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 ...
It looks like a bengal very unusual markings, he or she is a beauty!!!!
He. I have a similar cat that was claimed to be a Bengal at the SPCA, but he’s awfully striped!
Awww...sleepy floof!
Good morning. I slept in. I think I’m finally recovering from the stresses of the last four months.
The big job today is folding and putting away the clothes I hung yesterday. But I have no bed to sit on and do it... I suspect it will take me a while to get used to that!
W00t!
When I was studying to be a Vet Tech, it was common knowledge in the area that most people who work at the local shelter are volunteers who have no formal training in determining the breeds of the animals they care for.
Had I been able to continue that class and go on to the next step, I think I would have liked to learn more about the breeds.
Good morning. I’m glad you’re feeling better! Many of the residents here are quite sluggish this morning. I got up at midnight to let Jake in.
My daughter made arrangements with one of her ex-co-workers for me to get her parakeets. Said worker has been out of town for a couple of weeks. I sent her a text yesterday, introducing myself and asking if now was a good time to discuss the transfer. Crickets.
The thing is, my daughter paid for them, (I didn’t know money was going to cross hands) and it seems I’ll have to go through my daughter to contact this woman. Now the question is, do I even want them? She “says” she wants them gone, but doesn’t act like it.
What a muddle. I’ve got to get some supper on before we leave for Weight Watchers. I’m gone from 3:00 to 5:30 because of Frank and Kathleen’s swimming lessons, which makes it difficult to offer anything for meals other than toast.
I guess I survived Monday Part I.
On to Monday Part II.
Good morning, all.
Eavesdropping.
And vice-versa, with a few notable exceptions...
Ah. A California Spangled, spotted on the thread...
You ain’t been droppin’ no eaves!
It was your fly spies, I know.
One of my favorites! I was like that once, at the age Calvin is in the comic. It lasted just long enough for my mother to find her magic wand. Presto! I was dressed in a flash and ready to start the day!
Thank you for beautimous kitteh!
Hmpfh. Vogons. There goes the neighborhood.
Mornings again, y’all. Back from Weight Watchers and several other stops. After lunch, I have to do more things.
I’m going to write one more letter when my hands warm up. That will make six for the this week. Talk about a lost art. I couldn’t do it without a computer just because the hands don’t want to work when they hold a pen.
Yesterday, I looked around the place and realized I need to pack up some more stuff. The place is looking very cluttered.
Maybe mopping the floors again will help a little, but I dunno. I just need to get rid of the clutter. Or get it out of sight. Maybe filing some stuff will help. *sheesh* I really need to move away and unpack my stuff so I don’t have to buy more to replace what’s packed. :o[
Charlie wants to buy a new bed (platform) so I printed off some items from Wayfair that I thought he could afford. I hope he realizes there is no mattress with any of them.
Back from more errands. Time for nap.
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