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- For the first time light from planets outside the solar system has been directly observed by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. Up until now all extrasolar planets
have been found using the "wobble" and "transit" techniques. (PhysOrg) (http://www.physorg.com/news3475.html)
- Researches show that the plant Arabidopsis can change the DNA sequences that were inherited from their parents,
reverting to that of their grandparents. The findings challange the understanding of inheritence first described by Mendel. (Nature) (http://www.nature.com/news/2005/050321/full/050321-8.html)
- Hitachi unveils its robot Emiew which will compete with the engineering prowess of
Honda's Asimo and Sony's Qrio robots. Emiew's use of wheels instead of feet makes it the fastest
robot yet; and its focus is Excellent Mobility and Interactive Existence as Workmate. (BBC) (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4351639.stm)
- The sequencing of the human X
chromosome is published in Nature and there are matching
segments in chromosomes of animals. This supports the theory that when genes are transferred from "non-sex" chromosomes, they
stay there. (New Scientist) (http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn7156)
- Scientists at the Scripps Research Institute La Jolla,
California have developed an artificial fifth base for DNA. The fifth base is called
3-fluorobenzene (3FB), 3FB pairs with itself, and it is hoped that this new tool can be used to learn about DNA evolution. (Nature) (http://www.nature.com/news/2005/050314/full/050314-8.html)
- Researchers at Stanford University have created a
photonic crystal that slows light by a factor of 100. Possible applications include
optical data switches and high power lasers. (PhysicsWeb) (http://physicsweb.org/articles/news/9/3/10)
- The 2003 winners of the National Medal of Science were announced. Eight medals were awarded honouring lifelong and
individual achievements. (NSF) (http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=103090&org=OLPA&from=news)
- Mission members monitoring the Spirit rover on Mars report that a lucky encounter with a dust devil has cleaned the solar panels of that robot. Power
levels have dramatically increased and daily science work is anticipated to be expanded. (space.com) (http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/spirit_dust_050312.html)
- The Inmarsat 4 was launched successfully today covering Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, as well as the Indian
Ocean. The first of three satellites that will be offering 3G (third-generation) compatible broadband (up to 432 kbit/sec) data
services to mobile users. (PC World) (http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,120039,00.asp)
- A very high plume of ash and steam is seen coming from the direction of active volcano Mount St. Helens in the U.S. state of
Washington. The plume is visible as far away as Portland, Oregon. (Wikinews) (http://en.wikinews.org/pac/Ash_and_steam_reported_over_Mount_St._Helens) (ABCnews) (http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=563368)
- A CT scan of King Tutankhamun
revealed that he may have died of complications from a broken leg. (BBC) (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4328903.stm)
- Bone protein osteocalcin
extracted from a Neanderthal from Shanidar Cave, Iraq dating to approximately 75,000 years old, was sequenced. This is the oldest fossil human protein ever sequenced. (EurekAlert!) (http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-03/wuis-ofh030805.php)
- Stanford University will create a chimera mouse with some brain
cells derived from stem cells that are 100% human. If the mice show significant
increases in cognitive ability the experiment will stop. (Telegraph)
(http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/03/06/wmouse06.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/03/06/ixnewstop.html)
- Pilot Steve Fossett successfully landed the round-the-world jet
aircraft GlobalFlyer, becoming the first person to fly solo, non-stop around
the world, without refuelling. (BBC) (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4316599.stm)
- A recreation of the brain cavity of Homo
floresiensis the miniature human (or "hobbit") found on the Indonesian
island of Flores in 2004 shows that the skeleton
was not a pygmy or a microcephalic
human. This analysis carried out at Florida State University provides more evidence that H. floresiensis is a new species.
(BBC) (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4308751.stm) (Nature) (http://www.nature.com/news/2005/050228/full/050228-13.html)
- Scientists have recovered 100 000 atoms of solar wind from the crashed
NASA spacecraft Genesis. (ABC News) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200503/s1314753.htm)
- Yahoo! celebrates its tenth Birthday. (BBC) (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4307867.stm)
Past science and technology events by month
2005 in science: January February
2004 in science: November December
(For earlier science and technology events, see October 2004 and
preceding months)
News collections and sources
See: Wikipedia:Current science and technology events sources.
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