News in Brief

  1. Astronomy

    X-ray rings reveal neutron star’s distance

    Concentric X-ray rings around a neutron star help astronomers triangulate the star’s distance.

    By Christopher Crockett
  2. Life

    How vitamin B12 makes pimples pop up

    Vitamin B12 causes acne by altering metabolism of skin bacteria.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  3. Planetary Science

    Evidence mounts for active volcanoes on Venus

    The Venus Express orbiter detected possible signs of active volcanism on the planet next door.

    By Christopher Crockett
  4. Animals

    How mantis shrimps spar

    In ritualized combat between deadly mantis shrimp, blows count but don’t kill.

    By Susan Milius
  5. Health & Medicine

    Antibiotics can treat appendicitis

    Antibiotics can successfully treat the majority of cases of a type of appendicitis, researchers find.