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 ...
Aww... The Morning Floof looks brand new, with a beautiful coat!
Good morning.
I had trouble with the printer again and nothing I sent to it, including the exercises, was printing. I was getting to the point where I just wanted to assume the fetal position, stick my thumb in my mouth and turn the electric mattress pad up to “9.”
I decided the best idea was to let it go for a bit, and give myself a chance to think. I did both. When I came back to it, I uninstalled it component by component until I was down to the last one and then I put in the Epson Printer Driver CD and off I went.
Whenever MS or Epson does updates, the printer doesn’t want to work. (I will change the OS in the near future.) Anyway, as usual, every attempt at printing was spit out of the printer one page after another. (I’ll never learn...)
From a litter of mixed-color Burmese.
Glad your printer is working again. My friend Gloria is threatening her husband with death and dismemberment because he updated their network a couple of weeks ago, and nobody has been able to print anything since. I told her DP could go over and wonk it if it’s not pulled together by this weekend.
I would sit down with your local librarian and have them perform searches for you. Searches to bring up only what you want to see or at least only British.
These library catalogs are leftovers from the days that data base administrators did eveything and they are way too technical. Tell the librarian what you want and how you want it and how to get it. Make him or her work. They are goverenment employees lol.
Since yoiu are disabled have them step and fetch it too. these titles should be waiting at the desk. In our area there are volunteers who also will deliver.
You don’t need to try to curry favor with the resident poet.
Happy Friday Eve, all. I hope the weather is better where you are.
It was chillier yesterday morning when I ran. I was able to breathe for more of the run.
We’ll see what tomorrow brings.
Thank Thor! I should start doing things on my list so I can check them off.
Another episode of Foyle’s War down, and I have about an hour before I have to leave for my appointment in St George. I’ll make it, this time!!
It’s very cold and very rainy: 48°, wind from the NW and 76% humidity. I think I’ll never be warm again! I hate the cold.
More of the same tomorrow. :o[
ArGee to
You don’t need to try to curry favor with the resident poet.
___________________
did I step in something here??
ArGee was just remarking on a pun. We often post to everyone who has been commenting recently.
Just trying to sauce it up.
You just happened to get in on one of the spicier sub-threads of the UT. I thought you might enjoy the fun. But we can leave it bland for you if you like.
I'm trying to imagine what that might be like.
You’ve never had bland chicken soup? ;)
As my brother said, of an entirely different matter, “The worst I ever had was wonderful!”
The Undead Thread is known for its zesty conversations.
I appreciate your posts re: British drama series.
We are great fans of British drama, here, in case you haven’t noticed, SG!!
;o])
G’daft, y’all!
Adorable! Thank you.
Good to hear that you can breathe while you’re running.
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.