to contact you.” This was AFTER I told him that I had sent the equipment back the day after I got it.
Since when do reputable companies use fear and shame as tools to make a sale?
Maybe I can wash that out of my head in the shower...
“Reputable companies,” hah!
I just got out a plastic bag to clean the sandbox out, and Shannon came and sat on it. She wins the day!
I’ll suffer with what I have, and when the time comes to get a landline (after I’ve swapped out the phone jacks) I’ll do it through TDS. Their programming is lousy, but it’s what I have and I’ll see if I can make the Roku work.
Maybe, if I decide to buy the rent-to-own house, I’ll be able to do what I want with what I’ve been given. Hey! I do that now!! LOL!
"blame both of them FOR my failure."
There. Fixed it.
Sorry, Ganag...
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