But many local people say the surge in foreigners in recent years has already put a strain on the small, wealthy island state's resources, and has pushed down salaries while raising property prices.

BBC: Rare mass rally over Singapore immigration plans

This season's flu shot seemed to do little to protect people over 65 from the worst and most dominant flu strain spreading around, a small government study found.

NPR: Q&A: Weighing The Value Of Less Effective Flu Shot

But ViroPharma, a small Pennsylvania company, is developing a nontoxic strain of Clostridium difficile to help treat hospital infections.

FORBES: Our Germs, Ourselves

Because rural communities are so small, doctors must often cope with the strain of getting involved in all aspects of their patients' lives.

ECONOMIST: Health care

Drain the broth through the spigot or strain through a fine strainer into four small bowls.

NPR: Recipes: 'The Summer Shack Cookbook'

To prove it worked, he started with a strain of the E. coli bacterium that produced small quantities of lycopene, the pigment that makes tomatoes red.

FORBES: Putting Evolution to Work

Air-traffic controllers say furloughs will strain an already understaffed workforce, which also will have to fill gaps left by tower closures at small airports.

WSJ: Airlines Dispute Planned Air-Controller Cuts

Yet even to believers in small government, like this newspaper, there are good reasons for letting taxes take at least some of the strain.

ECONOMIST: America's budget deficit

Though based on a small sample size, there are some things that suggest the Anthony, who missed two weeks with a groin strain, has bought into the Lin-led offense.

WSJ: Jeremy Lin, Carmelo Anthony Show Flashes of Success