There are plenty of bird-brained bloggers out there, but San Jose in California is about to take the crown. University of California scientists are planning to equip a number of birds with a GPS receiver, air pollution sensors and a basic cellphone rig so that they can text pollution information to be collated by computer in a public blog. [NewScientist.com]

A pair of radiation biologists have amassed evidence that protons, the most abundant particles in outer space, may be up to twice as damaging to DNA than was previously thought. This suggests that astronauts may be at higher risk from cancers and other side-effects. [NewScientistSpace]

New month, new start-up. InnovaLight announces advances in solution-treating of silicon nanocrystals, which means they should be able to make ultra thin photovoltaic devices, even on the surface of flexible materials. [NanotechWeb]

Two teams of scientists have both achieved breakthroughs in quantum entanglement over (comparatively) long distances and long particle-lifespans. Good news for the future of instant communications over vast tracts of space. [PhysicsWeb]

No, not a new Beefheart bootleg. Boffins at the UK’s University of Reading have discovered that cloudy days are more likely to occur when the cosmic ray flux is high. [NewScientistSpace]