tagged w/ Washington State University
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According to the biotech industry, genetically modified (GM) crops are a boon to humanity because they allow farmers to "generate higher crop yields with fewer inputs," as the trade group Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) puts it on its web page.
Buoyed by such rhetoric, genetically modified seed giant Monsanto and its peers have managed to flood the corn, soybean, and cotton seed markets with two major traits: herbicide resistance and pesticide expression—giving plants the ability to, respectively, withstand regular lashings of particular herbicides and kill bugs with the toxic trait of Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt.
Turns out, though, that both assertions in BIO's statement are highly questionable. Washington State University researcher Charles Benbrook has demonstrated that the net effect of GMOs in the United States has been an increase in use of toxic chemical inputs. Benbrook found that while the Bt trait has indeed allowed farmers to spray dramatically lower levels of insecticides, that effect has been more than outweighed the gusher of herbicides uncorked by Monsanto's Roundup Ready technology, as weeds have rapidly adapted resistance to regular doses of Monsanto's Rounup herbicide.
And in a new paper (PDF) funded by the US Department of Agriculture, University of Wisconsin researchers have essentially negated the "more food" argument as well. The researchers looked at data from UW test plots that compared crop yields from various varieties of hybrid corn, some genetically modified and some not, between 1990 and 2010. While some GM varieties delivered small yield gains, others did not. Several even showed lower yields than non-GM counterparts. With the exception of one commonly used trait—a Bt type designed to kill the European corn borer—the authors conclude, "we were surprised not to find strongly positive transgenic yield effects." Both the glyphosate-tolerant (Roundup Ready) and the Bt trait for corn rootworm caused yields to drop.
Full Story: http://www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2013/02/do-gmo-crops-have-lower-yieldsAccording to the biotech industry, genetically modified (GM) crops are a boon to... more
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SAN FRANCISCO, California (AFP) – Some 2,000 students at Washington State University have reported symptoms of swine flu, university officials said, in one of the largest reported outbreaks of the virus on a US college campus.SAN FRANCISCO, California (AFP) – Some 2,000 students at Washington State... more
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In a great weekend of Pac 10 hoops I must give out my pick for the Pac 10 POTW, Taylor Rochestie.
Taylor led the Cougs to back to back road wins agains Oregon State University (in Overtime) and Oregon in his last visit to "Mack" Court. In these two games Rochestie tallied 44 points and 15 assists (both weekend high's for the Pac) while playing a pac 10 high 84 minutes of solid point guard play. He tied a WSU single game record for free-throws going 16 for 16 from the stripe against Oregon and reached a career milestone while in Corvallis where he eclipsed the 1,000 point mark. Surely his performance should be rewarded with the Player of the Week honor. So, if there is any justice in the world, the powers that be will AT LEAST honor him with an honorable mention for Player of the Week.
The only other player that is worth mentioning would be
USC's Dwight Lewis who led the Trojans to two wins over the Arizona teams. He did have 39 points and 6 assists (along with 5 turnovers in his 73 minutes of play) and Arizona/Arizona St. are definitely tougher teams than those Rochestie and WSU encountered, even at home in the Galen Center. So I won't be suprised if USC/Lewis gets the nod this on Monday but hope that the honor goes to Rochestie.
Going by straight statistics nobody had a better week than Rochestie. Going past the box-score, for those of us who know anything about WSU's style of play, 44 points is a huge number for anyone playing for Tony Bennet & Co.
In both games Rochestie was THE difference maker in the outcome vs. Oregon hitting big three's and every free throw needed in the second half. Against OSU, Rochestie made a three pointer and found Daven Harmeling for another trey, giving WSU it's last 6 points in regulation. He had 8 assists in the overtime win against the Beavers and hit his 1,000th point as an NCAA player. All of this while being targeted by opposing coaches as the primary player to "shut down." While the Cougs have other options (Thompson, Baynes, etc.) Rochestie was indespensible while the same is not likely true of Lewis who had plenty of help from the likes of Gibson, Hackett, DeRozan, etc.
Hopefully the news on Monday is reasonable but considering the fact that WSU hasn't had a Player of the Week since... it's been a while. Did I miss anything? Wanna plead the case for Lewis or someone else? Go for it.In a great weekend of Pac 10 hoops I must give out my pick for the Pac 10 POTW, Taylor... more
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AROC
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added this
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4 years ago
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I work at a WSU Extension and I happen to be a fan of the rival Washington huskies football team, but I have to admit I'll be rooting for this guy and thus the Cougs as well(except when they play the Dawgs)
I work at a WSU Extension and I happen to be a fan of the rival Washington... more
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To bring more attention to the lack of women in math and sciences, computer science nerds at WSU are getting a sorority makeover.To bring more attention to the lack of women in math and sciences, computer science... more
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You would think that being the number 10 team in the country would get you some respect in college basketball. Not if your Washington State University, who by now must be comfortable in the "underdog" role. Unfortunately, teams that played against the Cougars last year know that this team is very hard to beat. ESPN and other media outlets might not cover this amazing team and coach (OF THE YEAR) becasue they aren't a run and gun team from North Carolina. However, if you appreciate the game of basketball and want to see one of the best teams in the land flip over to a WSU game and check them out. WSU's hard-nosed defense and an effecient offense will gain your respect or your money back.
You would think that being the number 10 team in the country would get you some... more
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AROC
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added this
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5 years ago
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WSU Linux Users Group has decided to auction off some of the more braver nerds for a make over and maybe some, finally, non-virtual sex.WSU Linux Users Group has decided to auction off some of the more braver nerds for a... more
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Danny
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added this
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5 years ago
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