On our good old "Vol.Select" we can use a particle system, turn on softselection, and we will have a selection based on particles position.
Now, on the good new "Data Channel" We have "Node Influence" but selection a particle system doesnt detect particles postion, just the pivot of the helper.
Will be good to add the option to detect particle data. Even better to detect different particle data: velocity/size/color/etc...