Smoking ban ‘cuts premature births’

Exposure to tobacco smoke has been linked to lower birthweights and early deliveries

The theory that public smoking bans cut the number of children born prematurely has been strengthened by new research.

Meteorite shower crashes into Russia

Meteor strike injures hundreds in central Russia

A meteor crashing in central Russia’s Ural mountains has injured at least 500 people, as the shockwave blew out windows and rocked buildings.

Asteroid 2012 DA14: Can we know about every asteroid?

The majority of the largest asteroids in our neighbourhood are catalogued and pose no risk

Something to note about asteroid 2012 DA14, due to make an attention-grabbing but harmless pass by the Earth on Friday: its name.

Chinese man pleads guilty in $100m software scam

Pirated software is easily found in China

A Chinese man has pleaded guilty to selling pirated US business software worth more than $100m (£62m).

Spit test ‘improves’ asthma care

Salmeterol is taken every day for severe asthma

A simple spit test could identify thousands of children with severe asthma who are taking medication which will never help them, scientists say.

One in seven people will not respond to salmeterol, found in purple or green inhalers, which is given to tens of thousands of children in the UK.

Earth-size planets ‘number 17bn’

This artist’s rendering shows the different types of planets in the Milky Way detected by Nasa’s Kepler spacecraft

Astronomers say that one in six stars hosts an Earth-sized planet in a close orbit – suggesting a total of 17 billion such planets in the galaxy.

Lone Udinese football fan wins hearts in Italy

Mr Brovedani had counted on seeing at least a few other Udinese supporters

A football fan has stolen media attention in Italy after being the only supporter to show up to watch his club play an away game in the top league.