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 ...
Which is fitting, as that is how it began?
Movies, crocheting, more movies! Yep, that’s my day in a nutshell.
I had to go to Walmart and get a padded mailer so I can mail a tam to my Real Brother. When my late brother served his mission in England, he got to go to Scotland and picked up tams for us kids and one for himself. I managed to get it sandwiched between the show cards my dad made when my brother’s kids were dividing up the spoils.
Since the kids aren’t going to part with anything for their dad’s sibling’s, I’ve had to share what I got. And that’s fine, because eventually, I’ll get them back. Anyway, Real Brother will remember where this came from.
And, it’s Friday!!!
Happy Friday, y’all.
Maybe I’ll put in my will that, when I die, everything is to be sold and the proceeds given to the Missionaries of the Poor.
I hope your Real Brother wears the hat!
Thanks! The older, “Pioneer Era” temples are all being given seismic strengthening as well as modernization. Since they are built with the finest quality materials available, no matter where in the world they are built, they last a very long time. However, plumbing and electricity need to be upgraded in all of them periodically.
The seismic upgrade is needed because Utah has several minor faults, and we’re sitting on one, here.
So people will use the Cedar City temple as well as the new one that is being built “in Washington County.” I don’t think the place has been announced, but I could be wrong. Also, it could already be being built.
He will probably just hang on to it and reminisce. And tell his kids all about the thing! :o]
A quick search shows a new temple planned for Washington County, Utah, specific location not announced.
They spend a lot of time choosing the right place to build a temple. I don’t know what the criteria is, but they want the temples to be seen from a good distance.
The one in D.C. is particularly well placed. At certain times of the day, as you round yet another curve of the Beltway, the light strikes it magnificently.
Mrs. ArGee isn’t waiting. She’s been watching YouTubes about minimalists. She’s been getting rid of stuff like crazy.
I’ve done my bit for Freedom today.
Four more American tourists introduced to the Joys of Cask Ale.
They have another week here, Blightyside. Don’t think they will be remembering much about it.
No often you see such joy, as they Hailed the Ale.(!)
There is a lot to be said for getting rid of the excess junk in your everyday life.
Thank you, and I hope you have a marvelous weekend!
The whole Brexit experience has been like a Fred Quimby Cartoon.
I hope someone makes a Movie about it ,some of it is just pure farce.
G’dafternoon, and have a great weekend, y’all!
It is, isn’t it? The late Igor had a childhood friend who worked at the DC Temple and he (friend) asked if we wanted to go to the visitor’s center. The temple is stunning, no matter the time of day. I believe it’s the same architectural style as the one in San Diego, and that is able to be seen from several of the local freeways. Some of the temples will not let you ignore them!
Good for Mrs Argee! we should never get too attached to things because one never knows when one will have to give them up.
I did that before I moved here, but this place doesn’t have the storage space that the place in Hooterville had, so I got rid of more stuff after I got here. I suppose I’ll get rid of more of it before the summer is over.
Excellent!
Though I had a very hard time getting used to warm beer/ale when we were in Germany. I tended toward the Pilsners. And Mosel wine, of course!
Hmmm...
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.