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 ...
Reminds me of an old Paul Lynde answer on Hollywood Squares. Q: "If you pat a dog on the head, it will wag its tail. What will a goose do?" A: "Make him bark?"
It is a conspiracy.
Win-tin-tin isn’t so bad. I get around the hidden thing by using the search doohickey that looks like a magnifying glass. I click that and type “font” and it offers Font Preview and Related Settings. So I don’t hunt around any more.
I use searchlight on my Macbook at home, too. It’s much faster than hunting.
Well yes.
BUT - if they left stuff where we all are used to finding it there would be no need to search, you’d just go there. Sort of like you don’t need Garmin to get to Grandmother’s house. You just go over the river and through the woods because the horse knows the way.. ;-)
Well, if they didn’t make things new and improved, after getting us so used to old and lousy that it seems normal, how would they sell upgrades?
Of course we all know that the word 'improved' has a totally different definition in Redmond..
If the objects connected to the rocks wriggle and complain, there nsy be a miniscule loss of water volume through dispersal onto the surrounding area.
Best done at night, when evaporation is reduced.
The tiny Morning Floof is looking rather pensive today.
Good morning.
I got side-tracked again, so I’m late. But I’ve written a letter and taken some stuff out to the truck to be taken to the thrift store later. Then I’ll I swing by the library because they sent me an email that said “Midsomer Murders” and “Doc Martin” were in. I have a lot of catching up to do!
I have one more letter to write and then I’ll go see what I can do in the bedroom, before I come back out here and veg out in front of some excellent British dramas. My “therapy” has suffered since the move, and now I need to take some time for myself and get some crocheting done.
Sounds like you have a good plan for the day. DP and I took his truck to the mechanic at 7:00 a.m. for brake service. We have choir practice at 10:00. I was going to take the young parties - especially Frank, whose waistline is getting out of hand - out for some exercise, but it’s cold. We’ll go to the park for some exertion after lunch.
This evening, DP and I and Sally are going to a fundraiser for the homeless mission.
Did you find suitable pants for the byos yesterday? Your day sounds full, as usual. The BB SUV doesn’t need brakes, but I think it will need an oil change, soon. And new spark plugs as the mileage is beginning to drop.
When I go to the thrift store, I’ll check to see what they have in the way of suitable tables so I can swap out the one the TV is on. I think it will help to make the room look bigger. And then there is the recliner. Still no takers on it, so it looks like I’ll have to have someone take it to the thrift store along with the TV table.
The claustrophobia is sneaking up on me.
Based on this side of DP’s conversation with the auto shop, I think whatever’s up with the truck is going to be expensive. Oh, well.
Yes, I got pants for James, Vlad, and Frank. Normal adult sizes fit James. Vlad is too skinny for the smallest size, which is 29” waist, but he can wear a belt. Frank is built like a fireplug.
Lynx
Wow. The byos are not recognizable to me, even in photos. I have a bunch of them that you’ve sent over the years, and now, they’re beginning to all look alike.
I don’t like when repairs are expensive, but somehow, between now and next winter, I need to get the defroster fixed. Even if I buy the part, the labor will be around $350-$400. The heater core is well under $100.
What a beautiful animal! Thanks, Covenantor!
Did I sent you the picture from the farm last week?
Yes, with the rooster? Those are so funny!
Yes, those. It was a rooster with an opinion!
LOL! I’ll have to try and get that printed!
Thank you for breathtakingly beautiful kitteh!
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