News in Brief

Life

‘Sneezing’ plants may spread pathogens to their neighbors

A “surface tension catapult” can fling dewdrops carrying fungal spores from water-repellent leaves.

Health & Medicine

Rotavirus vaccines may lower kids’ chances of getting type 1 diabetes

Vaccination against rotavirus is associated with a reduced incidence of type 1 diabetes in children, according to an analysis of U.S. insurance data.

Particle Physics

Diamond detectors could aid the search for dark matter

Elusive dark matter particles could be spotted when they slam into electrons or atomic nuclei within diamond, scientists say.

Astronomy

Table salt may be hiding in Europa’s underground sea

Observations of Europa by the Hubble Space Telescope suggest that the moon’s ice-covered ocean may hold sodium chloride, or common table salt.

Environment

Some Canadian lakes still store DDT in their mud

Yesterday’s DDT pollution crisis is still today’s problem in some of Canada’s lakes.

Animals

Bats are the main cause of rare rabies deaths in the U.S.

In the United States, bats are mostly to blame for rabies deaths, while rabies transmitted by overseas dogs comes in second.

Astronomy

Astronomers may have spotted the ghost galaxy that hit the Milky Way long ago

Astronomers think they’ve identified a galaxy that hit the Milky Way and ruffled its edges millions of years ago.

Agriculture

The U.S. is still using many pesticides that are banned in other countries

In 2016, the United States used millions of kilograms of pesticides that are banned or being phased out in the European Union, Brazil and China.

Health & Medicine

Medicaid-expanding states had fewer cardiovascular deaths than other states

Counties in states with expanded Medicaid eligibility had 4.3 fewer cardiovascular deaths per 100,000 residents, on average, than if they hadn’t expanded.

Genetics

DNA reveals ancient Siberians who set the stage for the first Americans

A previously unknown population of Ice Age people who traveled across Beringia was discovered in Russia.

Particle Physics

Physicists have finally figured out how pentaquarks are built

The particles are made of up two smaller particles, stuck together like atoms in a molecule.

Genetics

Almost all healthy people harbor patches of mutated cells

Even healthy tissues can build up mutations, some of which have been tied to cancer.