  Combining a selection of tools from modern algebraic geometry, representation
theory, the classical invariant theory of binary forms, together with explicit
calculations with hypergeometric series and Feynman diagrams, we obtain the
following interrelated results. A Castelnuovo-Mumford regularity bound and a
projective normality result for the locus of hypersufaces that are equally
supported on two hyperplanes. The surjectivity of an equivariant map between
two plethystic compositions of symmetric powers; a statement which is
reminiscent of the Foulkes-Howe conjecture. The nonvanishing of even
transvectants of exact powers of generic binary forms. The nonvanishing of a
collection of symmetric functions defined by sums over magic squares and
transportation matrices with nonnegative integer entries. An explicit set of
generators, in degree three, for the ideal of the coincident root locus of
binary forms with only two roots of equal multiplicity.
