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 ...
At my house, everyone is supposed to turn up at the dinner table no later than 0630, at which point I give them essential information, such as what day it is. Those who think they’re too special to participate in this system tend to find themselves in snafus of various descriptions.
Tom, for example, has realized that he can’t use the internet to link his rental car to his parking pass. He has to use the phone, and the office doesn’t open until 9:00. Meanwhile, he didn’t have time to get to school, use public parking, and go to class, because he likes to stay in bed until the last possible moment, like Some of His Siblings We Could Mention but won’t because if you say their names it’s like invoking a dark power.
But in summary, Unnngh.
Ours open at 07:00. we have to be there at 05:45 to set up and may not leave the premises until the polls close, the equipment has been put away, the space cleaned up, all the secured data is accounted for and the results are on the way the Registrar of Voters, and the manager has dismissed us.
Could be a long day.
Pack a lunch, a breakfast, dinner, water and snacks...
Igor and I had a stackable set in St George, and it couldn’t hold a candle to the Maytags we had to leave behind. I’ll still go to the laundromat, even if I have to move into the renovated section, because I’m not going to stay here. Period.
The laundry is done. It’s surprising how little I had to wash in the way of linens...
The birds hear me coming from about 50’ away and begin to chirp! What a couple of sweeties! I was going to take them to the vet today, but I don’t know if I will feel up to it. One thing is for sure — Beaker looks healthier. I began at the very first to give them vitamins and some “sticks” that have extra protein in them, and I think that may be why they haven’t started molting. They’re so funny!
Congratulations, Nully! Got your bullwhip handy? Or do you want to borry mine?
Hahaha! Good one! Thanks for the funny on a Monday!
Yepper. And I suspect Elen will do the same!
I voted absentee ballot two weeks ago. SOOO glad I did!
Congrats, Tax-chick. Your van probly has a lot of space for upcoming child achievement stickers.
Our ‘puter has been dead for several days and is now up, uppish but moribund. We have to get the repair guy back here to take a look at it. The offline stuff is working OK so i am making more vocabulary lists for the Five Thousand Words My Son Must Know (with the definitions, sample sentences, and various quizzes) — whether he wants to or not.
Even if his attitude is disdainful, I wouldn’t want it to be incommunicable.
F your ineffable, I say.
, billy club, pepper spray... Oh. Wait. You're in RENO! (Or some such safe from the So Nv whackos.)
I early voted Thursday. They warned us we might not have enough time to vote on Election Day...
Can’t I just use my personality?
That's a good one! I'll try to remember it for future use.
Oh, yes, by ALL means! That may be better, actually. I’d like to see it in action at a place like that.
Might be on the news tonight...
Had an idea for a short story about a king who tried to abolish Monday only to have Monday and several people named thus abolish him.
Tuesday night.
I would be glad to be able to vote absentee for work, but I understand the point of those who say “What about the very late breaking news?” For example, I’d love to see news that Kristin Gillebrand (sp?) had been arrested today for beating up babies (although I wouldn’t want babies hurt). Then again, she might still be elected by the Democrat electorate.
It pays to increase your word power. I hope he appreciates the effort.
I have, “I’m proud of my Eagle Scouts,” and now “United States Marine Parent.” I suppose I could get something from UNC-Charlotte, since I have one graduate and two current students.
Thank you for gorgeous morning kitteh.
You’d think so. Mappy Hunday, y’all!
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