Why cant they just take a DNA sample of GFAJ-1 and put it under an atomic force microscope?
Media's insatiable appetite for sensational headlines often remove the doubts and conditions a scientist will include in their findings
You are aware that this was submitted to a peer reviewed journal BEFORE the media got a hold of it (and accepted)? Scientists don't give a toss about what the mass media report on or not (or how).I think most everyone seeks approval. And sports stars really do care about what their fans think. Fan support (or not) can indeed affect the level of an athlete's play, as fans can inspire the athlete to play more vigorously (or not).
If you like you can compare the mass media commenting on science to an obese fan commenting on the performance of his favorite athlete.
The opinion of someone who isn't on a par (or at least close to it) is completely irrelevant.
I think most everyone seeks approval
So, no: the public opinion doesn't matter one bit to a scientist. He's couldn't care less. I've never met one who did.Then I guess you've never had the occasion to meet Stephen Hawking, Brian Greene, or Neil deGrasse Tyson?
You are aware that this was submitted to a peer reviewed journal BEFORE the media got a hold of it (and accepted)? Scientists don't give a toss about what the mass media report on or not (or how).
And most human personalities include copious amounts of vanity.
antialias_physorg
Jul 9, 2012Instead of doing all these indirect tests.
Even if it just scavenges phosphorous and uses arsenic as a replacement in some minor molecules that would be a first indication that life-supporting stuff can be made of different atomps than CHONPS.