NEW YORK A standard brain scanning technique is showing promise for helping doctors distinguish between patients in a vegetative state and those with hidden signs of consciousness.

ORONO A wireless leak detection system created by University of Maine researchers is scheduled to board a SpaceX rocket bound for the International Space Station this summer.

'Bond Breaker 2.0'

ORONO Despite Maine's most recent snowstorm, spring is on its way. Common signs of the season, such as an increase in morning birdsong or a crocus pushing through the soil are just a few indicators of a much larger cycle of seasonal changes that affect the plants, animals and humans of Maine.

BANGOR As a preview event for the 2016 Maine Science Festival, the Bangor Public Library is hosting a discussion of the book 'The Signal and the Noise' by Nate Silver. The discussion will be led by Mitchell Center Senior Fellow Linda Silka and Bangor City Councilor Ben Sprague. This Maine Reads Science program is on Wednesday, March 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Library, free of charge.

PORTLAND he University of Maine Aquaculture Research Institute will host this year's international conference on behalf of the International Society of Fish & Shellfish Immunology (ISFSI).

This is the second international conference of the ISFSI and the first time the global group of researchers and industry leaders will gather outside Europe.

The International Conference of Fish & Shellfish Immunology will be held June 2630 at the Holiday Inn By the Bay in Portland, Maine.

The conference aims to improve aquaculture in the U.S. and around the world by bringing together leaders in the field from universities, research institutions and the industry, according to Anne Langston, associate director of UMaine's Aquaculture Research Institute (ARI), an international center for aquaculture research and development and home to the Sustainable Ecological Aquaculture Research Network (SEANET).

In 2013, the conference was held in Spain and attracted about 320 attendees.

UMaine, which has hosted an international conference on sea lice, was selected to host the conference after a bidding process.