SCIENCE: DEEP-WATER SEA WEED EVOLVED INTO MULTI-CELLULAR PLANT

A sample of green algae collected from the Gulf of Mexico.

Credit: Image courtesy of The University of Alabama

The discovery of a deep-water seaweed that evolved into a multi-cellular plant more than 540 million years ago has added a new branch to the tree of life, according to a biologist at The University of Alabama.

OUTER-SPACE: OVER 1200 NEW PLANETS CONFIRMED

Scientists from Princeton University and NASA have confirmed that 1,284 objects observed outside Earth's solar system by NASA's Kepler spacecraft are indeed planets. It is the largest single announcement of new planets to date and more than doubles the number of confirmed planets discovered by Kepler so far to more than 2,000. Kepler, which launched in 2009 and ended data collection for its primary mission in 2013, precisely measured the brightness of many stars simultaneously in order to find the dimming caused by planets as they cross in front of their home star. This photo shows a section of the Milky Way galaxy that includes the Kepler field of view.

Credit: Photo by Carter Roberts, NASA

Scientists from Princeton University and NASA have confirmed that 1,284 objects observed outside Earth's solar system by NASA's Kepler spacecraft are indeed planets. Reported in The Astrophysical Journal on May 10, it is the largest single announcement of new planets to date and more than doubles the number of confirmed planets discovered by Kepler so far to more than 2,300.

HEALTH: POPULAR PAINKILLER REDUCES EMPATHY, STUDY FINDS

Acetaminophen -- the main ingredient in the painkiller Tylenol -- is the most common drug ingredient in the United States, found in more than 600 medicines, according to the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, a trade group.

Credit: © Tyler Panian / Fotolia

When you take acetaminophen to reduce your pain, you may also be decreasing your empathy for both the physical and social aches that other people experience, a new study suggests.

TECH TECH: 5-FINGERED ROBOT HAND LEARNS TO GET A GRIP

This five-fingered robot hand developed by University of Washington computer science and engineering researchers can learn how to perform dexterous manipulation -- like spinning a tube full of coffee beans -- on its own, rather than having humans program its actions.

Credit: University of Washington

Robots today can perform space missions, solve a Rubik's cube, sort hospital medication and even make pancakes. But most can't manage the simple act of grasping a pencil and spinning it around to get a solid grip.

HEALTH: NEW MATERIAL TEMPORARILY TIGHTENS SKIN

"Second skin" polymer could also be used to protect dry skin and deliver drugs.

Credit: Melanie Gonick/MIT; Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives license

Scientists at MIT, Massachusetts General Hospital, Living Proof, and Olivo Labs have developed a new material that can temporarily protect and tighten skin, and smooth wrinkles. With further development, it could also be used to deliver drugs to help treat skin conditions such as eczema and other types of dermatitis.

SCIENCE: TOURISTS ASKED TO FIGHT WILDLIFE TRADE

Image copyrightChester Zoo

Image captionA sun bear at Chester Zoo, which was saved by conservationists after its mother was killed by poachers

Conservationists have launched a global campaign asking the public to help tackle the illegal trade in wildlife.

OUTER-SPACE: SPACEX RECORDS ANOTHER ROCKET LANDING

Image copyrightSPACEX

Image captionLegs down: The first stage of the rocket lands on the drone ship positioned some 650km from shore

SpaceX has made another successful landing of a rocket stage at sea.