Good morning everyone. I hope you’re all looking forward to Thanksgiving in a few days, but for now here’s the latest in the world of biotech:

INSECT RESISTANCE TO BT CROPS CAN BE PREDICTED, MONITORED, AND MANAGED – A new study that analyzes insect resistance data from five continents has determined that existing theories and strategies can be used to predict, monitor, and manage insect resistance to Bt crops, AndhraNews.net reports.

According to lead author Dr. Bruce E. Tabashnik, “Resistance is not something to be afraid of, but something that we expect and can manage if we understand it.”

“Dozens of studies monitoring how pests have responded to Bt crops have created a treasure trove of data showing that resistance has emerged in a few pest populations, but not in most others,” he said.

“By systematically analyzing the extensive data, we can learn what accelerates resistance and what delays it. With this knowledge, we can more effectively predict and thwart pest resistance,” he added.

GENETIC VARIANT SLOWS AIDS PROGRESSION – A new study shows that a genetic variation appears to play a major role in slowing disease progression in HIV-infected patients. Healthday (via Yahoo News) reports:

“We’re honing in on factors that vary across individuals that make a person more or less susceptible to HIV, in terms of how rapidly someone develops the disease,” said study co-author Mary Carrington, a senior principal investigator at the U.S. National Cancer Institute.

The study “hints at ways we might ultimately develop a vaccine or immune-based therapies that could modify or maybe even prevent the development of HIV disease,” said Rowena Johnston, vice president of research with the Foundation for AIDS Research in New York City.

MORE SORGHUM GOING TO ETHANOL – It looks like corn may have competition for ethanol use from less expensive sorghum. According to a survey by the United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP), 29 percent of the grain sorghum grown in the United States this year will be used to produce ethanol – a total of nearly 137 million bushels. Domesticfuel.com reports:

“In the past year, the price differential has greatly benefited the bottom line of ethanol plants using sorghum as a feedstock,” said USCP Board Chairman, Bill Greving. “This means that the use of sorghum by ethanol plants has influenced the increased demand for sorghum in these areas where ethanol plants are co-located with sorghum production.”