BBC News Science & Environment

1 December 2010 Last updated at 21:21 ET

First coca chewed 8,000 years agoChewing coca leaves

The earliest known medicinal use of the coca plant - from which cocaine is made - has been pushed back by thousands of years.

Red dwarf artist's impression (Yale University)Star bonanza hints at many Earths

Astronomers say the Universe may contain three times the number of stars as is currently thought and therefore many more planets, too.

MTG spacecraft (Eumetsat)Meteosat project in further hitch

Portugal's financial difficulties could delay the start of work on Europe's next generation weather satellite programme.

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