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 ...
And you said them all 30 times to She? *snort*
We had another very quick T-storm a few minutes ago. It seems they creep up on us about every 12 hours. Interesting. But since we are surrounded by mountains and bluffs, they don’t seem to work up too much of a punch. Except in Zion Park, of course. Then one needs to stay away from the Virgin River, which has a tendency to flash flood without warning, and take shelter under anything but trees.
In Henderson, they were very scary. I don’t miss that, but I do miss the warmth. Today, it MAY get up to 71°. *shiver*
Most James and Frank. I’m taking some kids out for an exertion now, before it gets too hot.
Ah. So one got the idea and the other one ran with it. Just like byos.
Enjoy your excursion!
It got quite warm. We listened to birds and recited multiplication facts. Next, I’m going to my prayer group after cutting up apples.
I’m sorry to hear that. Do keep us posted.
Oh, good grief, is it morning already?
OK. Good morning, everyone.
I guess if Top Gun can have a Top Gun II after all these years, we can have a Monday III.
My dad used to say, "Don't let the screen door hit you on your way out. Because if you keep doing that, you aren't living here.
Good plan. I often need to pray after using a kitchen knife.
I have other irons in the fire. I’m about half way through a patent application, just received prototypes and will start testing today. Pretty good and growing market, and I can charge a hefty premium for my version.
One of my (former) cow-irkers has expressed interest in starting a company.
And I have one other project in the offing.
Nully, I told you that idea to have Alexa automatically say “I’m sorry, dear” in her husband’s voice will never sell.
I know the wives will buy it, but they won’t be able to record their husbands actually saying it.
Wellden. I will just continue to keep you in my prayers. :o] (How’s Mom?)
Ha-ha!
And just think: tomorrow is Friday Eve!!!
Thank you for the lovely, serene kitteh!
I just watched the first of the “Foyle’s War” series. I’ve never seen it but I’ve seen trailers and thought it might be good. The first one was every bit the British cliffhanger mystery! Excellent stuff.
Now I need to find something to eat, because I think my blood sugar dropped in a hurry. I thought of making bread tomorrow, but I have that appointment at ophthalmology in St George. Maybe Friday.
It’s a fantastic series. Wait until Miss Pierce shows up!
G’daft ernoon, y’all!
I had no idea they were such long episodes, so I’ll be working my way through them one at a time.
Along with the other stuff...
And now, I have to take my silly self to bed. It’s been a Monday III.
Ta!
Nice.
Can you have him approve that large transfer of funds to my account?
Actually, I once saw a demonstration of a voice command module for a helicopter cockpit. I asked the developers how they had filtered out the engine and blade noise. He said they actually train the listener while the bird is in flight so they don’t have any idea what it would sound like if the pilot said “fire” in a silent room. But it knows what “fire” sounds like with the engine running.
So the woman might have no idea what it sounds like to have her husband say “Whatever you say, dear” without the sounds of a game in the background.
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