Editor's Note: The news items on this page all originated from the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting in Anaheim, Calif., Jan. 21-26.


Mars: Future homestead?
NASA's Astrobiology Institute revealed its definition of astrobiology and a road map of research directions, about six months after its inaugural gathering.1 "Astrobiology is the study of life in the universe, an attempt to answer some of the fundamental questions that have been with us for a long time--how does life begin and evolve, is there life on other worlds, and what is the future of life on Earth and in space?" announced David Morrison of the NASA Ames Research Center.

"The space program has reached a point where we can begin to find the answers to these fundamental questions, and the road map identifies more specific goals where we think we have the technology, the programs, and the opportunities...

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

Receive full access to digital editions of The Scientist, as well as TS Digest, feature stories, more than 35 years of archives, and much more!