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This article examines how the lay press and the expert literature have contributed to spreading the bad image of human Growth Hormone as a doping drug despite the lack of a solid scientific grounds proving its alleged deleterious side-effects. The analysis of the press coverage shows that the drug has been associated with a number of negative concepts and mainly with several health hazards and even (indirectly) with death, through the insistence on the fact that it used to be extracted from cadavers prior to 1985. The expert literature review unveils that a vast majority of the claims about the negative side-effects of the drug contained in the reviewed articles and book chapters are actually suppositions or deductions, not based in actual empirical research. The story about the use of cadaveric hGH is also lavishly quoted by the expert literature. The true available scientific evidence points only to mild side-effects of hGH supplementation in healthy adults. It is therefore concluded that this discourse can be labelled as ideological rather than factual or scientific. These claims have become common sense or naturalized knowledge, and have ultimately become instrumental in the anti-doping campaign succeeding in imposing its perspective on doping and its radical recipes to eradicate it.

Ante la constatación de la escasa atención prestada por la investigación a la dimensión regional de la actividad televisiva, dimensión claramente en auge durante los años 70 y 80, los profesores Miquel de Moragas y Carmelo Garitaonandía diseñaron conjuntamente el proyecto de investigación que aquí se presenta, y que ha cuajado en la publicación del volumen Decentralization in the Global Era. Television in the Regions, Nationalitites and Small Countries of the European Union (Londres: John Libbey/Centre d'Investigació de la Comunicació). El trabajo se ha desarrollado desde el principio con el ambicioso objetivo de trazar un estado de la cuestión exhaustivo en todos y cada uno de los Estados de la Unión Europea, a partir del cual poder teorizar con pleno conocimiento de causa. Se pretendía, pues, trazar el "mapa" de la televisión en las regiones de la Unión, como paso previo para ensayar una tipología de estas televisiones, estudiar la cronología de su implantación, teorizar sobre sus funciones políticas, culturales, económicas y tecnológicas, valorar su importancia en el conjunto de las estrategias de desarrollo de las regiones y nacionalidades y avanzar posibles líneas de actuación en el seno de las diferentes políticas de comunicación con impacto sobre ellas (políticas regionales, estatales y comunitarias). El material reunido muestra, por una parte, la casi universalidad de la práctica televisiva regional, aunque al mismo tiempo la gran diversidad de sus raíces. En cualquier caso, se trata de un fenómeno comunicativo que se inscribe en un proceso más amplio e igualmente universal de transformación y pérdida de soberanía de los "tradicionales" espacios comunicativos de los estados-nación. Así, la televisión regional y local no puede ser considerada como un fenómeno marginal o aislado, sino simultáneo y complementario a las tendencias transnacionalizadoras y globalizadoras en el ámbito comunicativo.

AbstractHigh-elevation insectivorous birds are currently confronted with the reality of a changing climate, land use shifts, and the decline of many prey groups. The diet dynamics among many imperiled animals in this group are still unresolved. Examining the diets of tree-line Passerine birds to the species level of the prey allows for stronger population predictions. This study uses DNA metabarcoding to identify prey arthropods from adult Passerine bird feces at and slightly below tree-line in a Pyrenean forest. Our objective was to quantify the intra-and inter-species richness and overlap of Passerine bird diet over time and space. The results showed that adult Passerine diets have high inter- and intra-species dietary variability and low inter- and intra-species dietary overlap. The lack of association between dietary richness and open space, season, and elevation and lack of differences between dietary overlap and open space and elevation suggest high-elevation Passerine birds have very high dietary flexibility. The results also showed that aphids known to be pests to conifers, and other conifer pests, were prevalent in the birds' diets. The Passerine diets and high rate of rare dietary items are mainly in line with other recent DNA metabarcoding studies. Implications for the long-term projections relative to tree-line Passerine populations are discussed.

