March 2005 in Science - March 23, 2005

March 23, 2005

• 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)
• 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 challenge the understanding of inheritance first described by Mendel. (Nature)