Notre Dame Researchers Demonstrate New DNA Detection Technique (Dec 16, 2011)
A team of researchers from the University of Notre Dame have demonstrated a novel DNA detection method that could prove suitable for many real-world applications. The new technique, laser transmission spectroscopy, is cable of detecting species-specific DNA where the presence of one invasive species was differentiated from a closely related invasive sister species.

NASA - Climate Change May Bring Big Ecosystem Changes (Dec 14, 2011)
By 2100, global climate change will modify plant communities covering almost half of Earth's land surface and will drive the conversion of nearly 40 percent of land-based ecosystems from one major ecological community type -- such as forest, grassland or tundra -- toward another, according to a new NASA and university computer modeling study. The ecological stress could give a boost to invasive species, but at the expense of natives, reducing the diversity of plants and animals overall.

Weed Science Society of America Says Flooding along Our Nation's Rivers Worsened by Invasive Weeds (Dec 5, 2011)
Weed Science Society of America.
This year flooding has ravaged thousands of homes and businesses in communities across the U.S. And scientists say the prevalence of invasive weeds is one of the factors that may be contributing to the damage. These foreign invaders are overrunning many vital "riparian" lands – the ecologically diverse natural habitats that run along the millions of miles of our nation's waterways and help to prevent or moderate flooding.

US Forest Service Takes Action to Confront the Threat of Invasive Species (Dec 5, 2011)
USDA. Forest Service.
The Forest Service has finalized the development of an internal directive to the Forest Service Manual (FSM) 2900 policy for invasive species management. This final invasive species management directive will provide foundational comprehensive guidance for the management of invasive species on aquatic and terrestrial areas of the National Forest System (NFS). The purpose of this policy is to bring existing efforts together for a more coordinated management approach.

Experts and National Attorneys General Discuss Invasive Species (Dec 1, 2011) / Presentation - Issues Overview (PDF | 4.5 MB)
Great Lakes Environment Blog.
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette moderated an invasive species panel discussion before the Winter Meeting of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), held in San Antonio, TX on Nov 30, 2011. The panel is an extension of Schuette's efforts to build a national coalition "to demand tough action by Congress" to combat the spread of invasive species through the Chicago Waterway System, including the voracious Asian carp.