my crew is always on call.
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 ...
Don’t answer any more text messages.
YES!!! Thank you!!! *hugs* *happy dance*
Happy Monday evening, all. Veterans Day (observed) is over and I’m back to scanning family photos.
RIP Stan Lee. Too bad the Dems couldn’t remember “With great power comes great responsibility.”
Does he get to be stamped, "Official Business"?
Google Chrome works pretty well, as does Microsoft Edge.
Maybe he has papers or something. It should be exciting. He’s been to Seattle a couple of times, but never to California.
I won’t have Goober Chrome on any device. I don’t like the monitoring they do. But thanks for the suggestion!
Microsoft Edge wants me to choose from several programs before it will allow me to download and open anything. I don’t have time for that. When I need documents opened, I need them opened, without having to go through a menu of items I don’t use. Ever.
I do appreciate your input, though. :o]
T-c, I hope Bill’s trip is productive, and that the production of it is duly noted by his bosses.
ArGee, NoC and Covenantor, I appreciate all of you more than you will ever know. When I’ve needed help with the laptops, all of you have been more than generous with your knowledge, your expertise, your time and your willingness to help me.
All I can do is thank you and ask God to bless you with those things that He sees you stand in need of.
My heartfelt thanks to each of you! <3
G’night, all!
my crew is always on call.
Always good to have copies. Glad to hear it’s O.K.
Ducky Mo-Mo.
Pat will be taking English Composition II, Pre-Calculus Algebra, Psychology, and American History.
Sounds like a good, varied, and challenging mix. Tell Pat to remember that one man’s pig-headedness is another man’s determination.
There are no social problems for which Nature has no solution.
But there are no problems that will not yield to patience and perseverance.
Also, sometimes you just have to read your course material, take notes, and repeat back what you’re being taught.
Psych should be the easiest. All you have to do is psych out the Psych Prof.
Tom was great at that. I expect Pat will have fun. Sally is taking Psych, too. I don’t think they’re in the same section, but maybe they can share a book.
Scientists Find Compound in Red Wine and Dark Chocolate Could Reverse Ageing
That's very comforting! Thanks!
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