News of note. (Clippings).

* A gnat-sized insect, the psyllid Boreioglycaspis melaleucae is helping to thwart the advance of the invasive Australian melaleuca in Florida, according to the USDA's Agricultural Research Service. Some 100,000 psyllids have been released at sites around south Florida to help the melaleuca leaf weevil, Oxyops vitiosa, combat the invasive tree, which has been taking over 14 to 15 acres of the Everglades each day. Melaleuca seedlings are most vulnerable to the psyllids hut they can also stunt the growth of larger trees and slow seed production.

* Canada has announced plans to create 10 new national parks and five marine conservation areas over the next five years. The plan, which Planet Ark news service says will "protect unique landscapes and animals" will almost double the amount of space used for the country's 39 existing national parks.

* A chemist has discovered a way to turn chicken feathers into paper, according to a release from the USDA's Agricultural Research Service. The chemist, Walter Schmidt, also discovered a way to use feather fiber to replace some of the wood pulp in such items as air filters and decorative paper.