ASTROBIOLOGY:
Are Martian 'Pearl Chains' Signs of Life?
Richard A. Kerr
Life on Mars jumped back into the headlines last week with the publication of two papers claiming that nanoscale mineral grains in the famous martian meteorite ALH84001 were left by ancient martian bacteria. One paper was old news to researchers. The other got a generally cautious reception when it was reported in the media, but now many experts are turning downright incredulous as they get a chance to inspect the published images.