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are a growing threat to Europe's biodiversity. The implementation of European Union Regulation on IAS can benefit from the involvement of the public in IAS recording and management through Citizen Science (CS) initiatives. Aiming to tackle issues related with the use of CS projects on IAS topics, a dedicated workshop titled "Citizen Science and Open Data: a model for Invasive Alien Species in Europe" was organized by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST Association). Fifty key stakeholders from all Europe, including two Members of the European Parliament, attended the workshop. With a clear focus on IAS, the workshop aimed at addressing the following issues: a) CS and policy, b) citizen engagement, and c) CS data management. Nine short presentations provided input on CS and IAS issues. Participants discussed specific topics in several round tables ("world café" style) and reported back their conclusions to the audience and full assembly moderated discussions. Overall, the workshop enabled the sharing of ideas, approaches and best practices regarding CS and IAS. Specific opportunities and pitfalls of using CS data in the whole policy cycle for IAS were recognized. Concerning the implementation of the IAS Regulation, CS data could complement official surveillance systems, and contribute to the early warning of the IAS of Union concern after appropriate validation by the Member States' competent authorities. CS projects can additionally increase awareness and empower citizens. Attendees pointed out the importance for further public engagement in CS projects on IAS that demonstrate specific initiatives and approaches and analyze lessons learned from past experiences. In addition, the workshop noted that the data gathered from different CS projects on IAS are fragmented. It highlighted the need for using an open and accessible platform to upload data originating from CS sources or to mirror validated data into a single, easy-to-use ...

There is no sign of saturation in accumulation of alien species (AS) introductions worldwide, additionally the rate of spread for some species has also been shown to be increasing. However, the challenges of gathering information on AS are recognized. Recent developments in citizen science (CS) provide an opportunity to improve data flow and knowledge on AS while ensuring effective and high quality societal engagement with the issue of IAS (Invasive Alien Species). Advances in technology, particularly on-line recording and smartphone apps, along with the development of social media, have revolutionized CS and increased connectivity while new and innovative analysis techniques are emerging to ensure appropriate management, visualization, interpretation and use and sharing of the data. In early July 2018 we launched a European CO-operation in Science and Technology (COST) Action to address multidisciplinary research questions in relation to developing and implementing CS, advancing scientific understanding of AS dynamics while informing decision-making specifically implementation of technical requirements of relevant legislation such as the EU Regulation 1143/2014 on IAS. It will also support the EU biodiversity goals and embedding science within society. The Action will explore and document approaches to establishing a European-wide CS AS network. It will embrace relevant innovations for data gathering and reporting to support the implementation of monitoring and surveillance measures, while ensuring benefits for society and citizens, through an AS CS European network. The Action will, therefore, increase levels of participation and quality of engagement with current CS initiatives, ensuring and evaluating educational value, and improve the value outcomes for potential users including citizens, scientists, alien species managers, policy-makers, local authorities, industry and other stakeholders.

There is no sign of saturation in accumulation of alien species (AS) introductions worldwide, additionally the rate of spread for some species has also been shown to be increasing. However, the challenges of gathering information on AS are recognized. Recent developments in citizen science (CS) provide an opportunity to improve data flow and knowledge on AS while ensuring effective and high quality societal engagement with the issue of IAS (Invasive Alien Species). Advances in technology, particularly on-line recording and smartphone apps, along with the development of social media, have revolutionized CS and increased connectivity while new and innovative analysis techniques are emerging to ensure appropriate management, visualization, interpretation and use and sharing of the data. In early July 2018 we launched a European CO-operation in Science and Technology (COST) Action to address multidisciplinary research questions in relation to developing and implementing CS, advancing scientific understanding of AS dynamics while informing decision-making specifically implementation of technical requirements of relevant legislation such as the EU Regulation 1143/2014 on IAS. It will also support the EU biodiversity goals and embedding science within society. The Action will explore and document approaches to establishing a European-wide CS AS network. It will embrace relevant innovations for data gathering and reporting to support the implementation of monitoring and surveillance measures, while ensuring benefits for society and citizens, through an AS CS European network. The Action will, therefore, increase levels of participation and quality of engagement with current CS initiatives, ensuring and evaluating educational value, and improve the value outcomes for potential users including citizens, scientists, alien species managers, policy-makers, local authorities, industry and other stakeholders.