Science Now

Science Now Discoveries from the world of science and medicine
Found: First-ever evidence of comets beyond the solar system orbiting a sun-like star

Just as we have grown accustomed to stories of increasingly small planets being discovered around distant stars, along comes a new study that ups the ante.

This week, for the first time ever, scientists have announced evidence of icy comets orbiting a sun-like star about 160 light-years from Earth. Consider them the first known exocomets.

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Number of pregnant women with Zika in U.S. spikes with new counting method

The number of pregnant women in the United States infected with Zika virus is suddenly tripling because of a change in how the government is reporting cases.

Previously, officials had reported how many pregnant women had both Zika symptoms and positive blood tests.

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Americans could prevent roughly half of all cancer deaths by doing these four things

Roughly half of cancer deaths in the United States could be prevented or forestalled if all Americans quit smoking, cut back on drinking, maintained a healthful weight and got at least 150 minutes of exercise each week.

These same measures would also reduce the number of new cancer diagnoses by 40% to 70%, according to a new report.

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Supersized tsunamis once roiled an ocean on Mars, scientists say

Mars might have been a wilder water world than we thought. Scientists scanning the Martian terrain say they have discovered signs of two massive tsunamis in the northern hemisphere — events that might have been caused by massive, crater-carving impacts.

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CDC study: Nearly 8 in 10 public swimming pools failed routine safety inspections

Summer’s right around the corner, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are here to remind you that there’s nothing like a dip in a public pool — a place where you might encounter tiny bits of fecal matter, parasites like Cryptosporidium and volatile chemicals that can irritate your eyes or respiratory tract.

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Holy bat sounds! Unusual library will help scientists track bat species

If you’re looking for bats, sometimes the best way to spot them is to listen.

The elusive mammals fly by night and mainly “see” the world through sound, using echolocation to find food and to navigate. For scientists wishing to study bats, these ultrasonic calls can be the giveaway to their presence.

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